Clear as Glass

by Lynn Kellan

  Mitch’s frown carved a deep vertical line between his eyebrows. Shifting his gaze to the fireplace, he pressed the heel of his hand against his forehead.

  She strode past him, too hurt by his use of the term filthy rich to continue the conversation.

  Mitch’s rich baritone rose into the brittle silence. “I don’t believe this. You’re walking away again?”

  “I’m angry and I need to cool off.”

  “I’m angry and I want to fight.”

  “Go ahead.” She waved her hand in the air and kept walking toward the haven of her bedroom at the end of the hall. “I’m sure you’ve got plenty of ammunition to carry on by yourself. Forgive me for not waiting around to see if you’ll call me a rich bitch.”

  “Forgive me for getting pissed off every time you put my father on a pedestal,” he snarled. “I’m tired of getting blamed for what’s wrong around here.”

  She hardly heard him, too consumed with getting away before he could lob any more insults. Striding down the hall, she entered her bedroom and slammed the door. “Pigheaded brute.”

  An eerie silence pulsed from the hallway. Jaye leaned one shoulder against the door, listening. After a long moment, she heard his work boots clomp out of earshot.

  The kitchen door slammed.

  His truck fired up with a loud roar. Bright headlights moved through her window like the rotating beam of a lighthouse. The low rumble of his engine headed down the road.

  Alone at last.

  Jaye peeled off her work clothes in favor of a pair of comfortable jeans and a white T-shirt. She flopped onto the bed and pulled a pillow over her head. Her stomach growled, but there was no way she’d touch the food Mitch had brought home. She lifted one corner of the pillow to peer at the six giant chocolate bars sitting on top of her suitcase. The candy was meant for chocolate fondue at the next poker game, but she could eat one now.

  Guilt squashed her hunger. A moment ago, Mitch admitted he was tired of getting blamed for what went wrong, and she’d ignored the heartfelt confession. Sympathy stung the back of her eyes. She knew how he felt. For too long, she’d carried the silent blame for not being the son her father wanted. No matter how much Mitch provoked her, she didn’t want to indict him for something he couldn’t change.

  No wonder he was angry.

  Jaye closed her eyes and wondered if he’d give her the silent treatment like her father did when he was displeased. Or would Mitch avoid her, like her mother? She hoped he wasn’t like David, who headed to the nearest bar whenever tension arose.

  Her own coping mechanism was to bury her feelings so she wouldn’t feel the pain, but a persistent tickle of a cold finger of air from the drafty window wouldn’t let her lie in peace. Muttering a curse, Jaye pushed the bed away from the wall. No draft reached the center of the room, so she left the bed there. Jaye surveyed her handiwork and nodded. Getting out of the cold felt good, in more ways than one.

  The doorbell rang and Jaye froze. No one had ever stopped by since she’d moved in. Had Mitch forgotten someone was coming over? Curious, she peered through the curtains and spotted two small figures standing on the front porch. Even though they were wearing bulky football uniforms, she recognized the distinctive way their shoulders sloped—like their older brother.

  She jogged into the foyer to open the front door.

  “Trick or treat!” Brody smiled at her from behind the grill of a grass-stained helmet.

  “Are you surprised?” Carter pointed toward the empty road. “No one ever walks all the way out here on Halloween.”

  “I’m very surprised.” Jaye glanced at the empty sidewalk and felt a pang of worry. “Did you come here by yourselves?”

  “It’s only two miles. We both had flashlights, so the dark road wasn’t too scary.” Brody tilted his helmet so he could peer past her. “Where’s Mitch? He didn’t forget Halloween, did he?”

  Jaye had a feeling he had. “He left a few minutes ago. I’m not sure when he’ll be back.”

  Their smiles faded.

  “Come inside. Use my cell to call him.” Jaye handed her phone to Brody. “Tell him you’re here, and I’m sure he’ll rush back to see you.”

  Brody took off his helmet and dialed.

  Jaye noticed the pillowcase wadded up in Carter’s hand. “Looks like you didn’t have the chance to stop for candy along the way.”

  He gave a half-hearted shrug. “We’ll get some on the way home.”

  Jaye couldn’t let the boys walk away empty handed. “I’ll be right back.”

  She snatched the candy from her bedroom and hurried to the living room.

  “Mitch said he’s ten minutes from town. I said we’d meet him on Academy Street.” Brody handed her the phone. “Could you please drive us there?”

  “Yes.” She dropped the chocolate bars into the boys’ pillowcases. “I think Mitch wanted you to have these.”

  “Wow.” Carter grinned, revealing a black mouth guard. “Thank you, Miss Davis.”

  Jaye put on her tweed blazer, hoping the thin fabric would protect her from the cold. “Let’s head out the front door. I’m parked in the driveway.”

  “We noticed. You have a sweet ride.” Brody bounded out in front of his brother and hollered, “I’ve got shotgun!”

  On the way to town, Carter’s gaze met hers in the rear view mirror. “Do you like Mitch?”

  “Um, yes. Why?”

  “He likes you,” Brody explained. “Remember when we came over on Monday night? When you left the kitchen to change clothes, Mitch asked us to talk a lot at dinner. He said he needed us to cover for him, because every time he looks at you, his mind goes blank.”

  A shiver twisted along her spine. “He said that?”

  “Yeah. I knew what he meant. I feel the same way when I look at Gina Lambert.” Brody shuddered. “It’s terrifying.”

  Carter tapped her shoulder. “Turn here, Miss Davis. This road will take you to Academy Street.”

  She followed their directions and parked along the curb. Even though Academy Street was one of the main thoroughfares through Shinglehouse, she spotted only one car driving down the road.

  Brody looked at Jaye. “Want to walk with us?”

  “Yes, I would.” Jaye joined the boys on the sidewalk.

  As they strode along the neat concrete path, the boys rattled off the names of the people who lived in the houses they passed. Jaye realized that people mattered to each other in this little town, which hadn’t been the case in the sprawling upscale neighborhood where she lived as a child. She would’ve struggled to name one family who lived on her street, whereas Carter and Brody knew everyone on this road.

  They paused beside a modest white two-story house with a collection of carved pumpkins sitting on its porch railing.

  “This is Mrs. Pierce’s house.” Carter patted Jaye on the arm. “Stay here, Miss Davis. We’ll keep an eye on you in case any ghosts appear.”

  “Thank you. I feel safer now.” She watched the boys run up to the house, struck by a pang of nostalgia when she thought about her childhood Halloweens. Her parents never had time to participate. Their evenings were always filled with meetings, charity events, or overseas conference calls. Jaye understood those things were more important than dressing up in a costume, but she yearned for the chance to hold their hands and walk through a dark October night sweetened by lit pumpkins and candy.

  A piercing whistle cut through the air. The boys changed direction to sprint toward a figure walking toward them. Jaye recognized his broad shoulders and athletic gait—Mitch.

  He pounded the boys on their shoulder pads and bent to look into their eyes. “I can’t believe I missed you guys. Did you walk all the way to my house?”

  They nodded. “Where were you?”

  “I had to think, so I went for a drive. I would’ve waited if I knew you were coming.” He peered inside one of their pillowcases. “What did you get so far?”

  “Not much, but the stuff you gave us is the best.
”

  His gaze flicked between the boys. “What stuff?”

  “The huge chocolate bars.” Carter looked over his shoulder at Jaye and smiled. “For a second, we were afraid you forgot today was Halloween, but Miss Davis knew where you hid the candy.”

  Mitch’s solemn gaze touched hers. “I’m glad she did.”

  The husky statement sent a shiver up her sleeves that had nothing to do with the cold.

  Brody gestured to Mrs. Pierce’s house. “Can we start trick or treating?”

  “Yeah, go.” Mitch approached Jaye, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets. “I had no idea they’d walk all the way out to my house. Tell me they had the good sense to bring flashlights.”

  “Yes. They did fine.” Jaye resumed walking, unable to resist the lure of a small-town street lined with porches laden with smiling pumpkins.

  “In my self-absorption, I forgot today was Halloween.” He matched her gait and glanced at her. “Why didn’t you tell the boys I screwed up?”

  “Because you love them.” She buttoned her blazer in a worthless attempt to trap some heat. “I knew you wouldn’t want to disappoint them, so I gave them the chocolate I had.”

  He took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

  The thick blue fabric contained residual warmth from his body. She put her arms through the sleeves, struck by his thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”

  “I should be the one thanking you, but I have no idea where to begin. You covered for me even though I acted like a complete jerk tonight.” The muscles tightened along his jaw. He let out a growl and shook his head. “I meant to discuss your contract. Instead, I interrogated you like a criminal. I’m sorry for being such an ass.”

  Her stride faltered. She wasn’t used to hearing apologies, particularly blunt, heartfelt ones like his. “I’m sorry for walking away in the middle of our argument.” She poked her hand out of the long sleeve and touched his arm. “I’m sorry for sounding like Nick hasn’t done anything wrong. Nothing could be farther from the truth.”

  Mitch clasped her hand. “Apology not necessary, but accepted.” He glanced at the mountain looming in the distance, a black shape jutting up into the stars. “After I drove off, I realized why you took this job. Getting away from the man who hurt you was more important than the salary, right? You took this job to hide from your ex.”

  She nodded. Escaping David was a big motivation, but escaping her family’s expectations was a bigger reason why she fled into Shinglehouse.

  “Problem is, you’re not using every resource to protect you.” He lowered his voice. “You’re not using me.”

  “I don’t want to use you, Mitch.”

  “I’m volunteering for the job.” His hold tightened on her hand.

  “No. I’m not hiring.” She noticed someone approaching and let go of Mitch, a habit picked up from her time with David, who never wanted to touch in public.

  A young couple with two children walked past. Mitch greeted them by name and resumed walking beside her.

  “There’s something you should know about me, Jaye. I grew up in a house where my parents didn’t talk about what mattered. They never fought. Most of the time, they stewed in silence. I hated not knowing what was wrong. When I moved into my own place, I promised myself I’d never live in a house of secrets. Sadly, you seem to have plenty of them.” He curled his hand around her elbow to stop her. “I can tell you’re hiding something about your contract, your ex, and maybe even your father. Tell me what’s going on. I don’t want to be left in the dark.”

  “Please, let me pretend my life isn’t complicated for just a little longer.” She didn’t want her twisted reality to poison the rest of her time here. “This is the only place I’ve ever been where my personal problems almost disappear.”

  “As far as I’m concerned, your problems are my problems.” He brushed the hair out of her eyes and cupped the side of her face in his calloused palm. “Let me make this clear. No matter where you are, I want to be the man you run to.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Thick soles thumped across the linoleum.

  Jaye glanced down, spotting Mitch’s work boot near her bare foot. The back of her neck tingled at his proximity. Even though he didn’t touch her, she could feel warmth emanating from him. He threw off heat like the factory’s furnace. Shifting her attention to the sink, she tried to act casual and squirted some dish soap into the frying pan. “Is Halloween over?”

  “Yes. Brody and Carter are back home with twenty pounds of candy in their bags.” Mitch reached around her and braced a hand on the edge of the sink. “Did any other kids show up here?”

  She turned off the faucet and her arm brushed his. Goose flesh popped along her forearm like the soap bubbles in the sink. “The house has been quiet since I got back.”

  “Then it’s just you and me. In other words, perfect.” His chest touched her shoulder blades. He angled his mouth near her ear. “Did you make something to eat while I was gone?”

  “Grilled cheese.” She felt his lips graze her hair. The almost-kiss made her right knee thump against the cabinet. Concerned she’d drop what she was holding, she lowered the frying pan into the warm sudsy water and glanced at the untouched bag of take-out on the counter. “I’m afraid the food you brought for dinner got cold.”

  “Tonight didn’t turn out well. My fault, not yours.” He grabbed the sponge and lifted the frying pan out of the water. “Let me make up for ruining dinner by doing the dishes.” He wrapped his other arm around her and used the sponge to dislodge the buttery crumbs stuck to the pan.

  Jaye watched the water turn the blond hair on his forearms a rich topaz. “Do you want me to make you a grilled cheese sandwich?”

  “No. I ate whatever candy the boys didn’t want. Disgusting, but filling.”

  She laughed.

  Mitch smiled against her temple. “Love it when you laugh.”

  Leaning back against his chest, she marveled at how often she laughed whenever she was with this man.

  He dunked the pan into the water, swirling the suds before rinsing. He set the pan on top of a towel spread on the counter and brushed an affectionate kiss against her cheek. “Do any other dishes need washing?”

  “There should be a plate in here, somewhere.” Jaye plunged her hands into the water, feeling around the bottom of the sink.

  Mitch’s hands twined with hers. “Find anything, yet?”

  She grinned, liking the way he nuzzled her. “There are two big hands in the way.”

  “Get used to having me in the way.” He threaded his fingers through hers.

  The soapy water felt like liquid silk. Under the warm dishwater, she explored every nuance of his talented hands. Long fingers, thick knuckles, and calloused palms. She could tell by the way he rested his temple against hers that he liked what she was doing.

  “I haven’t formed a coherent thought since I walked in and saw you standing by my sink.” His mouth hovered above her neck, fanning warm breath across her skin. “Should be illegal for you to wear jeans.”

  “Should I change into a parka and snow pants?” Her lighthearted response came out throaty and hoarse, a dead giveaway she couldn’t wait for him to kiss her. “Perhaps I should wear a tent so you can regain your train of thought.”

  “I still couldn’t think straight, because I’d still see your beautiful face. I’d still stare at your incredible mouth. I’d still hold my breath until your gaze met mine.”

  Sensing the imminent danger of falling under his spell, she lifted a dish out of the water. “Let’s wash this.”

  “Let’s not.” His hard front pressed against her slender back.

  He felt solid and strong. She wanted to remain in the circle of his arms for at least another minute. Make that hour. No…days. “We’d better remove the leftover cheese, otherwise this dish will be impossible to clean.”

  “I’ll buy another one.” He massaged her slick arms, working his way from her wrists to the insi
des of her forearms.

  Her bones turned to mush. The plate dropped back into the water with a splash, spraying a plume of droplets against her T-shirt. “I’ll let the dish soak.”

  “Good idea.” His hot mouth kissed the side of her neck. “You taste so good. Like vanilla.”

  “Must be the ointment the doctor prescribed,” she bluffed in one last-ditch attempt to give them a chance to stop before this got way out of control. “We’re trying to stop a rash from spreading.”

  He chuckled. “Give me the medicine. I’ll rub it on the spots you can’t reach.”

  “Sounds way too tempting.” Unable to stop herself, she tilted her head to invite more kisses.

  “You’re right. Forget the ointment. Way too tempting.” His hands arrived at her elbows. A thick thumb brushed the outer curve of her breast. Mitch groaned and let go of her. “Hold on. My keys are killing me.”

  “Huh?” She felt his hand bump into her bottom as he tugged at the front of his jeans. Odd place for his keys. When she felt him exhale against her neck, she realized he was adjusting something other than his keys. She slanted him an impish grin. “You okay?”

  “Never better.” He fit his hips against the curve of her bottom.

  Under the layers of denim between them, Jaye felt the rigid length of his sex. The intimate embrace whooshed the air out of her lungs. “Wow. You weren’t kidding when you said you were better.”

  “Jaye.” He gripped her legs, splaying his fingers toward her inner thighs. “If you knew the things I want to do to you...I’m going out of my mind.”

  The feeling was mutual. She curled her fingers around the counter’s edge in white-knuckled desperation. Half crazed by the warm fingers so close to the crotch of her jeans, she let out a whimper of want.

  “That’s the sound I wanted to hear.” His words came out in a rush of triumph. “Turn around and let me kiss your mouth, pixie. I love it every time I find you in my kitchen.”

  For once in her life, she’d found a man who wanted her, nothing else. He’d promised not to pressure her to sleep with him, so what was the harm in stealing a few moments in his arms? She only had two short weeks of freedom. Might as well take risks while she still could. With an abrupt turn, she hugged him.