capture it and hold it safe so he’d never forget what it felt like again. He’d let Jacqui slip away like he’d done with his music, and this right here, right now, solidified his plans for the future.
There was no way he was letting Jacqui fade from his life until he’d done everything he could to show her exactly how much she meant to him.
He’d have to make that call to his agent soon, but right now, he simply played.
* * *
Jacqui stood on Henrik’s doorstep in the breaking dawn light, huddled in her winter coat and frozen to the spot. Partly by fear and partly by the beautiful music flowing through the closed door. Muted but still clear, the piano notes were rich and pure. She’d never heard him listen to piano music outside of her own playing and it sounded live, not filtered through speakers.
And she was stalling. Looking for excuses to put off what she needed to do.
Wanted to do.
Even if it scared her shitless.
With one last deep breath that chilled her lungs, she pressed the doorbell. The deep bong rang inside, the piano music stopping instantly. Was it him playing the piano? Or was someone else there playing? Had he replaced her already? His reputation and history flew through her mind and had her turning away. There was no way she’d make a fool of herself like this.
Pain wrenched her heart, choked her throat with more regrets. She’d shoved him away. It was her fault. What had she expected? He couldn’t wait five days?
When you’re ready, I’ll be here for you.
Right. She stopped, pulse thumping in her temple. He wouldn’t replace her that quickly. Not the Henrik she knew. The one she loved.
She blinked back the tears that rushed up and retraced her steps. She’d just made it to the scrolled doormat when the door swung open, a sleep-rumpled Henrik behind it.
God. Her heart lurched, a great big lunge in her chest that stole her breath. He looked so damn good. Hair sticking up on one side, jaw darkened lightly with beard stubble, cheeks flushed red and those perfect lips of his parted in surprise.
“Jacqui?” The hesitation was in his voice, along with uncertainty and what she wanted to believe was hope.
She managed a wan smile. “Hi, Henrik.” Her smile wavered when he snapped his mouth closed but she forged on. “I know I’m really early, but can I come in?”
He shook himself. “Of course.” He stepped back, gesturing her inside.
It shamed her but she still did a quick sweep of the room checking for another woman. There wasn’t one, and the masculine scent of him was all she caught when she inhaled. No feminine perfume or—God forbid—sex.
He helped her remove her coat, his touch lingering on her shoulder to send a wave of longing straight to her heart. She almost fell into his arms right then, but she managed to resist. Managed to step away and hold her own until he finished hanging her coat in the closet. There was that precise courteousness that’d gotten her from the very beginning.
He turned back to her, lips lifted in a smile that was free of doubts and hesitation. And there was the love she’d walked away from. It shone in his eyes and rushed from his relaxed posture.
“I’m glad you came.” The love poured from his voice, warm and relieved. “I was going to find you today.”
She didn’t resist this time. Couldn’t no matter how much she should. Three steps and she was in his arms, holding tight with her face pressed to his chest.
“I’m so sorry.” The words poured out in a rush of relief and more regrets. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you. I was protecting myself. Afraid of what you wanted and—”
“Shh,” he soothed, cupping her face to lift it. “It’s okay.”
She was shaking her head before he finished. “No it’s not. I should’ve talked to you, not run. I should’ve explained and—”
His kiss cut her off this time, her rambling diatribe swallowed in the heat of his lips and press of his tongue. She melted into it immediately, hungrily taking everything he was giving. Her chest swelled with her love and the truth of how close she’d come to losing this. Him. Everything they could be because of what might come.
And that was what they needed to talk about. What he could still run from. Especially after his sister. Why would he want to deal with another