His Inherited Wife

by Barbara McMahon

  “With all the fire department personnel crawling over it, it’s hardly unprotected. The cops will have it under surveillance until people get their valuables out. Don’t worry about looting.”

  “No, I’ll just worry about where I’m supposed to live.”

  “You’ll stay with me. No need to make other plans,” he said casually.

  Shannon looked at him, her heart speeding up again. “Stay with you,” she repeated slowly.

  He shrugged. “Why not, you did when you first came here. It’s not likely to be that long.”

  She didn’t say anything, but a million doubts flooded into her. To rewire an entire apartment building could take months. Then reconstruction of the damaged portion could take another set of months, always supposing the building was still structurally sound and could be repaired and not torn down. Stay with Jase for weeks on end? She grew lightheaded just thinking about it.

  “We’ll see what the estimated time is,” she finally said.

  “Fair enough. You feel up to working today?”

  “I wasn’t hurt, just had my sleep interrupted. I’m fine.”

  Shannon made it through the rest of the day on autopilot, her thoughts focused on the coming evening. She had stayed at Jase’s apartment before, before the kiss, that was.

  It had been weeks since then. If he had any interest in her, he would have shown it in the meantime. She had nothing to worry about—except her own reactions to the man. Could she maintain a cool distance?

  “Ready to leave?” Jase appeared in the doorway shortly after five.

  “I’m ready.”

  “We need to stop at a supermarket. I wasn’t expecting company.”

  “Fine.” It sounded so domestic. Somehow she never envisioned Jase shopping. It seemed too tame for him. Dining in expensive restaurants, grabbing a hot dog from a street vendor, she had no difficulty picturing him doing that. But mundane tasks like grocery shopping, or stopping at the cleaners, seemed for others, not someone like Jase Pembrooke.

  A new side to the man, she thought with private amusement as they joined the other officer workers in the elevators.

  He drove to the huge supermarket near the Marina. It carried everything from ten different varieties of all the staples to exotic Asian foods and Mexican selections.

  It was also crowded.

  Shannon was surprised to see so many young professionals pushing carts, talking. Flirting? She paid stricter attention. She looked at Jase to find his gaze was on her.

  “What did you want to get?” she asked, feeling flustered by the look in those dark eyes.

  “Enough food for a week or so.”

  “Surely I won’t have to stay a week?”

  “Who knows? In any event, I have to eat.”

  “What do you like?”

  “What can you cook?”

  Shannon gave him a slow smile. “Just about anything. You want some real home cooking? I’m happy to do it as payment for staying.”

  “I don’t need any payment, Shannon. But I wouldn’t say no to some good home cooking. I remember a couple of meals I had with you and Alan.”

  “Okay, then, let me think a minute.” She quickly planned several dishes in her mind, and then looked around. “I don’t know where everything is.”

  “We’ll go up one aisle and down the other. But let’s not take all night.”

  Forty minutes later they were back in the car, heading for Jase’s apartment.

  Shannon helped Jase put away the groceries then went to change before she began dinner. It was fun to be cooking for someone else again. Her solitary meals had been uninspired. There was nothing to get worked up about when cooking for one.

  The lamb chops were grilling as she prepared a salad and popped the vegetables in the steamer. They’d have ice cream for dessert, but on Saturday, she’d bake a pie or cake. What did Jase like? She’d known Alan’s tastes, of course. But she hadn’t a clue about her new partner’s. He hadn’t objected to any of the foods she’d bought so he probably liked everything.

  “Need any help?” Jase asked, coming to stand too close for comfort.

  Shannon drew in a deep breath and eased to the left a little. “I have everything under control. We’ll be ready to eat in a moment.”

  He didn’t move, just stood where he was, watching her.

  She needed some space.

  “Want to set the table?” she asked desperately.

  He shrugged and stepped away. Shannon felt a shiver of anticipation. She had to get better control of her emotions if she planned to last until she could find somewhere else to live, if her apartment wasn’t ready soon.

  When the meal was ready, she dished up the plates at the stove and handed one to Jase. Following him into the dining area, she was surprised to see he’d put their places next to one another. Swallowing hard, she put her plate down on one of the mats. He held her chair and she sat, wishing she’d set the table and put him at the head and her at the foot. But it was too late now. He sat beside her, his shoulder brushing against hers as he pulled his chair closer.

  “Looks great,” he said.

  “I hope it tastes great,” she murmured, conscious of the warmth from Jase’s arm heating the scant space between them. She focused on the dinner, trying to ignore the way her body was growing more and more attuned to the man. For heaven’s sake, she needed to eat and then get some rest. She hoped she could sleep through the night with no nightmares about the fire.

  Actually she was hoping she could sleep period. She suspected her dreams would not be about the fire.

  “I’ll take you over to the apartment in the morning if that suits you,” Jase said. “I usually take a run in the Park on Saturdays, so will be back around nine. As soon as I shower, we’ll take off.”

  “That’s fine.” How could she think about tomorrow when she couldn’t even think about dinner? She wanted to give into the urges that plagued her. Touch him, feel that warmth beneath her fingertips.

  Did he think about their kiss? She reached for her water and took a long drink, hoping its coolness would help.

  “Not hungry?” he asked. He had made inroads into the meat and vegetables but Shannon had scarcely touched her food.

  “Yes.” She took a big bite and chewed furiously. Tomorrow night, she’d set the table and make sure at least five feet separated them!

  “Tell me about your trip,” she said, taking another sip of water, and glancing at him as casually as she could. If she could get him talking, she’d have something to focus on beside his lips.

  Only, when he began to speak, she couldn’t look away. She watched his expressions, listened to his voice, and let herself be swept away.

  Shannon didn’t remember eating, but most of her food was gone by the time Jase stopped talking. She jumped up and cleared their places.

  He followed her into the kitchen, instantly making the room too small.

  “Want ice cream?” he asked, opening the freezer.

  “No, thanks. I’m really tired. I want to go to bed.”

  “Leave the dishes, then. I’ll do them,” he said.

  She debated arguing, but needed the respite of her room. “Thanks. I’ll do them next time.” She smiled in his direction and hurried from the room. Only to be stopped by his hand on her arm. Gently he pulled her around.

  “What’s going on, Shannon?” he asked softly, his eyes boring down into hers.

  “What do you mean?” She licked her lips.

  “You’re scurrying away like there’s something wrong, that’s all. You don’t look that tired.”

  “I was up most of last night if you remember,” she said.

  “I do remember. I was up part of the night, too. This is your favorite ice cream, you said so at the store. Yet you don’t want even a small helping?”

  Her heart was beating heavily. Her skin tingled from his touch. Her gaze was captured by his. Her mind went blank. All she could do was feel the excitement being near him brought. Wanting and
desire mixed with caution. This man could break her heart without half trying. She dared not go there.

  “I’m tired,” she said again.

  “Then good night. I hope you sleep well.”

  She smiled. Before she could take a step toward the bedroom, however, he kissed her.

  Shannon closed her eyes in astonishment, then responded. He released her arm to draw her into his embrace and she encircled his neck. Her mouth fused with his, her lips moving hungrily against his. The shock of desire pounded into her, making her wish for things that couldn’t be. She wanted more. To be closer, to open herself up to this man, to learn his secrets and share hers.

  His body was warm and hard against her softer one. His lips moved expertly against hers, opening her mouth to plunge deeper into the kiss.

  Shannon had never felt the intensity of sensations that surged through her. He was all she could think about, all she could feel. She never wanted anything more from life but to be held by Jase, kissed by him, enthralled by him.

  He brought the kiss to an end, moving to nibble along her cheek, bury his face against her neck, kissing where her shoulder and neck met. Her heart raced like the wind. She threaded her fingers through his thick hair, reveling in the feeling. Reckless in her behavior, she moved against him, pressing even closer, her mouth searching for his.

  “Let me take care of this,” he said, pushing against her shirt.

  The words echoed in her mind. Take care of. Take care of. Alan had made Jase swear to take care of her.

  Reality slammed in with a vengeance. Shannon pushed against him, shrugging herself out of his arms.

  “I don’t need taking care of. I can manage my life myself,” she said, turning and running down the hall. Had it only been a pity kiss? A prelude to some misbegotten feeling he owed Alan?

  She closed her door and leaned against it. Please don’t let Alan have voiced that crazy notion about getting married to Jase, she prayed.

  “Shannon?” He knocked on the door.

  “Go away,” she said.

  He ignored her and pushed open the door, shoving her halfway into the room. He stood there, glaring at her, still breathing hard from their kiss.

  “What the hell is the matter with you?”

  “I don’t need taking care of.”

  “No one ever said you did,” he replied.

  “You just said you’d take care of me.”

  He groaned softly, rubbed his face with one hand. Slowly he dropped his hand and looked at her. “What I said was let me take care of this—meaning removing your shirt.”

  “Why?”

  He looked at her as if she were crazy. “Why does a man usually want to remove a woman’s shirt—to get closer, of course. What do you think that was about in there?”

  She didn’t want to examine it too closely. She wanted to close the door and hide in the bed, until her apartment was ready and she could leave. Only Alan’s words were still sounding in her head so she’d get no peace.

  “A good-night kiss.” It sounded so lame. Especially after the erotic thoughts that had blossomed in her head. But she wouldn’t tell him that. If he thought he owed Alan, he’d do whatever necessary to pay him back.

  But he didn’t owe Alan anything. And any promise made had to be taken with a grain of salt.

  He crossed his arms across his chest. “That was a pretty powerful good-night kiss. Are you all relaxed and ready for bed?”

  Relaxed was the last thing she felt. And the only bed she was ready for was one she shared with Jase.

  She turned and closed her eyes. Get a grip! she admonished herself.

  “I told you I was tired.”

  “My apologies.”

  A second later she heard the door close softly. Daring to peek behind her, she saw she was alone in the room.

  Except for the memories permanently burned into her mind.

  “Dammit!” Jase said as he crossed the living room to the window and gazed out. He’d blown it completely. He’d be lucky if she stayed the night. Maybe tomorrow they’d find out her apartment would be ready soon. But if not, he had no expectations she’d stay in his until hers was ready. She’d be gone so fast it’d make his head spin.

  He clenched his fists, wanting to lash out at something to ease his frustration. But there was only himself to blame.

  He heard no sounds from Shannon’s room. Was she still standing where he’d left her, or had she gone to bed?

  Sighing softly, he turned and headed for the kitchen. Cleaning the dishes would give him something to do. Maybe he’d go for a run tonight as well. He was too keyed-up to sleep.

  In the end, however, he settled for listening to some music and catching up on more reading. There were always reports and project updates to go through. Correspondence—some handled with an informational copy to him, some needing attention soon. He hoped the new secretary would soon fill Maryellen’s shoes; he missed her efficiency.

  By the time he went to bed at eleven, he’d not heard a single sound from Shannon. At least she hadn’t left, he thought as he walked down the hall. Pausing outside her door, he hesitated. Slowly he reached out and turned the knob, easing the door open slightly. She was in bed, fast asleep. He studied her for a long moment, then closed the door. He had some fences to mend. He did not want her moving out.

  Shannon awoke refreshed. Despite her fears, she’d slept dreamlessly and deeply. Taking a quick shower, she dressed in her new jeans and top. It was almost ten. She’d slept as late as yesterday. While someone could get used to that, she normally woke much earlier. She wanted to get back on her own schedule, in her own place.

  Taking a fortifying breath, she ventured out into the apartment. It was silent and the aroma of coffee filled the air.

  She walked into the kitchen. As when she’d stayed before, Jase had started the coffee brewing. She took a cup. He was on his run, she knew. How long before he returned and she had to face him? Quickly she prepared herself some oatmeal and ate it. She didn’t really need his help in finding out about her apartment. She could walk over. It looked as if it was a nice day.

  She heard the front door. Another fortifying breath, just in time. He walked into the kitchen, looking like every woman’s fantasy. His long, muscular legs were brown beneath the running shorts. The T-shirt he wore molded his chest and shoulders like a second skin, highlighting the breadth and sculptured muscles. His hair was wind tossed and her fingers itched with remembered longing. Had she run them through that thick hair only last night? It seemed like an eternity ago. And only seconds past.

  “Good morning,” he said, as if nothing had ever happened between them.

  “Good morning,” she replied, watching him warily. He got a glass and filled it with water, drinking the entire glassful in only a moment.

  “I’ll be ready as soon as I shower,” he said, leaving without looking at her.

  Feeling deflated, Shannon nodded. Not that he saw. He was already gone.

  “We’re two adults, who shared a hot kiss. I can handle that,” she told herself, rinsing her bowl. She took her coffee and went to the living room, standing near the window. She missed her veranda in Virginia. She and Alan had loved having coffee outside on nice days.

  The intense pain at missing Alan didn’t come. She waited, but only a feeling of sad nostalgia rose. Was she finally getting over his death? Panic flared. She didn’t want to. She wanted to mourn him forever. He’d been such a wonderful man—loving and caring.

  What kind of woman forgot her husband because another man kissed her?

  She was still by the window, trying to make sense out of things, when Jase joined her.

  “Ready?” He stood near the door.

  Shannon turned and nodded. She set her cup down on the table and went to get her purse. Jase seemed different this morning, more remote. Was he having regrets over last night too?

  Perversely she didn’t want that. He was entitled to kiss whomever he wanted. And for one glorious moment, he’d wa
nted to kiss her.

  The drive to the apartment was short. Parking was impossible when they reached the building. There were construction vehicles, city cars and the regular automobiles of residents of the other apartment buildings on the block.

  “Drop me and I’ll find out what I can,” Shannon suggested.

  “I’ll find a place. You don’t want to go alone.”

  “Yes, I do.” She needed to show Jase, as if in some convoluted way she could prove to Alan, that she could manage on her own. She didn’t need taking care of.

  He slowed as he searched for a spot, and she opened the door. He slammed on the brakes.

  “Are you crazy?”

  She slipped from the car and leaned back in. “No, just determined. Circle around. When I’m done, I’ll catch you.” Shutting the door, she nimbly made her way to the sidewalk. She hadn’t a clue which person to ask, but continued walking toward the lobby. Surely there’d be someone somewhere who knew the status.

  The smell of smoke was heavy in the air. The building looked worse this morning, with the charred timbers thrusting up against the clear blue of the sky. She looked at the windows of her own apartment. They had been broken, as most of the ones on that side of the building had been. The heat of the fire, or the actions of the firefighters? She wasn’t sure.

  “Can I help you, miss?” a burly man with a clipboard stopped her near the front door, just as Shannon recognized Thelma and Edward, her across the hall neighbors. She smiled at them, then turned to the man.

  “I’m Shannon Morris, Apartment 4 C. When can I get back inside?”

  He consulted his clipboard. Glanced up at the apartment. “We’re staggering people going in to minimize the impact on the building. Fourth Floor is scheduled for eleven-thirty. You’ll have half an hour to get what you want, then you have to evacuate so the next floor has their turn.”

  “We have to get our things? What about moving back in?”

  “Lady, it’ll be months before this place is habitable again, if then. They may just raze it to the ground and start over.”

  “I can’t possibly get all my things out of there in thirty minutes. I have furniture, clothes, books.” The task would be overwhelming. Even if she could schedule a moving company to get there by eleven-thirty, there would be no way they could clear her apartment in thirty minutes.