Sweet, Sweet Jewel : An AMBW Romance (Sweet Treats Book 4)

by Nia Arthurs

  Like a child.

  Like a mindless, soulless robot.

  “Are you happy with yourself,” she hissed at her reflection. “Do you like hiding out like a criminal?” She curled her lips in disdain. “You’re pathetic.”

  Whirling away from her reflection, Jewel stripped the rest of the way and jumped into the shower.

  As the warm water kneaded her muscles and melted away the mud, she slapped her hand against the wall and tried to calm herself.

  Kross was gone. It had been a year and she hadn’t heard a word from him. Maybe he’d found some other girl to torture. Maybe he’d died.

  If only.

  Either way, she didn’t care. That chapter of her life was closed. It was time to move on. Follow her dreams. Finally start the cooking show she’d never had the courage to.

  And maybe, just maybe, she could find a man who’d love her, scars and all. They’d fall in love and get married. She’d find her own happily-ever-after.

  For some reason, Finn’s face popped into mind.

  Jewel had never felt so at ease with a man. He was attracted to her. Made no attempts to disguise it. But she wasn’t afraid.

  Not anymore.

  Jewel emerged from the shower a different woman. Tonight was about new beginnings. For Sky and Joon.

  For her.

  Jewel wrapped herself in a fluffy towel and padded to the bed. She saw the sweatshirt on the mattress and picked it up, staring at the long sleeves.

  Walking around in hot, baggy clothes everyday had been torture, especially working in a kitchen for hours on end. She didn’t like it.

  No more.

  Jewel flung the sweatshirt away and rummaged through the suitcase for something else. Her fingers snagged on a white dress that had a flared skirt and cinched in at the waist.

  It looked pretty.

  She pulled it on and slipped her feet into the sneakers she’d arrived with. Carrie, Jo and Sky could work their stilettos. She’d had enough of them for one day.

  Jewel decided to leave her hair down and grabbed the tube of gloss Carrie had given her last year. She treasured it and never went anywhere without it.

  After another glance at her reflection, she nodded. “You’re ready.”

  Jewel hauled the door open and stepped outside… right into a rock-hard wall. She bounced back and lost her footing only to be rescued by a pair of strong hands that clamped around her upper arms and set her back in place.

  A voice rumbled from the wall that she now saw was a massive chest. “Whoa, you good?”

  Her eyes whipped up and she blinked, realizing she’d bumped into Finn.

  As his gaze found hers, her resolutions melted like wax.

  I can’t do this.

  Jewel spun and tried to run back into the room.

  “Hey, hey.” Finn grasped her arm and then let it go just as quickly. He lifted both hands in a sign of surrender and explained, “Sky said you were up here. I, ah, wanted to apologize about earlier. If I was out of line—”

  She shook her head.

  Finn licked his lips. “Do you want to talk about what happened?”

  She hesitated.

  “Or how about we do this? I ask a few questions and you just shake your head yes or no if I’m close to the right answer.” Finn folded his arms across his chest, drawing her eyes to his massive forearms. “When I touched your face at the site, were you scared of me?”

  She stared at the floor.

  Softly, he added, “Okay. Were you scared of someone else?”

  She nodded slowly.

  He sighed. “That person, have you heard from him recently?”

  “No.”

  “So he’s not in Belize?”

  Jewel was pretty sure that Kross would have found her by now if he’d returned to Belize. Tearfully, she shook her head.

  A strange look crossed Finn’s face, a mixture of distress and relief. She wondered what was behind it but didn’t have the guts to ask.

  He nodded as if she’d confirmed something. “Alright, I won’t ask any more questions.”

  Jewel was stunned to find that she was slightly disappointed.

  “Are you ready to go downstairs?” One corner of his lips tilted higher than the other. “Or you can hide out here all night. Although that would be a disservice to everyone. They deserve to see you in that dress.”

  His words curled around her heart like a balm. Jewel smiled shyly. “I’m going downstairs.”

  “Cool.” He offered his elbow and winked. “For old time’s sake.”

  Jewel sucked in a deep breath and slid her fingers into the crook of his elbow. “I’ll return your jacket after I’ve washed it.”

  “Don’t bother.”

  “Isn’t it expensive?”

  He shrugged. “I can always buy another one. Besides, I won’t be here much longer, so I won’t be able to get it back from you.”

  “What?” Jewel’s heart tightened. “Sky gave me the impression you were moving to Belize.”

  “I thought so too, but the information I’m looking for isn’t here. I’m heading back home as soon as possible to find another lead.”

  “Oh.” Jewel’s gaze landed on the ground. Finn was the first man she’d opened up to in so long and he was leaving.

  What did you expect? That he’d want to accept all your flaws and put a ring on it?

  Jewel silenced the voice in her head with a forced smile. “I hope you have a safe trip.”

  “Hey, I haven’t left yet.”

  “True.”

  “Before I go, there are some things I want to do.”

  “Like?”

  “Dance with you.”

  Her pulse skittered. “Why?”

  “Why?” He pressed the button on the elevator and rubbed his scruff. “Because I want to.”

  She chuckled, finding his honesty refreshing. “That’s not a good reason.”

  “Then what is?”

  “I don’t know.” Jewel dug her fingers into her dress. “I have to think about it.”

  The elevator beeped, stopping on the floor above theirs. A group of tourists, dressed for a night out in floral shirts and flip-flops, crowded the elevator. The scent of sun tan and alcohol filled the air. The tourists jostled against her, nudging her further and further back.

  Jewel’s throat felt like it was closing up.

  Too much people…

  What if one of those guys saw her in this tight dress and thought she was asking for it?

  Jewel curled into a corner and closed her eyes, praying that no one touched her. Suddenly, she felt a rush of air and then… nothing.

  An eye popped open. Jewel saw Finn standing directly above her. A lock of his wavy, brown hair tumbled over his forehead. The color of his eyes was simmering green.

  His breath hit her cheek, warm and steady. One hand was plastered on the wall just above her head while the other framed the metal railing near her waist, caging her in without touching an inch of her.

  The subtle scent of his cologne covered the stench of alcohol. Finn smelled so good her head spun. She shivered at his nearness, enjoying the refuge of his big body hovering over hers.

  When the tourists got off, the elevator doors closed with a mechanical whirr, leaving silence and a pulsing electricity between them.

  Jewel curled her fingers into the wall as Finn’s deep voice rumbled. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” she said breathlessly.

  When he backed away, Jewel almost protested.

  She straightened and stared at the walls, avoiding Finn’s piercing gaze.

  This man was still dangerous.

  Jewel just had to stay sane around him long enough to remember that.

  12

  Another dead end. That’s what Jewel was.

  He’d been so certain that this was the one. He’d finally get his chance to end Kross and find the peace that had been eluding him since Courtney was killed.

  But with a small shake of her pretty
head, Jewel had upended his dreams and shattered his hopes.

  Finn had no reason to stick around for this reception.

  But he didn’t want to leave.

  Not yet.

  And he didn’t want to dig too deeply into why.

  “This place is nice,” Finn murmured. His eyes scanned the walls that were draped with filmy decorations. Strings of white lights reminded him of better days. A long table filled with candy sat in a corner.

  “It took us hours to drape those tables.” Jewel pointed to the long, white tablecloths. “Sky’s a perfectionist so every crease had to be ironed out.”

  “You ladies worked hard.”

  Jewel nodded, her eyes bright. “But it turned out great.”

  “It did.” He smirked, finding her new confidence charming.

  “Jewel?” Someone gasped dramatically.

  Finn glanced around.

  A stocky, dark-skinned man caught his eye. He wore a white shirt, a blue bowtie and black pants. His eyes tore through every inch of Jewel’s body as if he’d never seen a woman before.

  Jewel shuffled back a step. “Phillip.”

  “Hey.” Finn drilled the stranger with a stare to back off.

  Phillip eyed it. “Who are you?”

  “Jewel’s date,” Finn said, staking his claim though there really wasn’t any need.

  Phillip almost choked. “What?”

  Finn ignored the kid and leaned closer to Jewel. “You thirsty?”

  “I could use a drink.”

  “Excuse us.” Finn used the hand that Phillip had spurned to gesture for Jewel to walk ahead of him.

  She scurried forward, her head down and her arms crossed over her chest. At least she wasn’t hyperventilating like she had in the elevator.

  When those tourists had packed in, Finn had been scared she’d faint or worse. He’d fought his way over to her and took a chance that she’d prefer him invading her personal space than a bunch of strangers.

  Though technically he still was a stranger.

  “Hey, Jewel! Save me a dance!” Phillip yelled from behind them.

  Jewel dug her fingers into the front of her dress, her nostrils flaring. “Ignore him.”

  He dipped close to her and teased, “Let me guess. Old boyfriend?”

  She chuckled and immediately, her slanted eyebrows relaxed. “Phillip is Sky’s cousin. He makes deliveries for Sweet Treats, but he’s always flirting with me.”

  “The idiot. Shouldn’t he know better than to shoot his shot with a beautiful woman?”

  Jewel laughed and this time the happiness sparkled in her eyes. “You’re mocking me.”

  “I’m just glad that I’m the one who gets to chase guys like him away. At least for tonight.”

  “Yeah.” Her eyes dimmed.

  Finn rushed to distract her. “Isn’t that Carrie?”

  Jewel glanced up and nodded as her friend bounced over. Carrie had changed from her bridesmaid gown into a slinky black dress that wrapped around her figure and showed off her glossy legs.

  He gave her a quick once-over and then pulled his gaze back to Jewel. She was staring at Carrie, dark eyes sliding down her friend’s dress to her legs and shoes.

  Finn could tell she was making comparisons. He could too, if he was so inclined, but it was completely unnecessary. Carrie was clearly the glamorous one, but Jewel still managed to stun him. Even if she’d gone for sneakers instead of stilettos.

  It was clear that Jewel’s opinion wasn’t so generous. He saw the exact moment she shrunk right back into herself as if she was trying to tuck her soul away from the world.

  “Jewls! You look so cute!” Carrie shook her head so her long black hair slithered over her dark shoulders. “I love that dress on you.”

  “Thanks,” Jewel mumbled.

  “Come sit with us.” Carrie pointed to a table. Sun Gi and Joana were there too. Sky and Joon were sitting apart from the rest of the guests. They were drinking wine and exchanging loving looks while talking softly.

  Sky’s gaze flew across the room and landed on Jewel. The bride’s eyelashes flickered in surprise before she glanced away and focused on her husband.

  “I’m not really hungry.” Jewel slung an arm around her stomach.

  “Are you okay?” Carrie ducked closer and wrapped a hand over Jewel’s forehead like a human thermometer. “You’re not that hot.” Carrie moved her long, dark fingers to her own forehead.

  He stepped forward. “It might just be an upset stomach. I saw an outdoor patio when we were walking here. I’ll take her outside. Maybe some air will help.”

  “Jewel, is that what you want?” Carrie asked.

  She nodded, eyes still glued to her shoes.

  Carrie slanted him a warning look. “Fine. But if she’s still not feeling better, bring her back.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Carrie’s gaze remained on him until he’d escorted Jewel through the banquet hall’s wide double doors.

  They strolled to the patio. Large, whicker couches filled the space. Sections of pruned brushes sprouting fragrant flowers grew from earthen pots. A small, glass coffee table was the perfect size to kick his legs up.

  Finn resisted the urge and planted his feet on the floor. The patio overlooked the pool and the water shimmered brightly. Toads and grasshoppers lifted their voices in a throaty concert that was almost deafening.

  He turned to Jewel. “Something on your mind?”

  “No.” She tipped her chin up and soaked in the expanse of the star-lit sky. “Yes.”

  He cocked his head.

  Jewel licked her lips, gaze still locked above. “Do you think I’ll ever be normal?”

  “Normal?”

  “I want to be like everyone else,” Jewel croaked. “I want to feel comfortable in short dresses and wear high heels and makeup. I want to hold an intelligent conversation with a man. I want to stand in an elevator without anyone’s help.” Her eyes flitted to his. “As much as I appreciated it.”

  “Well,” Finn settled his hand on his knee, “normal is highly overrated.”

  “You can say that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know,” her hands fluttered, “you’re… abnormally good-looking.”

  “Abnor—is that a compliment or an insult?”

  She laughed.

  He smiled softly. “If there’s one thing I know, it’s that we’re all just people searching for some meaning in this crazy life. No one is ‘normal’. There’s really no such thing.”

  “I guess you’re right.” She studied him.

  “What?”

  “That was deep.”

  “You sound surprised.” He arched an eyebrow at her. “I’m a very deep person.”

  She giggled. “Right.”

  He noticed her smile and jerked his chin back toward the building. “You ready to jump back in?”

  “Actually, I’d prefer to go home.”

  “Home?” He blinked. “But the reception just started.”

  “It’s been a long day. I’m proud of myself for getting through it, but I don’t think I can handle any more.”

  “I’ll take you home. But first, you should tell your friends. I don’t want Carrie to track me down and smother my face with a pillow because she thinks I kidnapped you tonight.”

  Jewel laughed so hard she snorted.

  Finn watched her with a grin. When she wasn’t diving into corners and hiding from the world, she was so breathtakingly beautiful it made his chest hurt.

  “They are protective,” Jewel wiped her eyes. “And I could totally imagine Carrie doing that.”

  He grinned and twirled his key ring on his finger.

  “I’ll be right back,” Jewel said, rising to her feet and traipsing past him.

  While he waited, Finn pulled out his phone and found a text from Nolan.

  NOLAN: Any luck?

  FINN: No. I’m coming home.

  NOLAN: Bummer. I was looking forward to a vacatio
n in Belize.

  Finn rolled his eyes.

  Jewel’s footsteps resounded.

  Finn slid his phone back into his pocket and rose to greet her. “Everything set?”

  “They weren’t too happy about me leaving early,” her eyes slid past him and she mumbled, “or with you, but yeah. I’m ready.”

  “Don’t worry. My only intention is to see you safely home.”

  “I know.” She smiled tentatively and the world stopped spinning. “I’m starting to trust you.”

  Oof. Finn felt the weight of that responsibility crash on his broad shoulders.

  Leaving Jewel now rather than later was a blessing in disguise. He’d rather she remember him as a friend and a champion instead of the jerk who’d used her. It was the best ending to a very short story.

  “Let’s go.” He escorted her to his car.

  Jewel said little on the ride back to Belize City. At one point, he glanced over and found her sleeping.

  Finn smiled to himself. Something told him that Jewel falling asleep in his presence was the biggest compliment she could have handed over.

  Just before entering the city, he woke her. “Jewel,” he shook her gently, “I need directions to your place.”

  “What?” She peeked an eye open and stretched. As if a switch had gone off, she shot straight up and glanced around. “Did I fall asleep?”

  “You were out like a light.”

  A mixture of awe and embarrassment crept across her face. She swiped at her mouth. “I don’t… I don’t usually do that.”

  “What? Sleep?”

  She chuckled as she stretched, arms arching toward the ceiling.

  “Jewls?” The nickname slipped out, but it felt right on his tongue.

  She froze. “Huh?”

  “Directions?”

  “Oh, right.” She guided him to the south side of Belize. Finn’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as he noticed the broken-down buildings, the hooded figures loitering on the street corners and the frequent chirps of police sirens.

  How is a woman as fragile as Jewel living around here?

  “This is it,” she said.

  Finn slammed on the brakes and glanced around, searching for her house. All he saw outside his window was marshy land and abandoned wooden squares on shaky stilts. “Where?”

  She clicked her seatbelt off and pointed.