“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice shaky. “Just a silly argument. I didn’t mean to yell.”
“Are you ready for some TV, buddy?” Trey asked.
Jason nodded solemnly.
With a sharp pang to her gut, Kelly intuitively knew he was terrified the angry words meant his mother was leaving him again. Just how many arguments had he suffered through between his real mother and father? Did he think that was why his mom had gone away?
She hurried over, lifted Jason into her arms and hugged him close. Smelling of baby shampoo, he hooked his arms around her neck.
“I’m sorry if I scared you,” she said, meeting Trey’s gaze over Jason’s shoulder. Trey’s mouth was pinched. He looked as guilt ridden as she felt. “Everything is okay.”
Jason’s warm body relaxed in her arms. He trusted her. He believed her. But in her opinion everything was most certainly not okay. So now she was a liar.
“Instead of TV, why don’t I read you a story before you go to sleep?” Kelly suggested.
Jason pulled back so he could see her face, his blue eyes wide. “A story?”
“Sure,” she said. Surely his real mother read him stories at bedtime. Even her mom had managed that on occasion.
“Do you have a favorite?” she asked. She recalled a shelf full of books in his bedroom.
“I’m sure we can find one,” Trey said, taking Jason from her arms. Kelly sighed in relief when the heavy child went willingly to his father.
Inside Jason’s bedroom, Kelly selected a book from the shelf whose cover featured an adorable brown-and-white puppy while Trey pulled two chairs next to the bed. When she sat with the book, Jason stared at her with such wide eyes Kelly decided this must be a novel experience. His mom must not have been much of a reader.
She glanced at Trey, and he nodded. By unspoken agreement, their conflict over her security clearance had been postponed.
She began to read. “Rocket was a happy puppy who liked to explore.”
By the end of a few pages, she realized she’d selected a story featuring a curious little puppy who wandered away from his mother, got lost and met friends and enemies while trying to find her. She assumed it was a cautionary tale for children about staying close to home.
But this might not be such a great choice for a little boy who’d lost his own mother.
She shot Jason a look to judge his reaction. His eyes were closed. Was he already asleep?
“Why did you stop?” he mumbled. And then yawned.
She continued with the story. When she read, “The end,” a short time later, Jason’s eyes were still closed, his breathing regular.
“I think he’s out,” Trey whispered.
Making as little noise as possible, Kelly stood and switched off the bedside light. Jason’s face appeared sweet and totally at peace. If only.
She leaned over and kissed his forehead, catching another distinctive whiff of baby shampoo. She quietly backed away from the bed, and Trey did the same, his gaze on her.
“Now Mommy and Daddy have to kiss,” Jason said sleepily.
Kelly froze.
Jason’s eyes were wide open now, staring at them, waiting.
And then Trey’s mouth was on hers, his hands cupping her cheeks. While last night he’d seemed surprised by the kiss, tonight he took possession of her mouth with such intent and control she knew he’d planned this, intended to elicit a reaction from her.
When he drew back, her lips felt ripe and deliciously bruised. Was he the world’s greatest kisser or had she never met a man who knew how to do it properly?
He smiled down at her, cupping her cheek with his warm hand. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
She understood his apology had nothing to do with his mouth on hers. But exactly what was he sorry for?
“Good night, son,” Trey said.
Kelly allowed him to take her hand and lead her out of Jason’s room. She came back to herself halfway down the staircase and yanked her hand from his.
He looked back at her with an unreadable expression. “We need to talk.”
“You bet we do,” she said.
Her life was spiraling out of control. She’d worked too long and too hard to allow that to happen. She needed to get herself back on track. She needed to get off billionaire island and back to reality.
* * *
AS KELLY STOMPED ahead of him into the bar, Trey wondered if she was prickly because of the kiss, the bodyguard or maybe it was the security clearance issue. Everything he did made her angry. Dealing with Kelly Jenkins was like walking on shredded glass.
His feelings about her changed constantly, but his admiration for her ambition and resolve increased steadily. As did his appreciation of her body. Under different circumstances, he would have seen where their kisses led. She could pretend otherwise, but in his arms Kelly turned into a firecracker—one ready to ignite.
She removed a wineglass from the overhead display and sat at a bar stool. When he moved behind the bar, she pushed the glass toward him.
Trey selected a bottle, opened it and poured ruby liquid into her glass. He’d intended to ask Kelly about her history this evening, open up a dialogue to get some more intimate clues about her life, but had reconsidered that idea. He’d talk to Dr. Carico first about how he should approach the subject. Donna might have some professional insight.
“I’m sorry if the security clearance upset you,” he said. “It was ordered before I got to know you. Please forgive me.”
“You think you know me now?”
“A poor choice of words,” he said, pouring wine into a second glass. “Of course I don’t know you. I met you two days ago.”
“Damn right,” she muttered, and took a healthy swallow.
When she lowered the glass, he met her clear blue gaze. She had amazing eyes, but she looked away.
“What are you so angry about, Kelly?” he asked softly.
Her gaze flew back to his.
“And what can I do to make it right?”
She released a sigh, her shoulders relaxing.
He tasted the wine. “If you like, I can arrange for a taxi to take you to work. Just tell me what you need.”
“Truthfully, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m just—I don’t know. Unsettled by everything that’s going on.”
“You don’t like our kisses?”
“Oh, I like them, all right,” she said, as color crept into her cheeks. “And you know it. That’s part of the problem.”
“I agree.”
Her eyes widened. “You do?”
“I also like our kisses too much.”
She smiled faintly and averted her gaze. “How long can this go on, Trey? I can’t stay here for the rest of my life. I mean, I like Jason and all. Despite his delusions about me being mother material, he’s a sweet kid. But this crazy situation is screwing up my career. My whole life.”
“You don’t think you’re mother material?”
“Absolutely not. I’d be lousy at it.”
“Now I do have to disagree. You’re wonderful with Jason.”
“Are you kidding? Did you see his face when he caught us arguing?” She closed her eyes as if to shut out that image.
Trey nodded, remembering his son’s anxious face. Of course she was right that Jason shouldn’t see conflict between them.
“I felt like crying,” she said, and took a sip of wine.
“We need to be more careful. Still, Kelly, you’d be a great mom.”
“You’re as delusional as your son,” she said. “I hate kids.”
“What? You certainly could have fooled me.”
“Well, considering the woman you married, maybe you’re easily fooled.”
Trey blinked, surp
rised by how much her comment stung. Maybe the fact that he had been a fool to marry Darlene was what made the words so difficult to hear. The truth often was.
“Gee, Kelly,” he said. “Why don’t you say what you really mean?”
At least she had the grace to blush. “Sorry. Like I said, I’m unsettled.”
“Right. Unsettled.” Trey took a long swallow of wine, disappointment searing his gut. But why? No more kisses? Because this woman didn’t want children? Why should he care?
Because Kelly’s true opinion of him was all too clear, now.
She’d seen right through him, knew the truth about him. He was a fool, a man who had done nothing useful with a life blessed by a fortunate birth. Kelly Jenkins had come from nothing yet had done far more with hers.
“So how do you want to get to work in the morning?” he asked.
“Actually, I’m off tomorrow. I hope to sleep in.”
He laughed, the sound harsh to his own ears. “Don’t count on it with a four-year-old searching for you.”
She nibbled at her bottom lip, looking uncertain. He focused on her lush mouth, remembering how soft and willing she’d been, and fought the urge to pull her into his arms again.
He took a step back from the bar. He needed to get away from her before he made an even bigger fool of himself.
“I trust you can find your room?” he asked as politely as he could manage.
“I think I know the way by now,” she muttered.
He bowed. “Then I’ll see you in the morning.”
Leaving his wine behind, he left Kelly at the bar, feeling the heat of her gaze on his back as he retreated.
He needed to vent a raging frustration that had been building since the kidnapping. Was this what Kelly meant about being unsettled? He felt like he had no foundation anymore, that his life was built on quicksand.
By the time Darlene had died, once every stint in rehab had failed, he’d felt nothing for her but pity. And then a fierce rage when he learned Jason had been in the vehicle with her.
And, yeah, maybe Kelly resembled Darlene a little, but Officer Jenkins was nothing like his ex-wife at all. Nothing.
He headed toward the tennis court. Smacking a few thousand tennis balls lobbed across the net from the automatic Ballmaster sounded about right.
He switched on the huge overheads. Light flooded the court, clearly illuminating the stark white lines, and he immediately felt better. Tennis was the only thing he’d ever done on his own that he’d been good at. Maybe because boundaries were obvious to him on the familiar and never-changing court.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
KELLY STRETCHED LONG under the warm, fluffy comforter. She couldn’t remember another time in her entire life when she’d slept so deeply or so well. She sighed, not wanting to leave her snug little cocoon.
It was her day off. She could sleep until noon.
And, hey, since she was living in Wentworth Manor, maybe she could order up breakfast in bed? She smiled at the thought. What time was it anyway?
She rolled to her right side expecting to read the digital clock on the nightstand. Instead she gazed into the big blue eyes of Jason Wentworth, his feet on the floor, elbows propped on the bed, staring at her.
“Hi, Mommy.”
Kelly swallowed, a burst of unexpected pleasure breaking through her sleepiness. “Hi, Jason.”
He climbed into bed beside her. She sat against the headboard and quickly pulled the covers over her chest. Was it okay to share this kind of intimacy with the kid? She always slept in a thin cotton tank top and panties. The little dude might think she was his mother, but she wasn’t. What should she do?
And where was Trey?
Jason settled himself against her belly, his knees bent. “You slept late this morning.”
“Yeah, I guess I did.”
“Why?”
“I don’t have to go to work today.”
A giant smile wreathed his face, and she noticed he’d developed a few freckles on his nose and cheeks. His hair was lighter, too. Probably from all the time in the pool.
“Really?” he asked.
“Really. What do you want to do today?”
“Go swimming.”
“Okay,” she said. But should she have given permission without checking with his father? Why not? The kid wanted to swim, and so did she.
“Are you ready for breakfast?” Jason asked.
She sighed. So much for sleeping in.
“I’m ready for coffee. That’s for sure.”
“Jason?” Trey’s voice boomed in the hallway. “Where are you?”
“With Mommy,” Jason yelled back.
Eyes wide, looking as if a hungry lion were chasing him, Trey appeared in the doorway. What was wrong with him?
“What did I tell you, young man?” he demanded in a voice unlike she’d ever heard him use with his son.
Jason’s lower lip stuck out. “Not to wake up Mommy. I didn’t.”
“No,” Trey yelled. “I told you never to go into Mommy’s room under any circumstances.”
Jason’s eyes welled with tears at his father’s harsh voice. “But I waited for her to wake up.”
“It’s okay, Trey,” Kelly told him. “I don’t mind.”
“No, it is not okay,” Trey said.
“I’m sorry, Daddy.”
“I know you are, but this is important, son.” Trey exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. “Come on out now, Jase. I need you to go downstairs so I can talk to Mommy.”
Deciding something awful must have happened to put Trey in such a foul temper, Kelly gave Jason a hug. “Go on, sweetie.”
“Are you coming?”
“I need to get dressed. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
Moving much slower than he had getting into the bed, Jason climbed down and shuffled past his father into the hallway. When Jason had disappeared, Trey turned back to Kelly with furious eyes.
“Where’s your gun?” he demanded, striding into the room.
She blinked. “My gun?”
“Yes. You know, the thing with bullets that can kill curious little boys. Where the hell is it?”
“Is that why you’re upset Jase came into my room? You’re worried about my service weapon?”
“Yes.”
“It’s in a locked gun safe.”
Trey’s expression softened. “You brought a safe with you?”
“Of course.”
“Where?” he asked.
“The closet, top shelf.”
Trey jerked open the closet door and reached for the gun locker.
“There’s no way anyone could get inside,” she said. “Certainly not a kid. And I doubt Jason could even lift it.”
Trey moved to the bed carrying the safe. “Yeah, it’s heavy,” he said.
He worked at the box, trying for several minutes to pry it open. Finally, he released a huge breath and met her gaze.
“Sorry,” he said. “I feel like an idiot.”
“You don’t need to apologize for being worried about gun safety. That means you’re a responsible parent.”
“The hell I am.”
He collapsed on the foot of the bed, pulling the comforter off her shoulders. She yanked the sheet back over her chest knowing her nipples stood out like beacons through the thin fabric.
“I meant to ask you where you kept your gun sooner.”
“There’s been a lot going on,” she said.
“And when I realized Jason had gone into your room...” Trey broke off and shook his head. “I guess I panicked. I should have trusted you. You’re a professional law enforcement officer.”
“Please don’t worry about it, Trey. No cop will ever be mad
at a parent for worrying about keeping their kids away from guns.”
“Thanks.” He smiled, and she became hyperaware that she was in bed, practically naked, and a gorgeous man, one with whom she’d shared several delicious kisses, technically was in that bed with her. And he was reputedly the most eligible bachelor in the world.
“I heard you swimming last night,” he said.
“And I heard you whacking a bunch of tennis balls.”
“Yeah,” he said. “Good thing balls can’t hit back.”
“I get that.” His comment and bitter tone surprised her, although maybe they shouldn’t have. Trey Wentworth might have all the cash anyone ever needed or wanted, but everyone always insisted money didn’t solve every problem.
She’d just never bought into that before.
“Did torturing tennis balls make you feel better?” she asked.
“Somewhat.” He raked a hand through his hair again. “Until I realized Jase had come into your room.”
“I heard a rumor you won some big-deal tennis tournament.”
“That was a long time ago. Do you play?”
“Unfortunately, none of my foster parents had tennis courts.”
“There are public facilities, you know.”
“Yeah, well, I’m told you need a racket, which costs money.”
“I’ve got rackets you could use. Would you like to learn?”
Would she? Kelly hesitated. She loved sports. Why not learn a new one?
“You could teach me how to play?”
“It would be my pleasure. I’ll have the pro shop deliver some clothing,” he said, glancing at the clock.
She followed his gaze. Nine thirty. Damn, she’d slept later than she thought. No wonder Jason had showed up at her bedside.
“But first,” Trey said, “we have a meeting with the FBI.”
* * *
SATISFIED THAT JASON could never get at Kelly’s weapon, Trey rose and returned the gun locker to the top closet shelf.
“The FBI?” she demanded behind him.
Trey returned to her bedside. “Agent Ballard is on the ferry.”
Looking interested, she sat up, and the sheet fell away, revealing her perfect breasts straining against her tank top. He knew he should avert his gaze but couldn’t.
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