by Misty Evans
“Stop it. You are not pathetic.” He spoke the words through clenched teeth. So much for making her believe he wasn’t mad. “Just tell me what happened. We’re due to catch a plane tonight, but I’m not moving this car until you tell me.”
A soft sigh escaped her lips. She shrugged. “He set up a date for last night, but he didn’t show, so I went to bed. This morning, he was on my doorstep. At first I wasn’t going to let him in, but there were reporters following him, so it was either talk to him in my Juicy Couture shorts or bring him inside.”
Fuck. He didn’t want to hear what happened next. He may have told Abigail they were just friends, but it bugged him. More than bugged him. The thought of that wanker with his hands on her.
Jacob practiced his patient face. Or at least he hoped that’s the one the mental spinner had offered instead of his I want to rip of his fucking head face. “Go on.”
“Well, he was drunk…again…I’m starting to think he spends more time drunk than sober but that’s neither here nor there. He was very affectionate.”
Hawke Thorn was a dead man. Several scenarios ran through Jacob’s mind. There was a myriad of ways to dispose of a body.
“I stood firm and I called him out on standing me up.” She sniffled, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.
Shit. Not tears. Please no tears. He didn’t do so well with emotional displays. He had a difficult enough time managing his own emotions.
“He said he wanted to make it up to me. That he wanted to take me out today.” She shook her head. “He wanted to do this adventure thing with me. Like an idiot, I believed him when he said he was sorry.”
“How did you end up out in Perris?”
“Hawke wanted to do this thing called an ultralight plane. Said this was one of the few places that had a few. He finally had some time off. He needed to unwind. He promised he’d have me back in time for the flight. But then—”
“Then what?”
She flicked her hair over her shoulder, exposing her graceful neck. “He forgot to mention that an ultralight only seats one. He forgot to mention that the entire entourage was going and they didn’t have one for me. He fucking forgot to mention that I’d be standing around in the chilly air for three hours on my own. On top of it all, the driver takes off, says he has an errand, and I’m out there in the middle of Perris. By myself. My phone died so I had to walk all the way to the diner to ask to borrow a phone.”
She drew in a shuddering breath, wouldn’t look at him.
He’d clearly underestimated the depths of his anger. “He left you. That fucking wanker left you there, out in the middle of fucking nowhere? I will fucking kill him.” Jacob started the car and whipped back onto the road. “This is the fucking kind of guy you’re chasing after, Jenna?”
She ran her hand through her silken hair. “I don’t know why I went. I didn’t want to. I was tired and had just finished packing, and I was pissed that he stood me up, you know. That wasn’t cool. I should have just listened to that voice in my head.”
“I don’t know how many times I have to bloody tell you this. If you respect yourself, he will have no choice but to follow. You are the prize. He’s a drunken rock star. He has nothing on you. You have to act like you know you’re worth it or he will treat you like this.”
“Not all of us are you, okay? So good-looking it hurts to look at you. And then with your perfect life. You don’t know what it’s like to be stared at, made fun of. Teased. It’s easy for you to be confident.”
That stung. A thread of truth working its way under his skin. “Jenna, you’re beautiful.”
“Sure. Now. Thanks to you, Dr. Frankenstein. You’ve seen Alex. He was naturally athletic, so any ginger jokes fell by the wayside once he started to play sports, and they never bothered him anyway. I was teased mercilessly. I was never naturally gifted at anything and then the accident happened. And well. You know kids.”
“Being seen with Hawke isn’t going to fix that.”
She slumped into her seat but gave a mortified laugh. “I know. My inner fan girl thought it would be nice if a guy like that would pay attention to me. You have no idea just how immature I really am.”
“He’s the one lucky to be photographed with you. We just need to change your perspective.”
Thanks to traffic on the 15, it took them just over two and a half hours to get home. Granted they’d also stopped to feed her as she hadn’t had a chance to eat all day. While he was still pretty pissed off, he’d been able to calm down some, but it would probably be best if he didn’t see Hawke Thorn again for a long time.
He pulled up to Jenna’s place and opened the door for her. “I’ll help you get your stuff and then I’ll need to stop by my place to get my things and we’ll head out.”
“Sure that works.”
He’d been locked in a car with her for hours. He should be sick of her by now, but he was actually sort of looking forward to them hanging out some more. Which was odd.
Too bad Hawke Thorn had other plans.
There, on the steps of Jenna’s condo, leaning against the door, was Hawke. And just like that, Jacob’s blissed out feeling evaporated and he was ready to kill the guy.
Hawke stood fluidly. “Jen, baby, where did you go? I radioed everyone to land in the strip in La Jolla, have lunch, but you weren’t there.”
As mad as Jacob was, Jenna was nuclear. “You were so busy hanging out with your boys that you didn’t seem to notice I wasn’t with you. Then your fucking driver left me there. By myself in the middle of nowhere. I’d still be there waiting for you if Jacob hadn’t come to get me.”
As if noticing him for the first time, Hawke gave Jacob the once over and apparently didn’t like what he saw. He scowled. “Who the fuck is this?”
“I’m Jacob Swinton, you wanker. I’m on the board of 3 Wishes, and I’m also up for Donor of the Year, which you might have realized if you’d stayed awake at the announcement meeting. Oh, and we spent several hours together in the Swinton wing of the Children’s Hospital. Are you really that dense?”
The guy had the nerve to roll his eyes. “Look, Jen, I’ll make it up to you. Just let me in and we can talk.”
Jenna stared at the guy, then at Jacob. Then back at Hawke.
Jacob’s gut twisted. Fuck, no. Was she actually going to choose Hawke again? After all that? After he had been the one to collect her?
She said nothing, simply unlocked her door and closed it behind her. What the fuck did that mean? You’re wasting your time Swinton. She’s going to pick him.
Jacob glared at Hawke. “Stay clear of her, you twat.”
He smirked. “You going to stop me? She’s after the Hawke experience. If she’s good tonight, I’m apt to give it to her.”
“You left her and you still think she’s going to fuck you?”
“You better believe it. She’s hungry for it. They all are.”
Jacob’s hands curled into fists. The kid inside him—the one who had been bullied and beaten up because of his father’s scandal—wanted to come out and play and take his fury out on the Hawkes of the world. It would feel so good to let it out. To lose control. Let go of the emotions for once. Let them engulf him for once. And not in the controlled environment of his Muy Thai training sessions.
But he tightened the reins of control. That wasn’t who he was anymore.
He was done. If Jenna wanted this guy, then there was nothing he could do about it. He turned on his heel and walked back toward his car. Strangely, it pinched. He hadn’t want her to pick Hawke. I want her to pick me. There was a burning spot in the middle of his chest and he hated that feeling. He wasn’t used to it. It sucked.
He heard a sound…a stomping behind him and something rolling.
“Jen, baby?” Hawke called. “Where are you going?”
Jacob turned at the car to find Jenna coming up fast.
“Where do you think you’re going?” she said, out of breath. “You gonna help a girl with her
bags or what?”
She hadn’t picked the wanker. She hadn’t picked the wanker.
She hadn’t necessarily picked him either, but game on Thorn.
Jacob smiled at the wanker and covertly flipped him the bird. Game on.
9
Jenna knew nothing about private planes, but Jacob’s was big, shiny, and sleek.
Like the man himself.
And God help her, it looked like a phallic symbol on wheels, and her overworked brain wondered if it matched Jacob in certain other ways as well.
Heat rose in her cheeks as the limo driver helped her out and began unloading their luggage. Jacob was on his phone again, and she hoped he’d walk ahead of her so he wouldn’t see her limp.
Damn Hawke.
Stupidity didn’t run in her family, so why was she having such horribly mixed feelings about him? He’d texted her on the way there to tell her he really was sorry and he was donating another $5,000 to the foundation. He wanted Maya to have a shot at the horse camp she’d told him about at the amusement park; she wanted to attend it when she got out of the hospital.
Jenna couldn’t help it. Hawke may have been an ass to her, but his heart was in the right place when it came to the kids. If he could just get his drinking under control.
Jacob stopped and disconnected his phone. He held out a hand. “Coming?”
The sun was setting, bathing him in a warm glow. Thank goodness he’d rescued her from Perris. With all of her family out of the country, she didn’t have anyone else to call except Wanda, and that wasn’t an option either. Her assistant was in L.A. for the weekend. Jenna had almost called a cab, but then getting one to drive all the way to the desert and back would have been one hell of a challenge.
Sucking up her embarrassment, Jenna let Jacob guide her to the plane’s steps, his hand reassuring on her elbow. Steps were tricky when her leg wasn’t working right. She motioned for him to go ahead of her. “Please. I need to take my time.”
“Lean on me,” he said, putting one hand at the small of her back while he tightened his grip on her elbow. “Now that we’re here, we can take it slow.”
They did. A woman with gentle eyes and long, dark hair swept up into a high bun, greeted them at the top of the stairs once they finally made it. “Mr. Swinton. How are you this lovely evening?”
“Good evening, Mary,” he greeted her and introduced Jenna, then led her into the cabin, sweeping his arm wide. “Pick a seat. Wherever you wish.”
White leather. Everything was done in dark burl woods and white leather. The contrast was elegant and beautiful and, for a second, Jenna had no words.
She’d gone from a pit of a roadside bar earlier to the epitome of wealth and style. Whiplash, anyone?
“Jenna?” Jacob’s hand tensed on her elbow again, bringing her back to the present. “Are you all right?”
Actually, she was close to tears. Just the thought of sinking into one of the plush leather chairs, closing her eyes, and forgetting about this horrible day seemed like the best kind of daydream. “Yes, of course. It’s just so beautiful. And elegant.”
“Perhaps Miss McIntyre would like to sit in one of the massage chairs?” Mary offered.
Jenna’s face lit up. “Are you kidding? You’re damn straight I want a massage chair.”
Jacob laughed, and oh, that sound. It went straight to her toes, making her want to laugh, too. “Sorry,” she said to Mary. “This”—she pointed at the luxurious accommodations—”is all quite new to me.”
Mary smiled. “Would you like something to drink? Wine or a cocktail?”
“She likes Cosmos,” Jacob supplied, leading Jenna to a seat in the back. The massage chair had feet and everything. “Perhaps one of those to start?”
“Of course, sir. And you?”
“My usual,” Jacob said.
He helped Jenna with her coat, then boosted her into the high-sitting chair. She kicked off her shoes and strapped herself in. Jacob did the same, taking a matching chair next to hers.
“These really are quite relaxing,” he said, pushing several buttons and closing his eyes as he leaned back. “I often fall asleep in them.”
He looked so peaceful in the soft cabin light. So relaxed compared to earlier that afternoon when he’d wanted to kill Hawke for abandoning her.
It reminded her of Alex, that protective streak. She didn’t need to be protected or rescued, except for that rare time when she actually did—and wasn’t that embarrassing—but Jacob had been there for her. In his sexy sports car. His undies all in a bunch because Hawke had been an ass.
She was used to asses. Nice guys, not so much.
The look on Jacob’s face was so comforting, so serene, Jenna checked his chair’s settings and switched on the same ones on hers.
Magic hands caressed her neck, palpated her lower back, kneaded her feet.
Oh, my God.
Not only did the chair massage her, it was heated, spreading warmth up and down her cranky spine.
Heaven. Jenna did a quiet little dance in her chair that Jacob couldn’t see with his eyes closed.
But Mary saw it as she appeared with their drinks. Another sly smile passed over her lips and she winked at Jenna as if she might have tried out the massage chair a time or two herself when Jacob wasn’t around.
“Your beverage, Mr. Swinton,” she said. “Miss McIntyre.”
Jacob opened his eyes and accepted the drinks, handing one with a cute umbrella to Jenna and clinking his two fingers of bourbon against her girly glass. “Here’s to a successful trip.”
As the plane took off, the pilot announced their destination, speed, and arrival time. Jenna felt a whirling of the drink and something else in her stomach. The plane dipped, and although she’d only had one sip of the Cosmo, it felt like she’d drank an entire bottle of whiskey.
Ascending into the twilit sky, Jacob reached across to point out a ship on the ocean. “Have you ever been deep-sea fishing?” he asked, as if this were everyday conversation.
Maybe for him it was. “No. I don’t like fish.”
“Ah, but the adventure. The open water, the challenge of the big catch. You don’t have to eat them. You can throw them back.”
“Yes, well, Ahab, I hate to break it to you, but some of us can’t swim. Being out on a boat in the middle of the ocean isn’t adventure so much as hell.”
He sipped his drink and looked at her over the rim with a grin on his face. “I can teach you to swim.” He frowned. “Wait, isn’t Alex’s friend a former Olympic hopeful or something?”
She sipped her own drink, looking back at him. “Liam, yes. But no, thanks. I like land.”
He chuckled and loosened his tie. And there was that collarbone that so intrigued her. She didn’t get to see it often enough with all of his button-downs.
“Thank you for all of this,” she said, playing with the paper umbrella. “I’m not accustomed to such extravagance. We could have taken a commercial flight. Really, it would have been fine.”
“If you’re going to expand 3 Wishes internationally, you’re going to need a private plane.”
She barked out a hysterical laugh. “We can’t afford that.”
“Jenna, your time is valuable. Flying commercial, even if it’s first class, wastes time. At the very least you should lease one of my jets when you need it. That will keep your expenses down and still make you more efficient.”
“One of your jets? How many planes do you own?”
“Four.”
Her brows shot to her hairline.
“What?” he said, seeming confused by her reaction.
“Why do you need four?”
“For my family. Guests. Clients. My own personal use as well as for business. But one of the older planes sits a lot. You’re free to use it.”
“I can’t do that.” She felt silly even discussing it. “I don’t need to fly anywhere on a personal jet.”
“As your foundation grows, you will need to travel more. You may fin
d it comes in quite handy. Consider it yours if you should need it.”
He seemed so sincere, so confident. She wondered, too, if he weren’t right. Since stepping up her appearances and the 3 Wishes PR campaign that week, their numbers had grown at such a rapid pace, it made her head spin.
In one week. That’s what having a big name like Hawke Thorn did for you. She needed to be ready for whatever came next, and Jacob hadn’t been wrong yet. “Okay, I’ll keep it in mind.”
For a few seconds, she flirted with the idea of living like this. Private jets, top shelf liquor, massage chairs. Even the clothes and shoes Jacob had her wearing were starting to feel good on her. When she looked in the mirror, she didn’t see herself any more. Jenna was still there, but a better version. “This is all so foreign to me.”
“What is?”
“All of this. I owe you big time.”
“No thanks necessary. And if the other board members question our time together and suggest, as they might, that I’m plying you with things to sway your vote for Donor of the Year, remind them you don’t get a vote.” He winked at her.
“I don’t?”
“Bribery and conflict of interest could happen much too easily. Alex initiated that rule when he set up job descriptions for everyone from the mail clerk to the board members. Did you read yours?”
She couldn’t tell if he were teasing her or actually suggesting she was incompetent. “Of course, I read the job description.” Total lie, there. She didn’t even realize there was one for her position. “And I agree with it. Alex was right. If I could vote, right now I’d be putty in your hands.”
His eyes flashed with something that made her pulse skip. Something dark and dangerous.
And then it was gone.
He looked out the window. Ice clinked in his cup as he finished his drink. Night was seeping across the land, tiny lights twinkled below them, mirroring the stars above. “How’s the massage?” he asked.
She sighed and sank down further into the cushiony chair, closing her eyes and resting her head. Her feet, so tired from all the walking, felt alive again. If she had one of these chairs at home, she’d use it every night to work the kinks out of her back and neck. “Heaven. Pure heaven. You’re a good friend.”