by Nicole Vidal
“Is everything okay?” she asks, looking over her shoulder toward me.
“There have been some developments, but there’s nothing you need to do yet.”
She returns her gaze out the window. The trust she places in me is incalculable.
“What do you say to hosting a family dinner tomorrow?”
“I thought you were going to your parents’?”
“How did you know that?”
“When your father brought Tank, he said he would have preferred seeing me again at family dinner.”
“How did you respond?” There’s an edge to my question that I didn’t intend.
“That there was still time for you and your team to get back.”
“Thank you. You didn’t have to cover for me.”
She nods without looking at me. I set the bottles on the night table. Placing my hands on her hips, I turn her to face me. The sheet puddles at her knees as she sets her hands on my chest.
“I don’t think we should move you unnecessarily. I’m absolutely confident that you’re safe here, but I won’t risk you, my family, or Connor’s.”
“Okay. I’ll stay here. You go to dinner with your family.”
“No.” I drag my hands down my face, my response a bit harsher than I plan. “I’m not very good at expressing my feelings.”
“I disagree,” she murmurs, lifting her eyes shyly to mine. “I think you express your feelings with your body perfectly. Your words, not so much.”
A small grin appears on my face. “Norah, will you host a family dinner with me tomorrow?” I just hope my family is on their best behavior and doesn’t make Norah feel uncomfortable.
“Yes. How many people are we talking about? Do you have everything you need?”
Leaning forward, I pull her against me, kissing her thoroughly. “Let’s shower quickly and then make sure we have everything we need to pull this off.”
The shower takes longer than planned. One would think we would be sated for a little while. That would be wrong. We finally check my pantry for staples. According to Norah, I have all the ingredients for dinner except for fresh bread.
Me: Norah is willing to cook. Please bring fresh bread and tell everyone.
Connor: Roger.
I can only imagine the thoughts running through Connor’s mind right now considering how long it took me to respond. I set two glasses on the island and divide the remainder of the bottle of Mayacamas Norah opened a few days ago.
“Are you going to tell me what Blaine’s update was?”
“It’s not overly substantial. The Sterlings are still missing. Blaine found the first mention of a ledger two years ago.”
“Now what? We just wait?”
“Pretty much.” I take a healthy sip of my wine as Norah swirls hers.
“Can I use your computer? I need to order some clothes.”
“Sure, come on.” I slide my fingers in hers, leading Norah to my office, so she can start shopping. “Just don’t use your account. Shop as a guest just for an extra layer of security. “I’ll be right back.” I walk to my bedroom and grab my wallet.
Less than fifteen minutes later, Norah is ready to checkout with some clothes. The cart has jeans, a few tops, and socks. I stand behind the chair as she adds silky pajamas on another website. She opens a third window and adds lingerie to the cart.
“Are you sure about this?” she asks. “Do you have any idea how much my lingerie costs? I’ll pay you back.”
“Yes, I’m sure. As long as you don’t buy lingerie and shoes today, it’ll be fine. Use the office address. Gemma will deliver your packages when they arrive.”
After placing her orders, Norah and I sit side by side in front of my fireplace enjoying our wine. As much as I’m fighting it, having her here feels real and perfect, despite the threat on her life.
Chapter 33
Norah
Carefully, I slip out of Jacob’s bed, pull on his hoodie, and pad to the kitchen. Tank follows me once I step foot in the hallway. I scoop out his food and brew some coffee. Coffee in hand, I pad to the French doors overlooking the back yard and let Tank out. I feel Jacob before he touches me.
“Morning,” he says, sliding his arms around me, his lips against the nape of my neck.
“Morning. I tried not to wake you.”
“It’s fine. I heard the alarm. Who gave you the code?”
“I watched you. Why?”
“Just wondering. Remind me later, I’ll give you the others as well. I should go to the gym anyway. Want to come with me?”
“Sure.” I return to his room, stripping off my clothes as I go.
“Norah,” he grits out. I’m bending over, searching in my bag for something to wear in nothing but a pink lace thong.
“What? I need to change. My clothes are in here.”
He moves behind me, drawing his hands up the back of my thighs, sending ribbons of need through me. His hands come to rest on the flare of my hips.
“You need to stop touching me like that if you want to work out before we need to cook dinner.”
“Touching you like what?”
“Like you want to do sinfully delicious things to my body.”
“I do.”
“You can’t have both.”
“Why not?”
“You’re very thorough.”
“Is that a complaint?”
“No, hell no.”
He slides his hands from my hips down the front of my thighs before drawing upward, pausing at the apex, his low growl indicating he noticed the wetness of my panties.
“What were you thinking about?” he whispers near the shell of my ear, raising goose bumps across my skin.
“You.”
“Don’t move.” He rushes out of the room. I hear him talk to Tank before returning. “I said don’t move.”
I’ve stepped out of my thong and turned toward the door.
“I heard you, but isn’t this better?”
He latches on to my right nipple while lifting me into his arms. We fall onto his bed and feast on each other until there’s very little time to shower and prepare dinner before our guests arrive.
Near two, I slide the veggie lasagna into the oven while Jacob finishes chopping the greens for a salad. Connor saunters in first. I’m not sure what he thought he would find, but he seems surprised that Jacob is helping in the kitchen.
“Hey. Here is the bread you requested,” Connor says, handing me two loaves.
“Thanks. Jacob, can you slice it and put it in that basket?”
“Sure.”
The look of amusement in Connor’s eyes is hard to miss. It makes me wonder how Jacob was with Mara. They were so young, and his deployments made for limited time together when they were married. I didn’t expect him to have no dating history. Considering his service and his profession, widower wasn’t something I thought would be listed anywhere near Jacob’s name. Ben and a petite, dark-haired woman, who I deduce is Jacob’s mom, enter the house. Jacob washes his hands quickly and moves to greet them. He pulls his mom into his arms and gives his dad a bro hug. Jacob moves behind me to introduce me, but Ben beats him to it.
“Norah, lovely to see you again. This is my wife, Connie.”
“You as well, Ben. Pleasure to meet you, Connie.” I extend my hand to her. After the introductions, I busy myself with the appetizer plates, and Connie rounds the island, stopping near me. She stands there appraising me before speaking again.
“You failed to mention she’s gorgeous, Ben.”
“Not as gorgeous as you, darling.”
“Thank you, Connie. I see where Jacob gets his smooth lines from,” I say, and Connie’s face lights up as she walks away.
“I never used any lines on you,” Jacob mutters from behind me where he is gathering dishes to set the table. I don’t think anyone heard him but me. He leans near my ear. “You aren’t the type of woman to fall for a line.”
I turn my head and whisper, “What type of wom
an am I?” My eyes rise to meet his.
“Everything about you is beyond what any man would expect to find in one stunning being.”
Speechless, utterly speechless. My desire to kiss him right now is exceedingly high. However, we didn’t have time to discuss PDA, or much of anything, before our guests started arriving.
“Come closer.”
I want to make sure only he can hear me. He lowers his head level with my lips, effectively blocking anyone who happens to look this way from reading mine.
“I want to kiss you senseless right now.” I press my mouth high on his cheek. He smiles and lifts his head, looking straight at me as if there aren’t other people nearby.
The remainder of our guests arrive at the same time. Edward and Joyce, Connor’s parents, are making the rounds. Edward is tall with graying blond hair. Joyce is tall for a woman with salt-and-pepper hair and a bright, kind smile. Cameron and Jillian, Jacob’s siblings, are hovering near me in the kitchen. Cameron is average height, stocky build, and brown eyes. Jillian is slender and petite with gorgeous blonde hair down to her waist.
“How long have you been dating our brother? Do you want to get married?” Cameron asks.
“Do you want a family? What do you do for work?” Jillian adds.
“Why are you a client?” Cameron follows up.
I was wondering when and where the inquisition would come from. I inhale deeply and start to respond. “Well, I met Jacob—”
“Guys, leave her alone.”
I’m thankful for the reprieve, but I would like to know how he would answer some of those questions.
I pull dinner out of the oven and set it on the counter before turning to grab a spatula to serve it. Jacob is immediately beside me.
“I don’t know how to answer some of their questions. I don’t know what you want to share or not share,” I whisper, facing the corner of his kitchen.
“I know. We should have discussed it earlier.”
“We were otherwise tangled up.”
His face and neck turn a dark shade of red. Damn, that blush is sexy!
“Yes, we were. We need to focus on getting through this meal without divulging too much or something we aren’t ready to share.”
“What do you suggest?”
Unfortunately, our guests are clamoring for food, and we don’t get to finish this discussion. Luckily, the rest of our meal passes with jovial conversation and no major questions asked of Jacob or me. The parents, if you will, chat amongst themselves. Jillian and Cameron argue about the Bears’ defense and what could be done to improve it. When I offer a different option, they’re shocked by my allegiance, considering where I live, but happily include me in the conversation. I excuse myself to the bathroom once we finish eating. I simply need a few moments to gather my thoughts.
Family gatherings like this is what I miss most since losing my mother so young. Joseph wasn’t equipped to host so soon after Mom’s death. Kelly was in school. Now that all of us have the ability, we haven’t been able to pull it off successfully, at least not with the same atmosphere. The last great family gathering I recall is the Christmas before she died. She decked the beach house out as if we were home in Massachusetts, complete with a real tree. The three of us snuck downstairs and tore into our gifts instead of waiting in our rooms. At first, I thought our mother was going to shout, but she didn’t. Our parents sat at the landing of the stairs watching us. I think she knew then that her time with us was limited.
Leaning against the sink, I splash water on my face. Like earlier, I feel him as he enters the room.
“Who said something inappropriate?”
I crack a small smile. “No one.”
“Thinking of your mom?”
I nod as he pulls me into his arms. The steady beat of his heart calms me. I want him every day. How well he knows me has grown exponentially since I became a client. Odd, but true. If he decides he can’t give himself permission, I’m going to be nursing an obliterated heart.
“I miss this part of my childhood so much, these gatherings with no holiday attached. Do you have them often?”
“Usually every other month, especially if Connor is on assignment.”
“Your family is wonderful, Jacob.”
“They are.” He lightly presses his lips to mine before leaving as quickly as he appeared.
Chapter 34
Jacob
Norah has made an impression on my family, especially on Joyce. After I return from checking on Norah, Joyce corners me, forcing me to talk with her, how every mother figure can. My father also pulled me aside earlier in the evening to see if I shared Mara with Norah yet. When I admitted that I had, he told me not to screw it up. Apparently, that was the totality of his advice. Joyce has much more to say on the subject.
“How are you, Jake?”
“I’m well, Joyce. How was your trip?”
“It was wonderful. You know that isn’t what I’m asking you, young man.”
“Do you have any idea how difficult it is to talk to you about my personal life?”
“I have known you since you were three days old. You’re family, but I understand why you feel it’s odd to talk to me about Norah.”
She’s asking me to divulge my feelings about a woman who isn’t my wife, her daughter.
“I failed her.”
“Did you?”
“Of course, I wasn’t here. I couldn’t protect her.”
“Jake, if you were standing right next to her, do you believe in the depths of your soul that she would have made it to the hospital?”
“I don’t know.”
“She would have died in your arms.”
I can’t fathom that image at all. It was hard enough hearing the words “I’m sorry to inform you your wife has died,” getting an emergency flight home to bury her, and sleeping in our bed alone. Mara was willing to sleep alone in our bed if I didn’t come home from my deployment—a sacrifice that all military wives understand they could potentially endure. I never thought it would be me. Her hospital records, the autopsy, and every shred of documentation I could get my hands on say the same thing—instantaneous death upon impact. I can wrap my head around that. Both Joyce and Norah astutely pointed out that I couldn’t save her even if I were here.
“Jake, I love you like a son. Were you unfaithful to my daughter?”
“No, absolutely not.”
“Did you give her a false sense that your service was without risk?”
“No.”
“Did you love Mara?”
“You know I do.” Do or did? Will it ever be did? No, I will always love Mara.
“You honored your vows?”
“Yes.”
“Mara is gone. You gave her your whole heart for her lifetime. It was short, but her lifetime, nonetheless. I know from experience, you’ll never get it back completely, but you can and must give your heart to someone new.”
“You lost someone too?”
“Yes. My first husband, Martin, died in a military training accident just six months after we married.”
“Joyce, how did you move on?”
“A wise old woman—”
“Nona?”
Nona was a spunky woman who wielded so much power, both literal and figurative, in her tiny, barely five-foot-tall frame. She was Mara’s favorite person. Mine too if I’m being honest.
“Yes, Nona. She pushed me to see that I fulfilled everything I promised to Martin. I believe you loved Mara sincerely, and she loved you. There is a vast difference between the first love you shared with Mara and forever love. Your first love didn’t have the opportunity to blossom into forever love. Jake, you deserve forever love. You never looked at Mara the way you look at Norah.”
“How?”
Joyce sees I love Norah too. I need to admit it to myself and her.
“It’s how you talk to her, how you interact with her. It’s you making sure she was okay when she walked away from the table earlier. I hope we di
dn’t push her.”
“No, her mother died of cancer about eight years ago, and family gatherings are hard for her.”
“Yet she agreed to host one with you for your family.”
She didn’t even hesitate. In fact, she was willing to risk her safety for me to attend without her. She’s….
“She loves you Jake.”
Joyce is right. Norah told me herself.
“The only person you need permission from to let her in completely is yourself. You deserve forever love and happiness, Jake.”
“Thank you, Joyce.” I hug her tightly.
“You’re welcome.” Joyce rejoins everyone in the dining room.
Turning to gaze inside, I see Norah chatting with my sister near the fireplace, her hands animatedly explaining something and Jill laughing at her response. I watch a bit longer before heading back inside.
The remainder of dinner, dessert and drinks, passes with ease. Afterward, while I wash the dishes, Connor approaches me.
“You good?”
“Your mom is a wise woman.”
“She is, but you already knew everything she said to you.”
“I did.”
He’s right. Permission, I just need to give myself permission to love again. That isn’t true. I love Norah. I need to tell her. I need to give myself permission to tell her out loud and for the world to see and hear. Honestly, I don’t know enough about her to gauge what type of reaction I might get, even if she did say she loves me, just not in those words exactly.
“I’m heading out. Are you working from here tomorrow or are you bringing Norah to the office?”
“She’s safest here. The less movement, the better. We don’t know how long the search for the ledger is going to take.”
“Good point.”
“I’ll contact everyone later, let them know we’re meeting here. Nine work for you?”
“Sure, see you then.” He pauses before saying, “Jake, let me know if you need me.”
“Thanks, C. I will.”
As long as we’re here, I don’t think I need backup to protect Norah. Not human backup anyway. The list of people who have access to my property is short and tightly controlled.