lower lip. “About us.”
She shivered at the tender intensity of his words. But before he could explain what he meant, the elevator dinged to announce its arrival to the lower level where their vehicles were parked.
Titus led her toward the nearest black SUV that was idling at the curb and waved at the driver. The man hopped out to open one of the back passenger doors for them. “Where to, sir?”
“The Sundial on Western Street.” He gave Jolene a princely bow. “Assuming you were serious about that lunch date?”
Her face fell as she allowed him to usher her inside the SUV. Good golly! The Sundial was an expensive restaurant, as in way out of her price range. Looked like it was time for a few more confessions.
“Did I say something wrong, beautiful?” He climbed in after her, plopping down beside her on the dark leather seat and stretching one long arm across the seat-back behind her.
“Yes, but only because I haven’t been as up front about a few things as I should have been.”
He traced small circles against her shoulder blade. “I’m listening.”
“I’m flat broke, Titus, so a pizza joint would be a little more in my price range than the Sundial.”
“Wasn’t planning on letting you pay, doll, but if pizza is what you prefer…”
“It’s not, but I did do the asking, so it’s only fair that I take you some place I can afford.”
When his lips parted in protest, she pressed a finger over them, which he promptly kissed. “Before your investigator mind jumps to a dozen wrong conclusions, I’m not a closet gambler. Nothing as exciting as that. I’m the daughter of a self-employed man who didn’t have a very good health insurance policy when he came down with Alzheimer’s.”
“Uh-oh,” Titus sighed, pressing her hand to his chest.
“You can say that again.” She frowned at him. “What I’m about to tell you is not for public consumption. It’s strictly need-to-know, which I think you do if you’re going to date me.”
“I am.” He settled deeper in his seat. “As for my ability to keep a secret, I’m pretty much a closed book, doll. Or was,” he amended with a wry grimace, “before the whole adoption snafu burst into our lives.”
“So…” She briefly closed her eyes, glorying in the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath her fingers. “I sold nearly everything to cover Dad’s treatments. His business, our home, and most of our belongings. Only when I could no longer personally handle his care, while juggling a full-time job at the ICU, did I place him in a nursing home.” She drew a deep breath. “My motorcycle is one of the few luxuries I allowed myself to keep. Everything else is rented, borrowed, or acquired second-hand.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” She wrinkled her nose at him. “Is that all you have to say about my enormously long list of soul-bearing confessions?”
“Other than it doesn’t change the way I feel about you? Yes.”
“You’re making this so easy.” Her eyes misted in gratitude over his complete lack of judgment concerning her financial decisions.
“I sure hope so.” He relinquished her hand to cup her chin and tip her face up to his. “Being honest with the guy you’re dating shouldn’t be difficult.”
Only because you’re the most wonderful guy I’ve ever met! “If it makes you feel any differently about what I just told you, I’m already working hard to rebuild my savings.” She bit her lower lip, wanting him to understand instead of feeling sorry for her. “To get back on track with my goals. So, yes. If you truly don’t mind, I think it needs to be pizza for lunch.”
“Which I’m happy to agree to under one condition.” His gaze raked her with so much male appreciation that she blushed. “When I escort you to the Sundial in the near future, you’ll agree to put that smoking hot red dress back on for me.”
“Deal.” She tugged his head back down to hers and sealed their bargain with a kiss.
His mouth moved over hers, possessive and infinitely tender. “In case you can’t tell, I’m falling for you, baby,” he confessed huskily. “Hard.”
Her heart soared at his words. “Titus,” she breathed against his lips.
“Yes, doll?”
The impact on their vehicle came without warning. There was no squeal of tires leading up to it. No blaring of horns. Nothing but a jolt so powerful that it knocked Jolene from Titus’s embrace. It was followed by a horrifying crunch of metal and a splintering of glass. Then their vehicle started