She had been asked that before. Reporters always loved the orphan phenom angle. She smiled politely, just as she would in an interview. “When you don’t have a family, you get used to being on your own a lot. I think it has actually worked to my advantage. It’s made me the athlete I am today.”
He shook his head, balancing his fork in his fingers. “That’s okay. We just met. I’ll accept stock answers for now.”
She raised an eyebrow. Am I that transparent? Did this man ever miss a beat?
“What about Al? Not having a mom, you two must be close.”
“I guess so.” She pushed around a pile of fried rice, knocking a few grains clear off her plate. She could feel his eyes on her, sizing her up. To stay silent would only work against her, but to elaborate was an invitation to lie. Her only hope was to end the conversation all together. “Look Jake, my life is not that complex. I play tennis and I want to get back to it as soon as possible.”
“Despite the fact some crazy is on the loose.”
“You keep telling me that’s your problem to fix.”
He smiled, jamming a forkful of chicken in his mouth. “You know, there are a whole hell of a lot of people out there dying for you to get back on the court. I was talking to Anston Vitale today while you were playing. He sounds like your biggest fan the way he bragged about you.
“Really? Now that surprises me.”
“Why?”
She dabbed the corner of her mouth with her napkin. “He and Geoffrey had a falling out,” she explained. “I think he took it personally when Geoffrey became my manager. Anston is still technically my coach, but we’re not as close as we used to be. I have to do what’s best for me.”
“Is Geoffrey what’s best for you?”
“He’s made me a lot of money.”
“That’s not what I mean. I’m talking about your personal relationship.”
Reporters always saved this question for last. That’s when she would paint on her giddy smile and gush about how smart and supportive Geoffrey was and how she didn’t know what she would do without him. She would lay it on so thick even she would gag. “Geoffrey is none of your business.”
“Maybe so,” he replied. “It just seems weird is all. A bride-to-be usually wants to talk about her impending nuptials.”
Her voice failed her, her mind beginning to wander to places she’d rather not be. Tossing her napkin on the counter, she pushed her plate away, looking out the window toward the ocean. “Ever notice the sun seems to move quicker just before it sinks below the horizon? Why does it do that?”
“I don’t know.” Jake answered. “Maybe we can figure it out if we had a better view.” He stood up, motioning toward the windows. “Come on, I’ll show you the deck.” She followed him past the pool down a small flight of stairs. He pushed a button under the railing and the sliding glass doors in front of them opened.
Summer had never seen some of the colors that hung in the sky. Red and purple haze cast shadows around the sun and rainbows in the deck-side fountain’s mist. Mesmerized, she walked to the edge and brought a shielding hand to her forehead. “Wow, this is amazing.”
“You want to sit in the gazebo? It’s a little out of the way, but it’s the best place to watch the sunset.”
She closed her eyes letting the sunlight hit her in the face. “Better than this?”
“You tell me.” He pointed down a small flight of stairs off the side of the deck. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
The steps gave way to a small brick path neatly hidden by the landscape. Exotic flowers blossomed along the side, creating a more intoxicating scent than any perfume she’d ever sampled. They turned a corner into a clearing. Nestled among the tropical foliage was stone gazebo complete with an antique wicker daybed and a gas-powered fire pit. Jake held out his hand, showing her up the steps. “Now look.” he said, pointing out at the horizon.
Hints of pink and purple now mingling with the darker grays. The sun slipped deeper and deeper into the ocean as it pushed itself to the edge of the earth. “It looks like you could reach out and touch it,” she breathed.
“It sure does.”
“It’s like this all the time?”
“Every time there’s a sunset.” He came up close behind her, his breath tickling the back of her neck. “I actually sleep out here sometimes. The bed is really comfortable and the fire is warm. Best night sleep around.”
She felt his hand rest against her shoulder, then sliding down her arm. “It gets cold pretty quickly once the sun disappears doesn’t it?”
She hadn’t noticed. His proximity alone seemed to ward off any chill. “I’m fine, really.”
“Yeah, but the air isn’t good for your arm.” He tugged at her sleeve. “Why don’t we head inside.”
Dusk had snuck up on them, turning the blue sky to smoky grey. Summer turned back to the house, reaching her hand out in front of her. It was light enough to still see, but dark enough not to trust her steps. “Here, take my hand,” he said like he’d heard her. His fingers brushed across her palm, lightly gripping her pinkie.
She was blindsided by her body’s sudden quiver. She held his hand tighter and let him guide her through collecting darkness to the house. “You okay?” he asked when they were standing in the doorway.
“I’m fine, she croaked.
“Your arm giving you pain?”
“No, it’s nothing like that.” Suddenly speechless she took a deep breath, forcing her heart to steady its rhythm. “I’m trying to take it all in, that’s all.”
“Well in that case, I should show you the coolest part.” He walked around the pool then pressed a hidden button on the side of the fireplace. There was a hum then a click before a pair of doors opened to the master bedroom. “This is what really sold me on the house.” Jake explained. “The pool connects in from the main room to the bedroom through that stone cave. It’s a grotto.”
She would have been impressed by the pool if the bedroom itself wasn’t so magnificent. Completely encased in glass, it had a cathedral ceiling, hand carved oak furniture and a four post brass bed. The one stucco wall was textured with intricate hand painted designs and coordinated with the oriental throw rugs on the heated stone floor.
“Jake, this place is phenomenal,” she beamed, sitting down on the bed. “Don’t tell me you decorated this yourself.”
He shook his head. “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, hire a friend’s sister.”
“I figured. You don’t strike me as an interior designer type.”
“Maybe not.” He winked as he leaned against the door frame. “But I’ve got other talents.”
She sensed the suggestion in his words and she pretended not to let on. Instead she examined the red velvet comforter impressed by the rich feel of the fabric. “Got to hand it to you, Harrison, I was expecting a loft over some bar with empty pizza boxes and stained carpeting. But this...you’ve impressed me.”
“Come on, a girl like you sees places like this all the time.”
“Not really. I mean, I’ve stayed in my share of luxury hotels and villas but that is when I’m on the road,” she lay back on the bed and sighed. “I’ve never actually lived in my own house.”
“Oh yeah? What about the place you’re in now?”
“It’s owned by the Vitalie School. I sort of rent it from Anston.”
She gazed out the glass ceiling above her. Clouds spilled across the half-moon casting ghostly shadows across the room. The muffled roar of the rising tide coaxed her eyes to close. She breathed in deep, enticed by the scent of Jake’s musky cologne lingering on the linens.
“I should get you home to sleep,” she heard him say. “You played hard today. I’m worried you’ll be sore in the morning.”
As comfortable as she was right now, that was hard to believe. She sat back up and stared at him still in the doorway. “Jake, can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Do you...well...do like me?”
She was sure nothing, but for some reason the question was incredibly important at this moment. “I don’t know, I just thought I’d ask.”
He walked into the room, and sat down beside her, farther away than she’d bargained for. His eyes were fixed in front of him, as if searching for the right words to say. “Summer, I work for you. You are paying me for a service. Now, I admit I didn’t read my contract, but I’m sure making a pass at the boss is against the rules.”
She smiled. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s in there somewhere.”
“I know I only met you a few days ago, but I feel like I have a pretty good read on you. If you’re afraid, you’ve got every right to be. What happened to you warrants it. But if you’re afraid of me, I’m telling you now there is no reason to be.”
He was facing her now, his crystal blue eyes meeting hers. “I’m not afraid of you,” she whispered. ”Really.”
“You’re sure?”
She nodded, the lump in her throat impeding her speech.
“Good.” Slowly he brought his hand to her face, running his fingertips down the line of her jaw. “And to answer your question, yes, I do like you.”
His hand slipped over her hair and she closed her eyes, daring herself to give in to it. It was strange how his large, burly hands could be so incredibly gentle. Her quivering lips parted when she felt his mouth on hers. Soft but potent, stirring her heart and stealing her breath. She could taste the wine as he teased her with his tongue. A perfect mixture of sweet and spice. The most incredible flavor she could imagine.
The sudden ring of a phone startled them both. “Damn it,” he mumbled, sliding his cell from his pocket. His face clouded when he looked at the caller ID. “It’s your father. I’m sorry but I have to answer it.”
“I know.”
He tugged on her sleeve as if to apologize, then pushed up off the bed. She watched him disappear out the door, still tasting his kiss on her swollen lips.
***
“Jake Harrison!” The deep voice bellowed through the earpiece. “I was wondering if I would hear from you. I told the boys the only thing that would keep you in on a Friday night would be a good solid lead. You got any good news for me?”
Jake sat down at the kitchen counter and scowled at the bedroom door. “Unfortunately, no. But it’s good you called. I have a few questions for you that I thought you might shed some light on.”
“Go ahead.”
“What do you know about Geoffrey Martin?”
Jake smiled when there was a pause on Al’s end. Even the best of liars needed a moment to frame their thoughts. “I don’t know.” Al began. “He’s a good business man which is probably why people hate him so much. But he’s made Summer a whole hell of a lot of money. And he loves her. With him she’ll have a home and family. I couldn’t have planned it better.”
Jake raised an eyebrow, grabbing a pen and a pad of paper off the counter. “I feel like something isn’t right about him. I’d talk to him myself but he’s out of the country.”
“You really think he has something to do with Summer’s attack?”
“It’s too early to rule anyone out.” Jake tapped the pen against the paper, waiting for a response. Al wasn’t stupid and never sloppy. Giving up pertinent information on a casual phone conversation was something he killed people over. Fat chance he would do it himself. “I just want to cover my bases. I figure Geoffrey Martin would be a good place to start.”
“Sounds good, Harrison. Listen, the gang is heading out this weekend. Over to the Eager Beaver. A little food, a little drink. I thought you could bring my daughter out. Maybe she’d want to spend some time with her Dad.”
“Nice. This weekend sounds good. I was thinking we could use a night out.” He turned back to the bedroom door. “Tell the gang I said ‘hi’ by the way and have a cold one for me.”
“Already planned on it.”
Jake flipped the phone closed and jammed it back in his pocket. A night out with Summer’s dad was nothing to look forward too, but he could think of something that was. He ran his tongue over his lips. He added “bad timing” to the long list of things he hated about Big Al.
Trudging back toward the bedroom, he noticed the light had been turned off inside. Normally his libido would demand he turn it on and wake her, but for some reason that didn’t cross his mind. As much as he wanted to finish what they’d started, he didn’t want to keep her from a good night’s sleep.
He slipped inside the room, allowing a moment just to look at her. She was huddled under the covers with her cherry lips parted and her golden hair splayed across the pillow like a halo. God was she beautiful—in a way he wasn’t used to. Confident but naïve. Unassuming. Completely clueless of the reactions she could conjure in a man. If he was smarter he would have considered that maybe she was playing a cover, but there was something that made him believe she was genuine. He had to. Otherwise how could he explain his attraction to the devil’s spawn?
He reached down and tucked the blanket tighter around her. In his whole career he had never had a problem using sex as a means of furthering an investigation. But now that he had kissed her…the only reason he wanted her trust now was if he deserved it.
When the hell did he grow a conscience?
When he felt his fingers twitch to touch her, he knew his willpower was weakening. Jamming his hands in his pockets, he headed for the door, making sure the lock engaged before walking away.
The kiss would have to sustain him.
Chapter Five
Jake held a death grip on the steering wheel, trying like hell not to notice the dangerously high slit of Summer’s skirt. In the two days since he had kissed her, he’d replayed the scene in his head a million times and it always ended in painful frustration. He wanted her and he could have had her if he wasn’t sucker-punched by his new found conscience. Tonight he faced no such assault. Except, of course, for the incredible urge to pull off the road and pick up where they had left off.
He shifted in his seat, thinking how her vanilla-bean scent smelled good enough to taste. And that damn hair of hers. God, what he wouldn’t give to tangle himself in it. Snapping off the air conditioning, he rolled down the windows eager to air himself and the car out.
“Something wrong?”
“What?” He looked over at her and shook his head. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”
“No but you looked like you wanted to.”
Had he? There were tons of things he had to say to himself recently, but nothing meant for her ears. He shifted in his seat and settled on a common subject. “I was just thinking about your dad.”
“Oh.”
She’d been quiet all evening, a side of Summer he wasn’t used to. Stealing a glance from the corner of his eye, he reached out and playfully nudged her shoulder.
“What’s wrong with you? You haven’t insulted me once tonight.”
She sighed, then mercifully pulled the slit closed on her skirt. “If you must know, I’m a little nervous. I’m worried I am overdressed for a place called Eager Beaver’s”
He smirked. “I know what you are thinking, but it’s a sports bar. You know how those are.”
“Leave it to my father to frequent a place like this.”
Jake kept his eyes on the road and his mouth clamped shut. Any mention of Big Al could mean a lead, especially from Summer’s perfect lips. Regretfully, he squelched the horny letch within him and conjured the diligent agent to the surface. “He gets under your skin, huh?”
“He’s always treated me like a show pony. I win, I’m his darling. I lose and he doesn’t speak to me for a week. It’s weird, but since my attack, he’s been nicer to me than he ever has.”
“He’s probably worried about you.” Jake cringed at his own words. Even if he was playing a cover, he hated to stick up for the guy. Without thinking, he placed a comforting hand on her knee. “Look, I kno
w I can’t speak for him, but I’m sure he feels for you. Just have a little faith.”
She didn’t answer, instead placing her hand over his. He was startled by the stinging shock it brought him, like her energy had charged his system. Common sense told him to break the contact but instead he ran his thumb over her fingers.
“So where is this place?” she asked, squinting into the darkness. “There isn’t much out this way.”
“It’s up about a mile, on the right.”
From the corner of his eye, he watched her fidget with the buttons on her thin, white sweater. She slipped it off then adjusted the spaghetti straps on her tank top. “What do you think, Jake. Less dressy with it off, right?”
He licked his lips. With most women, he would interpret the invitation to check her out as a come-on. But not Summer. She really did just want to know if she looked okay, and he loved that she trusted him enough to ask. “You’re kidding, right? You are going to start a riot in there. Put the sweater back on.”
She looked down at her chest then back up at him. “Are you sure? It’s not that low cut.”
“Well, in my opinion, it is. It will be chilly in there tonight anyways so keep the sweater on.”
She took his advice and he mentally kicked himself in the head. When would Jake Harrison ever encourage a beautiful woman to put clothes on?
“But Jake, this is cashmere. The smoke will ruin it.”
“Then I’ll give you my jacket.”
“It doesn’t match my outfit.” She declared as if he were stupid to even suggest such a fashion error. “Fine I’ll put the sweater back on, but if it smells like smoke, you’re paying for the dry cleaning.”
“I’ll add it to my expense log.”
They pulled into the lot and parked the car. Jake got out and took a few steps before noticing she was still in her seat. “Aren’t you coming?” he asked, coming around to her side of the Porsche.
She stared out the windshield her eyes reflecting the light from the blinking neon sign. “What if he’s in there?”
He raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, sweetheart? He who?”
Break Point Page 5