Sara wondered if it would be possible for her to be more in love with him than she was right now. Jared had woven himself into every fiber of her soul. There was no use to fight it – she was doomed. She felt so happy and light, and had it not been for her twisted ankle, and bruised ribs, Sara would have danced around the room like a ballerina. Her injuries forced her to hobble around, desperately searching, for something to do. She couldn’t even find a puzzle or crossword magazine. She was literally bored out of her mind. She didn’t have her laptop or her guitar with her, so she couldn’t work on her songs.
Sara remembered Jared mentioning he had the Twilight set, but she figured it would be downstairs in the library across from the Navajo room – out of her reach. She thought about trying to go down stairs and pick around on Jared’s baby grand in the lounge, but he said she needed to stay off her foot as much as possible, so she guessed that would have to wait. Man she needed something to do.
In search for something to read, Sara hobbled to the bookcase. She was just about to give up, when she found the complete ‘Twilight’ saga by ‘Stephanie Meyers.’ She smiled. “Great! They’re not out of my reach,” she mused. She took the first story in the saga - ‘Twilight’ - crawled back on the bed, propping her head against the headboard, and settled down to read. By the time she’d read the prologue to the book, she was hooked. She quickly sympathized with the heroine. If she had been in her place, she would eagerly risk her soul, and become a vampire if it meant eternity with Jared.
------------
With technically nothing else to do but read, Sara finished the book that afternoon, and started on the next one, ‘New Moon’. She was hooked on it too, at least until she realized the hero was leaving, never to return. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. Sara wanted the happily ever after. Surely, he couldn’t just leave Bella like that, with not even a photo to remember him by! Sara eagerly continued reading, laughing sometimes and crying others. She looked at her watch and realized Jared would be leaving work soon, and she hadn’t texted him her list yet.
She grabbed her cell, quickly made a list of the things she needed from Lucy’s, and texted it to him.
After a couple of minutes, Jared sent back a reply. ‘Anything for you – home soon – love you.’
How could those two little words turn her world upside down? How could she fall so hopelessly in love with a stranger in less than a week? The answer was easy, because they were meant for each other and always had been. Sara loved hearing him say those two words, even if they were just a text. She knew he would say them when he was with her again, and that would be soon.
------------
After reading the note he’d left on her pillow this morning for about the tenth time today, she smiled. She grabbed her book and curled back up on the bed, as much as she could.
There was a knock on the door, and Sara was so engrossed in her book that she nearly jumped off the bed. It was the cook, bringing her a snack. A plate of various fruits and yet another colossal glass of cold drink. Jared was going to make sure she was properly hydrated. Sara must have already drunk half a gallon of iced tea now, and her trips to the bathroom had become more frequent. She had just got back from one of them, when her cell rang.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Kiddo, how’s it going in the lap of luxury?”
Sara smiled. “What are you talking about Lucy?”
Lucy laughed. “Don’t be naive Sara. I know Jared has his staff waiting on you, hand and foot. It must be nice….”
“I can come home if you want me to,” Sara half-heartedly offered. She knew Lucy was teasing her.
Lucy laughed again. “Oh come on Sara, tell me you’re not in seventh heaven?”
Sara laughed and blushed. “I guess you could say that. You’re not mad at me, are you Luce?”
“Heavens no Kid! If I’d had the chance, I would be right where you are. Jared and I went out to the movies a couple of times, but it never went anywhere – mainly his decision. We’ve stayed good friends, and there were no hard feelings. I’m glad you’re happy. How are you feeling?”
“Well, I’m a little stiff and sore and I can’t put my weight on my foot, but other than that – I’m ok.”
“Do you think you’ll be well enough to join us with the Reunion gig?”
“I’m gonna try to. I’ve already told Jared he has between now and then to get me over my stage fright. He said, quote, “I’ll conquer all your fears, unquote.”
“Wow, he’s truly getting serious about you. I just don’t get it. I hang around the guy for five years, and practically throw myself at him. You come along, and manage to get two dates out of him, in the same number of days. You’ve spent three days with him, and you’re practically engaged. What’s your secret Kid?”
Sara laughed. Lucy was joking of course, and she didn’t expect an answer. At least, Sara didn’t think she did. She wasn’t giving Lucy one either way. Sara had brought up the idea of marriage, and Jared had backed off. There was no way she was going to make that mistake again. The next time the subject of marriage came up; it would be him that instigated it.
Sara attempted to change the subject. “So, has Mom called anymore?”
“Yes, she has, and she’s getting very suspicious. I had to tell her something. I told her you were with your boyfriend.”
“What?” Sara shouted.
“Hey, I’m just kidding. I told Kaye you’d gone to the store. She’s not going to keep buying these stories much longer, Sara. You’re going to have to tell her about you and Jared. I think she’s half figured it out already.”
Sara sighed. “Yeah, I know. I have told her a little about him. She knows he’s Navajo, and the leader of the band. I just haven’t told her how close we’ve got, and how much he means to me. I don’t want her to spoil this for me Lucy.”
“Hang on a minute, there’s someone at the door.”
“That will probably be Jared. He’s coming over to pick up some of my things.”
“Hang on a minute,” Lucy said and laid the phone down. Sara heard them talking in the background. She came back to the phone. “I’ve gotta go now – Lover boy is here. I’ll talk to you later.” Lucy hung up the phone.
Jared was at Lucy’s. That meant Sara only had a few minutes to get ready before he got home. Home? Strange that she should be using that word, but it was beginning to feel like home.
Sara touched up her hair and makeup and sprayed on a little more perfume. Thank goodness, she had a small bottle in her purse. She grabbed her book and lay on the bed, hoping she didn’t look too obvious. Sara started reading again. It actually wasn’t a chore. She had to see if the hero came back, and if there would be a happy ending.
------------
About half an hour later, there was another tap on the bedroom door. “Are you decent – can I come in?”
Sara stretched across the bed. “You can come in, but I’m never decent!”
“I think I got everything on your list, and a few extras Lucy thought you might need. It’s all in your case. Here’s your laptop, and guitar… ” Jared stopped midsentence, and stared at Sara, looking her up and down. Sara started to blush. “Wow! That looks a lot better on you than it ever did on me.”
He laid her guitar and laptop case on the foot of the bed and lay down beside her. “Actually, you look very sexy in my old flannel shirt. I might not give you your clothes back,” he said, reaching out to her. “Come let me hold you.” Sara cuddled in his arms. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could get anything out, his mouth came down on hers, full of fire and passion. His hands began to roam over her body. He wasn’t holding back. For a few minutes, he forgot about controlling himself. “I’ve been thinking about doing this all day,” he said, finally coming up for air, and rolling over on his back.
Sara cuddled up to him again and laid her head on his shoulder.
“I’ve said it before, and I’m going to keep on saying it. Sara, you’re d
angerous!”
Sara laughed. “And you think you’re the only one that has to fight to stay in control.”
Jared looked at her and raised one of his eyebrows. “Yes, I do, because you’re not even trying,” he laughed. “You keep pushing me closer to the edge every time I kiss you. Sooner or later, I’m going to give in, and you’re going to regret it when I do.”
“And why is that. What makes you think I would regret it?”
Jared blew air through his teeth. “Can we just talk about something else, please. Even talking about it isn’t safe anymore. You’re here in my house – in my bed, and you’re just too accessible.”
Sara sighed. Jared wasn’t giving an inch. “Ok then, tell me about your day.”
“I’ve got a better idea – you tell me about yours. What did you do all day?”
“Well, until you got home – I guess if I could describe my day in a single word, it would have to be boring.”
Jared seemed surprised. “Boring?”
“You try lying in bed most of the day, not a puzzle book in sight, no laptop, no guitar. The only thing that broke the monotony of my day was reading your two books of the ‘Twilight’ Saga.”
“So you found them. I forgot to tell you the ‘Twilight’ set was in the bookcase in here. You’ve read through the first one today, and started on the second already?” He was skeptical.
Sara nodded. “Yes, and I’m over halfway through the second one.”
“And do you like New Moon?”
“Well, yes and no. I’m not happy with the fact that Edward has left Bella. If he doesn’t come back, I’m not even going to bother with ‘Eclipse’.” Jared laughed, knowingly. Sara looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “Does he come back?”
Jared made as though he was buttoning his lip. “Uh-uh, I’m not spoiling it for you. If you want to know what happens, you’ll have to read the rest of the book.”
Sara goosed his ribs. “Meanie!”
Jared laughed out loud. “Hey! Don’t start that. I’ll retaliate, and when I get started, I show no mercy.”
“In that case, I’ll wait until my ankle is healed. Then you’ll see who shows no mercy.”
“Oh you will – will you? Speaking of your ankle, are you able to put any weight on it yet?”
Sara pouted. “No. I tried, but it hurt!”
“See, that’s what you get for not listening. You haven’t tried to go downstairs on it have you?” he grumbled.
“No.”
“Good.”
“How long do you think it will take for my ankle to heal?”
Jared sighed. “I don’t think it’s sprained, so it shouldn’t take over a week, two at the most – if you stay off of it.” He yawned. “I need to get up, and go take a shower. I also want to get out of these knit pants. They’re driving me batty. I won’t be long.” He waited for Sara to move off his shoulder. When she did, he kissed her, and then turned to leave.
“Want me to come and take a shower with you,” she offered, teasing him. She knew he wouldn’t risk that.
“Sure – if you want to be raped.”
“Hmm, that doesn’t sound like a bad deal.”
“Sara!” he groaned.
Sara held up her hands. “I was kidding.” She wasn’t, but he didn’t need to know that. She knew if she went in, she wouldn’t be raped. It would be the most incredible experience in her life.
Jared walked back over to the bed and kissed her again. “I’ll be right back. In the meantime, find out if Edward comes back,” he said, handing her the book.
Sara pouted and spoke sarcastically. “Right!” I’d much rather come and take a shower with you, but I guess the book will do….
Chapter 8
Quarter of an hour later, Jared came back in the bedroom wearing a gigantic bath towel wrapped around his waist, and another one around his neck. Sara whined like a puppy. Jared will never know how strongly she considered stealing the towel around his waist. He smiled, sat on the side of the bed next to her, and started drying his hair on the towel around his neck.
“You want me to do that for you?”
“No!” Jared said hastily. “My self-control is already shot. I don’t need motivation.” He finished drying his hair and pulled out a pair of jeans and a dark pullover shirt. “Now, are you going to turn around and let me get dressed like a good girl, or do I have to go back in the bathroom to change?”
Sara laughed and rolled away from him. She sighed. “Get dressed.”
“How do I know you won’t roll over before I’m decent?”
“You don’t. I guess that’s just a chance you’ll have to take. Either you trust me – or you don’t.” Sara heard his belt rattling and after that a zip. He trusted her.
“All right – you can turn back over. What do you want to do for dinner tonight? Do you want me to help you downstairs, or have the cook bring us something up?”
Sara sighed again. “Honestly, after being cooped up in this room all day. I’d like to go downstairs and do something normal. Maybe watch a movie or something and cuddle with you on the couch in the living room. You did promise to watch Twilight with me.”
He scooped her up in his arms like a rag doll. “Well, let’s go then.”
“Don’t you think I should change first?”
Jared sat her back on the bed. “Oh – right. What do you want?”
“If you’ll put my suitcase on the bed, I think I can manage – thank you.”
Jared laid the suitcase next to her and stood, watching, with his arms crossed over his chest like a drill sergeant. “Well, go on, get on with it!”
“Ha! What do you think this is – a strip tease act?” Sara narrowed her eyes at him. “Around you go,” she said, whirling her finger.
Jared seemed surprised. “What? I’ve already seen you naked Sara.” He grinned wryly.
“Yes, I know. Don’t remind me. Just turn yourself around Mister. What’s good for one is good for all.”
Jared made a guttural groan, and turned while she dressed. When she was done, he picked her up and carried her downstairs, setting her on the floor. “When you said you’d help me down the stairs, I didn’t know you meant like this.”
Jared embraced her and kissed her several times. “Are you complaining?” He smiled at her.
“Oh no – not at all. I always wanted to be swept off my feet by the man I loved.” He smiled and helped Sara to the sofa. He put the Twilight movie in and tossed her the remote.
“I’ll go see what the cook has lined out for our dinner.” Jared came back and sat beside Sara, putting his arm around her. “Cassie said dinner will be about forty-five minutes. I said we’d take our meal in the lounge.” Sara snuggled up to him and laid her head on his shoulder. Jared lay his head on top of hers and breathed on her hair. “You’re destroying my reputation at work….”
“How?”
“I’ve always been a workaholic. You know, first there - last to leave. Well, today, when I was finished with my last patient, I headed straight for the door. I couldn’t wait to get home to you.” He kissed the top of her head.”
“Do I need to apologize?”
“No! They like me better this way.”
“I’ll take you any way,” Sara cooed.
Jared groaned again and sighed. “Same here.”
The movie started, and they settled down to watch it. “How many times have you watched this?”
Jared sighed. “Many times, but I still like it.”
Sara smiled. “Well I’m looking forward to seeing it for the first time.”
“I think I should warn you of something….”
“What’s that?”
Jared bared his teeth at her and let out a low, guttural growl. “This movie has a tenancy to bring out the animal in me. Up until now, I’ve been alone when I watched it. Now, I’ve got something fresh to sink my teeth into.” He grabbed her, putting his mouth close to the side of her neck.
Jared hissed and pretended
he was going to bite Sara’s neck. She got a strange feeling from the hungry look in his eyes. At that moment, Sara wouldn’t have cared if he hadn’t been teasing her. If he had been a vampire, Sara would have willingly allowed him to turn her, so she could spend eternity with him. Jared kissed and nuzzled her neck. Sara giggled.
Jared brought his head back up and looked into her eyes. “You know, sometimes I wish the whole Twilight thing was real. There’s one difference between me and Edward, though….”
“What’s that?”
“If I was a vampire, and had the power to give you immortality, I would. Especially if, I knew you wanted it as much as Bella did, and it wouldn’t take me so long to make up my mind either.”
“Would you?”
“Yes… I would.” He kissed her passionately. Sara believed him. She snuggled against his shoulder. Jared wrapped his arms around her and they started watching the film.
------------
About halfway through the movie, the cook brought their meal. Jared paused the film while they finished eating.
“You know, I don’t remember the scene with the guy at the plant, or the one with the boat,” Sara commented.
Jared scoffed. “That’s because it’s not part of the original story. You haven’t missed anything. They do it to add a little action to the film version. Sometimes it’s good – sometimes, it just confuses people when they read the book after seeing the film.”
Sara took a bite of her food. “What is this?
Jared laughed anxiously. “Some kind of chicken dish?”
Sara narrowed her eyes. “Really – you think?”
Jared chuckled. “Honestly Angel, you’d need to ask Cassie. She plans all the menus. I let her know when she cooks something I don’t like, or that doesn’t agree with me. Other than that, I give her free range. Why, don’t you like it?”
Sara smiled. “Yes, it’s nice. I just wondered what it was. If I have to compete with her, I’m afraid she doesn’t have a lot to worry about. I’m not that good at cooking. I never spent that much time trying to learn. I didn’t think I would need to. I never thought I would find someone I might need to take care of – till you.”
Blood of the Rainbow Page 12