by Sara Orwig
Emily smiled, knowing she’d never convince her sister that things weren’t so black and white. There was no point in trying. She was certain Jake was not a man in love. He was after an inheritance, and when he wanted something, he was single-minded and scheming. But he was changing, she realized, or he never would have invited the boys he coached to the party tonight. Just inviting her family would have pleased her.
She glanced across the terrace at Jake. Every time she’d glanced his way tonight, he’d met her gaze. She still felt he was courting her with the cool calculation of a financial acquisition and with just as much heart. Perhaps less.
Beth glanced around. “I think your husband wants to talk to you. See you later,” she said, and was gone before Emily could protest. She looked around to see Jake strolling toward her.
“Having a good time?” Jake asked.
“Yes. So is everyone else. Orlando said you’re a cool dude.”
“Good. I’m glad this party didn’t come after the first time I met those kids. That isn’t what he would have said about me.”
“You might’ve been surprised. He told me that week that you were ‘all right.’ Pretty high praise from a teenager.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d care. You must’ve been able to hold your own with the four of them. I don’t think anything short of that would have gained his approval.”
“You knew that when you set me up with them,” he said.
“Sure. But I also knew you’d win them over, which you did.”
“Emily, you could’ve easily gotten me killed or left out there on that field unconscious.”
She laughed. “That’s a difficult image to conjure up. I was supremely confident that you’d succeed. One way or another. Oh, and thanks for serving them soda and not beer.”
“We discussed that ahead of time,” he replied, reaching to rest his hand on her shoulder and rub lightly, a faint contact that shouldn’t stir desire, but did. She inhaled and saw that he was watching her intently. “I thought it was wise for them to have soda and they agreed. Want to go help me select another bottle of wine from the wine cellar?” he asked.
“I think I’ll stay with our guests,” she replied, knowing wine wasn’t on Jake’s mind. He wanted to get her alone so he could kiss her.
He shifted his hand on her shoulder, still kneading lightly. “Tonight has been really special, Em. And it’s not over yet,” he said softly.
Her mouth became dry as she recalled the passionate moments they’d shared before coming downstairs. With an effort she looked away. “Everyone seems to be having a great time.” Her voice was breathless and his hand still kneaded her shoulder.
“I told the boys there were swimsuits in the cabana they could have if they wanted to swim. That’s where they are now—changing.”
She glanced at the pool. Will and Orlando had changed to their swimsuits. “That’s great. I doubt any of them get to swim often.”
“You and I could swim, too. But I’d rather talk to your dad now and swim when I’m alone with you. Of course, if you want to swim, I’d be happy to watch, but not in that black suit you wore on the island.”
“I hardly think so! I wouldn’t wear that in front of anyone except you,” she said. He chuckled as he gave her shoulder a final squeeze and walked away to talk to her dad.
She joined her mother and watched all the swimmers. The kids took everyone’s attention and she was pleased to see all four boys interacting and playing with her nieces and nephew.
Finally everyone climbed out and dressed, and food was served on the veranda. She sat at a table with her dad and her sister and her sister’s family.
By the time the meal was over, the kids were hanging on the four boys, who gave them all the attention they wanted. They all left for the game room and the men followed, she guessed to go to the billiards room. The boys seemed relaxed. They had moved enough as kids that they made friends easily. And she knew all her family liked people and enjoyed getting to know them, so it was no surprise that everyone was getting along.
The evening passed quickly and soon the sun had set. Finally the boys thanked Jake and her, said their farewells and left. Next, her siblings gathered up their kids and said good night.
Her parents were the last to leave. When her father hugged her, he smiled and said, “You married a nice guy, Em. I’m glad.”
Biting back the hurt his words caused, she returned his hug. Her family had no idea how intense Jake’s love of money and power was and to what lengths he would go to get what he wanted.
As her parents’ car disappeared down the drive, she turned with Jake to go back into the mansion. Her pulse was already fluttery—she could recall their wild and hasty lovemaking earlier, a frantic loving that had only whetted her desire for him. And she remembered what he had told her just before the party started.
She moved away from him. “That was a great evening. The boys gave all their attention to my nieces and nephew, so they might not have gotten to play pool.”
“I’ll have them over sometime again when the little kids aren’t here and they can do what they want.”
“You will?” she asked, surprised. Was he doing all this as part of his campaign of seduction? It was working quite well for him, she had to admit. “I suppose you’ve taken care of the caterer and everyone else and I don’t have to do a thing.”
“That’s right,” he replied.
“It was a wonderful night. Thank you, Jake.”
“Sure. I had a great time, too,” he said.
She turned and hurried away. She didn’t hear him move, so he had to be standing there, watching her. Her back tingled. She was surprised that he had let her go without trying to kiss her. She tried to ignore the streak of disappointment she felt. She passed the splashing three-tier fountain in the entryway and hurried down a hall to go back upstairs to her bedroom.
That was too easy, too unlike Jake. She’d thought she’d have to fight him off once the party ended. She shrugged away her questions, realizing he’d made life easier for her.
Easier and more miserable at the same time. She wanted him more than ever. She knew part of her desire was her happiness at Jake’s inviting the boys to the house and getting along so well with them. He intended to invite them back. She wondered if he meant what he said. Time would tell.
She closed the door of her bedroom and switched on a small table lamp. She glanced at the door and memories of earlier returned, of Jake leaning against it, aroused and ready to love.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to focus again on the party while she got her blue silk pajamas and headed for her bathroom. She decided she might sleep better if she had a quick shower. Tomorrow was Sunday. She could leave for church, avoid seeing Jake and put back the distance that they’d had between them.
Yet erotic images of earlier kept taunting her. She wondered how long it would be before she slept. She could go down to swim laps in the pool. But if she did, Jake would probably see her and come outside. And then she’d be hopelessly lost again.
She showered and stepped out to dry and pull on the pajamas, feeling the soft material on her skin. She brushed her hair and turned to leave the room, but halted in the doorway.
Jake was in her bed. Bare-chested. He wore only his jeans. He swung his long legs off the bed and stood.
“What are you doing in here?” she asked.
“I knocked and when you didn’t answer, I came in to wait until you finished your shower,” he said, walking to her. Her heart thudded more intensely with each step closer he came. “You look luscious,” he drawled in the husky tone he always got when he was aroused.
“Jake, we already said good night,” she reminded him. He took the towel from her hands and flung it aside, then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him.
She pushed against his chest. His hands slid down to her waist. “We’re not going to do this,” she said. “In spite of what we di
d earlier, nothing in our relationship has changed.” It was a major effort to get the words out.
“Whatever you want. But I don’t think a kiss will cause disaster.”
“You won’t stop with a kiss,” she whispered, knowing she wouldn’t, either.
“I can and I will if that’s what you want,” he said. “If we can’t kiss, then let’s just talk.”
“You don’t really want to talk,” she said.
“Em, I’ve been thinking about letting Orlando work with my gardener, Holz,” Jake said, in another surprise. She blinked and stared at him, amazed by this new twist.
“I think Orlando could help with yard work and he could work part-time, earn a little more money.”
“Jake! That’s absolutely wonderful!” she exclaimed, deciding she wasn’t going to worry about Jake’s motives. At the moment the intent of Jake’s offer wasn’t as significant as the end result. “That’s fantastic! Oh, Jake…” She was torn between throwing her arms around his neck in gratitude and remembering all her reservations and promises to herself.
He didn’t give her the choice. He pulled her to him and she wound her arms around his neck. “Damn you for being irresistible! And doing things you know I’ll be thrilled about,” she said. “That’s the most wonderful present you’ve ever given me!”
“Em, it’s nothing,” he said, shaking his head. “He’s a smart strong kid, and he’ll be a good worker. I’m being nice to him, is all. Why didn’t you tell me he gets straight A’s? And Anthony almost does.”
“I didn’t think that would matter to you. You were only going to coach them in football.”
“All four are smart kids. Tanek and Enzo are going to do well. The only problem they have right now is adjusting to a new culture, and Enzo needs to work on his English. I expect both of them to get top grades.”
“The school is trying to help get Orlando and Anthony college scholarships. But the school needs help. I donated some of your money to the athletic department and to the band—their equipment is terrible.”
“I’ll ask Orlando and Anthony about their scholarships. If Orlando comes to work here, I figured I might as well find something for Anthony to do, too. He’s going to work for Holz doing landscaping and gardening.”
“You’re hiring both Anthony and Orlando?” she asked, overjoyed by the news.
“Yes. The other two are juniors and busy with activities and their families, so they don’t need jobs.”
She remembered that first Saturday when Jake had returned filled with anger and announced they would have killed him if they could. “I knew you’d win their friendship! Jake, I’m so happy that you’re hiring Orlando and Anthony.”
“They’re both high-school football players and I have to find out what the rules are during the school year about them having jobs, but we’ll work it out. The craziest things please you. No diamonds I’ve given you have ever put the sparkle in your eyes that offering to hire Orlando as a gardener has done.”
Tears threatened to fall down Emily’s cheeks. She was so happy and relieved to see that Jake had bonded with the boys. She had never been able to tell Jake that she thought he’d lost sight of what he could really do to help others the way he’d been helped. And now the boys had broken through Jake’s self-absorption, and she was overjoyed.
“Em?” Jake held her shoulders and bent his knees slightly to look into her eyes. “Do I see tears?” he asked in amazement.
She tried to blink them back. “No, I’m just happy. You’ve made me so happy. This party, my family here, your making friends with the boys….”
“Makes me wonder how you saw me when we got married. You sound as if I’ve gone from a three-headed monster to Mr. Nice Guy.”
“You can be Mr. Nice Guy when you want to be,” she said, wiping her eyes and smiling at him. Her smile faded when she looked into his smoldering gaze.
“Those pajamas cover too much,” he said, and leaned down to kiss her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close while he kissed her.
She stood still, her hands against his chest. She knew she should push him away—he’d release her at the first indication she wanted him to stop—but she could only kiss him in return. In seconds, her arms wound around his neck.
He reached beneath her pajama top to cup her breast and caress her nipple, rubbing her with his thumb, and she knew she couldn’t walk away from his touch.
They made love through the night. It was dawn when she finally lay quietly in his arms. “Jake, this doesn’t change things between us,” she said, but the words sounded empty.
“We’ll just take each day as it comes. I want you to move back into our bedroom, Em,” he said, turning on his side and propping his head on his hand while he toyed with locks of her hair. “I want you with me.”
“No. You know you can seduce me and I melt, but I’m not ready to go back to the way things were. And I don’t want to get pregnant. I still expect this marriage to end before the year is out.”
“I hope that doesn’t happen,” he said solemnly, but she wondered what he truly felt.
“You could have gotten pregnant tonight. That didn’t seem to worry you.”
“What are the odds on that? I’m not changing my mind.”
He nuzzled her neck. “All right. This has been a fantastic night,” he whispered, tracing the curve of her ear with his tongue, making her skin tingle once again. She wrapped her arm around his neck and smiled at him, combing her fingers through his thick hair.
“Yes, it has been. You’re tossing it away with both hands, Jake. The time will soon come when I’ll go. I’m not staying in this marriage.”
“Before you do, think it through and reconsider leaving.”
She shook her head. “No. I can’t continue the way things are.”
He gazed into her blue eyes and her pulse drummed. His expression was somber. “I want you, Em,” he whispered, and looked at her mouth. Her heart thudded and her nipples tightened, heat pooling low in her belly. She should stop him, but he was too seductive. His head came down, his mouth covered hers and she held him tightly and kissed him in return. Tonight was lost. She would deal with getting Jake out of her life later.
In spite of feeling he’d made real progress in smoothing things over with Emily, Jake didn’t see her the following week. Winning the boys’ friendship had been the one bright spot—it had caused her to let down her barriers. He had to come up with more reasons to be with her and more ways he could destroy those barriers completely. Since that night, she’d been less angry with him and more receptive. But now he barely saw her and suspected she was staying away until late at night.
He’d had to go to France for business and went to see Hub while he was in Europe. The old man had slipped badly and could barely talk to him. Jake stayed only a few minutes and then talked to the nurse. Hub’s condition was worsening daily.
Jake knew he ought to give up even thinking about the inheritance. Emily wasn’t pregnant and didn’t want to be. If things didn’t change between them, she’d get out of the marriage in a little over five months. He might as well resign himself to the situation. He’d never had a relationship with any other woman that had lasted as long as his already had with Emily. The way he felt right now, he wasn’t going to be ready for her to walk out of his life. Perhaps he would when the time came, but he doubted it. Emily intrigued him, continually surprised him. He liked to be with her. And the sex was fabulous. If he stopped to think about it, he’d never been as fascinated with any other woman. When he’d proposed, he’d thought he was getting a quiet cooperative wife who would stay in the background of his life, give him an heir and do what he wanted. His miscalculation had been monumental, but exciting. Just thinking about her made him want to see her. She wouldn’t take his calls, and he suspected he wasn’t going to see her when he returned home for the weekend.
While courting Emily, he’d let business slide and he was trying to catch up. After the week in Europe, he flew to Tokyo
. From there he had dealings in Malaysia, and then flew home from there.
He would have to return to Paris, but after that he was determined to stay home and make sure he and Emily spent time together. He intended to check into going to her dad’s church for the Wednesday-night tutoring. I must be really getting desperate to be with her, he thought.
He figured he’d have to have her family over again. He wondered if they had any birthdays coming up. Emily wouldn’t tell him, but her sister would. He decided when he got home from work, he’d call Beth and ask.
Thoughts of Emily were distracting him at work. His concentration was shot. He’d never had that happen before. If they could just make love, he thought, all the sizzling fantasies would vanish—he could sleep nights, instead of tossing and turning, dreaming about her.
He entered his house, pulling off his jacket and tie. It was Monday and he hadn’t seen Emily even for an hour for over three weeks. He didn’t want to spend the night in his big empty mansion alone.
He passed the library and heard a sound. He glanced into the darkened room. He was startled to see Emily in a wing chair, sitting and staring out the window. She wiped her eyes with a tissue and he wondered if something had happened to someone in her family.
“Emily?” he said, dropping his jacket and tie on a chair as his concern grew. He switched on a light and she turned her head.
Her eyes and nose were red and tears streamed down her cheeks. Her lap was filled with balled-up tissues, and a box of tissues sat beside her chair.
“Emily, what in heaven’s name?” he asked, cold with fear. “Has something happened? Is anyone hurt? What’s wrong?” He rushed to kneel beside her and take her hand.
She yanked her hand away. Rage blazed in her eyes. “Get away from me!” she snapped.
Startled, he stood and stepped back. With his hands on his hips, he stared at her. “What is it? What the hell is wrong?”