"So, if she hadn’t taken the job, I’d never have known you’d even made her an offer?" Jarrod’s voice was carefully neutral.
"Got it in one."
"Good business practice." Jarrod paused. "I’m sorry if I sounded upset, it was just such a big surprise. I was kind of hurt that you hadn’t talked it over with me first, but you’re right. It’s none of my business. I hope it works out for both of you. I’m glad that your business has increased enough that you need to hire someone to help you. Have you considered that you might need to rent or buy an office instead of using your spare room?"
Nikki paused briefly, surprised at his speech and his acceptance. "I’ve thought about it several times, but never seriously. I guess I need to think more about that."
They talked along those lines for several more minutes. "Well, I’ve got to go inspect a job site. Steve thinks there’s a problem and wants me to take a look at it." He paused and his voice got low and husky, "I miss you. When do I get to see you again?"
"I thought we had a date for lunch tomorrow?" Nikki’s heart skipped a beat at his soft-spoken words.
"We do. That’s just too long to wait. Are you busy tonight?"
"What did you have in mind?" Nikki was suddenly breathless.
"Well, it’s short notice to get a sitter, so something that we can do with Briana. How about if you come over to our place tonight. I’ll fix dinner and you can pick up a couple of movies."
"That sounds great. I’ll get one for Briana and one a little more on our level."
"All right. Just don’t get anything too romantic, okay?"
"Because of Briana?"
"No, because I can barely keep my hands off you as it is." Jarrod’s deep voice rumbled in her ear, and made her heart skip a beat.
They discussed what movie to get for Briana since she already had a large selection of videos at home. Reluctantly they said good-bye, even though it would be just a few hours until they saw each other again.
* * * * *
Nikki arrived promptly at six thirty after having agonized for what seemed like hours on what movies to get. She picked out an animated cartoon for Briana and a comedy for her and Jarrod.
Briana opened the door at her knock, after she asked who it was. She threw her arms around Nikki’s legs as if it had been weeks since she’d last seen her. Nikki shifted her packages and picked the little girl up, then locked the front door behind her.
"Daddy, daddy, she’s here!" Briana chirruped excitedly.
"I’m in the kitchen, bring her in here." Jarrod’s voice came from some distance away. It was a huge house, with extra tall doors and ceilings throughout, obviously designed for a man over average height. A fireplace and huge comfortable chairs and couches were scattered throughout the living room.
They found Jarrod with a "kiss the cook" apron tied around his waist as he cooked ground meat in a skillet. "We’re having tacos, I hope that’s okay with you. I only make fancy stuff for really special occasions."
"Tacos sound great." Nikki set her packages on the center island. "Can I do anything to help?"
"You can take Briana out of the kitchen and let her show you the rest of the house. She’s been driving me bananas since I picked her up after work. She’s asked every five minutes when you’d be here and if she could show you her room." Jarrod watched Nikki’s jeans clad bottom sway out of the room. He swallowed hard and felt his pants get tighter. Her faded jeans fit like a glove and faithfully outlined each curve. He turned back to the stove and tried to concentrate on dinner and not his arousal.
While Briana chattered excitedly, they took a tour of the house. The first stop was Briana’s bedroom upstairs. Nikki took a deep breath and a tight grip on the banister; she hoped Briana wouldn’t notice the tight grip and her tense face. After all these years she still didn’t like stairs.
Briana had a canopy bed and so many books and toys it looked like a toy store in the little girl’s room. Too bad she isn’t spoiled. Nikki smiled ruefully. Her father and other relatives must buy out the stores on all the holidays.
The tacos were wonderful. After dinner they all sat down to watch the cartoon and eat the cookies Nikki had brought for dessert. After the cartoon was over, they put Briana to bed and went back downstairs to watch the other movie. Jarrod pulled Nikki closer to him on the couch and put his arm around her.
"Alone at last." They both smiled at his words and he leaned down to kiss her. It was a restrained kiss as Jarrod deliberately seemed to keep things from going too far. He drew away from her slowly and tucked her under his arm again. "We better watch the movie."
It was a wonderfully funny movie, but Nikki was so overly aware of Jarrod’s arm around her and the feel of him against her side that she found it hard to concentrate.
As the movie rewound, Jarrod tilted her face to meet his. The kiss started out slow and gentle but rapidly became hard and demanding. Nikki’s arms were locked around Jarrod’s neck while Jarrod’s arms held Nikki against his body. So close she could feel the buttons on his shirt pressed against her.
He groaned as her tongue dueled with his own. He moved a hand between them to cup one large breast and the nipple hardened in his palm. The kiss became even more frantic as she moaned and pressed her breast more firmly into his hand. He lowered her to the couch and stretched out on top of her. He supported his weight with his upper body and moved one leg between her thighs.
She gasped as she felt his leg press against the juncture of her thighs. She could feel the heat and hardness of his arousal against her leg. He drew back to look at her. His eyes were dilated, with just a rim of brown around the dilated pupil. Dazed, she knew hers were probably just as dilated with passion.
Jarrod’s face tightened as he looked into her eyes. He sucked in a deep breath and lowered his lips to hers to plunder her mouth.
Just as he moved a hand to unbutton her shirt, a small voice cried from upstairs, "Daddy! I had a bad dream! Daddy, where are you?" A sob broke through Briana’s words.
Jarrod sat up fast. He glanced at Nikki as he ran unsteady hands through his tousled hair. "I’m sorry. Will you wait?" She nodded once and he ran up the steps two at a time to Briana’s room.
Nikki sat motionless for several minutes, her head rested on her shaky hands. She couldn’t believe how fast things had gotten out of control. Both of them had completely forgotten Briana was asleep upstairs. If the little girl hadn’t waken up when she had . . .
She wished she hadn’t promised to stay until Jarrod got back. She needed some time alone to think.
When Jarrod walked back into the room he saw Nikki, her back stiff, as she stood by one of the windows and looked out into the darkness. Her purse and the videos sat on the small table in the entryway.
His heart sank. He didn’t want her to go. He knew it wasn’t wise to make love this soon or while Briana was in the house. Besides the fact that he didn’t want to be interrupted, he didn’t want Briana to get the wrong message. He wanted his daughter to grow up to respect herself and not think that making love was a casual thing.
He sighed as he ran his hands through his hair and walked into the room. Nikki turned slightly and said, "How is she? Was the nightmare about Davies?"
"Yeah, it was about Davies. She’s back asleep already, she’ll be fine. The nightmares don’t happen as frequently as they did right after the abduction."
"That’s good. I think we’d better call it a night." Her voice was tight.
"You’re right." He cleared his throat and walked over to stand behind her. He put his hands on her shoulders and said, "I’m sorry. I never meant things to go this far this soon. As soon as I touch you my brain goes on vacation and my body takes over. Forgive me?"
She nodded and turned her head back toward the window. "I’m not a tease. I don’t do this and then walk away. I didn’t mean to lead you on." Her voice was so throaty he felt a shiver go down his spine.
"I never thought you were." He slowly slid his hands down her arms
and locked them loosely at her waist. He rested his chin on the top of her head while his chest pressed lightly against her back.
"I love you," he said softly into her ear. He felt her body stiffen in his arms at the words. "I’m not trying to talk you into anything. I just want you to know. I don’t want a one-night stand. I don’t want a fling. I want to make love with you. I want it to be the start of something very special. And I’ll wait as long as you want. Until you’re ready."
He chuckled softly. "My body may not appreciate it, but I want what’s best for you. What’s best for us. I know this seems too fast, and maybe it is. All I know is the way I feel. It’s not lust. It’s the real thing. I don’t want you to say anything right now. If you want to pretend I haven’t said anything until we’ve known each other longer, that’s okay. I just had to say it."
He gently turned her around to face him. He tilted her chin up so he could see into her eyes. They were wide with shock and a little glassy.
He tucked her head under his chin and held her close. "It’ll be all right, you’ll see. We’ll just give it some more time."
Jarrod rubbed her back gently until he felt her begin to relax. "Maybe we should get a chaperone." He smiled at the thought. "Actually, Briana’s a good little chaperone. It’s hard to do more than kiss someone when you’ve got a five-year-old who watches your every move."
He could feel her smile against his chest and relax a little more. "I don’t mean to kick you out, but isn’t Erika’s first day of work tomorrow?"
"You’re right." Nikki sighed. "I need to get going." Jarrod dropped his arms and reached for her hand. Her hand tightened around his as they walked to the door.
"Thanks for dinner. I hope Briana doesn’t have any more nightmares."
"I’m sure she’ll be fine. Thanks for the cookies and the videos." He opened the door and led her out to her truck. "Sleep tight. I’ll call you tomorrow."
Nikki unlocked the door and tossed her purse and the videos inside. Jarrod gave her a chaste kiss on the lips and helped her into the truck. "Good night, love." He shut the door and stepped back as she started the motor and backed out of the driveway. They both waved as she drove off into the night.
It was only when she was several blocks away from Jarrod’s house that she saw the headlights in her rearview mirror. They stayed the same distance behind her and made every turn she did. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and she tried to convince herself that she was overreacting. After all, who would follow her and for what reason?
When she pulled into her driveway, the car behind her drove slowly down the street. She caught a glimpse of blonde hair as she got out of the truck. Wary, she stood by the door for a few minutes. The car didn’t return. With a shrug of her shoulders, she went inside and locked the door behind her. She didn’t see the car drive slowly down the street with the headlights off, then stop across the street from the duplex. She didn’t see the blonde hair or the pen writing on the old gas receipt. If she had seen all that, she wouldn’t have had pleasant dreams about Jarrod that night.
Chapter 16
Nikki rubbed her eyes and stretched. Her back popped and she sighed with relief. She’d worked too many hours and not gotten enough sleep. Ever since the night two weeks ago when she and Jarrod had almost made love, as a matter of fact.
Every night she lay in her bed, alone, and relived that night. A photographic memory wasn’t always a good thing. She shivered as she remembered the touch of his hand on her skin. The feel of his lips on hers. The weight of his body on top of hers . . .
She stopped the thoughts firmly. True to his word, Jarrod had given her time. They’d talked on the phone every day and seen each other almost every night. Jarrod had made sure that Briana was always there - as a chaperone.
The only times he touched her was when he helped her in or out of a vehicle and when he kissed her goodnight. A kiss so chaste she was almost ready to scream.
She started as she heard a voice behind her. "Wake up, Nikki. I finished the Hanson layouts. Take a look and see what you think."
Erika’s voice brought her back to the present. She shook the cobwebs from her mind and reached for the papers the younger woman held out.
As she looked over the figures, she knew it had been a smart move to hire Erika. She was imaginative, enthusiastic, a hard worker, and all the clients thought she was wonderful.
"These are really great. I’m very impressed. Why don’t you call Mr. Hanson and set up a time to go over these with him."
Erika’s look of pleasure from Nikki’s praise turned to surprise. "Me? By myself?" Her voice almost squeaked on the last syllable.
Nikki suppressed a smile as she handed the papers back to Erika. "Sure. You’ve done all the work, you might as well present it. You’ve helped me with my presentations, you know what to do."
"Are you sure? Really? I mean, you trust me to do that?"
"Of course I do. You’ll do just fine. Go ahead, make the call." Nikki smiled.
Erika placed the call and made an appointment for right after lunch. Nikki was surprised at the speedy response to the request for a meeting, but said nothing. She’d seen the way young Mr. Hanson had looked at Erika, so she shouldn’t have been surprised that he wanted to see her employee again. Even on extremely short notice.
Nikki worked right through lunch, she wanted to get the programming done for the Jacobs account. She reassured Erika and gave her a quick hug as she went out the door. She hoped for the best as she went back to work.
It was less than an hour later that she heard Erika come in the front door. She turned to the doorway to ask her how it went and stopped abruptly. Erika’s face was dreamy, her eyes unfocused. "So, how’d it go?" Nikki leaned back in her chair and smiled.
Greg Hanson was about Jarrod or Steve’s age and quite handsome. He was barely taller than Nikki, which made him several inches taller than Erika. He had sun-streaked blonde hair and the cutest cleft chin. He also had a body that wouldn’t quit. He could have had a successful career as a male model. She didn’t blame Erika for the dreamy look after a meeting with Greg.
"It went great. Greg loved the presentation. He asked me out to dinner." Her eyes cleared suddenly. "That’s okay, isn’t it? I mean, since we technically work for him and everything . . ."
"That’s fine." Nikki smiled reassuringly. "As long as he doesn’t expect anything from you in exchange for his business. And I’m sure he doesn’t," she added hastily at Erika’s shocked look. "I just want to make sure that you know never to put up with that on my account."
"It wouldn’t be business." The dreamy look settled across Erika’s face again.
"Stop the daydreams, we need to go find you something new to wear." Nikki smiled as Erika blinked in surprise. "I’m sure you don’t have anything to wear in your closet."
Erika grinned. "Nope. Not a thing. Let’s go."
* * * * *
The phone was ringing stridently when Nikki and Erika stepped in the front door of the duplex. Erika ran for the phone while Nikki shut the door and set her purse and packages down on the kitchen counter. Erika appeared in the doorway of the office. "It’s somebody named Amelia Richards. She says she knew you a long time ago. Do you want to talk to her?"
Nikki could feel the blood drain out of her face and steadied herself with a hand on the wall. Amelia Richards? What could she want? How did she find me? How does she know my new name? The thoughts whirled frantically as she walked carefully toward the office.
She looked up to find Erika looking at her strangely. "Are you okay? Do you want me to tell her you’re not here right now?"
"No." Nikki cleared her throat. "I’ll talk to her. I haven’t talked to her since I was in junior high school. I wonder what she wants?" She struggled for an off-hand tone. "Why don’t you go ahead and leave now. It’s been a long day."
Erika still looked worried. "Are you sure? Is there anything wrong?"
Nikki smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
"I’m sure. Everything’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Same place, same time."
"I’m going to stop at Jarrod’s office on the way home." Erika gave her boss and friend a quick hug.
Nikki hugged her in return then replied, "Okay, get going. Tell Jarrod I’ll probably be on the phone awhile and I’ll try to call him later. There’s probably a half dozen messages on the answering machine from him already."
They both turned to look at the answering machine and saw the red light blink rapidly to indicate the tape was full. Erika laughed as she went out the front door and locked it behind her.
The slight smile disappeared from Nikki’s face as she walked toward the phone. She took a deep breath and tried to still her unsteady hand as she picked up the receiver. "Hello?"
* * * * *
Nikki sat alone in the dark house and watched the kitten play on the carpet. He sure grew fast and he was so cute. She swirled the last of the wine in her glass and eyed it thoughtfully. She swallowed it in one gulp, grabbed the empty bottle, stood up and swayed. She steadied herself against the wall and took several deep breaths.
On the short walk to the kitchen she noticed that she didn’t walk straight. She stifled a giggle and set the glass and bottle on the counter. Too bad Lainey wasn’t home, then she’d have somebody to tell. Somebody to celebrate with. The few times Lainey was home these days, Sean was with her. Nikki could count the nights they’d spent apart in the last two weeks on one hand . . . and have fingers left over. At least somebody was enjoying themselves.
A knock at the door made her jump. She’d turned off the phone and the answering machine, without listening to the messages, right after she’d gotten off the phone with Amelia.
Since she knew who it was, she debated on whether to answer the door or not. Another knock sounded, louder than the first. She sighed and headed for the door; he wouldn’t give up. She opened it and stared up into Jarrod’s tense face.
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