With that he rose swiftly, and then rushed to beg forgiveness from his son and wife. “The hell with Tate. He can wait. They can’t.”
***
Wondering where in the world Devon was, Jewel drummed her fingers against the side of her Styrofoam cup. The hot chocolate had cooled long before now, although it still emitted a strong coca scent. Darting her gaze back and forth, she scanned the milling crowd, hoping to see her husband before half-time drew to a close and the second half began. With each passing minute, the heaviness increased in her middle until it felt like a lead weight filled her.
The hard bleacher beneath her did nothing to protect her from a gust of wind whipping up from the ground and twisting debris in its embrace. She shivered and dragged her hair from her eyes, mentally kicking herself for leaving her sweater at the salon as she dashed out in order to get to Sean’s game on time.
Out of her peripheral vision Bree’s hand snaked out, plucking the cup from her hand. “Do you mind, Jewel, you’re driving the rest of us a little crazy here.”
Leaning forward, so she included Nick and Sydney, she gave all three of her seatmates a weak smile. “Sorry.”
“He’ll show.”
“That’s if he can drag himself away from his computer,” Jewel muttered, her irritation growing at his continued absence. Too much longer and he’d miss it altogether. Dusk teased the sky, sending fingers of orange-gold bands to greet the horizon.
Inwardly, she ached for her son; she’d seen him walk the sidelines several times during the first half of the game, hoping to catch a glimpse of Devon. Right before Sean had left the field to go to the locker room, Jewel witnessed the disappointment clouding her son’s usually pleasant features. She should have borrowed someone’s cell phone, called her husband, and demand he come here.
Please don’t let him down, Devon.
She sighed, long and loud. In just a short time Devon had rushed back in their lives and swept them into a whirlwind. Everything revolved around him. Not that he’d intentionally done that. It had been an automatic response from their father-starved son. And, if truth be told, from this Devon-hungry woman.
An ache gripped her as she wondered how long he’d include her in his life. Just once she yearned for him to only want her for herself and not for anything else: her family name, their son’s mother, or a piece of his vengeful dream.
A startling thought seized her. She stiffened, sitting up a little straighter. There was only one way she could possibly get her wish fulfilled. Grant his first, allow him access to all she knew about her father, and then let him achieve his ultimate goal. Without the doubts of that time wedged between them he would finally see her for who she was now. But at what price?
Could she gamble her whole future away? As long as Devon still searched for answers then she’d be assured of his presence. But once he learned the truth everything changed, leaving her no guarantees.
Swallowing hard, Jewel wondered if dismantling the past, making peace with it, would be enough in order to move them forward to a life together. Or in the end would she be alone?
Swiftly, she glanced to her friend. Bree, talking softly with a smiling Nick, seemed oblivious to the returning football fans crowding around. Watching the intimate exchange convinced Jewel that betting was well worth the effort. Hadn’t overcoming the difficulties of their pasts forged a stronger, lasting bond between Nick and Bree? The least Jewel could do was have the courage to try with Devon.
“Hey, girlfriend, thanks for saving me a seat,” Tessa plopped down beside her, her curly red hair snared in a clip at her neck.
Smiling fondly at her other business partner, Jewel asked, “Did you get a rush just before closing?”
Shooting her a sideways, deep green-eyed look, Tessa muttered, “Don’t we always?”
“Sorry I left you holding the bag like that.”
Tessa interrupted with a sound from the back of her throat, part snort, part tusk. “Don’t sweat it. After all, I still owe you for rescuing me from my granny that time she found out about the night we all went out to see the male dancers. If it wasn’t for you I’d still be hearing about it.” She rolled her eyes.
Whispering conspiratorially, Jewel pointed out, “We had fun though, didn’t we?”
Tessa giggled. “Boy, did we ever.” She elbowed Jewel in the ribs, saying, “Speaking of fun, here comes some.”
Snapping to attention, she spied Devon weaving his way through the throng of people. The dying rays of the sun lit the mahogany highlights in his rich brown hair. The breath caught in her lungs and her heart beat a wild tempo. Lord, he could always make her aware of him and of herself as a woman.
Along with the heady sensations came a wave of relief. He’s here. He must have sensed her staring; he looked up then, giving her a shrug and a self-deprecating smile. In that moment, she realized how chagrined he was at his tardiness.
In a white shirt with its cuffs rolled up and black jeans, holding his black leather jacket, he climbed the bleacher steps, ignoring blatant stares and sly remarks. But she couldn’t. Something inside her tugged in empathy, releasing the lingering distress at his forgetting his son’s game. He’s here now. That’s all that’s important.
With each movement his muscles bunched and flexed, reminding her of how they felt beneath her questing hands as they made love. Contained power.
Watching him closely as he made his way to her, she scanned him slowly, taking in the man he’d become. The ruthless quality he’d adopted didn’t show itself today. A softer, approachable stance took priority. Concern and a wealth of regret edged his gaze as it ensnared hers.
“I’ll just scoot over so you two can sit together,” Tessa murmured before she slid down a foot. “Hey, Tex, how you doing?”
Devon grinned at the nickname. “Late, that’s how I’m doing.” He nodded in greeting to the rest of her companions.
Settling beside Jewel, he blew out a breath. The clean male scent of him robbed her of speech. The heat of his body warmed her to her toes. Shifting toward her, his thigh pressed hers and she had all she could do not to visibly quiver. He leaned forward, brushing shoulders. She clamped down on the gasp that nearly tore from her mouth at the arrow of desire that shot through her at the innocent touch.
“I’m sorry, dollface. There’s no excuse for my not being here on time.” Disgust filled his tone.
“You’re here now.”
He turned to face her, catching her off guard. Apparently reading something in her expression, he said, “I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”
“Why, because you can’t give me yours?” she asked gently, absently noticing the bruise on his forehead had faded to a greenish yellow.
His lips twisted in a grimace. “That’s about right.”
Another strong blast of autumn air rushed by. Tendrils of her black hair whipped across her face. Jewel lifted a hand to yank them back into place. Devon reached up before she could get there first. His work-roughened skin skimmed hers in a caress.
Jerking her gaze to his, she watched the lush green darken in an instant and heard the catch in his breath. His lids grew heavy, causing a curl of anticipation to form low and deep in her abdomen.
Tenderly, he smoothed back her hair, stroking his knuckles over her cheek. Clearing his throat, he said, “It will take us even more time tonight to brush all the tangles out.”
Liquid fire surged through her blood at his implied remarks. Over the last two nights, with candles burning, she’d sat at her dresser while he’d used her mother’s antique silver grooming set to brush her hair. It had started out harmless enough when he’d come upon her in her silky robe. But, in the end, he’d slid the cool fabric over her shoulders and let it pool all around her as he took over the duties, baring her to his sight. Locking gazes with her reflection, he’d turned it into one of the most sensual experiences she’d ever partaken in.
Swallowing hard, she nodded. She moistened her parched lips with the tip of her tongue. He dr
opped his stare to her mouth, seemingly mesmerized by her actions. His ragged breaths told their own story.
“There’s Sean,” Sydney cried out, clapping her hands and gaining Jewel’s attention.
She whirled to the field, watching the young players pour onto the muddy grass. Spotting her son, her heart twisted. With his head down, his chin nearly hit his small chest.
Dropping his hand back into his lap, Devon focused on their son. He wrapped his jacket around her. “I’m going to see if I can talk to him before the second half starts, all right?” He pressed a quick, hard kiss on her slightly parted lips, and then rose.
Torn from the haze of passion, she nodded numbly. A bubble of happiness sprang up as she watched Devon race down the stairs. His concern for Sean warmed her even more than his leather coat did. In that moment, she realized that fate had sealed them together for the rest of time; Sean was their precious, unbreakable link to each other. A ray of sunshine broke through her doubts about their future.
The clean, male scent of him, captured in the folds of his coat, lured her to stick her arms through the sleeves and hug it to her tightly.
Thrusting her hands in his pockets she met resistance in the right one. It crinkled under the pressure. Tentatively, she withdrew the paper.
“What do you have there?” Tessa asked, sliding closer.
Unfolding it gingerly, Jewel recognized the sheet instantly. Quickly, she read, and then reread the official document. A chuckle escaped of its own accord.
“Hey, what’s so funny?” Tessa nudged her in her side.
“It’s a speeding ticket, dated today, isn’t that great?”
Her redheaded friend leaned forward and faced Bree’s puzzled look, and then asked, “What planet does she come from? A speeding ticket is great?”
“Must be love.” Bree shrugged. “That’s all I can figure.”
Jewel barely registered the continued speculation among her friends. Pressing the wrinkled paper to her chest, she knew Devon had apparently lost track of time while working, but, once aware of his error, he’d rushed to the field, earning himself a ticket in his haste. All for the sake of Sean.
The leaden weight from earlier dissipated. Hope replaced it, flowering as she came to a life-altering decision. The gamble for her future would be well worth the risks involved. At least she prayed they would be. Only time and Devon would tell.
Chapter 15
Devon dodged a few stragglers returning to their seats as he made his way to the sidelines to find Sean. “Excuse me,” he threw over his shoulder as he nearly upended a lady’s box of popcorn. Absently, he thought she looked like someone he’d gone to high school with. He couldn’t quite tell by the overall short, round appearance of the woman. But there had been something in the sharp, narrow-eyed look she’d sent him that tugged at a hurtful memory. He shrugged it off, renewing his mission to talk to his son.
In the back of his mind, he couldn’t shake thoughts of Jewel as easily. His body still hummed in electrifying pulses just from being close to her minutes ago. He swore he heard her musical laughter floating down from the stands. The beautiful sound caused him to tingle all over.
The way she looked at him when he’s joined her had sent a mixture of awe and heat charging through his system. Her simple acceptance of him showing up late, of her forgiveness, brought him up short.
Why can’t I do the same for her?
With the instantaneous awareness that sprang up between them still scorching his blood and branding his soul, he wondered if he’d ever get enough of her.
“Hey, Mr. Marshall.” Kev waved as Devon approached the roped off area where the players warmed up for the second half.
He smiled at the freckle-faced kid whose scraped jaw showed signs of his accident and the clean uniform he wore nearly swallowed him whole. “I hear you need a new skateboard.” Nodding to the boy’s bandaged left arm, he frowned, asking, “Is the coach letting you play like that?”
“Naw. Not really. I’m just holding the ball for field goals and stuff.”
“Good. Sean and I are going to need you to help with fixing up the haunted house.”
His blue eyes widened. “Cool!”
Speaking of cool, where’s Sean? Checking out the sea of young boys preparing for the last part of the game, Devon failed to spot his son. “Could you do me a favor, Kev, and ask Sean to come talk to me?”
“Sure thing, Mr. Marshall.” He sprinted off to the other end of the bench.
The moment Kev reached Sean, Devon sensed the dejection in his child. The slumped shoulders and the way he scuffed his cleat across the grass spoke volumes. Something twisted inside him.
Kev pointed Devon out. Suddenly, Sean’s head snapped up and a big smile transformed him back into the happy-go-lucky kid Devon had come to know and love. Slowly, he walked along the rope line to greet his son as Sean’s footsteps ate up the yards separating them.
The red, raw scraps and scratches on the boy’s face had faded some in the last three days and the bruises darkened to a purplish-blue. “Hey, sport, nice uniform.” He gulped hard. “Number twelve.”
“Same as Roger Stauback’s,” they said in unison. Chuckling together, Devon’s anxiety lightened.
“And yours when you were in school,” Sean added softly.
Sobering, he noticed the way Sean refused to look directly at him. “Your mom must have told you.”
“I’ve seen pictures of you in her yearbook.”
Remorse for his callus behavior swamped him. How can I make it up to him? You can’t. “Listen, I screwed up royally by coming late. As much as I’d like to, I can’t change that. I’d love to see you play though and maybe later you, your mom, and I can go out for a burger or something and talk about it.”
This time, Sean caught his gaze and held it for a moment. The cloud of hurt slowly lifted from the depths. His heart squeezed at what he’d done to his son.
Suddenly, a wide grin broke through the boy’s pained expression. “Can Kev come, too? Mom was going to drop him off afterward since his mom’s working late tonight.”
“Sure, why not?” Devon realized he’d been saying that a lot lately. The easy acceptance was totally out of character for him, but in the end he’d always received the greatest reward.
“Thanks, Dad, you’re the coolest.”
This time proved no exception. Thick emotion clogged his throat and he could only nod at the touching compliment. Clearing his throat, he said, “Ah…they delivered the supplies for your mom’s greenhouse today. Think you and I could get it put up when I come back from my trip?”
His whole face lit up and he nodded eagerly. “Man, this is going to be the best. I can’t wait until mom sees it when it’s all done. She’s gonna love it.”
“It’s our secret ’til then, right?”
“You betcha. Gee, Dad, she’ll love you forever for this, I just know it.”
As Sean ran off to join his fellow players in a huddle, Devon’s heart swelled to overwhelming tenderness.
If it took him the rest of his life he knew he could never find a way to thank Jewel for allowing Sean to see him not as someone who’d run away from her, but as a loving, caring man. And, most important of all, he’d never be able to adequately thank her for doing a damn fine job of raising their child to be a forgiving person, something he hadn’t ever been taught, nor could learn now.
***
Later that night, Jewel gulped in a deep, shaky breath as she stood outside Devon’s office. She wiped her sweaty palms along her jeans. The strangeness of the situation didn’t fail her notice. Living in this house once again dragged up memories she’d have preferred stay buried.
Just then the cat brushed against her leg, and then sat back on its haunches as if waiting for her to get on with it. The feline lifted his head to look at her and thumped its tail on the floor.
“All right, you don’t have to get pushy about it,” she muttered under her breath, thinking the cat must be able to read mind
s or something.
For several moments, she stared at the refinished oak door, recalling other times when she’d been rooted to the spot when she had to face her irate father. She soothed herself with the knowledge that she’d done nothing wrong this time. The assurance didn’t ease her anxiety one bit though; the information she’d share with Devon would ultimately change her life. For the good or bad, she couldn’t quite determine just yet. That’s the whole problem.
Squaring her shoulders, she tapped lightly on the solid wood. Absently, she wondered if Devon had even heard the light series of knocks.
“Come in,” he called out.
With a damp hand she twisted the knob, and then shoved the door open. The cat zipped by her, and then hopped up into one of the empty bookshelves. From his perch, he eyed her speculatively and licked his paw. Moving into the almost barren library, Jewel shook her head at the strange feline.
In the back of her mind, she thought how she longed to get her hands on this room in order to restore it to its former grandeur, only with Devon’s unique stamp on it this time. She turned all her attention to him now, detecting his distinctive male scent teasing the air.
He sat behind his desk bathed in a pool of light from the one lamp resting on the corner of his large, oak work surface. His brow furrowed as he stared at the small screen of his computer.
“Damn,” he swore, punching another key.
A nervous smile tugged at her mouth. “If you’re too busy maybe it will be better if I come back another time.”
“No, that’s all right. I’m not getting anywhere with this today.” After he stabbed at a few more keys, the screen went blank. Devon leaned back in his chair and dragged a hand through his hair. “So, what can I do for you?”
The way he captured her stare, she wondered if there was a hidden meaning behind the innocent words. Her nerve endings jumped when she caught a flash of desire in his green eyes and noticed the wicked grin transforming his features. A delicious lick of heat curled low in her belly. She nearly moaned.
Crimes of the Heart (Heart Romance #2) Page 13