“WHAT’S A THREE-LETTER WORD for a Tolkien tree creature?”
Jake took a bite out of his Asiago cheese bagel slathered with cream cheese and chewed thoughtfully as he watched Victoria frown at the Sunday Chronicle’s crossword puzzle. He’d never seen anyone look so serious over a damn crossword.
“Wait, let’s look at twenty-six down first. That should help.”
“Ent.”
She looked up. “What?”
“A Tolkien tree creature is an ent.”
Grinning, she went back to studying the puzzle.
“You don’t believe me?”
Slowly she looked back up at him. “You’re serious? You know that?”
“Yeah.”
“How?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Probably from doing crosswords.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hog this. I had no idea you liked to do puzzles.”
“I don’t anymore. I used to do them when I was bored in school.” He smiled. “Anyway, I’d much rather watch you.”
She looked down at herself sitting on the bed, wearing a too-big T-shirt that had slid off her left shoulder, one leg tucked under her, the other stretched wide, a tangle of sheets strategically bunched between her thighs. The newspaper was spread out over half the bed, the untouched bagel he’d toasted and buttered for her sitting on a plate in the middle of the front page.
She laughed. “I’m a mess.”
“But very cute.” Jake set his plate on the dresser and crawled in behind her. He only had on a pair of shorts, which he’d pulled on to go get the paper earlier. Sliding his arms around her waist, he pulled her back against his chest and rested his chin on her bare shoulder.
Relaxing against him, she made a soft noise of contentment. “So, you’re going to help me with this?”
“No, I’m going to nibble your earlobe while you figure it out.”
“And how am I supposed to concentrate?”
“That’s your problem.” He lightly bit the skin below her ear.
“Think so?” She threw down the pencil as if it were a gauntlet and straightened, preparing for battle.
“Careful—”
A second before she would’ve smashed her bagel, he grabbed the plate and set it on the nightstand. She took advantage of the distraction, and clutching his shoulders, forced him to lie flat on his back. With a triumphant curve of her lips, she threw a leg over his waist and straddled him, keeping him pinned down.
He chuckled. “Am I supposed to protest?”
“Scream all you want. No one will hear you.” She tried to keep a straight face, but failed miserably.
“Oh, yeah?” He worked a hand under her thigh.
She jumped. “Hey.”
“Sweetheart, you started it.”
Laughing, she slid her hand under the waistband of his shorts, and struck gold. “Oh, my, what have we here?”
He groaned. “Keep that up and you can forget about the crossword.”
She grinned at the pun and asked, “What crossword?” Then she moved quickly and pulled his shorts off before he could defend himself.
Not that he would have. Naked was okay with him. As long as she joined him. He grabbed the hem of her T-shirt and she yelped and giggled at the same time, until she started coughing and gasping for breath.
“Take it easy.” He immediately let go. “You okay?”
With a taunting laugh, she rolled out of reach.
“You fake.”
“I outsmarted you.” She stood, her shin lifted. “Don’t be a poor sport.”
He lunged for her, just as she started to walk away, grabbing hold of the T-shirt again. She struggled to get away until the sound of the shirt tearing stopped her.
“Jake!”
“So what, it’s mine.” He fisted the stretchy fabric and pulled her backward until the back of her legs hit the bed.
“Damn it. You’re gonna get it.” She tumbled backward onto the mattress.
“I’m counting on it.” This time he straddled her until he was able to get the shirt completely off, and they were both naked.
She stared up at him, her hazel eyes dancing with excitement and mischief. “You play dirty.”
“Want me to stop?”
“Don’t you dare.” She slid a palm behind his neck and forced his mouth down to hers.
He kept the kiss gentle, teasing, seductive, hoping she’d become impatient and make another move. But the tables turned and he moved to her breast and tongued the beaded nipple before taking it into his mouth and suckling her until she moaned and her back arched off the mattress.
None too gently she reached for him, and grabbing hold began a firm, rhythmic stroke. He was already hard. Too hard. Especially considering they’d made love less than an hour ago.
They had only a day and a half left, and he wanted to go slow, make the most of every minute. He hoped he could talk her into staying longer, and he got the feeling she just might be agreeable.
“Easy, baby,” he whispered, cupping his hand over hers.
She abruptly stopped. “Am I hurting you?”
“God, no.” He grunted. “Just trying to slow things down, that’s all.”
“Oh.” She smiled and resumed the rhythm that would soon be his undoing.
“You little devil,” he murmured and distracted her with a well-placed finger.
She started, and then moaned softly.
The distinct sound of her cell phone playing Fur Elise penetrated the mood. She stiffened and met his eyes. He couldn’t believe she’d even think about answering it now, but that’s exactly what her eyes said.
“Let it go, Victoria.” He probed with his finger, ran his tongue around the shell of her ear. “Whoever it is will leave a message.”
“I can’t.” She pushed his hand away. “I’m sorry. I have to get it.”
He watched her hurry to the phone where she’d left it out, lying beside her purse on the dresser, as if she’d expected to get a call. Damn, he hoped she missed it.
For crying out loud it was a Sunday morning. It couldn’t be work. Hell, she’d said she was still studying up on the company. She didn’t have any specific responsibilities yet. Which meant the call was personal. One of her more suitable boyfriends, no doubt.
Shit, none of his business.
Anger simmering in his gut, he heard her answer with a soft “hello” and then watched her take the phone and slip into the bathroom. She closed the door without sparing him a look.
“WANT TO GO FOR A SWIM?”
“Maybe later.” He concentrated on the sports section, even though he’d already read all the interesting articles. Checked the preseason injured list of the Cowboys, skimmed their stats twice. Better than letting her see how annoyed he was.
Victoria closed the sliding door behind her as she joined him on the deck. “I know you’re still mad and I don’t blame you.” She moved in behind him and bending down, slid her arms around his neck, bringing her mouth close to his ear. “Can we call another truce?”
He wrapped a hand around her forearm and squeezed gently. “Question.”
“Yes?” She tensed, but he tugged her arm and prompted her to swing around and sit on the chair beside him.
“You said you didn’t blame me for being mad,” he said, watching the green flecks flame in her guarded eyes. “Why?”
“Because if you’d suddenly jumped up in the middle of what we were doing to answer your cell phone, I would’ve been hurt and angry.”
Unprepared for the blunt honesty, words momentarily escaped him.
Sighing, she took his hand. “The call wasn’t about work. It wasn’t even personal. Not really.” She exhaled sharply, as if struggling for an explanation. “It had something to do with the volunteer work I do. I really can’t tell you much more than that—”
“You don’t have to tell me anything.”
“True.” She smiled. “But I want you to know the call was really important or I wouldn’t have taken it.”
“Good enough.”
“Really?”
Jake nodded. “I shouldn’t have gotten irritated. We don’t owe each other anything. Not even an explanation.”
The wounded look on her face got to him. He hadn’t meant to hurt her, but hell, she was the one who’d made the rules.
“Right.” Her lips curved, but it wasn’t a real smile she gave him.
“Look, Victoria, I didn’t mean to—”
She held up a hand. “You’re absolutely right. You don’t need to say anything.”
He grunted. Since when did being right feel so bad? “Want to go for that walk now?”
“Sure.” She started to leave but he took her hand and pulled her toward him.
“Not so fast.”
Without hesitation, she made herself comfortable on his lap and looped her arms around his neck. “What did you have in mind?”
He didn’t speak. He showed her, by slipping his tongue between her lips and kissing her until she whimpered.
JAKE SHOOK OUT THE QUILT on a sparse patch of grass far enough from the water that they didn’t have to worry about the tide. He set down the small cooler to anchor one end, and Victoria plopped down on the other.
She grinned up at him. “You think it’s silly to drag our dinner out here, don’t you?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“No, you didn’t, and I appreciate you being a good sport.”
“Anything to make you happy, darlin’.”
She looked up at him with shining eyes and her lips curved in a smile he hadn’t seen before. Kind of shy, but definitely happy. “I’m having the best time, Jake,” she whispered. “The absolute best.”
“Good.” He sat beside her, slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Me, too.”
“I mean it.”
“So do I.” He kissed the side of her temple. Her hair smelled so sweet. Reminded him of vanilla.
“Jake?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you think we can come out here again?”
His heart thudded. “If you’d like,” he said slowly, his thoughts beginning to race.
“Just for like a weekend or something, and I’d be happy to rent the house from your friends.”
“That won’t be necessary.” He’d just bought the place. Signed the papers last month. Now was probably a good time to tell her.
Earlier he’d figured it was better not to mention it in case she got weird and thought it was too personal to stay in a house he owned. But something had shifted in their relationship in the past couple of days. Nothing he could put a finger on, but she seemed more relaxed and open to talk of the future. Being together didn’t seem so much about sex anymore.
Hell, maybe she could help him decorate, choose some furniture. The thought made his heart pump faster, his brain race with possibilities.
“I don’t want you paying for it.” She pulled back to look at him. “If anything we can split the cost.”
It took him a couple of seconds to remember what she was talking about. “We don’t need to rent the place. All we have to do is decide when we can take some time off. Once my father is back on his feet, I’ll be more flexible.”
She covered her mouth with her hand.
His heart sunk, certain she’d thought of a reason why she could never return. “What?”
“I feel horrible. I haven’t even asked about your dad.”
Jake sighed. “He’s fine. I left his refrigerator fully stocked and the truck keys with Hector, who’s also looking in on him until I get back.” He laughed, fondly remembering his father slyly trying to get him to leave the truck keys. “He’s ornery, but fine. Just needs to chill out and give himself time to heal.”
“I haven’t seen him for a really long time.”
“His birthday is next weekend. I’ll either take him out to dinner or if he doesn’t want to go out, have a small barbecue. Want to come?”
She frowned. “Next weekend?”
He nodded, already knowing her answer. She had that nervous look in her face that said he was getting too close and personal. Foolishly he’d thought they’d gotten past that barrier.
“I’m sorry, but I have a dinner to attend. It’s a benefit and I committed a long time ago.” She picked at the hem of her shorts. “It’s going to be really boring, but it’s for a good cause.”
“Going alone?”
She shook her head and started digging into the cooler for their dinner. “My parents bought a table for ten. They’ll be attending, along with my sister and her husband.”
“If you need company to help get you through the evening—”
“Oh, God, I wouldn’t do that to you,” she said quickly. “I swear it’ll be a yawner.”
A moment of awkward silence followed and he wished he hadn’t tried to invite himself along. He’d known she wouldn’t bite. But her rejection stung and he’d childishly wanted to make her squirm.
“If you end up having the barbecue, would it be at his place?” she asked finally easing the tension. “I could probably come over for a while before or after the benefit.”
“Sure.”
“I imagine he still lives in the cottage around the corner.”
“Still there. Too stubborn to move.”
“Why would he? It’s a cute place. I loved what he did with the planter boxes. And oh, my God, the tree house he built. Of course it probably isn’t there anymore, huh?”
“You’ve been to the house?”
“Not for, gosh, at least fifteen years. I’m sure it’s changed.”
“What were you doing there?”
She winced, looking oddly sheepish. “He said he’d never tell. Obviously he hasn’t. Bless his heart.” A smile tugged at her mouth as if she were reliving a fond memory. “I was about ten or so and angry with my mother for something or other. Probably the usual disagreement over piano practice or being sent away to school.
“Anyway, I packed a toothbrush, a hairbrush and a book, and took off down the driveway. I made it around the corner and your dad stopped and asked if I needed a ride. I tried to be brave and say no but he bribed me with homemade butterscotch ice cream. I climbed into that shiny red truck of his and he took me to your house.”
Jake sat in total amazement. His dad must have just bought the truck. He was so damn proud of it. “Where was I?”
“It was a regular school day. I guess that’s where you and your sister were.”
“He never said a word.”
She smiled as she got out plates and napkins. “He promised he wouldn’t tell anyone. He said it would be our secret.”
“How did he talk you into going home?”
She shrugged. “I don’t remember exactly. I know he didn’t rush me. He showed me the tree house, the model car collection you’d put together. Math and science papers you’d gotten A’s on.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I remember that distinctly because I thought how wonderful it would be to have my father so proud of me.” She visibly swallowed and quickly looked away. “I think I forgot to bring crackers.”
“Victoria?”
“Hmm?” She kept her attention focused on the cooler, although obviously not interested in the contents.
“Hey, you.” He lifted her chin.
She shuttered her eyes. “Look, I don’t know about you but I’m starving. Open the olives, will you?”
He wouldn’t let her ignore him. They were too close to sharing something important. “I think we all have different perspectives of our parents that eventually change as we get older. I had no idea my dad felt that way about my grades. He was always pleased with my report cards and gave me pats on the back, but that he saved test papers and actually showed them to someone else blows me away.”
Her gaze steady with his, she frowned slightly. “I’m sure that’s true in most cases. Except my perspective of my parents hasn’t changed. I still think they’re two self-absorbed people who shouldn’t have had children.”
He didn’t know what to say to that. Hell, she was probably right.
“I’m not wallowing in self-pity,” she added quickly. “It’s a simple fact I’ve accepted.” She made a face. “My only regret is that for a long time I avoided your dad. I was scared to death he’d tell my mother I’d run away.” She smiled wryly. “She didn’t even realize I’d been gone for more than half a day. Can you imagine a mother not knowing her ten-year-old child was missing?”
“No, I can’t.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “And don’t pretend it doesn’t hurt. You may be resigned intellectually, but that kind of stuff stays with you. I’m glad you’re talking about it.”
She stared down at the quilt and shrugged. “Mallory’s in the same boat,” she murmured. “It’s not like woe-is-me.” Her head abruptly came up. “I’m such a jerk. Complaining about my mother when you’ve never had one. I know she died when you were young.”
“I was four. But don’t worry about it. I don’t even remember her, only what my father and grandparents told Sally and me about her. Dad has always been there for us so I honestly never felt deprived.”
“You’re lucky. He really is a terrific father.”
“I know.” He leaned over and kissed her gently.
She kissed him back harder, hungrier, but then stopped just as quickly and sat back. “We’d better eat before it gets too dark.”
He nodded, knowing that she’d said all that she wanted to say for now. Little by little her reserve was chipping away. If he didn’t push and let things unfold naturally, maybe she’d be willing to stay a few more days. Maybe he’d learn more about her.
They finished unloading the cooler in silence. He smiled at the assortment of cheese and fruit, the two chocolate truffles she’d carefully packaged to keep from crushing. He was getting a clear picture of her favorite foods.
“Next time we go to the market, let’s pick up a summer sausage before I turn into a damn rabbit.”
She glanced at the spread and laughed at his playful grumbling. “Point taken. Although I doubt cheese is part of a rabbit’s diet.”
“Don’t get technical.” Pleased that she hadn’t reacted negatively to mention of another market trip, he dug into a piece of Gouda, his hope renewed.
Later, while they were in bed, he’d bring up the possibility of staying until next Thursday. Why not make it an even week? Or better yet, stay through next weekend. Who ever heard of returning to work on a Friday?
He opened a bottle of Evian for each of them, and then helped himself to a handful of strawberries. He started to tease her about sharing the truffles when her cell phone rang. He didn’t know she had it with her. Although he should have figured.
With a brief look of apology, she unhooked the phone from her waistband and answered it.
“No bother, Kathryn,” she replied to the caller. Indecision flashed in her eyes, and then she slowly got to her feet.
It didn’t surprise him that she’d want to talk in privacy. He reminded himself it wasn’t personal as she walked toward the water. A second before she got out of earshot he heard her say, “I’ll be there tomorrow morning.”
That, he took personally.