by Robyn Grady
He dropped his spoon and collected his bowl with two hands.
Almost repentant, Jenna shrank back. “You wouldn’t dare.”
His white teeth flashed. “Dare is my middle name.”
Jenna shrieked when cream splattered on her shoulder, and again when it hit the rug near her leg. When he fired at her nose, she picked up her own bowl and decided to even the score.
By the time the food fight had lost momentum, pie was pretty much everywhere—arms, legs and an assortment of places in between. As the victor, Gage pinned Jenna down and proceeded to finish his dessert, which meant savoring skin-warmed cream for him and unparalleled pleasure for her.
Finally, feeling satisfied but sticky all over, Jenna shimmied out from beneath him.
He grabbed her arm as she rose to leave. “We’re not finished yet.”
“I ate, I came, I conquered. Now I need a shower.”
“I’m not sure that’s how it goes, however,” he rubbed a palm over his cream-smeared chest, “I follow your drift.”
The moment he jumped up, that blasted fax beeped again. His expression clouded over to almost black; he didn’t even think to excuse himself before he strode across to retrieve the message.
Jenna’s hands fisted at her sides. For pity’s sake. Just for once, couldn’t they leave him alone? Guess she’d see him later—much later.
She entered her room remembering his comment the day they’d met again—the remark that had established from the get-go that he wasn’t a man meant for family. A child needs a stable home life. He was right, of course. Any woman who was genuinely married to Gage would need to be endlessly understanding of his commitments, particularly if she had a child begging for her father’s severely limited time.
Thinking of Meg again, Jenna entered her private bathroom, which was huge and close to decadent—all shiny green marble and gold-rimmed mirrors. The shower recess was floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides, spacious enough to house hanging baskets of ferns and an assortment of potted palms. Showering was like bathing beneath a secluded waterfall in the jungle.
She adjusted the temperature on the nearest of two nozzles and, stepping under, let the warm, soft spray wash her stickiness away. Her head was back, her hair hanging and wet, when she heard a soft echoing click. She blinked beyond the water running down her face. Gage’s long, strong legs stepped past a crow’s-nest fern, into the center of the recess.
Hard, hot and naked, he released the second nozzle and its hose from the wall. He found the right temperature and those broad shoulders rotated toward her. “When I make a mess, I clean it up…thoroughly.”
While her body tingled at his deep commanding tone, he took both her hands in one of his then waved the spray back and forth over her fingers, her open palms, the sensitive skin of her inner wrists. She could barely believe he’d squared away whatever problem that fax had delivered and was with her again so soon. But she wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
Every minute…every second…
Finished with her hands, he lifted her fingers and kissed each individual gnawed-down tip. So simple an act yet already she was simmering.
She was about to lace her arms around his neck when he frowned. “My job’s not finished. Turn around, hands on the wall.”
She blinked. “Am I under arrest?”
“Depends on how well you follow orders.”
A delicious shiver raced over her skin. Smiling, she stroked his chin and turned around.
The water flowed back and forth on her shoulder blades, then lower against her back as his thumb pressed skilful circles over tiny hidden knots. As each tension point loosened, her arousal wound tighter, and the flames in her belly leapt high.
His massage reached her hip, and her one ticklish spot. Gasping, she swept back around. “Okay. I’m clean now.”
His smile was amusement studded with sin. “You want me to stop?”
“I wish you’d never stop.”
They both seemed to stop breathing.
Was she sorry she’d said it? Because she meant every word. What they were enjoying now couldn’t last, and yet…if she could make another wish she would ask that they be married in more than name only. She knew it was madness and yet, little by little she was convincing herself that long term wasn’t impossible.
As she trembled with anticipation and beating physical need, his eyes narrowed as if he were making a choice. Then his gaze roamed her face, the nozzle hit the floor and his knees bent to bracket the outside of hers.
Noses touching, he cupped her bottom and slowly drew her up so her breasts grazed over the ruts of his stomach then the matted steel of his chest. When her legs scissored around his hips, keeping his eyes on her mouth, he began to shift her weight—right then left, gently up and down. She slipped slightly and, for stability’s sake, he pressed her carefully back against the wall.
“Is that too cold?”
She drove her hands through his hair. “What do you think?”
When at last he entered her, an incredible wave of heat and passion rolled all the way through her. It was like a gathering storm, tossing all her emotions together, whipping them high, sending them clashing against one another in a maelstrom of feverish joy. With his mouth on her neck, she clutched onto his shoulders and whispered the words in her mind…
I love you. I love you. I always, always will.
As if those thoughts had cast a spell, the throbbing inside her intensified and spiraled out of control. Unable to hold back, she plunged off the precipice into a glorious white-hot pit; holding her tight, Gage came, too.
While she gave herself over to the irresistible magic, he murmured her name in that deep throaty voice—the same tone she knew so well and adored. And yet…
Something was different.
They’d made love countless times but tonight his embrace felt surer, his words sounded truer. And the feeling…?
As his face buried into her shoulder, Jenna remembered the water raining down around them and the fact that they’d both forgotten protection. Gage didn’t seem aware of it even now.
She chewed her lip.
Was it possible—even subconsciously—that Gage was learning to swim?
Eleven
Gage rapped his knuckles against his trouser thigh then straightened his royal blue tie and gold cuff links. For the first time in a decade of top-level business negotiations, damn it all, he was nervous.
“Don’t worry,” he told Jenna, who sat before him in Darley Realty’s opulent reception lounge. “This’ll all be over in a few minutes.”
They’d arrived at these offices precisely on time for their long-awaited appointment with Leeann and her financial controller. His documents had been delivered by courier the day before. All that remained was to get her signature on the dotted lines. Simple.
That woman’s self-centered greed would surely reign supreme. He had no doubt Leeann would take the deal—a bundle of money in exchange for Darley Realty and little Meg.
Soon his biggest debt would be repaid.
Soon this all would be over.
He ignored the sharp jab in his gut and tugged on his cuff links again. “After she signs, we’ll go straight to collect Meg.”
A ragged thumbnail left Jenna’s mouth. “I’m glad you’re confident. The superstitious part of me doesn’t want to jinx today by being too sure.”
“Then I’ll be sure for us both.”
And when Meg was safely back in Jenna’s care, he needed to jump on his jet and shoot over to Dubai. Nick had flown over to work the problems through, only to discover that the head honchos wouldn’t deal with anyone but Gage Cameron himself. Nick had managed to placate the ruffled feathers, but the fabric of this deal was held together now by the barest of threads. If he didn’t get there in the next thirty-six hours, he might as well kiss that billion dollars goodbye. The players had been new to him; this deal had always been somewhat of a gamble, but his gambles always paid off. This would not be hi
s first failure. Damned if it would.
When his gaze and thoughts landed back on Jenna, he bit down against a pang of longing. He’d known this would end. More importantly, he’d made certain Jenna had known it too. There was no room for regrets because that only left room for more hurt. He cared too deeply for Jenna to leave her hanging, tied up over someone who couldn’t be a partner to what she needed more than air. Her family. Or what remained of it. Better for him to make as clean a break as possible.
Better to be safe. If she knew his deeper reasons, she’d agree.
He cast a look over one shoulder at the doors that would take him to the boardroom. “Sure you don’t want to come in?” She’d most likely enjoy watching Leeann sweat. Neither of them owed that woman any favors.
Jenna set her hands in the lap of her white linen suit. “I’ll wait here. Hurry back.”
When he was ushered in the boardroom moments later, Gage felt his blood pressure rise. What game were they playing? Why the delay?
A squat man in an ill-fitting suit stood at the far end of a gleaming boardroom table. Smiling, he tipped his balding head at Gage. “Mr. Cameron.”
“Mr. Arnold.” He flung a glance around the empty room. “If Mrs. Darley is held up, I can give her five minutes’ grace. I have a full day ahead.”
A huge understatement.
“Mrs. Darley regrets she is unable to attend this morning’s meeting. She’s away on urgent business. Furthermore she apologizes for wasting your time in coming here this morning.”
An arctic chill swept up Gage’s spine but years of experience and natural acumen meant the flash of doubt didn’t show on his face.
“You should remind Mrs. Darley that my current offer is valid only until midnight. This is hardly a time to bluff.”
Moving forward, Mr. Arnold smoothed down his comb over. “No games, Mr. Cameron. There’s been a rather startling turn of events with regard to Darley Realty and its position. There’s also another matter Mrs. Darley wishes for me to discuss with you. It’s regarding the child.”
When Gage walked back into that reception area, he’d never been more rattled in his life bar once. Not because he’d failed to secure a business deal. Hell, that had nothing to do with the ice freezing the blood in his veins. Today he’d been bargaining in flesh and blood and he’d been arrogant enough to believe he would win.
How could he tell Jenna?
When he caught sight of her, she bounced to her feet, but he was certain his eyes told her everything she needed to know. Where was that poker face now?
Jenna froze. Then the life went from her face, her shoulders sagged and she swayed. He hurried to catch her.
She felt boneless in his arms, and she’d lost all her color. Even her lips had turned white.
“She’s keeping Meg, isn’t she?” she croaked.
His answer was shards of glass pushed up his throat. “Something’s come up. Something I didn’t expect.”
Hell’s fire, he should’ve been more thorough, should’ve acted sooner. A week earlier and this could’ve been wrapped up. Now they would need to rely on a judge.
“We won’t talk here.” He secured her waist and half carried her past the curious receptionist toward the sliding-glass doors.
In the car, he threw his jacket in the back, dragged loose his tie and, arms straight out, set his hands on the wheel. He didn’t start the engine.
“That worthless piece of land in Western Australia,” he explained, “apparently isn’t so worthless. Global demands for iron ore have never been higher. An overseas conglomerate, which is leasing the iron ore holdings on a neighboring concern, has offered a small fortune to buy your father’s land.”
She shook her head. “Whatever for? I remember Amy saying there were no mineral deposits to speak of.”
“She was right. The iron ore deposits are negligible compared to other pockets in W.A. It’s the locality this company is interested in tying up. They want to utilize the property’s coastline, and clear passage to it, in order to develop their own shipping port and maximize export capabilities. It seems to be the big thing these days.”
Comprehension dawned in her eyes. “So she gets her small fortune and also keeps Meg.”
He swallowed the nauseous feeling creeping up the back of his throat. “We won’t waste any more time there. Now we need to focus our energies on impressing that judge.”
Although it hammered at his brain, he wouldn’t think about what he could or couldn’t do about the Dubai blowout now. Just as he refused to think about the possibility of them losing in court. It only made sense that Meg should be with them—
He lost his breath.
Not with them. With Jenna.
Damn it, he meant Jenna.
He clamped his eyes shut and groaned. He had no idea this would hurt so much. All he could see in his mind’s eye besides Jenna’s tears was baby Meg’s beaming little face. The way she’d looked and felt in his arms when she slept. And that was dangerous. He had no right to that kind of warmth.
His hands wrung the wheel. “Want to hear the kicker?”
Staring dazedly ahead, she half nodded.
“Leeann went to the police,” he said. “She filed a restraining order against you.”
Her face twisted. “What in heaven’s name for?”
“Her man Arnold cited an alleged incident at our country home the day Meg visited.”
“She’s saying I hurt Meg?” Jenna spat out a curse. “That’s ridiculous. Tina was there. She’ll substantiate our—”
“Tina’s going to testify against you.”
A puff of air left her mouth as if she’d been kicked in the stomach. “I liked Tina. I trusted her.” Her eyes widened, clouding with worry. “Those two women are going to bring Meg up. Liars and manipulators. What hope does she have?”
Gage knew firsthand how a person’s sense of self-worth could suffer as a result of bad parenting. When a kid was old enough to understand the dynamics, the damage was already done. If a person were strong enough—if he had a leg up—he might be able to lift himself out of the bog. But in his experience there would always be something left behind…something missing. Whenever he got too close, that missing part—the slice of his soul that needed its distance—would rattle its cage and howl to be free.
That’s when people got hurt.
Some even died.
Jenna’s insulted tone brought him back. “What exactly is she accusing me of?”
His hands dropped from the wheel. “Arnold wouldn’t expand on that. But he did ramble on about some other cock-and-bull tale—your prior dependency on prescribed drugs, as well as a history of depression. We’ll have no problem refuting that in court. They’ll only make fools of themselves without any evidence.”
“It’s true.”
She caught him off-guard and he shot her a look. “What’s true?”
Jenna’s face was expressionless as if she’d given up hope. “When you left without a word I was so down I literally couldn’t get out of bed. Amy was away, so Dad asked Leeann to take me to her GP. The doctor explained about stress and brain chemicals and compromised function. He said I might need some help to get back on my feet.” Her chest rose and fell on a worn-down sigh. “Antidepressants didn’t make the pain go away, but they helped me to keep going. Although I knew it was nothing to be ashamed of, Leeann took pleasure in mentioning it whenever she could until my father told her to stop.”
Gage managed to clamp shut his hanging jaw. My God. I did that to you.
Didn’t matter that he’d been young and thought he’d done the right thing—leaving Jenna before he could get her in trouble, unlike his father who’d screwed up Gage’s mother’s life by getting her pregnant at seventeen. And, yes, he’d had to escape Leeann’s accusations; attempted rape was a serious offence. But if he’d been man enough, he would have found a different way. Right?
Growling, he shook his head at his lap.
Wrong. This revelation about Jenna�
�s illness after he’d left merely proved his point. Fact was that he burned people he got close to…burned them bad.
Gage glanced over at Jenna. She was plowing through her handbag like a dog after a bone.
“I’m going to call Leeann and tell her exactly what I think,” she ground out. “If she won’t talk to me, I’ll go over there and—”
“No, you won’t.” He took the phone from her.
Her eyes flashed, then she snatched it back and held it from him. Her voice shook and so did her hand. “Don’t try to stop me.”
For God’s sake! “Leeann isn’t even in the state.”
Hearing his voice rise, he tamped down the barrage of emotions hurtling through his overloaded system and set his fraying nerves on a more even keel.
“Leave this to me, Jenna. I’ll do whatever it takes to make things right.”
The tears brimming in her eyes fell down her cheeks. “How? You know what will happen. In court her attorney will exaggerate those few months I took medication. They’ll say I won’t make a fit mother. Gage, I need to do something now. That baby needs me. I need her.”
Damn it. “So do I!”
The mind-numbing realization fell upon him like a collapsing building, but he shoved the rubble away. Hell, he’d only met the child twice. He’d held her, played with her. Admittedly some kind of connection had been made, but his goal had always been to have any connection live on through Jenna.
That baby deserved someone a whole lot better than him.
Jenna was gaping at him. Before she could ask, he apologized. “Forgive me. I shouldn’t have…shouldn’t have raised my voice.”
Her tone was calmer but still urgent. “I need to speak with Tina. Maybe if we offered her money, or found out why she’s willing to lie…”
He concentrated, his mind hopscotching to various possibilities and solutions. If there was a way, he’d damn well find it.
He fired the engine and threw it into reverse.
As the car veered, Jenna tossed from one side of her seat to the other. She reached for the seat belt. “Where are we going?”
He stepped on the gas and shot out onto the street. “To see justice done.”