by Regan Black
“Great.”
Parking in front of her house, Jarvis roused Selina enough to get her inside. He didn’t venture any farther than the foyer, though he’d done enough errands here that he knew the layout well enough. Once she was steady on her feet, he pressed the Jag keys into her hand and urged her to lock the door behind him.
Back outside, he couldn’t get away fast enough. He rumbled across the sleeping ranch in the older pickup and parked near his room. He wanted out of the suit and into a shower.
Jarvis had once found Selina calculating and clingy. Tonight he’d gone a few rounds with the new champion of manipulation, Regina. Knowing Mia was eager for news on her dad, he planned to text her as soon as he was back in his room.
Walking to his door, he nearly jumped out of his skin when the shadows moved. “Asher. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“You’ve never been jumpy,” his boss replied. “Did something happen?”
It took a moment for the genuine concern to sink in. He’d only spent a few hours with high society, but he wasn’t cut out for that level of sniping and veiled threats. He’d made the right choice coming to work at the Triple R. “Dodging Selina’s wandering hands makes me jumpy,” he admitted.
“Was she chatty?”
“A little.” He unlocked his door and invited Asher in. “She let me drive the Jag.”
“Lucky you.”
He smiled and tugged his tie from his collar. “I’ll say. That was the bright spot and it was so early on I nearly forgot it.” He shrugged out of his coat and draped it over the chair.
Each room in this bunkhouse was a small apartment, furnished with a bed, dresser, small table, two chairs and a private bathroom. Each man on the crew who stayed in these quarters could add what he wanted to the setup. Jarvis hadn’t added much beyond a good television. He’d put most of his belongings in storage since hiring on here.
Asher braced his hands on the other chair, impatient now. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”
“You were right to think blackmail. She definitely knows something damaging about Payne,” Jarvis reported. “She warned me not to underestimate a pretty face, that smart women are observant.”
“She didn’t tell you what it was?”
“No. Said he wasn’t discreet and that his secrets and misdeeds were her gold mine.”
Asher swore. “She was the one who slept around. All of the financials from their marriage look clean.”
“I’d say it’s more than that.” Jarvis held up his hands. “Gut instinct, that’s all,” he added. “I wanted to ask more, but she fell asleep.”
Asher swore softly. “It was too much to hope for a written confession. And confirmation that she does have legitimate leverage is helpful. I know it couldn’t have been an easy night.” He popped Jarvis lightly on the shoulder. “Thanks for going the extra mile. Take tomorrow off.”
That startled him. “You sure?”
“I am.”
“Thanks,” Jarvis said with feeling.
Once Asher was gone, Jarvis sent Mia a text to confirm her father was healthy, promising to explain everything tomorrow.
He waited, but she didn’t reply immediately. She was probably asleep or dealing with the baby. Desperate to wash off the clinging scents of heavy perfume and cigar smoke, he went to take a shower. He’d check for a reply once he was clean.
His short shower went long and when he finally felt like his skin was his own, he turned off the tap and toweled off. With the towel wrapped around his hips, he picked up his phone. Still no reply from Mia.
With Regina’s nonsense ringing in his ears, his gut clamored for him to get out there and check on her. It was nearly one in the morning and startling her at this hour was crazy. Rude.
He needed to go to bed and he sure as hell didn’t need to interrupt her sleep. Even if he wasn’t on the schedule tomorrow, his body was used to ranch hours and he would be up with the sun, anyway. He could check on Mia then. Maybe take her some breakfast.
He was about to toss the towel on the rack and climb into bed when his phone buzzed. The screen showed a text message from Mia.
Are you still awake?
He sent back an affirmative reply immediately.
Can we come in?
He stared down at his phone, momentarily dumbstruck. What was she doing here? If anyone saw her, she’d have to leave before word got back to Regina.
A soft knock at the door followed and he rushed across the room to invite her in. She stood there, her hair loose around her shoulders, both hands gripping the handle of the car seat. Silas was sound asleep.
The threat of disaster crashed over him and he pulled her inside, reaching around her to close and lock the door. “Mia. You shouldn’t have come,” he said, his voice a low growl.
“I know. I—” Her gaze dipped, then came back up to his face. “I was worried about Dad.” Her eyes cruised over his mouth and lower again. “Thanks for the text...”
He would’ve sworn she was touching him, the way his skin tingled under her gaze, but her hands were locked onto the handle of the car seat. If she kept looking at him like that, he was going to want a lot more than kisses. He already did.
Chapter 8
Mia stared at Jarvis. He didn’t even have to touch her and she was speechless. She knew coming here was a huge risk, but she’d thought the danger revolved around Regina finding her hiding place.
No. Not even close.
In this tidy room filled with Jarvis—his tempting scent, his presence, his heated gaze—she was risking much more. Personal humiliation was only the start. Jarvis stood before her, essentially naked. If she gave one small tug of the towel, she could enjoy the full view. She wasn’t as ashamed as she should be that her fingers itched to do just that.
Thank goodness her hands were busy with the car seat. Car seat. Her son. A cowboy who claimed he didn’t want a family. Those should be all the reasons she needed to behave herself.
“You’re sure Dad’s okay?” she managed.
He reached over and took the car seat out of her hands, setting it gently on the floor. Silas didn’t even twitch. “Norton is fine. I heard his friends talking about recent golf outings and meetings over a few lunches or drinks and cigars after work. No one expressed any concerns about his health or well-being.”
“Okay. Good.” Since he’d relieved her of the car seat she didn’t know what to do with her hands. Weaving her fingers together, she tried to keep her gaze away from his body. She’d known Jarvis was in shape, but to see most of his potent build on display was messing with her head.
While working as a model, her sense of modesty had died a quick death. Behind the scenes at photo shoots and fashion shows, all kinds of things happened and all types of bodies were on display, by accident or design. She’d been up close and personal with many men the world considered perfectly photogenic, including her husband.
Jarvis had just elevated the standards of perfection for her. He was sculpted from hard work and the demands of an active ranch. His muscles had purpose from those wide, ripped shoulders down to his strong forearms and calloused hands. Hands that had stirred up cravings she’d convinced herself she could live without. At least, she’d planned to forgo those physical needs until she found someone willing to stick around and be her partner through this thing called life.
Right this minute, she didn’t care how temporary Jarvis might be. She wanted him.
“You really shouldn’t be here,” he said.
There was something akin to guilt in his eyes. Her presence rattled him. She shouldn’t take any delight in that, but she did. She glanced toward the bathroom and saw the light through the bottom of the door. Did he have company? The bed was neatly made, but maybe they hadn’t gotten that far yet. “You, um. Oh, crap. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“What? No. No.�
� He shoved a hand through his damp hair. “I’m alone. Check if you want.”
She shook her head. “I trust you.” Even if she didn’t, it would be petty to check. They didn’t have any kind of understanding. Not to mention how foolish it would be to expose herself to someone who might know Regina.
He cocked an eyebrow and as if he’d read her mind, he went over and shoved the bathroom door open. “Alone,” he repeated. “The party was...” He spread his arms wide. If he didn’t dress soon, her self-control would spontaneously combust.
“Pants.” Her voice was as rough as sandpaper. “Please.”
She focused on her sleeping son. There was the perspective she needed. When he grew up, she wouldn’t want women marching into his room to ogle him.
“Right. Just a sec.” A drawer opened and closed behind her, followed by the rustling of more movement. “Dressed,” he said. “Sorry about that.”
“I’m the one who should apologize,” she began. Her thoughts vaporized. His version of dressed didn’t do anything to quash her desire. He was in a soft T-shirt and loose gym shorts that were just as enticing as the towel had been.
“Mia, sit down.” He pulled out a chair for her and sat in one across from her. “I was planning to come out first thing tomorrow to tell you everything.”
That had been the agreement and she’d been too impatient to stick to the plan. “I expected you to be out late, but no one is up at this hour.” And she’d wanted to see him.
“Asher was.”
True. “I saw him walk back toward the house. He didn’t see me.”
Jarvis scowled, clearly unhappy with her decision. “And if Silas had cried?” He closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose. “Forget it. Mia, your dad looks healthy. I wouldn’t call him happy, but he doesn’t look weak or sick. He’s upset about your disappearance and he misses you and Silas, but there’s no sign that Regina is causing him any physical harm.”
To her amazement, the surge of relief still ran second to her sizzling attraction for the man sitting across from her. He was helping her because being kind was part of his nature. Whether they indulged in hot kisses or not, he didn’t change his stance on being involved with her and Silas beyond this crisis.
“My mind has been reeling all night, playing through worst-case scenarios,” she confessed. “I know you didn’t dare send a message while you were there.”
“I reached out to you as soon as I could.”
“I know. I knew you would.” She rubbed at her temples, wishing she’d had the courage to kiss him when he’d been standing there in that towel, fresh from the shower. This was all on her, her fears and issues. She was a hypocrite, caving to fear and worry after everything she’d said to him about loss and grief and moving on to live again. “Call me paranoid. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Regina had gotten to you.” It had consumed her, pushed her to be reckless. If she’d lost Jarvis to her stepmother’s games, she’d truly be alone in this mess. “And then you didn’t act very excited about me dropping in.”
“I’m not. Under normal circumstances it would be great, but taking this kind of chance, when Regina is actively searching for you, makes me worry. You were right that she’s dangerous. I saw that tonight. The woman lies as easily as she breathes.”
Mia closed her eyes. Jarvis had seen through the woman who consistently fooled everyone else. “What did she say?”
“Nothing that matters.” His lip curled and he squinted one eye in an expression of extreme distaste. “The worst was watching her kiss your dad.” He groaned. “Like they were alone. It was...”
“Awkward?”
He nodded. “And gross. I wanted to bleach my eyes.” He blinked as if he could erase the images from his mind. “She is spreading rumors about you and how you left. I’m not sure who believes her.”
Only one person mattered. “Dad believes her.” She could see it in Jarvis’s dark eyes. “Love is blind,” she muttered. “I really should be used to this by now. I’ve been an idiot thinking anything would change.”
“Has your dad sent any more texts?” Jarvis asked.
“No. He made some crack about being disappointed in me, didn’t he?”
She could tell by the furrow between his eyebrows that she was right about that, too. “You don’t have to protect me. He’s been disappointed with me pretty much from the moment he met Regina.”
“How did she get in his head so fast?” Jarvis asked. “I saw the painting of the two of you. You were close.”
“That’s why it hurts. It’s like he just forgot everything he knew about me, everything we’d been through. Looking back, the timing was the biggest factor, I think. I was a teenager, poised for a normal rebellion, anyway. She made the most of it. He was lonely and she was perfect for him.”
“She wasn’t perfect for him if she didn’t like you.”
Mia’s heart twirled in her chest. How did he always know exactly what to say? “She really doesn’t like the idea of losing money if Silas and I are around to claim any inheritance. Catching her with another man at the country house is just an excuse for the timing.” A shiver caught her as she watched Silas sleep. Her son was utterly defenseless.
“So catching her might have upped her time line,” he said. “Didn’t they have a prenup?”
She shook her head. “Dad’s will was amended to provide for her and she simpered and cooed that it was the perfect solution. Convinced him she was there for him, not the cash.”
“He believed her?”
“He always does. She came to the marriage with a pretty hefty net worth. He had no reason to think she wasn’t sincere.” Silas shifted in his sleep and Jarvis reached over, rocking the car seat gently. “But she is greedy. She wants it all. However she gets us out of his life, she can then rework the will in her favor. And make herself a wealthy widow.”
“Selina told me tonight that no man should underestimate a pretty face.”
“She’s not wrong.” Mia grinned, thinking of Regina and Selina’s long and strained friendship. “Were you everything Selina hoped for tonight? Tell me Regina was jealous.”
“Yeah.” He swallowed and shifted in the chair. “It worked.”
“Has Selina booked you for an encore performance?” It wasn’t easy to hide the jealousy creeping into her voice. If only she and Jarvis had met in a normal fashion, they might’ve had a chance.
“No.” He stood. “Let’s get you out of here before someone notices my truck is back. I’ll follow you.”
“You don’t need to do that,” she protested. “I know the way.”
“I won’t let you drive across the ranch alone again.” He went to his dresser. “Don’t argue,” he said, returning to the table. He pulled on socks and running shoes. Hands braced on his knees, he looked at her. “Should I plan to stay over?”
“I, um.” What a good question.
“Let’s keep it simple. Yes or no, Mia.”
There was nothing simple about his question or the answer she wanted to give. She watched him, wary as he moved in, resting a hand on the back of her chair, his gaze dark. He wasn’t looming over her, but she felt surrounded, anyway. She breathed him in.
“Yes.”
He caught her reply with a kiss, his lips tantalizing and teasing. There was none of the usual urgency this time. All that longing and need that had been ready to combust settled into a warm thrum low in her belly. The sense of incredible pleasure just waiting for the right moment rolled through her. His bed was only a few paces away, her son sound asleep.
He eased back without a word, his dark gaze unfathomable. She pressed her hands between her knees to keep from grabbing him and holding on for dear life. He made quick work of shoving clothing into a backpack and shrugging it over a shoulder. With a pair of boots in one hand, he plucked up the car seat as if it weighed mere ounces and declared himself re
ady to go.
She was ready, too. For far more than the drive across the ranch.
On the short drive out to the bunkhouse he’d turned into her safe haven, Mia thought of all the things she should say when they arrived. She should thank him for going with Selina tonight and checking in on her father.
He hadn’t wanted to mingle with strangers tonight, but he had. For her. He was the first person in years to do something for her without expecting anything in return. Even her marriage had turned into a series of bargains and deals.
Silas stirred when they reached the refurbished bunkhouse and Jarvis volunteered to walk with him before he woke up all the way. The man looked damn perfect when he wasn’t holding Silas, but when he did, white picket fences, Sunday dinners and holidays with Jarvis danced across her vision.
Technically, she didn’t need a life partner; she wanted one. And now any future applicant for the role would have to measure up to the high standards Jarvis had set. It really was a shame she hadn’t met him before marrying Roderick.
“What will you do with your day off tomorrow?” she said once Silas was out. She and Jarvis were stretched out on opposite bunks, but she was too wired to sleep.
“Dig,” he said, grinning. “I’m planning to follow more of the research you came up with.” His voice was a soft rumble through the dark space. “Maybe tomorrow will be the day we prove Isaiah wasn’t hallucinating.”
“I hope the family legend is true.”
“If it is and I turn out to be the crazy rich owner of Triple R land, should I watch out for your pretty face?”
She laughed uncontrollably. The idea of her trapping him was so ridiculous. Her heart might be harboring fantasies, but she wasn’t foolish enough to think they could come true. Jarvis had his own life, his own goals. She was a detour for him at best, no matter how those kisses made her feel.
As her giggles continued, he tugged her out of her bunk and over to his. “You’ll wake the baby, shaking the bed that way.” His breath was warm against the shell of her ear.