“Oh, you have, have you?” She spoke in a sultry voice, egging him on.
“You bet. Are you free for dinner?”
“When, tonight?”
“Tonight, tomorrow, whenever you can get away.”
She hesitated, unsure how to answer. She was still reluctant to start something, knowing it would eventually end. Someone might get hurt, and it might even be her. Being a naturally cautious person, she didn’t want to risk it. He already did funny things to her insides.
“I’m busy tonight,” she finally answered. Then wished she hadn’t. Why couldn’t she indulge in for-the-hell-of-it sex? Why did she need to sanction every damned thing she did?
“Then name a night.” His voice was low and seductive. “Anyplace, anytime.”
“You’re too easy,” she said with a soft laugh.
“No, I’m not. I’m very particular about what I want.”
A delighted thrill ran up Jenna’s spine, and the smile on her face faded. Damn him, anyway. He’s too handsome, too polished, and too likeable. He was the very kind of man that made her want to run to the hills.
Besides, she was too old and too cautious to give away her heart. It was better off exactly where it was.
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea to start up again with you.” She wanted to be firm, but could feel herself sinking fast.
“Why?” he prodded. “Jenna, what are you afraid of?”
“You.”
“Me?” He chuckled. “Hey, I can take care of that. I’ll just take little bites.”
She had to laugh. “All right, I give up. One date—that’s all I’ll agree to.” They made arrangements to go out the following night, and Jenna hoped she wouldn’t regret it. She should be concentrating on a career, not on getting laid.
She picked up Amy and carried her downstairs. “Your aunt is a foolish lady, sweet baby.” She opened the pantry door and pulled out a jar of fruit to give her for lunch. “Why did I let him pressure me? I’ve got enough problems, don’t I?”
She put Amy into her feeding chair, fastened a bib around her neck, and thought about her life in the dog-eat-dog corporate world. She had loved it thoroughly, but she no longer missed it.
It suddenly dawned on her that running a household and taking care of three very special children was an important job in itself. She loved the children, and the smell and feel of a baby in her arms. She was going to miss them dearly if she left. If?
The majority of business opportunities were all up north, in the big cities. Staying here and opening a catering business was a big risk, and she wasn’t the risk taker in the family. That was Cindy and her mom.
Jenna liked to play it safe. And safe meant doing what she did best. It didn’t mean starting a catering business from scratch. And it certainly didn’t mean putting her heart on the line. It meant returning to the business world and proving she was still on top of her game—whether she wanted to be or not.
Amy had a spoon in her hand. She tossed it onto the floor. Her mouth opened up, and she let out a cry.
“Oh, I’m sorry, sweetheart. You’re hungry. Here we go. Have a little taste of this yummy applesauce.”
The phone rang again. It was Rob this time. “Cindy’s coming home. She’s being released tomorrow.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Jenna and the kids had decorated the house with a “Welcome Home” banner and balloons. She’d made a special dinner, to be followed by a chocolate almond torte.
Grant had been called and invited over, with an explanation for the change in plans. Tom had built a temporary wheelchair ramp since it would be some time before Cindy was on her own two feet again.
Everyone ran for the window when they heard the car pull in to the driveway. Cindy was sitting in the passenger seat, looking small and frail.
Rob took the wheelchair from the trunk, then opened her door. As he lifted her out of the car, he caught sight of all the faces at the window. He grinned and waved, and instead of using the wheelchair he carried Cindy to the door.
Kelly opened the door, and Rob carried Cindy over the threshold, acting like a man very much in love, Jenna thought. Regardless of Cindy’s faults, and God knew she had a few, he loved his wife very much and would protect her, no matter what. He’d told the family the DNA sample had come back as a positive match and that Amy was his.
“Welcome home,” everyone shouted at once, and charged around the two of them. Even Beets joined in—barking and dancing excitedly next to the couple.
Jenna leaned against Grant, feeling overcome with emotion. “I’m so happy right now, I might cry,” she whispered to him.
He put his arm around her. “I wouldn’t blame you if you do.”
Sharon hung a lei of gardenias around Cindy’s neck. Cindy looked positively radiant to be home with her family again.
Jenna and her sister had grown up in a dysfunctional, even sometimes loveless household. All this raw emotion overwhelmed her, but in the nicest of all ways.
“Welcome home, Cindy,” Rob said to his wife. “Welcome home, my love.”
“Thank you…everyone. I love my family.” Tears spilled from her eyes and down her flushed cheeks. “Thank you so much for this party. And for never giving up on me.” She looked at Rob. “I always knew you were there. I could feel it.”
“I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too.”
Grant gave Jenna’s shoulders a warm squeeze, and she felt the same tug again in the pit of her stomach. She was getting too comfortable here and enjoying this man’s company a little too much.
This wasn’t her world. It was Cindy’s. But for tonight she belonged, and she refused to spend a moment worrying what the future would bring.
Tonight was a celebration.
* * *
The next morning, Jenna had a call from Peter Cromwell, the CEO of Plasmic.
“Mike told me you’re not coming back,” he began, “and I’m calling to say that that is not an option.” He cleared his throat and didn’t wait for Jenna to respond. “We want you back here right away, and I’m couriering you a first class ticket.”
“You can’t do that,” she said. “I’ve already resigned. And what do you mean, I don’t have options? Of course I do.”
Peter laughed, but it sounded false to her ears. “Come on, Jenna. We can’t let you go. You’ve got the number one sales team in the county.”
“So? Mike doesn’t need me. He can run it himself.”
“I fired Mike. Things have been slipping around here since you left and we lost a couple of big accounts. I know that you can get them to sign up again. That’s why I need you here as soon as possible, to straighten everything out.”
“Look, this is crazy. I asked to extend my leave-of-absence, but Mike said you’d ordered me back.” The conversation irritated her—she didn’t want to be lured back. “I signed a separation agreement, and I’ve been waiting for my severance pay.”
“Forget the severance package. I’ll double it in a signing bonus for you to return.”
“But… I need more time.”
Last night she’d seen what she’d been missing, and she didn’t want to give that all up. She hadn’t felt this peaceful and happy in years.
Jenna knew that once she got back onto the corporate train, the wheels would be spinning and there’d be no stopping it. No time for family, no time for socializing, or hobbies, or romance. No damn time at all.
Peter wasn’t giving up. “Mike’s job is open. I can offer you a promotion and a hefty salary increase too.”
“That’s a great offer, Peter.” Logically, she should be all over it. But she wanted to be with her family for a while longer.
This connection with her family was so new and fragile, she feared if she left, the link might break. Cindy had just come home and needed her. Jenna was not willing to leave. That’s all there was to it.
Even if Plasmic offered her the world right now, she didn’t want it. She only wanted t
his—what she had right here.
“Then you accept?” he asked.
Jenna actually felt a chill run up and down her spine. She was terrified of turning down this amazing offer, but her desires lay elsewhere. “I’m sorry, I really am. I can’t, Peter. I’ve started a catering business.”
* * *
Now that she’d made up her mind to stay, Jenna couldn’t wait to tell Grant. She didn’t need the high-powered executive life to give her an adrenaline high anymore. The idea of seeing Grant, with his wink and his smile, was enough to get her juices running.
Life was brimming with possibilities—a relationship with Grant, a new career. All it required was a leap of faith.
One thing was certain—she would not be letting Catherine Melrose run her out of town. If her catering business didn’t get off the ground, it would be because she failed, not because Catherine had any power over her.
Whatever Jenna wanted was hers for the taking. Deciding to start with Grant, she picked up the phone. “I had an interesting call a few minutes ago.” She quickly told him about the offer, and about her answer. “So, I won’t be running back to New York anytime soon.”
“That’s great news, Jenna. I’m delighted, of course.” He sounded genuinely happy, giving her a little thrill. “What are you going to do with your New York apartment?”
“I’ll try to lease it out. If this catering business fails, I might have to go crawling back to Plasmic.”
“That’s not going to happen, now is it?”
“No. Guiltless Gourmet is going to be the biggest thing in town.” She gave a short laugh. “But I need someone to practice on. How would you like a home cooked dinner tonight?”
“I haven’t had a better offer.” He sounded surprised, but pleased. “Your place or mine?”
“Yours. I’d like for us to be alone.” She intended to be the evening entertainment. “What time would you like me? I’ll bring everything.”
They made the arrangements, and then Jenna went into the kitchen to check out her favorite recipes. She wanted to make something very special for him, and it took her an hour to select a menu. They’d start with smoked salmon and caviar canapés in a delicate tart, followed by a Caprese salad, and tournedos of beef with seared foie gras.
If she was going to practice gourmet cooking, she had to step it up a notch. She was not, she repeated not, trying to find a way into his heart through his stomach.
If he happened to want to show his appreciation in other areas around the house, so be it. The thought of having wild sex with him was an aphrodisiac in itself. She wanted him…and tonight she was going to have him.
Her mother was taking care of Cindy and Amy, allowing her the luxury of time. She went shopping for her ingredients and spent the afternoon preparing the meal.
At five, Jenna went up to shower and change, and came back downstairs dressed in a simple white cotton dress and high-heeled sandals.
“You look nice,” her mother said. “Do you have another catering job? I saw all the food you prepared.”
“No, Mom. It’s for Grant. I’m treating him to dinner tonight.”
“Well, isn’t he the lucky one? They do say that the stomach is the way to a man’s heart, so let’s hope it’s true. He would be a darn good catch.”
“I’m not trying to catch him, Mother. I only want to sleep with him.” Jenna tossed her head, allowing her auburn hair to swirl about her shoulders. She smiled and winked at Cindy, who was seated at the table.
Cindy asked, “You met him in the hospital, right? He’s such a doll. At least something good happened from the accident.”
“Well, I wouldn’t call anything about the accident good. But yes, he’s a pretty cool guy.”
Her mother watched as she packed up the food. “All that food for two?”
“Mom. You can figure out something for dinner. I made this special for Grant and me. I’ll be cooking a lot of other gourmet dinners for the family from now on. I’ll have to get my recipes down, so when the business takes off, I’ll be ready.”
“Oh, you and your catering ideas. I think you were crazy to turn down the big job your boss offered.”
“I don’t,” Cindy said. “I don’t want her running off to New York. She’s family, and I want her here.”
“Thanks, Cindy.” She dropped a kiss on her sister’s forehead. “Don’t wait up for me tonight.”
When she arrived at Grant’s home, he came out to the driveway to meet her. “Need some help with that?” He took the containers of food out of her hands. “Who did you invite over? There’s enough here for six people.”
She smiled. “My mother hinted as much, but I told her it was all for you.”
“I know what I want for me”—he gave her a wicked grin—“and that’s my favorite dessert.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Can it wait?”
“I’m a very patient man.”
They brought the food into the kitchen, and Jenna went to work, arranging the smoked salmon and caviar tarts on a plate, reheating the beef, and setting up the Caprese salad.
Grant opened a dusty bottle of wine with a label dated 1945. “This is my one weakness,” he said with a smile. “I love collecting good bottles of wine.”
“That’s convenient,” Jenna replied, “because I like drinking them.”
The smells from the kitchen were delicious. The wine was smooth and rich, the color deep and bold. Jenna rolled it around her mouth, savoring the full flavor before swallowing. “Wow. That’s great stuff.” With the taste still on her lips, she gave him a light kiss.
She picked up one of the caviar tarts from the serving plate and fed it to Grant. He ate it in two bites and then licked her fingers, his eyes full of mirth. “Did anyone tell you that you’re an exceptional cook?”
“Not lately.” She took a bite of the tart and nodded with satisfaction. “It is good. Never made these before.”
“I like being your guinea pig,” he said, moving close to nibble on her neck.
A thrill ran up and down her spine. “Careful,” she admonished. “If you keep that up, we’ll be having dessert instead of dinner.”
He laughed. “I usually dine around nine.”
“Not tonight.” She took the tournedos of beef out of the oven and asked him to put the salads on the table. “Dinner is ready. Let’s enjoy it before it spoils.”
After they’d eaten a scrumptious dinner and polished off the French Bordeaux, Grant showed Jenna the rest of his house. The one other time she’d been there, she’d only seen the bedroom.
All the rooms were large, with high ceilings and endless windows to enjoy the courtyard view. The kitchen flowed into a great room, with a large entertainment area and fifty inch TV, two comfortable sofas, and two oversized chairs. The walls were decorated with expensive looking artwork. Towering plants filled the empty spaces.
It was a beautiful home and tastefully decorated. Jenna wondered if his wife had chosen everything. The walls were either faux-painted or in warm honey tones. Three of the bedrooms were on the second floor, and each had their own bath.
The huge master suite was on the first floor. French doors led to the pool. In the den, shelves were stacked full of books. A desk with a computer and a fax machine, and a leather recliner completed the decor.
Picking up their wineglasses, Grant led her last to the large screened-in patio, with a sparkling free form pool and spa.
Grant’s home was a block from the ocean, close enough that when you stepped outside, you could hear the waves breaking on the shore. They sat and finished the wine, enjoying the warmth of the beautiful night and the comfort of being together.
“I can’t believe you live in this big house all alone,” Jenna said softly. “It’s absolutely beautiful, but it must have some painful memories too.”
“It does. Some good, some bad. But our marriage was over years before Kathleen took her own life.”
“Still, why do you stay?”
“Why not? I love the place, and one day I hope to make new memories here. Happy ones.”
She smiled at his answer. “I hope you do too.”
“Stay here,” he said. “I’m going to get us a couple of cappuccinos.”
She smiled as she watched him leave. Her mother was right. Grant was a definite catch—such an elegant man. If she had better luck with relationships, she might want to give it a whirl. But she didn’t, so there was no use in trying.
She did casual relationships real good. It was easier that way, less painful too.
Grant came back carrying two steaming cappuccinos. He set the coffee mugs on the large square table and sat beside her on the wicker love seat. She reached for her cup, but he leaned in for a kiss.
She’d enjoyed his kisses before, but tonight she was on an emotional high, and the magic of his lips sent tiny thrills all through her.
“Hmmm,” she murmured. “You could do that all night long.”
“I plan to,” he said with a sexy grin.
Slowly, methodically, with just the right amount of pressure, he ravished her mouth. She wasn’t sure who wanted what more, but she clung to him as he kissed her senseless.
When she was quite breathless, he released her mouth, and his lips found her neck. He took tiny nips of her earlobes, until her flesh tingled all over. Gripping his hair with her hands, she pulled his mouth to hers.
Waves of emotions swept over her—hunger, want, need. Her mouth took possession of his and plundered. That apparently was the signal he was waiting for—he abruptly stood and led her back inside.
Grant’s warm hands slid around her back, and he tugged at her zipper the moment they stepped into his bedroom. He gently peeled her dress away and they tumbled onto the bed.
His hand snaked around her back and unhooked her bra. With deft fingers he brushed the lacy material aside and cupped one breast. She caught her breath in anticipation. He brushed her nipple with his thumb. It hardened and peaked.
She leaned into him, wanting a firmer touch and so much more. His mouth found her breast, and he licked and sucked one and then the other. She trembled and held his head to her chest.
“Yes, Grant. Just like that. Oh, it feels so good.”
ESCAPE INTO ROMANCE- 4 Book Bundle Page 40