by Jean Adams
“Of course. It’s on the table by the door.”
He turned to go out, then spun back. “Oh, and there’s fresh lemon water in the jug. You should be okay ’til I get back.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
After he left, the condo felt empty. Jenna got out of bed and wandered around. She would’ve folded his blanket, but he’d already done that and laid it over the back of the chair.
She wandered into the kitchen. And smiled. He’d even cleaned up after his breakfast and put everything away where it belonged. It was a weird feeling, almost as though he’d been nothing more than an apparition.
But moving around made her nauseous so she crawled back into bed and closed her eyes.
****
Jenna had just taken a glass of the lemon water when she heard the key in the door. Excited, she sat up as his face peered around the door. What had taken him so long? It was past midday.
He came into the room and stood, hands planted squarely on hips. It didn’t help her peace of mind he’d changed into jeans and that sexy white ribbed sweater, the same one he wore the day she’d come onto him. The day he’d returned her kiss with such passion.
“Are you okay?”
“Sure.” He rubbed a hand over his shaven chin. “How about you?”
“I’m fine.” Now that you’re back.
He came further into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. She averted her eyes in an attempt to avoid his intense chocolate-colored gaze.
“Thank you for being so understanding about last night.” Don’t rehash old news, Jenna. “So, uh, how are you getting on with Woman Tamer?”
He gave her a sexy smile that sent her temperature sky high again. “Still got a way to go, so I’ll reserve my judgment. Meantime, I’ve brought my laptop and some work with me if that’s okay.”
“Sure. Giving up on the book, huh?”
“Nope. Just cooling it a little. It’s getting pretty steamy.” He winked and a thousand butterflies took wing in her stomach. “Oh, and you should be well enough for me to make use of the bed in the spare room tonight.” He turned to leave. “I’ll leave the door open.”
Jenna held her tongue.
“Now I’m going to set up my laptop in the kitchen so I don’t disturb you. Anything you want, sing out.”
I want you. No, I don’t. I just think I do because you’re so damned sexy and you’re being so attentive. I’ll soon get over this passing infatuation when I get back on track. It’s a test, that’s all. To see how much I really want my dream, or whether I can easily be distracted. Only two more weeks to tough this out and I’ll be back in the real world. My own world.
You can do this, Jenna. Just remember to stay strong and hold fast to your goals.
****
Lucas leaned back in his chair and gazed out the window.
It was no good. Concentration was out of the question. He’d set up his laptop on the kitchen table, logged on and started busying himself with the research for his new client. Now he tapped on the table top with restless fingers. Whatever made him think he could concentrate enough on work with Jenna lying in bed in the next room?
God help him. She was too much of a distraction, especially after last night’s offer. If she asked him to get into bed tonight, things would be different. But she wouldn’t. And he wouldn’t give her the chance to make the same offer twice. After what had happened to them both in the past, he’d allow nothing, not even his libido, to get in the way of her getting what she’d always wanted.
She’d burrowed right into his heart. Just when he’d promised himself not to let any woman do that to him ever again, along came Jenna to sneak right under his radar.
After those first awkward attempts at avoiding her hadn’t worked, somehow he’d always found an excuse to be where she was. Or fate had conspired to put them in the same place at the same time. By then it was too late.
He’d give anything to climb into bed with her, hold her naked body close to his. Make love to her ’til she begged for mercy. But there’d be no point in getting too up close and personal. She’d be going away in two weeks so he’d better get used not having her around. Hadn’t he already suffered through two hefty doses of humiliation? He had no intention of doling out a third dose to himself.
The phone jolted him out of his thoughts. He sprang to his feet. “Want me to get that?”
“Would you mind? If it’s Claude, will you tell them I won’t be in tomorrow, but I’ll call him later?”
“Sure.” He strode into the lounge room and picked up the receiver. “Jenna Blake’s phone.”
“Who’s that?” a male voice growled down the line.
Lucas’ backbone straightened defensively. His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowed. “Who’s asking?”
“My name, sir, is Roger Cumberland, Earl of Kendal. Who in blazes are you?”
Hell, the guy sounded almost territorial.
Lucas took in a slow, steadying breath. For the first time in weeks, he was forced to remind himself about dukes and earls and movie stars. “A friend.”
“What are you doing there?”
Lucas dragged in another slow breath. “Jenna’s not well. I’m taking care of her.”
“Let me talk to her,” the voice demanded.
Lucas bit the inside of his cheek and counted to three. “She can’t come to the phone right now, but I’ll give her a message if you like.”
“What do you mean, ‘can’t come to the phone’? What’s wrong with her?”
Lucas took exception to the interrogation. He paused and took a deep breath before answering. “She has food poisoning.”
The voice on the other end calmed a little. “Oh? What caused it?”
“Chicken.”
“Is she in bed?”
Lucas paused before answering.
“Well?” Roger prompted.
“Yes, she’s in bed. Resting.”
The other man lowered his voice further, as though it’d make a difference. “I’ve had food poisoning myself so I know what she’ll be going through. Don’t disturb her. Just tell her I’ll see her soon.”
What was he, a messenger boy? Lucas ran his hand over his face when he realized how over the top and possessive he was feeling, but he couldn’t help himself. “Sure, I’ll tell her.”
He put down the receiver and held on to it for a moment while he gathered his thoughts, as though Roger might come screaming down the line and he could stop him.
So that was the earl Jenna had waxed lyrical about the day they’d met. Well, hot damn.
Her voice snapped him out his thoughts. “Who was it?”
He pried his fingers from the receiver. His shoulders rose and fell with a breath from deep in the bottom of his lungs. He went into the bedroom to be met by pretty green eyes peering at him from the pillow. They’d see right through him if he wasn’t careful. “The Earl of Kendal,” he bit out.
Her brows lifted and from the expression on her face he wondered if she’d wanted to talk to her friend. “Roger? What did he want?”
He strode toward her and smoothed the covers, then sat on the edge of the bed. “Didn’t say, but he said not to disturb you. Said he’ll see you soon.
“Oh, okay.”
She didn’t sound too disappointed that his earlship, or whatever he was called, hadn’t insisted on speaking to her.
A tightening in his chest acted as a warning he was way too close. He pushed to his feet. “And now I really do have to get on with some work. Is there anything I can get you before I settle down to it?”
“No, I’m fine. Really.”
“Get some rest then. I’ll be in later.” Lucas turned and left the room.
He went back into the kitchen, closed the door behind him and rested one shoulder against it. He rubbed his temple. The earl would see her soon. In two weeks, to be precise. He’d probably be waiting for her at the airport when she got back to London.
Whereas he’d be nothing more than a
distant memory.
She’s leaving in two weeks. You’ve always known it. You were prepared for it. But this earl was closer than he’d imagined.
When she’s over this bout of sickness, this time, stay the hell away. Like you should’ve done in the first place.
Later, just as he’d finished eating an omelet, he heard Jenna on the phone. Probably ringing Roger back. Live with it, Nelson. What did you expect?
While she was talking, he refilled her water jug and went into the bedroom to smooth the rumpled bedclothes.
She came back while he was plumping up her pillows.
“Hey, don’t bother. I could’ve done that.”
“It’s no bother.”
As though she knew what he’d been thinking, she said, “I just called Claude. Told him I definitely won’t be in tomorrow.”
Claude. “What did he say?”
“That he and Maddie would stop by in the morning. See how I am.”
“Did you call Roger back?” Tension tightened his spine.
“No, it probably wasn’t anything important.”
He let the tension go. “Important enough to call you from the other side of the world on a Sunday afternoon.”
She laughed. “He probably wanted to ask me to marry him again.”
Lucas nearly choked on his coffee. “You going to?”
“I’ve turned him down twice.”
That wasn’t what he’d asked. But, if she’d turned down an earl, what chance would a mere copywriter stand? Hell, where did that thought come from?
The best method of defense was attack. Or in this case, withdrawal. He wouldn’t let her see his heartache. The best time to start getting over it was now, before she’d even left.
Fat chance!
He’d have to work through it, one day at a time. Focusing on work might help.
He went back into the kitchen and tried to get on with his assignment, but it was no good. He kept getting distracted so he gave up and started packing up his work. As soon as Claude and Maddie arrived tomorrow morning, he’d be ready to hightail it out of there.
Fast.
****
By Monday morning Jenna’s stomach pains had finally abated, as had most of her other symptoms. Now it was just a question of building up her strength.
“You want to try some solid food?”
She sat up and smiled as Lucas came in from the kitchen. “I’m ready to eat a horse. I’m starving.”
“Then I’ve done my job right.”
As he left to go into the kitchen, she called after him. “I don’t know what I’d have done without you to care for me.”
He waved over his shoulder as he disappeared through the door. “I’ll make you some toast. Maybe a scrape of butter.”
The doorbell rang. “I’ve got it,” Lucas called. A few moments later, he ushered Claude and Maddie into her bedroom.
“How’s the invalid today?” asked the ever ebullient Claude.
She smiled. “Much better thanks to Lucas’ tender ministrations.”
Lucas turned to leave, saying over his shoulder, “Guess I can leave you in Claude and Maddie’s capable hands. But now, I have to go.”
He was going right now? She didn’t want him to leave. Didn’t want this weekend to be over so soon. But he seemed in a hurry to go. “Lucas?” she called in an attempt to stall his departure.
He’d turned back to her with a smile. “Yes?”
Her gaze caught his. “Thank you. For everything. I couldn’t have made it through this weekend without you.”
“Welcome.” He gave her a curt nod. “I’m all packed up. I’ll let myself out.”
As soon as she heard the door close behind him, the condo felt like a dead, lifeless tomb. As though something was missing in her life.
Maddie fussed over her, keeping her company and chattering away, but it wasn’t the same as having Lucas there. She missed hearing him around. He’d even started whistling as he got busy in the kitchen.
She missed seeing him when she woke up, sitting in the chair, trying to concentrate on her raunchy romance novel.
If only there was some way she could thank him, let him know how much she appreciated his thoughtfulness. But he’d probably take it as another come-on.
Somehow, some way, she had to find a way to make amends for ruining their date on Saturday night.
Chapter Fourteen
When she went back to work, Jenna was browsing through a newspaper on her lunch break, and saw an advertisement for The Pearl Fishers. “Opening on Saturday for a short season.”
Hmm. Wasn’t that the opera Lucas wanted to see?
Quickly, she made up her mind. She’d take him to see it. But he was a proud man. He’d never accept her buying tickets. Might even refuse.
It’d call for some imaginative thinking on her part, but she was determined to find a way.
She was issuing a ticket for a passenger when the idea came to her. “Got it!”
“I’m sorry,” the startled man said.
She looked up. “Sorry, sir. I’ve just had an aha! moment.” She smiled. “I’ll just be a few more minutes.”
When the time came to take her afternoon break she set to work on her plan. But what if Lucas refused to go? She had to find a way to pull this off.
The startled passenger had given her an idea. Satisfied she had all her avenues covered, Jenna mentally patted herself on the back. Now all she had to do was execute the plan.
Easier said than done. Nevertheless, she called the theater and reserved two of their best seats for opening night on Saturday. She could always cancel them if she had to.
That evening she hemmed and hawed a long time until finally, after a glass of red wine for courage, she picked up the phone and called Lucas’ number.
As conversations go it was almost a non-event. She chewed her bottom lip then, heart racing, drew in a deep breath and played her trump card. “Oh, by the way, I almost forgot,” she said, hoping her afterthought sounded convincing, “you’ll never believe it, but a passenger gave me two tickets to the opening night of The Pearl Fishers. He was suddenly called overseas on business so he can’t use them. He asked me if I’d like them.”
“That was good of him.”
Her stomach churned. Her hands felt clammy. “Yes, I thought so.”
“Didn’t he have any friends he could give them to?”
“Apparently not.” She almost gave up at that point, but held her nerve. “Well, anyway, since he gave them to me I wondered whether you might like to go with me,” she said before he had a chance to say anything else. “I know you said you wanted to see it.” Her heart in her mouth, she waited for his, ‘thanks, but no thanks.’ He was good at those. Mentally, she’d gone over any objections he might have, and her reactions to them.
A silence that seemed to take weeks to pass followed her question. “Sorry, Jenna. I’ve just landed another big job. I need to get the research done.”
Although disappointed, she tried her best to feign excitement for him. “Oh, that’s fantastic. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
All her rehearsals came to naught. She couldn’t compete with his work. Her heart dropped to her stomach. “Oh, well. Not to worry. If you’re busy, you’re busy. Can’t be helped.”
“Thanks for the thought though. Maybe some other time.”
“Maybe.” But she knew there’d never be another time.
His refusal knocked her sideways. She felt sick. Tears filled her eyes. But why was she so upset? She was leaving at the end of next week anyway. Going back to London to prepare for her next six-month sojourn.
She’d soon forget about Lucas Nelson. She should focus on the Bahamas.
****
Lucas poured himself a stiff drink, very aware his love for Jenna was dangerously close to turning him into a jackass again, as well as giving him another hefty does of humiliation. He was done with that. He’d been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt.
She had her plans, her dreams, and she had a right to them. She’d talked to him about her past, so he knew life for her had been tough. She needed to find her own way. Her own happiness. He sat heavily on the sofa. His gut tightened and his heart turned over when he admitted it was already too late.
Everything had changed.
This wasn’t just a friendship, as he’d at first thought, at least not as far as he was concerned. He hated she was relishing going somewhere else. Leaving him behind. He hated the thought of dukes and earls and movie stars hitting on her.
Just as well, he’d never make the mistake of telling her how he felt. Like he almost had on Sunday after his earlship called.
He’d been played for a sucker twice before, wrung inside out. Despite his deep feelings for Jenna, this time he was ready. He wouldn’t go there again.
Never again would he allow a woman to burn him. Never again would he put his heart on the line, lay it open for public flaying. Okay, so he’d been lucky. He’d had time with Jenna that no other man in LA had gotten the chance for, but he didn’t kid himself he had anything else. He’d tried to keep his emotions out of it, but it hadn’t worked.
Jenna had knocked him off balance just as he was getting his life back together. From the first moment he saw her, the day they’d crashed into each other, his defenses were down and he’d been in deep trouble.
Now he was well and truly in the danger zone. She’d become as necessary to him as breathing. She completed him.
He badly wanted to make love to her, to go on loving her ’til she couldn’t stand. ’Til he couldn’t stand. Like it was going out of style. No chance of that.
And he couldn’t tell her because she had her plans for the future. And he’d never deprive her of them. He knew what it was like to find a dream only to have it whipped out from under his feet. He wouldn’t let that happen to her, get in her way, even though she was the woman he never thought he’d find.
Somehow, he had to come up with a way to bring this to an end and dig himself out of a very deep hole.
But it wouldn’t be now.
He guessed the opera ticket story was phony, too pat, and it must’ve taken a lot of courage for her to ask him. So for now he’d be content to go to the opera with her. Take her to dinner. Have his own private farewell. Maybe even kiss her again. Hold her against his heart.