She stepped back with a gasp. A strong hand reached out to steady her.
“Jamie!” She couldn’t contain a cry of elation, nor the urge to fling herself into his arms. He held her close, lifting her feet off the floor in an exuberant hug.
He set her gently on her feet and placed his hands at either side of her face. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
Tears briefly distorted her vision. “Where have you been?”
“Trying to find my way back to you.” His laughter warmed her and despite her earlier vow, she moved willingly into his arms.
His lips met hers, soft, warm—the smell of him, so masculine and virile, filled her senses. Without thought, she opened beneath his kiss, inviting, welcoming him inside. A soft groan escaped him when her tongue shyly met his and he squeezed her even closer, his hands sliding over her back. Heat penetrated the thin chemise, and against his chest her breasts had grown incredibly sensitive, nipples swollen and eager where the soft material of his shirt rubbed against them.
A warning skittered through her brain. She was practically undressed, standing here in only her undergarments. No man had ever seen her in such a state of undress. Certainly not one whose acquaintance she’d made only a handful of times. And she was in mourning for Heaven’s sake.
“Ja—” she pulled away enough to utter his name. Apparently he mistook the plea for passion, his lips instead moved to her throat, scorching a path down her exposed skin.
Summoning all her strength, she took a step back. “Stop!”
Blue eyes met hers in confusion. And then, almost as if by force, his gaze slipped lower. A flush moved over her as he took in her attire, lingering first on her exposed legs, then upward to her breasts. Her cheeks were flaming by the time his journey returned to her face. Yet she couldn’t be angry at him for looking his fill, the appreciation and desire staring back at her caused a wave of heat to rush from her stomach to begin an almost painful yearning between her legs.
“I…” she bent to scoop up the hair ribbon from the floor where she’d dropped it in her excitement to see him, then slipped quickly back behind the changing screen. “I’m sorry, Jamie, I don’t know what came over me.” She reached for her dress again, only to realize it was clear across the room, where she’d kicked it.
“It’s called lust.”
The simply spoken words hovered between them for long silent moments. Lust? Yes, she supposed that’s what she felt in his arms. “But I’m in mourning, and there are certain things a lady—would you mind handing me that dress?”
“I much prefer you the way you are.” But nonetheless, a moment later the black mourning dress was draped over the top of the screen.
“Well the women in your time may go about in their unmentionables, but I do not.” She stepped into the dress, quickly tied her hair back and came around the screen, presenting him her back. “Would you be so kind as to button me?”
She sensed his hesitation before he began to work the buttons along the back of the dress. The brush of his knuckles against her bare skin as he neared the top seared her every bit as much as his kiss had moments ago.
“No torture device today?”
Frowning, she turned to face him. “Whatever do you mean?”
He gestured toward her waist. “The corset, or whatever you call it.”
“As I’ve said before, men in your time may feel free to discuss such things, but in my—”
“I know. But you look more comfortable without it.”
She chose to ignore his continued improper referral to her underclothes. “How did you find your way back?”
He strolled across the room and finally took a seat on her bed. “I don’t know. I’ve been trying for two days and then this morning, when I got back from my breakfast meeting, I came right up here. And there you were.” His eyes darkened again and his gaze slowly roamed over her, almost as if he couldn’t help remembering exactly how he’d found her. “Have you been well?”
She turned from the heat in his stare. The husky tone of his voice had done almost as much to her as his kiss. “Yes, more or less. Thanks to you.”
“To me?”
“The General has stepped up his efforts to break me, as he puts it. No food, very little water, and no contact with anyone other than Stillwater himself. I’ve been able to weather it quite well, thanks to you and the provisions you left for me.”
“I brought you something to help pass the time.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a silver device similar to the one he’d left with her the other day. “I can’t be without my phone for long periods of time, so I got you an iPod.”
She started at the item in his tanned, masculine hands. “Does it…play music?”
“Yes, I loaded it with a lot of classical music. And some pictures I thought you’d find interesting.”
“I…don’t know what to say, Jamie. Thank you.”
He held up yet another gadget. “I also brought you some reading material.”
She raised her brows in curiosity as another strange looking device was revealed.
“It’s an e-reader,” he said gently. “I didn’t know what you’d like to read, so I downloaded a lot of different things. Mysteries, thrillers, romance. And some classics.” He tossed it on the bed. “I’ll show you how it works later. First, we need to discuss something more serious.”
“What?” She hesitated to move any closer. She wanted to be near him, but after her earlier reaction, she didn’t trust herself.
“I need to know what weapons you have hidden in this room.”
“Weapons? You mean a gun or a knife?”
“Anything you could use to kill a man.”
“I’ve certainly never—”
He rose from the bed and came to stand in front of her. A trembling began in her belly that had nothing to do with his questions and everything to do with his nearness. “Josette, I need to know if you’re hiding something. It’s important.”
“Does it have to do with…something in the future?”
“Yes.” He didn’t offer more than that, but his earnest expression, the pleading look in his eyes convinced her of the urgency of his request.
Swallowing, she moved slowly across the room toward her dressing table. Beneath it, hidden in a compartment beneath one of the floorboards, was a dueling pistol belonging to Bernard’s grandfather. She lifted the board and retrieved the pistol, holding it gingerly. “I’m not even sure I’d know how to fire it.”
“You’d figure it out if you had to.” He studied the gun with interest, running a finger over the elaborate gold filigree detailing. “I’ve never seen one of these up close before.”
Josette swallowed. “Did I…hurt someone with it?”
“General Stillwater.”
She felt the blood drain from her face. There would only be one reason to use it against the general. “So his patience will finally run out.”
Jamie crossed the room and placed his hands on her shoulders. “If I can figure out how this portal works, I could make it a point to be here at night, or whenever he’s most likely to bother you.”
“No. If he even suspected I had someone in here, he’d either move me to another room or keep watch over me personally—oh, Lord. That’s it. Something is going to arouse his suspicions and he’s going to—.” A wave of near hysteria washed over her, not just at the thought of being under the General’s thumb non stop, but at losing contact with Jamie.
He moved in closer, pressing his lips to her forehead. “If he moves you, I’ll find you. If he touches you, I’ll kill him myself.”
His reassurance was calming, but increased her worry for him tenfold. “I can’t allow you to be dragged into this. It’s my doing, this is a web I chose to weave.”
“I’m already dragged into it. Whether I want to be or not.” He pulled away just enough to look at her. “I nearly went crazy when I couldn’t find my way back to you. I’m not going to lose you again.”
; Too close. He was too close. She heard the change in his breathing, felt it in her own. What was it between the two of them that they couldn’t be near one another without this happening?
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
Before she could even blink she was pulled into his arms, crushed against his chest once again. His kiss wasn’t tentative, but one of pure desire as he devoured her mouth with his, tongue boldly entering her mouth, demanding a response. Everything disappeared as he held her, the worries, fears, the long days of confinement. She felt safe in his arms, sheltered, loved. The yearning that had begun earlier only intensified until she found herself wanting…something.
From outside the door came a pounding of boots. She leaped back from him guiltily. “The General is coming.”
“Then I’ll stay here.”
“No,” she whispered frantically. “That’s the worst thing you could do. Go, Jamie! Now!” She shoved him toward the spot where he always appeared and disappeared.
Spying his latest gifts on the bed, she quickly tucked them beneath her pillows. She looked up, startled to see him still standing there.
“Go!” she mouthed, waving a hand to shoo him.
He shrugged. “It’s not working.”
“Oh God!” From outside the door someone called to the general. She gave a sigh of relief to realize he’d be detained for a moment or two.
“You’ll have to hide.” She pointed frantically to her dressing screen, praying the general wouldn’t find him. The very events Jamie was concerned about could very well be unfolding. Just as he moved behind the screen, the sun glinted on something on the bed. She picked it up and studied it. A brass key. It caught the light again and seemed to wink in her hand. She turned to Jamie. “Is this yours?”
“Ours, actually. It’s the key to your front door.”
“I don’t think I’m supposed to have it.” She hurried across the room to hand it to him. He stepped from behind the changing screen and reached for it.
The moment his hand touched the key, a flash of heat jolted her arm. Startled, she pulled her hand away.
Jamie had vanished.
Chapter Five
Jamie stared down at the key in his hand.
He frowned, trying to remember where the key had been the other times he’d seen Josette. In his pocket, he supposed. And the other night, he’d already changed into sleeping clothes when he decided to visit Josette again. The key had been with his watch and cell phone, beside the sleeping bag. When he’d left this morning, he’d left the door unlocked, knowing the restoration team would be arriving soon, but he hadn’t wanted the key to get lost so he’d stuffed it in his pocket.
My God. Could it be that simple? If a portal was a doorway through time, could a key really be the instrument to unlock it? He stared at it, but it didn’t seem to be anything more than an age-dulled, old fashioned skeleton key.
“Jame?” A female voice purred from the bottom of the stairs. “You up there?”
A groan tore from his throat almost of its own accord. He had to be hearing things. She couldn’t really be here.
He stepped out of the room and walked to the railing to peer over. Son of a bitch, she was.
Spotting him, Ashley smiled and gave a little wave. “Don’t come up,” he warned, “The stairs aren’t safe. I’ll be right down.”
As he descended the stairs, he felt her watching him. He kept his gaze steady on her face. He didn’t doubt that Len had called her—it was probably why she’d mentioned her this morning at breakfast. But he was a little surprised Lenora hadn’t thought to give him fair warning. Unless Ashley had taken it upon herself to fly out to Virginia and surprise him.
He studied her as he drew near. A bright blue sweater stretched tight across breasts that owed as much to his money as they did to the skill of a plastic surgeon. Restalyne-plump lips were pained a glossy pink and curved into a smile that showed unnaturally white teeth against a spray-tanned perfect face. From her overly long lashes, skillfully applied makeup and platinum- hair, Ashley was a woman who embodied all the things Jamie had once found attractive.
So why did a natural beauty like Josette have herself wrapped around his mind so thoroughly?
“What a surprise.” He didn’t even attempt to sound friendly.
Ashley moved toward him and he caught a whiff of her signature scent. Which would have been fine if she didn’t drown herself in the stuff. “It’s good to see you,” she said, leaning in to kiss him. He turned his head so she met his cheek.
As she pulled away he noticed many of the restoration workers taking note of her shapely appeal in her short black skirt and patent leather boots. That was Ashley, always dressed for attention. “What can I do for you?” he asked, taking hold of her elbow and escorting her through the foyer and into the old, time worn kitchen.
She wrinkled her nose in distaste. “You aren’t actually…living here, are you?”
Jamie folded his arms over his chest. “What do you want, Ashley?”
“You,” she said, pursing her lips into a little-girl pout that he’d found annoying even when he was in love with her. She fingered one of the buttons on his shirt. “I miss you, Jame. I was thinking maybe you missed me a little, too?” She moved closer, pressing those surgically augmented breasts against him.
Oh, it would be too easy. If he wanted to, he could have her right here, right in the kitchen. He could ease the growing sexual frustration from his time with Josette. But it wasn’t his kitchen, at least it didn’t feel that way. It was Josette’s. And taking another woman on her floor wouldn’t be right even if he wanted what Ashley offered. He didn’t.
“You’re not worth it.”
She gasped. “What did you say?”
“I said you’re not worth it.” He set her abruptly away from him. “The money it would cost to keep you. The headache living with you gives me. Not to mention the fortune I’ve spent trying to untangle my life from yours.”
For a moment she looked stunned, but then her smile was back in place. “I know you’re mad about the lawsuit, baby, but that was just to get your attention,” she cooed, taking hold of his arm. “Can’t you forgive me?”
“For having me arrested just to get my attention? As a matter of fact—no.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. He unclipped two of them and pressed them into her palm.
“What’s that supposed to do?”
“My house in Maui and the Aston Martin. Take them. They’re yours. Now go away.” He stepped away from her.
“No!” Her demand and the sound of the keys he’d given her being flung against the wall stopped him in his tracks. Wearily, he turned back to face her. Her heavily painted eyes shimmered with tears. “I don’t want…stuff. I want you.”
He sighed. A few weeks ago, he’d have been glad to hear it. It wasn’t that she was the great love of his life, he’d yet to find that. But she was as close as he’d ever come to being in love, at least he’d thought so at the time. Sentiment for what had once been between them made him soften his tone. “There’s someone else. I’m sorry.” Even as the words left his lips he had to wonder at the absurdity of them. Someone else? That someone else was a hundred and seventy years old, willing to die for a lost cause and out of his reach except for one special key.
The tears vanished instantly. “Well I hope you two will be very happy living in poverty,” she snapped. “Because when I’m through with you there won’t be a nickel left.”
“Careful, or I’ll demands those implants back in my countersuit.”
Her mouth dropped open in a gasp. “You wouldn’t dare!”
“Not to mention that nose. I wonder if they can undo all that work on your uh…deviated septum.”
“I did have a deviated septum.” She pressed a hand to her nose. “The doctor had to change the shape of my nose in order to repair it.” She stalked away from him, stopped and turned around long enough to pick up one of the keys from the floor. “Just for that, I will take
the beach house!”
Jamie watched her storm off with a mild sense of satisfaction. He didn’t care what she took. As long as he had the house, he’d have Josette.
****
“Reverend Huckabee, I wonder if today we might pray from some distant relatives of mine.” Seated in the parlor of her home, Josette cast a wary glance toward General Stillwater, who stood guard at the far end of the room. He trusted no one else to watch over her these days.
The reverend, a Southern operative in disguise, reached across the distance between them to squeeze her hand. “Of course my dear,” he said in a fatherly tone. Though his gaze sparkled behind his spectacles, his demeanor gave away nothing of his true purpose for visiting. “Distant relatives my dear,” he tut-tutted. “Are you estranged?”
“Yes,” she said, knowing he understood the true meaning of her words. “We’ve not spoken for many months.”
He leaned back, crossing his legs at the ankle. “I see. So they’re from up north somewhere.”
Josette swallowed, aware that Stillwater had turned to study them. “East, really, up near Philadelphia. But I feel such a strange longing for their company these days. I was hoping we could pray for them.”
“Of course we can,” he said, his tone still the calm, understanding tone of a clergyman. “Perhaps you’ll see them again soon.”
She nodded, and pretended to stifle a sob with her hanky. “My beloved aunt’s birthday is in two weeks, reverend. How I’d love to—” she allowed her voice to break and cast a quick glance at Stillwater. So far he didn’t seem to have caught on to the fact that she was actually telling the reverend that Federal troops would be arriving from the east in two weeks’ time.
The reverend nodded and leaned forward to take her hand again. “Heavenly father, please bless and watch over Mrs. Beaumont’s loved ones…”
Heart hammering, Josette bowed her head and pretended to pray.
****
“Careful, Sebastian.” Josette watched, fascinated as her cat leapt from her window sill to the branch of the tree just outside her window and climbed effortlessly downward. Not for the first time, she wondered how sturdy the branch was. It had been years since she’d climbed a tree, but she didn’t doubt that she could still do it if she had to.
This Moment In Time Page 5