“Something wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said, closing her eyes to avoid his gaze. I love you, dummy!
Jack frowned. Whatever Sara was thinking about was upsetting her, and the fact that she didnʼt want to talk to him about it upset him, too—more than he cared to admit. He didnʼt like knowing that she was keeping things from him. He hated being shut out of her thoughts, out of her heart.
Something heavy and painful constricted his chest so hard he squirmed uncomfortably against Sara. He felt restless and unsettled, an unfamiliar, strange sensation. This could only mean trouble. He didnʼt need to regain his memory to know it had never been like this with a woman. He knew heʼd never felt this way before Sara. The mere thought sucked his breath right out of his lungs.
He studied her quietly as she lay against the white wrinkled sheets, her eyes closed and her kiss-swollen lips lifted in a sweet half smile. Shit. What was it about this woman that always triggered such intense feelings and made emotions tear into him like this? He lay back down with a frown, trying to keep his feelings under control. But when Sara snuggled into him and slid an arm around his waist, that simple gesture had the impact of a blow to his heart. Fuck. He really was in trouble.
“So,” he said after clearing his throat, and still his voice sounded hoarse and strangled to his ears. “Tell me about the dumbass who said you werenʼt good at sex?”
Sara opened her eyes with an embarrassed smile. “He was my ex. Well…my ex-fiancé.”
Jackʼs eyes widened as he pulled away to give her a surprised look. “You were engaged?”
“Donʼt be so shocked, hon, itʼs not very flattening,” she said with a snort.
“Iʼm just a little surprised, I guess. I had no idea.”
“Yeah, well, it didnʼt last long.”
“Who was he?”
“His nameʼs Fabrice DuMont.”
“French?”
She chuckled at his tone. “Yes, French. I was living in Paris at the time.”
“Were you in love with him?” Jack asked, strangely disturbed at the idea. Hell, he was annoyed enough at the thought of Sara having a boyfriend—but a fiancé? It was a little too much to swallow.
“In hindsight, I realize I wasnʼt. But I was only nineteen at the time and believed I was. Although I think that it was more the idea of him that I loved.”
“So, what happened?”
She shrugged. “He was a young doctor working at my momʼs organization. Ambitious, charismatic, handsome. In short, he had me falling for him hard and fast once he decided he wanted me and started to court me.”
“Iʼm not sure I like that.”
His grimace made her chuckle again. “Believe me, it wasnʼt nearly as good as it sounds. To tell you the truth, he was a complete jerk, but as naïve and romantic as I was back then—”
“Back then?”
She swatted his arm playfully. “Shut up, or I wonʼt tell you anything else.”
“Sorry.”
“As I was saying, I felt flattered that a handsome man like him was interested in me. So we started dating, and when he proposed to me after a couple of months, I said yes. Okay, now, whatʼs that face for?” she asked him with a smile, noticing his strange expression.
“Nothing, just…wasnʼt it a little too soon?”
“I didnʼt think so. But just so you know, my mom agreed with you.”
Jack raised a brow. “She didnʼt approve of your engagement?”
“Not really. Remember I told you about my dad leaving us when I was five? Well, my mom never really got over it. At first she was devastated by his abandon, then suddenly she decided he wasnʼt worth it and threw herself into her career,” she explained, lost in her thoughts. “She taught me not to ever rely on men. How to do good for myself. So when Fabrice and I announced our engagement, she was a little disappointed, I guess. She would rather I followed her lead and devote myself to my career, instead of getting married.”
“But you didnʼt want to,” he finished for her, and Sara shook her head.
“Donʼt get me wrong, I do love my job, but I never thought it was all I wanted or needed. Ever since I was little, I always dreamed of falling in love, getting married, having a bunch of kids. You know, the whole nine yards.”
Yeah, Jack could see that. In fact, he had no difficulty imagining Sara pregnant with a beautiful, dark-haired, green-eyed baby. He swallowed hard and shook his head, crushing that thought.
“So, what happened between you and the dumbass?”
She shrugged. “Not much, really. He insisted on waiting until we were married to have sex. I thought it was so romantic at first, but two months before the date, I started getting cold feet,” she admitted. “I kept thinking, What if I donʼt really love him? What if we find out too late that weʼre not compatible physically? You know, stuff like that.”
Jack smiled that killer smile of his that never failed to make her insides curl. “I get the idea, yes.”
“The night of my twentieth birthday, I decided I’d had enough of wondering and freaking out. So we did it and…well, it was a disaster.” She covered her face with both hands, embarrassed. “Fabrice tried to brush the whole thing off. He said that the first time always sucked, that it was a matter of practice, that things would get better after the wedding, blah blah blah. Needless to say, when we tried again, it was even worse than the first time. My doubts were raging at that point. The way he touched me, the way he made me feel…” She shook her head with a shudder. “A week later, I decided we needed to talk―really talk―about it and went to his office. His secretary told me he was alone, so I walked right in.”
“But he wasnʼt alone?” Jack guessed with a frown.
“No, no, he was. Only, he was on the phone. With his best friend. Laughing about me.”
“What?” His eyes widened, and the sheer shock on his face made her laugh again.
“Yep. He was telling him all about how he couldnʼt wait for this whole marriage thing to be done and over with. Basically, from what I gathered, he only wanted to marry ‘the bossʼs daughterʼ in order to get visibility within the organization. You know, get in everybodyʼs good graces, hopefully advance his position,” she concluded matter-of-factly. An awkward silence followed. Sara counted off at least thirty-five agonizing seconds during which all Jack did was gape at her. “Thatʼs it.”
“Sweetheart, I donʼt even know what to say.” He shook his head. “I hope you know that he was the problem. Not you.”
Sara gave a little smile. “I do now, yes. But you know what? I guess the saddest thing is that I wasnʼt at all crushed—not even slightly hurt—by his deception. In fact, I was relieved. I walked out of his office feeling incredibly light, as if a huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders. If anything, I was happy Iʼd learned the truth before it was too late. And I even managed to save my pride.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Fabrice never even saw me walk into his office, because he was sitting in his chair with his back to me. So I just walked out and left him a note saying I realized that I never loved him and that the wedding was off. The next morning, I packed my bags and took the first flight to the U.S.”
“Is that when you moved to Texas?”
Sara nodded. “I was granted a scholarship at the University of Texas at Dallas to complete my Literary Studies, so I decided to accept it. At first I got myself an apartment in Dallas, but when I found Carsonʼs ranch online, I knew that was exactly where I wanted to be. The rest is history. Thank God I never saw Fabrice again.”
“What about your mom? Did you tell her what happened?”
“Nah. I mean, she knows something was wrong but never asked me about it. She was just relieved that I never married him. But the moment I left his office, I told myself that maybe she was right about men―they really were selfish, opportunistic, unreliable. I promised myself that never, ever again would I throw myself into another relationship unless I was one hundred percent comfortable w
ith a man. And I never was…” She laid a hand on his cheek. “Until you.”
“Hmm.” Jack turned his head into her hand and kissed her palm. “Nothing like a suspected murderer to restore your trust in men, right?”
Sara swatted his arm. “I told you already, and Iʼll tell you again: Thereʼs way more to you than that, Jack Turner.”
He rolled his eyes. “Thanks.”
“Iʼm serious! Youʼve been through so much hell yet found the strength to get back on your feet with your head held high, and you remained a sensitive, noble-hearted man despite it all. Shut up, Iʼm not done yet,” she cut him off when he opened his mouth to protest. “Youʼre a man who doesnʼt need to rely on somebody else for money or success―and that makes you a man I can trust and respect.” And love. “There, now Iʼm done. Happy?”
He gave her the longest, most intense look. “Well, hell. Thank you.”
Sensing his embarrassment, Sara decided itʼd be wise to change the subject. “Of course, I should also mention that you have a body to die for,” she said, lifting herself up on one elbow and running her fingertips across his chest. Her diversion strategy seemed to work, because a predatory spark flashed in his eyes.
“I thought you were tired.”
“Priorities, my dear,” Sara teased, sliding her hand down to trace his defined abs, loving the way his muscles flexed and tightened immediately under her light touch. He swallowed hard as she kissed his chest. Her fingertips trailed across the delineated ridges of his abs, then slid slowly down his body to study every inch of his lean waistline, dip into his navel. With deliberate, maddening care, she kept moving her hand lower and lower. He gasped and closed his eyes as her hand finally wrapped around him. “Not bad, Turner.”
Eyes squeezed shut, Jack had to take a deep breath to regain control. “Keep doing that and youʼll have a replay of what just happened.”
A feigned horrified expression appeared on Saraʼs face. “Just tell me youʼre not about to apologize again.”
“Hell, no.” His grin was so sexy that something wild stirred violently inside her stomach. The next thing she knew, he grabbed her around her waist and flipped her over beneath him. “I have much better ideas about what to do with you,” he murmured, sliding slowly down the length of her body.
Chapter 19
Sara gazed at the rain banging against the window as she brought a handful of popcorn to her mouth, then glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “Itʼs almost six in the afternoon. Are you sure you donʼt want to leave this room at all?”
Lying beside her, Jack dragged his eyes away from the TV and adjusted lazily against the propped-up pillows. “Positive.”
“Donʼt you think itʼs indecent that weʼve spent the whole day in bed?”
“Absolutely.” A smirk spread across his lips. “The thing is, I like you indecent. In fact, Iʼm tempted to keep you in this room all week and make you a lot more indecent. Depraved, even.”
A piece of popcorn landed right on top of his head. “Jack Turner, youʼre shameless!”
“Oh, yeah.” Chuckling, he kissed her lips. “Thatʼs why you find me irresistible.”
She let out a sigh halfway between amused and exasperated. “Iʼd find you more irresistible if you were a little less full of yourself. But speaking of depravation, have I told you your tattoo is very sexy?”
“Hmm.” He turned his head to give his shoulder blade a quick glance. “Iʼd love to tell you what the hell it is or when I got it, but I have no clue.”
“Thatʼs okay. Right now Iʼm more concerned with that creepy purplish bruise on your stomach.” And all those scars on your back. Sara decided not to mention those, since he probably wouldnʼt know about them, anyway, but her heart cringed at the sight. What kind of violent, messed-up life had he had?
Jack lowered his eyes to his stomach. His grunted “Ronnie” made her stiffen.
“You mean, he hit you? Last night? Dammit, Jack, why didnʼt you tell me?” she urged when he nodded with a casual shrug.
“It was just a punch. Honestly, sweetheart, Iʼve had better things on my mind in the last few hours,” he added, stretching on top of her.
“Ha! Nice way to distract me.”
“Glad you think so. Now―” He stopped abruptly as the doorbell rang. “Are you expecting anyone?”
Sara shook her head. “No, but Iʼm sure itʼs Nicky. She often swings by on her way back from work. Iʼd love not to answer, but sheʼll break down the door if I donʼt,” she said with a sigh. As if to confirm her words, the doorbell rang again.
Jack dropped back on the pillows with a sigh. “All right. Hurry, though.”
“I will.” She got out of bed and put on a clean pair of shorts and a top.
“Do you want me to go with you?” he asked as she ran her brush through her hair.
“Nah, Iʼll be right back.” She leaned down to kiss his lips, but when Jack wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her closer, she wished nobody were at the door. The bell rang again. She forced herself to leave his arms. “Iʼll be as fast as I can.”
Still smiling, Sara reached the living room and opened the door―but the smile froze on her lips the instant she saw Brent and Nicky standing on the porch, dead-serious looks on their faces. “Can we come in?”
Confused by Brentʼs somber tone, Sara moved aside to let them in. “Of course. Is something wrong?”
He didnʼt answer and sat on the couch. “Is Jack home?”
“Heʼs upstairs. Why?”
Nicky frowned but didnʼt comment. “We need to ask him a few questions about last night.”
Sara snorted. “Itʼs because of what happened at the fair, isnʼt it? Because of the fight Jack had with Ronnie?” As her friends exchanged a silent look, she let out a frustrated sigh. “Why does everything always have to be Jackʼs fault? Everybodyʼs constantly looking for reasons to jump down his throat! Last night he was teased and provoked in all possible ways!”
Brent swallowed thickly. “Would you tell us what happened?”
“Why do you ask?”
Seeing the confused look on her face, Nicky placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “Something serious happened, Sara. We need you to tell us what happened last night at the parking lot, and I promise that, when youʼre done, weʼll explain everything to you.”
Sara hesitated, then dropped onto the couch. “Fine. It was almost midnight when Jack and I decided to leave the fair. He was uncomfortable having all those people around, so I suggested that we go home. I told him I wanted to look for you guys and say good-bye, and he said heʼd wait for me in the parking lot,” she recalled. “I donʼt know exactly what happened after that, but I saw you guys dancing and talked to David for a few minutes. As I was heading back to the parking lot, I heard Charlene yelling at Jack.”
“What happened then?” Brent took her hand, but she moved it away abruptly.
“Why are you asking me all these questions?”
“Sara—”
“No. Either you tell me whatʼs going on or I wonʼt answer any more questions.”
“Why donʼt you ask me, instead? After all, arenʼt I the scapegoat of this goddamn town?” Jack cut in drily as he entered the room wearing jeans and a white T-shirt.
Sara looked him as if he were a knight in shining armor come to rescue her, which irritated Brent and Nicky…especially considering it was from him they were trying to protect her.
Brent drew a long breath, watching him sit beside Sara and slide an arm around her shoulders. “Weʼre not looking for any scapegoats, Jack. We just need your cooperation to learn the facts and know exactly what happened last night.”
He slanted him a skeptical look. “Two cops coming here in person to question me about a stupid fight at a stupid small-town fair,” he scoffed, shaking his head. “Hayden, either you really have nothing better to do here in Starville or you better tell me whatʼs going on, because I know an interrogation when I hear one, and Iʼll refuse to speak without a lawyer beside me.”
>
“Heʼs right, Brent. He has the right to know,” Nicky chimed in uncertainly.
He hesitated a few moments, then sighed. “Fine. Itʼs about Charlene.”
Sara instinctively pressed tighter to Jack. “What about her?”
“She didnʼt show up at work this morning. Hank tried to contact her in vain all morning, then called us.”
“Oh, God…”
“Although twenty-four hours hadnʼt passed since her disappearance and we werenʼt allowed to start an official search yet, we started looking for her immediately and found her at the park, a few hours ago,” Brent continued in a dry tone, his eyes fixed on Jackʼs. “Charleneʼs dead. She was murdered last night.”
His words had the effect of a bomb. A tense silence filled the room, only broken by Saraʼs whispered, “No.”
Her frantic thoughts raced back to Charlene. So young, so beautiful, so full of life and dreams… She shook her head, as if to erase Brentʼs horrible words. “Itʼs impossible! She was perfectly fine when we left her.”
“Preliminary examinations indicate that she was killed on the lakeshore between two and three in the morning,” Nicky specified.
“Jack, Iʼm sorry, but I have to ask you where you were last night around that time.”
Sara felt Jack stiffen beside her, and she took his hand, shooting Brent an outraged look. Sheʼd never heard him use that tone before. That cold, professional cop tone that sent chills through her. “I canʼt believe this! You canʼt think Jack…”
“Itʼs just routine, Sara. Besides―”
“Besides, Iʼm the main suspect, since I already have a murder charge on my back. Right, Nicky?” Jack cut her off flatly.
“Right,” she agreed, unimpressed. “But thereʼs more, as you know. Last night the whole town heard you fight with Charlene and tell her it wasnʼt over. What did you mean by that?”
Sara gasped in dismay. “Nicky!”
Bound to the Past (Starville Series Book 1) Page 20