Teeth clenched, she shook her head, unable to even believe he’d had the balls to ask. Who invited their old high school girlfriend on a date? “I’ve got stuff to do at home.”
“Like what?” He tilted his head to the side, his tone teasing. “Trying out my omelet recipe for one?”
“No.” She kicked a nonexistent pebble with the toe of her pump. “Just stuff.”
“Liar.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. You’ve got no plans tonight. None. I’m your bodyguard. If you had something important to do, I’d know about it. And I don’t. Which means you don’t. So.” He grinned. “What time should I pick you up?”
“I’m not going anywhere with you until you tell me exactly what we’re doing.”
“Dinner. At Blake’s house.”
“Oh.” Jan’s cheeks flamed. What an idiot, thinking he was inviting her on his date. Dinner at Blake’s didn’t sound so bad. It had been good to see him, and there was plenty more they could catch up on. “And you’re sure he wouldn’t mind me tagging along?”
“Nah. His whole clan will be there, so one more mouth to feed won’t make any difference.”
“His whole family?” The Rockfords were a notoriously large and close-knit group. “Maybe I shouldn’t intrude.”
“Nope. You agreed, and no backing out is allowed.”
“I never agreed.”
“You implied.”
“Implied doesn’t count.”
“It does with me.” He took a seat on the sofa in the production area and crossed his arms. “We’ll leave here at seven thirty. Dinner’s at eight. That gives you three hours to sing your little heart out. Now, don’t you have work to do? Lou’s about ready to burn a hole through me with his glare.”
Annoyed beyond belief, Jan stalked into the recording booth and shoved the headphones on her head. How she’d ever channel all this frustration into the “happy” Lou demanded, she had no idea. But by seven fifteen that evening, she’d finished the track they’d been working on for the past week and even started on another. Lou seemed satisfied, for once, and even Dino was grinning at her as she walked out of the booth and back into the production area.
She gave him an exasperated look as she walked out of the room. “What are you so happy about?”
“Nothing.” He followed her down the stairs and back to her dressing room to grab her purse. “I’m just looking forward to a great home-cooked meal for a change.”
They exited Treble Studios and climbed into his Tahoe for the short drive to Blake’s home in Summerlin South. The homes they passed weren’t quite as large as Jan’s, but pretty close. With such a large family, she imagined Blake put all his square footage to good use. Unlike her. Hell, there were rooms in her house she’d never even stepped foot into, let alone used for anything. The fact only served to drive home her loneliness even more, and once again, her discomfort over showing up uninvited tonight rose. “I really don’t feel comfortable just showing up like this, Dino. I mean, I appreciate your offer and all, but maybe—”
“Too late.” He signaled then turned into a short drive leading to a huge two-story home with a fenced-in backyard and a homey, lived- and loved-in feel. “We’re here.”
Great. Jan sighed and peered out of the car at the people she could see milling about inside through the open windows. Since these people knew Dino, she expected they’d take his side with the whole tabloid scandal and be hostile toward her. Or they’d go the opposite direction and fawn all over her because of her fame. Neither sounded like how she wanted to spend her evening. Unfortunately, Dino was right. It was too late to back out now.
He came around to her side of the SUV and helped her out, then they walked to the front door together. He rang the bell then looked over at her and smiled. “You’ll love it here.”
I doubt it. She fidgeted with her clothes beside him, nervous. She wished they’d had time to stop by her house so she could change and freshen up. She checked her watch. Maybe if she borrowed his keys and hurried, she could make it back before they finished dinner, or better yet, she could fake an illness and just pick him up after the whole thing was done. She was about to ask as the front door swung open to reveal an older woman, late fifties, with silvering blond hair and a warm smile.
“Dino,” the woman said, affection evident in her tone. She pulled him in for a hug and kiss then peered over at Jan. “You brought a guest.”
“I did, Pearl. This is January Winters. She went to high school with me and Blake.”
“I remember.” Before Jan knew it, Pearl Rockford had pulled her into the same hug then kissed her on the cheek as if they’d known each other for years. A tiny knot of tension in Jan’s stomach unfurled at the embrace. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had hugged her like that, and she had forgotten how much she missed it. “I remember you always hanging out with our Dino here. You two were quite an item back then, January.”
“You can call me Jan, Mrs. Rockford.” Heat flooded Jan’s cheeks as she expected the whole his-side-versus-her-side stuff to begin. Except it didn’t.
“And you can call me Pearl, dear.” She linked arms with both of them and walked them into the bustling living room, the space crawling with Rockfords of all ages and sizes.
“Everybody,” Pearl shouted. “Dino’s here. And he brought Jan with him.”
People waved and greeted them, but not one person made any type of fuss about Jan or her fame at all. Relieved, her tense shoulders relaxed, and she took a deep breath. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad after all. Dino led her over to a couple of seats near the far wall of the family room, and once they’d settled in, she took a look around. Several of the faces looked familiar from high school. She recognized Blake, of course, and Noah Rockford, Blake’s father. Across the room she spotted Logan Rockford, Blake’s young brother, and Olivia, his younger sister. Both of them shared the signature Rockford height and fit build, but where Logan was the center of attention in his corner of the room—laughing, smiling, joking—Olivia seemed the exact opposite in her buttoned-up business suit and serious demeanor. They’d been like that in high school too, one fun and frivolous while the other was firm and forthright, at least from what she could remember. They were both a couple of years behind her and Dino and Blake.
“Okay, everyone.” Noah Rockford stood at the entrance to what appeared to be a huge dining room, adorned in a Kiss the Cook apron with a plate full of freshly cooked burgers and hot dogs in hand. “Dinner is served.”
The raucous bunch filed into the dining room, and everyone took their seats around the long table in the middle of the room. Jan couldn’t help but laugh at the banter between the siblings and the antics of the younger cousins scattered about. It reminded her of the dinners she used to have with her parents when her dad was still alive. He’d always made her feel special.
“Hey.” Dino leaned in closer from his seat beside her at the table. “You doing okay?”
She nodded but didn’t trust herself to speak. Jan blinked back tears as she stared down at her plate. Happy tears, not sad. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d just been able to go somewhere without worrying about what people thought or how they might react to or treat her. Here, no one seemed to care who or what she was, they just accepted her. Beneath the table, Dino took her hand and laced their fingers together, squeezing hers reassuringly. She leaned over and bumped shoulders with him in a silent thank-you she hoped translated.
“So,” Blake said, his ice-blue gaze narrowed on Dino, then her. “Seems you two are quite the hot ticket these days.”
“Hey,” Dino protested, giving Blake a warning glare. “I told you not to bring that up.”
“Actually, there’s nothing going on,” Jan interceded.
“Nothing, huh?” Logan Rockford said from his place across the table from Jan, his sly smile and raised brow indicating he didn’t buy it for a second. “Well, if that’s ‘nothing,’ then sign me up please.”
/>
Snickers broke out around the table.
“Logan, shut up.” Olivia gave her brother a stern stare. “She’s a guest. Have some manners.”
“Have some fun, why don’t you.” Logan winked at his younger sister despite her scowl. “Office hours ended a good two hours ago. Ain’t nobody for you to boss around in this house. Lighten up, sis.”
“How about you all lighten up,” Pearl said. “And dig into this food before it gets cold.”
They all filled their plates and chattered away throughout the meal until Pearl stood once more from her seat at one end of the table, clinking a fork against her glass to gain everyone’s attention. “I just wanted to say how happy I am to be here with my wonderful family again this week.” Her shining blue gaze landed on her husband at the other end of the table. Fresh tears gathered in Jan’s eyes at the love that was more than evident between them. With all her heart, she hoped to find something similar for herself one day. Despite all the money and the luxury, none of it meant anything without someone to share it with.
Pearl resumed her seat, and the meal continued. Beneath the table, Dino rubbed tiny circles on her palm with his thumb. He’d not let go of her hand the entire time, as if he craved the contact as much as she did. She hazarded a glance in his direction and caught him watching her, his gaze warm.
Could he feel the same way?
Was it time for her to let go of some of the independence she’d been clutching like a lifeline and trust him enough to find out?
* * *
After finishing his second plate of sides, two burgers, and a hot dog, Dino sat back in his chair, stuffed with food and totally happy. What wasn’t there to be happy about? He was here with his surrogate family with Jan by his side, her hand still cradled in his. Life was good.
Laura, Blake’s youngest sister, glanced over at him and smiled. Intelligent and clever as sin, she always had an excited gleam in her eye and a devious smile, as if she were in on a joke no one else was privy to. Her career choice of journalist suited her well.
“So,” he asked her. “Where’s Jace tonight? This is the second time he’s missed the weekly clan gathering. Pearl’s gonna have his butt on a spit pretty soon.”
“Tell me about it.” She shook her head. “I think he told Blake he’s hunting tigers in India or something. If he doesn’t want to come, he needs a more credible excuse.”
Dino chuckled. “Beware the wrath of Pearl.”
“Got that right.” Laura laughed then took a sip of her wine. “What are you up to these days?”
He didn’t miss the hint of reporter’s curiosity in her tone or the way her hazel eyes darted between him and Jan. “I’m working security for your brother, as always.”
“Bodyguard duty?” She pursed her lips. “I think that’s what Blake told me.”
Blake had told her no such thing, Dino was sure. She was digging, pure and simple, and she’d been caught red-handed. “Keep your snooping for someone else’s business, missy.”
She winked at him. “Purely selfish interest, I promise. You and Jan seem to be getting pretty cozy…”
“Remind me why I chose this seat again?” He made to get up as Laura giggled and Jan looked over at him.
“What’s going on?” she asked. “Are you ready to go?”
“No.” He settled back in his seat again. “Just messing around.”
“Oh, okay.” Her bright smile and relaxed features made his whole night. This. This is why he’d wanted her here with him. So she could feel this level of love and trust and security.
In high school, Jan had been a lost soul after her father died and her mother remarried. She didn’t get along with her stepfather, and her mother had always taken her stepfather’s side for some reason. Jan’s home life had not been warm and loving. Just like his hadn’t been. That was one reason why they’d bonded together. But Dino had had the Rockfords to make up for it. Jan hadn’t had anyone except Stacy and, if his glimpse into her private life this past week was any indication, things hadn’t changed much for her in that department since.
The Rockford family had been a godsend in his life, and he wanted the same for Jan, at least for tonight.
The chatter around the table continued through dessert—a lovely chocolate cake concoction that Dino had two servings of just because it was so damned good. By the time he checked his watch again, it was ten o’clock, and Jan was yawning beside him. Time to go.
“Ready?” he leaned over to whisper in her ear.
“Ready,” she agreed.
They made their good-byes and headed back out to his SUV, parked near the end of the drive. She looked ready to drop, and he’d eaten enough to put himself in a food coma. Still, she seemed so much more relaxed than when they’d arrived, and he couldn’t help feeling a bit of pride that he’d helped do that. “How are you feeling?”
“Good. Exhausted, but good.”
“Good.” He helped her in the vehicle then walked around to climb in behind the wheel of the Tahoe. “All right. We’ll be back at your place in minutes.”
“Um.” She shifted in her seat to look at him. “Could I stay at your house tonight?”
“My house? Why?”
“I don’t know. Yours is closer, right? And we’re both so tired, and the stalker won’t look for me there, and…”
Her voice trailed off, and his heart ached at the note of desperation in her voice. “What happened today really bothered you, didn’t it?”
“Yeah, it did.” She kept her gaze lowered. “I really don’t want to be alone tonight.”
“Okay.” He backed out of the driveway and headed toward his home in north Summerlin instead. “You can stay with me tonight. Just be warned. It’s a lot smaller than your mansion on the hill.”
“I’m sure it’s great.”
Minutes later, he pulled up to his modest two-story, and they walked up to his front door. “So, what do you think?” he asked as he opened the front door and led her inside. “I know it’s not much compared to yours but—”
He never finished his sentence because her lips were on his, all soft and wet and incredibly tempting. Before he knew what was happening, Jan had kicked his front door shut behind them and pushed him up against the wall of his foyer, pressing her curves tight to him as her hands drifted around his neck, her fingers tangling in the curls at the nape of his neck. She moaned deep in her throat, his name emerging as little more than a growl. “Dino.”
The want in her voice matched his own, but he summoned his last ounce of resistance and pulled away. “Jan, sweetheart, we shouldn’t be doing this.”
“I just wanted to thank you, for giving me tonight.”
“Thank me?” She nodded and tried to step away, but he gripped her waist tightly to lock her in place. “For what?”
“I felt so alone today, and now, I…” She stopped, and he waited for her to continue. “I don’t feel that way anymore. Please, don’t make me go back to that huge empty house by myself. Not after I’ve seen what the Rockfords have. I don’t think I can bear it.”
“Aw, sweetheart.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “You should have said something earlier. I’m always here if you need me. You know that, right?”
She leaned back and peered up at him. “You are?”
“I am. Anything you need, just say the word.”
“Well.” She lowered her head, but not before he caught the flush of pretty pink color flooding her cheeks. “There is something you can do for me tonight.”
Desire flared hot through his bloodstream at her words, but he forced his libido back into submission. His throat felt tight and stuffed with cotton, but he managed to force words out anyway, gruff as they were. “What?”
“Sleep with me.”
“Jan.” He wanted her more than his next breath, but after all the trauma she’d suffered recently with her stalker and the pressure she was under at the studio, he didn’t want there to be any question of why they were ge
tting involved again. For him, he needed to know it wasn’t just her body involved. This time he needed her heart, her whole heart, too. “Like I said, I don’t think…”
“No.” She frowned up at him. “Not like that. I meant like we used to back in high school. You used to hold me close, and I’ve never felt so safe in my life.”
“Oh.” His tense posture relaxed slightly. Sleeping together. Really sleeping. Just sleeping. Yeah, he could do that, he supposed. After all, they had done that before, lots of times. That wouldn’t be breaking any rules. Even if the thought of having her so close and yet so far away would probably kill him before the night was over. He took several deep breaths before replying. He could do this. He would do this. For Jan. “All right.”
“Really?”
“Really.” He locked the front door behind them and set his security system then shut off the downstairs lights and led Jan upstairs by the hand. “Let me see if I have something you can wear to sleep in.”
“No.” She started unbuttoning her top, and he damned near went into cardiac arrest. “Like high school. Undies only. I need to feel skin-to-skin contact tonight. I need that connection.”
Jan peeled off her shirt, and he swallowed hard.
Just sleeping, just sleeping, just sleeping.
Maybe if he repeated those words enough times, they might get through to his damned traitorous cock. He watched while she kicked off her pumps then stripped off her jeans and turned down the covers on his bed. “Are you just going to stand there staring at me all night, or are you going to join me?”
Mouth dry and pulse pounding loud in his ears, Dino took off his leather jacket and slung it over the back of a chair in the corner of the room then toed off his boots and socks before pulling off his sweater and jeans. As he eased between the sheets then reached over to switch off the bedside light, he couldn’t help but remember all the nights like this they’d clung to each other in the dark all those years ago. Two desperate teenagers against the world.
Tonight, they were older and hopefully wiser, but as he gathered Jan’s warm, soft body in his arms and spooned her tightly against him, it felt so good, so right, so intimate that he knew no matter what happened with her stalker or his future, he loved her. He stroked her soft skin and kissed the back of her neck, and soon her breath evened out into the patterns of sleep, even as he stayed wide awake and watchful, the gears in his mind churning, digging deep into his training, trying to figure out how to find the stalker before he did something worse than cut up magazines and leave suggestive gifts.
Deadly Betrayal (The Rockford Security Series Book 1) Page 13