Jessie Slaymaker's Rules of Engagement (The Jessie Slaymaker Series Book 2) Read Free

that. And yet, she really wanted to. Something about the lack of contemplation and recklessness of it all appealed to her. Why not? she asked herself. What’s the worst thing that could happen?
    ‘But you only just came back,’ Jessie stuttered.
    ‘I know. But I tried doing something in this country when I came back before,’ Jack explained. ‘And although I love England, I felt completely uninspired here. Here, it seems there’s always a negative reason, a reason not to do something; but in Asia it’s the opposite mentality. There’s always a positive reason, a reason why you should take a risk, try to make something happen. My money won’t last forever, Jessie, and I’m going to need to find something to keep me occupied whilst you fulfill your own career potential,’ he added, smiling at her.
    Jessie had always assumed that Jack had simply retired; this was the first time she’d ever heard him so much as mention a concern over money. Jack had had a successful publishing business in China after all, one he’d developed during his seven-year stint there.
    Jessie felt ashamed to admit that it had never really occurred to her that maybe Jack still had more ambitions and professional goals left in him. When he had returned to England, shortly before they’d first met at a mutual friend’s wedding, he had been bumbling around aimlessly, not doing a huge amount. Jessie had—perhaps a little unfairly—regarded him as somewhat of a playboy. But clearly there was more to Jack Davenport, and for Jessie this was a stark reminder of just how little they really knew about each other. And yet, she was still drawn to Jack’s idea of starting a new life together in Hong Kong.
    ‘You make it sound so easy,’ Jessie said, smiling shyly.
    ‘It can be, if you want it to be.’
    ‘It would be nice to escape the mundanity of life and work in England. And it certainly would be an adventure,’ Jessie conceded. She was also excited by the idea of sharing this adventure with Jack, not having it be strictly a solo endeavour. That part was definitely tempting.
    ‘Then let’s do it. Let’s go. Or let’s try to, anyway,’ Jack said simply, shrugging his shoulders. It dawned on Jessie that the two biggest regrets in her life—turning down the Hong Kong job offer and not keeping a hold of Jack the first time she’d had the chance—could be rectified in one fell swoop.
    ‘Would you like some dessert, madam?’ the waiter asked, a note of impatience in his voice.
    ‘Sorry!’ Jessie exclaimed loudly, realising she must have been off for some time in her own world of thoughts and pleasant imaginings. Someone had placed a dessert menu in her hands at some point, and she was absent-mindedly fiddling with it.
    ‘Two pieces of chocolate cake, please,’ Jack ordered for them, pulling the now slightly dog-eared dessert menu out of Jessie’s hands and handing it back to the none-too-impressed waiter.
    ‘Sorry,’ Jessie apologised to Jack earnestly. ‘I was in a different world. I didn’t mean to ignore you.’
    ‘I know,’ Jack said, giving her a warm smile. ‘So, what’s the verdict, Miss Slaymaker? I could practically hear those cogs of yours turning and clanking away. To Hong Kong or not to Hong Kong? That is the question,’ he asked theatrically.
    ‘Very funny,’ Jessie laughed. ‘How long have you been thinking that one up?’
    ‘I know not of what you speak, for I always talk this way, my love,’ Jack quipped, placing a hand to his heart.
    ‘Anyway,’ Jessie began, assuming an assertive businesslike tone. ‘Do you think it’s really a good idea going back to Hong Kong? After what’s happened with Sonia…’ She stopped, not entirely sure how to proceed.
    Sonia was the woman who’d entrapped Jack into staying with her for six months. Jack and Sonia had been childhood friends, but Sonia wanted more—and had schemed and strived to get Jessie out of the picture and win Jack for herself. It had taken Jack a