by Nia Arthurs
It wasn’t selfish.
Wasn’t prideful.
Wasn’t evil.
Sometimes, Jewel wasn’t sure love really existed, but Joon Gi and Sky gave her hope that she was wrong.
The couple held hands and the pastor blessed them.
Jewel’s eyes wandered away from Sky and Joon, landing on Finn again.
He was still watching her. Eyes more green than brown, he offered a smile that made her pulse thrum in her wrists. Shocked the breath right out of her lungs. Shot fireworks in her stomach.
Warning signals careened through her body.
These feelings were wrong.
Wanting, swooning, lusting—they were all the same. All evil.
Jewel glanced away from Finn, struggling to avoid him. But then her eyes—as if they had a will of their own—would streak his way again.
Jewel’s heart pounded.
Houston, we have a problem.
10
Jewel didn’t join them for the photography session.
Not even Sky could convince her to slap a smile on her face and preen before the camera.
Finn wasn’t surprised. Jewel had seemed extra reserved after the wedding ceremony, refusing to link arms with him again when they followed the newly tinted Mr. and Mrs. Joon Gi Kim down the aisle.
Finn didn’t mind her coldness. Jewel had pulled back to hide how rattled she was and that was a step in the right direction.
Several steps, actually.
They hadn’t been able to take their eyes off each other during the ceremony. He’d been stunned by her frequent gazes. Finn hadn’t expected her to be that obvious with her interest. It was… unlike her.
He’d gotten under her skin and it was obvious she didn’t know what to do about it.
Which was exactly what he wanted.
Jewel’s brain would be firing on all cylinders to figure out what had gone wrong. The safest way to assess and rebuild her defenses was to retreat. She’d do her best to avoid him.
But the day wasn’t over yet.
Finn had all night to convince Jewel that she could let her guard down with him. Once he gained her trust, he’d pick her brain about her relationship with Kross and be on his way.
“They look good together, don’t they?” Carrie tottered over to him. The wedding party was watching from the sidelines as Joon Gi and Sky posed for a couple’s photo.
Finn nodded.
Carrie’s eyes burrowed into his. “So I saw the way you and Jewel were staring at each other earlier.”
“I did too.” The other woman, who’d introduced herself as ‘Joana Lee Gregory’, joined the conversation.
Carrie nodded soberly. “Something you want to tell us?”
“Not particularly,” Finn said, hiding his amusement with a patient smirk.
“Jewel’s a beautiful girl and even I find myself staring at her sometimes.” Joana gestured to her face. “But she’s not the type you can play around with. Okay? We’re thankful that you drove all the way here and that you convinced her to walk up with you, but don’t push.”
“Or we’ll have to step in.” Carrie pounded her fist into an open palm, the threat simmering in her eyes.
Finn chuckled. “You’re all oddly protective of her.”
“She’s been through a lot,” Carrie said.
Finn tilted his head. How much of her experience had Jewel confided in her friends? Did they know about Kross? He chewed on the thought, wondering if he needed to adjust his plan.
Nah.
Jewel was his ticket straight to the perp. He’d just underestimated the amount of bodyguards surrounding her.
Finn opened his mouth to assure Jewel’s friends that he had no bad intentions—none that they needed to know about anyway—but before he could, something wet plopped against his forehead.
He froze.
Carrie cringed.
Jo whipped her head over to the bride and groom who were kneeling in the grass for the photographer and yelled, “RAIN!”
Her war cry broke the clouds apart and summoned a shower that drilled into their heads and shoulders. Jo and Carrie took off at a rapid pace, frantically skirting around the ruins in search of shelter.
From the corner of his eye, Finn saw Joon covering Sky’s head with a palm and leading her to safety.
He was the last one to break out of the cluster of Mayan ruins. His raised arms offered little coverage from the rain that seemed determined to knock them out.
Sky’s white dress was a blip in the distance. She stopped beside a thin figure and exchanged frantic gestures. The girl waved her on and Sky, begrudgingly, left her behind.
When Finn jogged nearer, he noticed the woman Sky had been screaming at was Jewel. She was limping. Her dress was plastered against her body and he could see the outline of her bra through the shape. Long black hair lay in wavy strands over her face.
Finn sped up until he was right beside her.
Jewel glanced left in fright. When she saw him, her expression shifted to embarrassment. She waved him away just like she did to Sky. “I’m fine!”
Finn noticed the goosebumps popping along her dark brown skin. The rain was freezing; Jewel was soaked, and he couldn’t stand idly while she struggled on her own.
His first thought was to swing her into his arms and run. They’d make much better time that way. But he’d already received two very stern warnings about Jewel’s fragility.
Jewel herself had made it clear that his touch was unwelcome and if she’d trembled just to put her hand in the crook of his elbow, she’d probably pass out if he lifted her, bridal style, and held her to his chest.
Finn quickly moved on to another solution.
Keeping her dry.
He flipped his suit jacket off his shoulders and lifted it high, using the material to shade her from the storm. Jewel glanced up and gave him a stunned look.
“It’s okay.” He blinked the rain out of his eyes and nodded reassuringly. “We can take it slow.”
Jewel’s nostrils flared. “Don’t worry about me.”
Finn ignored her and stared straight ahead. Matching her pace took more precision than he’d expected. He was used to long, urgent strides. With Jewel limping, they’d slowed to a crawl.
His fingers itched to carry her, but he dug them into the cloth of his jacket instead and took his pummeling.
Jewel pointed to a tree near the entrance of the park. “We can wait for it to calm over there.”
“Are you sure?” Finn glanced at storm clouds that seethed angrily at him. “We could be waiting a while.”
She nodded.
Finn shrugged and shifted that way.
Jewel hastened her steps.
In less than a minute, they took cover under the leafy branches.
Finn kept a close eye on Jewel as he pressed in beside her. The tree wasn’t that big and he had to duck just to fit under it. This wasn’t an attempt to seduce her and he had no intentions of pushing her so hard that she clammed up with him.
But Jewel didn’t seem to notice. Her chest heaved with every breath and her gaze scanned the Mayan ruins.
Finn studied the soft line of her cheek. The way her curls clung to her soft, dark brown skin. This close, he could smell her hair. Something sweet but tropical, mango or papaya.
Jewel glanced up then.
Their gazes locked.
She swallowed hard and tried to inch away, but the minute she stepped too far, the rain pummeled her shoulder. She winced and, reluctantly, slid back to where he was.
Her fingers trembled and slid up to her chest where her collar had scooped low and exposed her bra. His eyes lingered on the smooth dark skin and protruding collarbone before he got a hold of himself.
Finn forced his gaze up, noticed her discomfort and dropped his jacket over her shoulders.
The blazer was soaking wet and her chances of getting a cold had just increased by fifty percent, but the grateful look Jewel shot at him quieted all the doubts.
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Finn shuffled away—not too far that he was getting doused, but just enough so their bodies didn’t touch.
He saw Jewel relax even more.
“Sorry you’re stuck with me,” she mumbled.
“Are you kidding? This is the most interesting wedding I’ve ever been to. Mayan ruins.” He glanced around. “Beautiful sceneries. What’s not to love?”
Her lips curled upward. It wasn’t a full-fledged smile, but he did see her dimples poking out. She turned fully to him and lifted her chin in an uncharacteristically bold move. “I’m Jewel.”
“I know.” He arched an eyebrow.
“Thank you.” Her chin dipped a little and he saw the fight in her eyes. She was digging deep to speak to him and he noticed her shaking even more. “For saving me this time… and last time.”
“Last time?”
“The mugger.” She shrugged. “I didn’t thank you properly that day.”
“It’s no big deal.”
She nodded and looked straight ahead. He heard her exhaling in relief as if she’d completed a laborious task and was patting herself on the back.
Jewel was more endearing than he’d given her credit for.
“Have you been here before?” Finn stared at the Mayan temple across from them.
Silence.
He glanced down and saw Jewel worrying her bottom lip. “Is that a no?”
“Yes,” she said, her eyes on the pyramid. “For a class trip. Most Belizean kids have to visit a Mayan site once in their lifetime.”
She was talking more freely, as if he were Joon Gi or one of the guys.
Another step.
Finn kept the momentum going. “My sister and I went to boring museums for class trips. Nothing like this.”
“You have a sister?”
“Had.” His jaw muscle jumped. He crouched to the ground to hide his face from her. “How about you? Got any siblings?”
Jewel joined him on the ground, her brown eyes lighting up. “Yeah, his name is Juney.”
“Juney?”
“It’s a Kriol term. It means Junior.”
“Ah.”
“He’s so smart,” Jewel gushed. “He’d top his class every year and he did it all on his own. His teachers swear he’s a prodigy.”
“Sounds like a cool kid.”
“He’s got a smart mouth, so he has a few problems getting along with people, but apart from that he’s pretty much perfect.”
Finn smirked at the explosion of words that had just poured from her ‘painfully shy’ mouth. “You sound very proud.”
She beamed.
Finn found himself spellbound, unable to look elsewhere.
She noticed him watching and ducked her head. “I’m boring you.”
“No, I’m enjoying myself.”
“Yeah right.”
“You calling me a liar?” Finn challenged.
She arched both eyebrows. “If the shoe fits….”
“There is nowhere I’d rather be than stuck under a tree in the pouring rain, listening to you speak. Which you don’t seem to do often, by the way.” He adjusted his hands on his knees. “Can I ask why?”
She shrugged. “I’ve got nothing to say.”
“Everyone has something to say.”
“Not me.”
Finn noticed her fluttering eyes and nudged her slightly with his elbow. “Hey.”
She gazed at him, looking seconds away from crying.
“Did you know I could read minds?”
Tears still glistening in her eyes, she sniffed. “What?”
“Yeah.” Finn placed two fingers to his temple and squinted. “Right now, you’re thinking…” He paused for effect. “That there’s no way I could possibly read your mind.”
She laughed and the sound glistened in his ears like beating fairy wings.
“Was I close?”
“A little.”
“Do you want me to try again?”
She nodded shyly.
“Okay.” He closed his eyes. “You’re thinking… that I’m crazy but in a hot way.”
She snorted. “Not even close.”
“No?”
“I’m thinking about the rain.” She lifted her hand and let the drops shower the tip of her fingers. “How beautiful the world looks when it’s filled with mist. How the dirt smells fresh and new.” She ducked her head bashfully. “Doesn’t make sense does it?”
“It’s beautiful,” Finn murmured, looking at her.
She blinked.
Finn’s breath caught. The tight feeling in his chest multiplied. Unable to resist, Finn gave in to the urge to brush his knuckles across her cheek. With the rain providing a curtain of cover, he let his thumb swirl over her smooth, soft skin.
She didn’t move.
Finn let his hand drop. “Jewel?”
Horror painted her expression as she stared into the storm.
“Je—”
Her eyes clouded over. “I watched,” she murmured. But he got the feeling she wasn’t talking to him. “You were good. I liked it.”
“What are you…?”
“I liked it. I swear!” She scrambled back, her hands landing in the mud.
“Jewel!” Finn shot to his feet.
She startled and glanced at him, shaking like a tree leaf. The tears running down her cheeks mingled with the raindrops soaking her hair. He took a step forward, but before he could reach her, Jewel scrambled to her feet and sprinted down the path.
11
“Honey, what happened?” Sky clucked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. Her slender hands barreled through the suitcase of clothes she’d brought with her from Belize City.
“Nothing.”
Sky paused and flung a dirty look over her shoulder. “That worked on the ferry when we were surrounded by wedding guests. And I can even understand why you wouldn’t mention anything around Carrie and Jo. But this is me.”
Jewel scratched her fingernail against her wrist and sighed, reluctant to share the reason for her meltdown.
She’d had a flashback.
The moment Finn touched her cheek, she’d been hurtled back to the moment when he’d done the same thing. It made her blood curdle and she’d snapped. It wasn’t until she heard Finn bellowing her name that she remembered where she was.
Finn...
Jewel’s chest hurt when she thought of facing Finn again. He’d been so kind to her—staying back when she’d gotten caught in the rain, sheltering her with his jacket and hiding out with her under the shade of the tree.
Now he probably thought she was nuts.
“Here.” Sky selected a large, oversized sweater with matching grey pants. “This should be able to fit you.” She tucked a lock of her re-done hair behind her ear. “I’m glad I thought to bring our suitcases for the honeymoon. Imagine how wild we would have looked at the reception.”
“Sorry I ruined the bridesmaid dress.” Jewel frowned.
Sky waved her concern away. “It’s nothing. Really. I know you weren’t comfortable wearing something so formfitting anyway. Just change into these sweats and have fun. That’s all I want.”
“Thanks.”
Sky sat beside her. Jewel stiffened as the bed decompressed. She could feel Sky’s gaze burrowing into her back.
“Alright, now tell me the truth, Jewls.”
“The truth about what?”
“The reason you crawled on the ferry shaking and covered in mud. Was it Finn? Did he… push you? Or something worse?”
“No. I fell.”
“Do you really expect me to believe that?”
“It’s the truth.”
“The full truth or part of it?”
“Is this an interrogation?”
“I’m concerned.” Sky folded her hands into her lap. “I’ve never asked you for details about your past. I’ve always respected your need for privacy, but this is getting outrageous.”
Her nostrils flared. “Outrageous? You cannot begin to imag
ine what I’ve been through.”
“So tell me.”
Jewel remained silent.
Sky rubbed her back. “Jewls…”
She pulled out of reach. Annoyance curled around her spine. “I’m not a child, okay? If I said it was nothing, then it was nothing.”
“Please. You can trust—”
“Stop! Just stop, okay!”
Sky’s jaw dropped. Hurt pooled in her deep brown eyes. Jewel bit down on her bottom lip and lowered her head. All her anger crept away, leaving nothing but shame in its wake.
She had no idea where that rage had come from, but it definitely wasn’t supposed to be aimed at her friends. “Sky…”
“No. You’re right.” Her voice a tortured whisper, Sky climbed to her feet. “I’ll be downstairs in the banquet hall. Join us whenever you’re ready.”
Jewel winced as Sky strode toward the door and slammed it behind her.
Running a hand through her hair, she flopped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. The silence prompted whispers from the past. She heard his voice hissing in her ear, You’re nothing without me.
Her shoulders tightened.
Rumbling laughter echoed as if he were standing right there in the room. You’re mine. I’m your owner.
Jewel launched out of bed and paced the floor, trying to outrun the twisted memories. Even if her head was messed up right now, she shouldn’t have screamed at someone who was only trying to help her.
It was Sky’s wedding day, yet she’d left her doting husband to make sure Jewel changed into something clean and dry.
“I’m an idiot.” She moaned and jumped on the bed to stuff her face in the pillows.
How much longer would she live as his puppet, trapped in a prison?
Everyone has a voice. Finn’s words echoed in her ears. It was a sentiment Jo, Carrie and Sky had shouted since she’d known them.
Jewel dragged herself off the bed and limped to the bathroom. The strappy stilettos she’d worn had grated against the back of her heel. She needed to find a band-aid, but first… a shower.
Jewel locked the bathroom door and checked it twice.
Next, she pulled her dress off and let it shimmy down to her hips.
Standing there in her white bra, she stared at her reflection. The dark chocolate skin. The wide, frightened eyes.