Old Flames Never Die (Valentine Mystery)

by Harte, Jenna

  He moved, with her, against her, the sensations enhanced by his words, until pleasure pierced through. He must have felt the same need to be close, because afterwards he held her as if he was afraid to let her go.

  He lifted his head and looked down on her. “This new situation we're in…we can date and we can make love. We just can't live together?”

  “Not yet,” she said. For a moment she wondered if it was going to be enough for him. And what she'd do if it wasn't. “Will you wait for me?”

  He cradled her face in his palms. “If I know you love me, I'll wait as long as it takes.”

  “I do love you.”

  He gave her a smile accentuated with a dimple, and kissed her again.

  “If we're going to make it to the Showalters, I need to shower again,” she said as she slid off the counter.

  “We could just stay here.”

  She wrapped her hand round him and gave a slight tug as she moved towards the shower stall. “Why don't you join me?”

  ~~~~

  “We were thinking maybe you weren't coming,” the Senator said as he escorted Tess and Jack into the living area of Helen and Tom's home.

  “We're sorry,” Jack said.

  “Making up can take some time,” the Senator said.

  Jack tried to hide his surprise and annoyance at the comment. He knew Tess caught the Senator's meaning when she stiffened next to him. He gave her hand a squeeze as he scanned the room. Helen and Tom were giving their best poker faces. Daniel turned away.

  “Well, you're here now,” the Senator said. “Why don't we get you both a drink?”

  For a dinner with the Showalters, it wasn't that bad. Jack wasn't exaggerating when he'd told Tess they didn't like him. But Helen and Daniel were doing their best to tolerate him. Tom either ignored or completely missed the undercurrent of tension directed at Jack. And the Senator focused solely on having his “family” together for dinner.

  It was after dinner that things began to fall apart. Tess left to help with the dishes while the men lingered at the table.

  “Jack, I wonder if I could talk to you for a moment, alone. Tom, we can use your office, can't we?” the Senator asked.

  The last thing Jack wanted to do was speak to the Senator alone. It almost always involved some scheme to officially bring Jack into the Worthington family. Jack wanted to honor the mother he never knew and his grandmother who helped raise him, but he absolutely didn't want to be in the Worthington family. He felt it would be a betrayal of the parents who raised him. But it was also because the Worthington family was crazy dysfunctional. Not that Jack's family, which now consisted only of Cora, wasn't a little off-kilter. But the Worthingtons had a way of sucking the life out of Jack.

  “It's not business…or family,” the Senator added, as if he knew what Jack was thinking.

  “Sure,” Jack said.

  “I wanted to ask you about your friend, Mrs. Danforth,” the Senator said when he and Jack were in Tom's office.

  Jack felt his jaw tense. “What about her?”

  “Her husband Charles owned some land down in Bucks County. I guess he was looking at developing it. Into what I don't know, since most people leave Bucks County, not move to it.”

  Jack declined to remind the Senator that Bucks County was in his district and played a part in his election.

  “I was wondering if maybe you'd find out if she was interested in selling the land.”

  The first question that popped into Jack's mind was why the Senator would want land in a county he clearly thought was backwoods. But doing so would only bring him further into a conversation he felt uncomfortable having.

  “I can't do that.”

  The Senator looked at Jack in surprise. “Why not? She probably doesn't want it.”

  “I don't feel right about helping you take advantage of a friend of mine who just lost her husband.”

  “Take advantage?” the Senator bristled. “I'm not the one engaging in a late night rendezvous with a widow.”

  Jack was glad he was able to keep his mouth shut, as he wasn't exactly sure what would have come out. Instead he gave the Senator a scathing glare and headed towards the door.

  “Oh, come on, Jack. Tess isn't here. It's just us two. You don't have to be discreet with me.”

  “Go to hell,” Jack said as he continued across hall toward the kitchen. He could hear the Senator following him, but didn't care.

  He entered the kitchen and immediately made eye contact with Tess. Everyone else turned to watch as well.

  “I have to leave. If you'd like to stay, I'm sure Daniel would be willing to give you a ride.”

  “No. I'll go with you.” Without having to ask, Tess excused herself from Daniel and his parents and came to Jack. In that moment, Jack didn't think he could love Tess more. Without question, without hesitation, she'd chosen to go with him.

  “Jack, really now. We were having a wonderful time. We'll just pretend we didn't have our conversation and go on with the evening,” the Senator said.

  “Thank you for dinner, Helen. It was wonderful, as always,” Jack said. He shook Tom’s and Daniel's hand. “I'm sorry I need to go.” He laid his hand on Tess' back to escort her out.

  Tess sat silent in the car as Jack drove away from Tom and Helen's house. She was curious about what had happened between him and the Senator, but the fierce look on Jack's face told her he wasn't ready to talk yet. They had made it through the center of town when he said, “I guess you want to know what happened back there.”

  “If you want to tell me.” She saw his jaw clinch.

  “Do you care?”

  Tess was surprised by the terseness of his voice. “Of course I care. What kind of question is that?”

  “You seem indifferent.”

  “I'm trying to be supportive. If you want to tell me, I want to hear it. If you don't want to talk about it, then we won't.”

  “He wanted me to ask Liv to sell him a piece of nothing land in Bucks county.”

  Tess knew there had to be more to it. Jack could anger easily, but there was usually a good reason. Before she could ask, he continued. “That's not why we left. I told him I wasn't comfortable taking advantage of her situation and he insinuated that I was taking advantage of Liv's new widowhood last night.”

  “Oh.” Well, that explained everything, Tess thought. Jack's pride was the size of Everest. Not that he was conceited, but he hated anyone questioning his character. And a lot of people were questioning his character lately. And she fueled those questions by moving out.

  “Am I the only one who believes that a man and woman can be friends? That I could actually just be trying to help her and not trying to get into her bed?”

  “I do,” Tess said.

  Some of the tension fell from his face. He reached over, took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Thank you.”

  He drove her to the hotel. He remained quiet as they took the elevator and stepped into the hall. As they came around the corner toward Tess' room, she could see someone sitting by her door.

  “Kate?” Tess asked, as they got closer.

  Kate Wells, Tess' friend from college and local news station journalist, looked up from her book. “Tess! I've been waiting forever. I…oh, hi Jack.”

  “Kate.”

  Kate looked to Jack and then Tess. “I was…uh…thinking maybe you needed a friend. I brought enough chocolate and box wine to sink a ship.”

  “Well, we know what paper you read,” Jack quipped.

  “You know you can't believe everything you read,” Tess added.

  “No. I know. In fact, I didn't believe it. But you wouldn't return my calls and when I called Daniel he told me you were here. I just assumed…well…”

  It was a logical assumption and one Tess knew irritated Jack even more.

  “Since all is well, I guess I'll take my loot and shove off.”

  “Actually,” Jack said turning to look at Tess. “Why don't you and Kate have some girl tim
e?”

  “Are you sure?” Tess didn't really want girl time, but she was worried that his mood might lead them to fight and she wanted that even less.

  “Yes. I need to figure some things out myself.”

  All of a sudden Tess wondered if she was one of the things he needed to figure out.

  “I'll call you tomorrow,” he said.

  She nodded. He bent over and kissed her. His hand rested on her cheek, his thumb giving it a gentle caress. With one last look, he turned and left.

  ~~~~

  “I don't get it,” Kate said as she set her empty wineglass on the table. “If you moved here for time and space to get your life together, then why are you spending the day with Daniel embroiled in the case that involves Mrs. Danforth and then spending the evenings with Jack?”

  She was right, Tess thought.

  “People who get their lives together leave,” Kate finished.

  “I don't want to leave. I'm just not ready to live with him.”

  “I don't mean leave him as in break up, I mean leave as in a retreat. You know, where you're alone with your thoughts, figure out the meaning of life and all that,” she finished with a wave of Godiva chocolate. “You should be in a secluded mountain cabin meditating or something.”

  Tess thought she had a point there too, which only solidified her belief that she didn't know what the hell she wanted.

  “I don't buy it anyway.”

  “Buy what?” Tess asked.

  “The whole I-need-to-find-myself line.”

  “Why not?”

  “What's there to find? You're a smart, intelligent lawyer with the damnedest best looking man who's hopelessly in love with you…” Kate pointed her chocolate at Tess. “I don't think anyone has ever been more in love than that man is with you. God, the patience he must have to put up with this.”

  “Maybe you've had too much wine,” Tess suggested.

  “No. You know I haven't. Wine just gives me loose lips. What I speak is the truth.”

  “Well, if I'm such a smart lawyer, then what is it he’s having to put up with?”

  “This,” Kate said waving her chocolate to indicate the hotel room. “Who moves out on a guy like Jack Valentine? Unless he's cheating and you've said he isn't. No. This isn't about soul searching, this is about you being a great big chicken.” Kate finished her speech by making chicken sounds.

  “No, I'm not,” Tess said, and realized the childishness of her voice indicated she was probably one glass of wine over her limit.

  “Sure you are. You always have been, ever since that whole debacle in Washington.”

  “I'm over that. Jack cured me,” Tess said. She was sure of it. Yes, she'd closed her heart to love after being betrayed, humiliated and run out of town by her ex-fiancé and his family, but surely being in a relationship with Jack, admitting her love for him, that was progress. She wasn't afraid any more. Was she?

  “You're better. Not quite like when we were in college, but better than when you first returned to Jefferson Tavern.”

  “I'm not afraid. I know he's a good man. I know he loves me.”

  “Tess, it's like swimming. Some people jump right in, get all wet.”

  “And I take my time?”

  “Well, yes. And also, you're in the pool now, except you're wrapped in plastic wrap, so you don't get wet. You're in the mix of everything, but you're not really immersed in it.”

  Tess shook her head, even as she wondered if Kate was right. Did she still have barriers?

  “Look, I can get that you don't want to be a kept woman. You want to be able to support yourself. But you can do that at Jack's house. Or grab that huge trust fund your granddaddy gave you. We both know that you'll never be left destitute or unable to care for yourself. So this isn't about finding a career just in case Jack hurts you.”

  Tess couldn't respond. Was she trying to protect herself? She'd left Jack’s apartment to find herself, but felt more lost than ever. She was spending most of her time thinking about Jack and whether or not she'd made the right choice in leaving.

  “You need to get wet with Jack. And I need more wine,” Kate said reaching for the box.

  Chapter Nine

  Jack hadn't consciously decided to head to Northern Virginia, but as he passed the last exit that would keep him in Jefferson Tavern, he knew he needed to get away. Away from the Worthingtons. Away from small town gossip. And, if he was honest with himself, away from Tess too. Not that he didn't love her and want to be with her. But she was so damn frustrating and he couldn't trust himself not to say or do something to blow the whole deal. The idea that he had to censor himself made him even angrier.

  He couldn't understand her reasoning for moving out. By her rules he could see her, even make love to her, but they couldn't live in the same house? What was the difference? Just as annoying was her insistence that Liv was up to no good and that he was too blinded by lust or loyalty to notice he was being manipulated. The lust part was ridiculous. Sure Liv was beautiful in that superficial, store-bought way. But he wasn’t attracted to her. Ultimately, Tess didn't trust him; didn't trust that he could be faithful or that he knew what he was doing. And he didn't know what do to about that.

  There were moments he thought he'd give in; tell Liv he was sorry but couldn't help her. But a part of him recoiled at the idea. It would mean sacrificing a piece of himself and he'd probably end up resenting Tess for that. He already resented that she had the power to bring him to his knees while she could so easily move out. He pounded his fist into the steering wheel. Damn her!

  He merged onto the main route running to northern Virginia, determined to take time to sort through his life. The first thing, though, was to deal with the Worthingtons. It was time to cut his losses. He'd made an effort to work with them for reasons he couldn't quite remember. But now he'd had enough. He pressed the button on his dash and heard the musical beeps as it dialed Brad.

  “I need you to go to Jefferson Tavern tomorrow and get me out of the Worthington deal.”

  “Who is this?” Brad asked.

  Jack rolled his eyes. “It's Jack. Your boss.”

  “It's after six. I'm not on the clock.”

  “Then I'll call tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. and tell you to get your ass out of bed and get me out of the Worthington deal.”

  “Have Tess do it. She's a lawyer.”

  Jack usually didn't mind sparring with Brad, but he wasn't in the mood now. “She's busy doing some consulting with the police.”

  “Really? She's decided to be a consultant? Smart move. Lawyers and consultants make big money, but a consulting lawyer—”

  “Can I count on you?”

  “Yeah, yeah. I told you not to do it in the first place.”

  “Save the ‘I told you so’ for some time when I don't feel like I might fire you.”

  “You won't fire me. Not now anyway, because I'm the only one you can browbeat to get you out of the Worthington deal,” Brad said, either oblivious or not caring about Jack's foul mood. “Do they know you want out?”

  “No.”

  “Well that ought to be fun. Where are you going to be?”

  “I'll be at my place in Arlington. I thought I'd spend some time with Cora.”

  “One battlefield to another, eh?”

  Brad was partly right. Relations with Cora had been strained since he started spending more time in Jefferson Tavern. He'd tried to get her to stay with him and Tess, but she insisted that she'd only get in the way of the 'ring-a-ding' she was certain they did all day, every day, in every way. He supposed there had been times she'd been right.

  “Well, if I have to get up in the middle of the night to deal with the Worthingtons, I need to meditate and get myself in the right mind,” Brad said.

  “Have a drink for me too,” Jack said, knowing Brad's meditation was 100 proof.

  “Will do.”

  They hung up and with the click of the phone Jack could feel tension sliding away. One problem solved, he
thought. Dealing with Tess wouldn't be so easy. He couldn't send Brad to handle that for him. He just wished she'd give him the benefit of the doubt. He understood her fears. He even got that she didn't like Liv's story, but she should trust him. Liv had made passes and he shot her down both times because he wasn't interested. Liv was attractive, and he knew from experience that she was creative in bedroom games. But with Tess, he'd learned that there really was a difference between sex and making love, and he preferred the latter. And Tess was pretty creative herself in that respect.

  He shook his head to rid it of erotic thoughts of Tess that would only weaken his resolve to get away.

  His Bluetooth beeped and Liv's name crossed the screen on the panel. He let out a curse. She was another problem he needed to manage. He pressed the engage button.

  “Hi, Liv.”

  “I've been wanting to call all day, but wasn't sure I should. About the article in the paper. Did you see it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you mad?”

  “I'm not happy about it.”

  “And Tess?”

  What about Tess? he thought. She barely acknowledged it. What did that mean? Was she already detaching herself from him and so it didn't matter to her? “She knows there was nothing to it.”

  “Good. I was worried. I'd hate for my mess to ruin things with you two.”

  “No worries,” he lied.

  “Jefferson Tavern is a beautiful area, but the people can be so nosy and small- minded.”

  “Yes,” he agreed.

  “Are you alright? You sound strange.”

  “I'm in my car. You're on speaker phone.”

  “Oh…is Te—”

  “No, it's just me.”

  “Not that I said anything wrong but…”

  “It's fine.”

  “Jack, I hate to do this, but Charles' funeral is the day after tomorrow. Is there a chance you can be there?”