by Hayden Wolfe
Jack sighed. He slumped over his hand, then discarded the useless cards. “Blaine played her violin for me today.”
Wyn grimaced. “Is she that bad?”
“No.” Jack snorted. “She’s fucking amazing.”
“And?” Levi’s confused glower fit the comment Jack had made.
“Eliot…that guy she brought to the wedding.” Jack slid the card Wyn dealt him closer but didn’t lift it. “He’s not a lover or anything. He’s a conductor. Of an orchestra.” Jack added at the confused looks on his brothers’ faces. “Eliot’s trying to get Blaine to give up her singing and join this charity orchestra tour thing he’s planning.”
Wyn grunted. “That’d be foolish. She’s got quite a following in Russia, according to Iona. Boatloads of money. Branded merchandise. Fans who’ll camp out in front of her house waiting to catch her when she leaves. Fanatics, you know the type.” Wyn waved off the comment as if Jack knew the hassles of being famous. “Anyway…she’s got a damn sweet life set up for herself. Why would she leave it?”
Jack had watched her videos. He might not have understood a word she’d said, but he’d felt everything she’d sung. She was good, exactly as Wyn suggested. “Blaine’s even better with her violin.”
“A violin?” Levi shook his head. “Nerdy kids and awkward adults play violin.”
Jack snorted. Before watching Blaine move in an erotic dance that matched the music she’d played, he might’ve agreed. “I’m telling you, she’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. With a little more confidence, she’d become a world-known name. Playing in this orchestra would give it to her. I believe that, but she won’t hear it, especially from me.”
“’Cause you’re only the guy she’s fucking.” Wyn voiced the truth that was bugging Jack.
“Yeah. And she’d be foolish to give up her singing based on my opinion.” Jack traced the edge of the card in front of him. “But she should. I know it. She’d soar if she got the chance.”
“And playing her violin for Eliot will give her the opportunity?” Levi asked.
“No. Not exactly.” Jack shook his head. “But this tour would open the door for her. Get her name associated with her violining. Make her realize how good she really is.”
“Do you even know what good violining sounds like?” Levi frowned. “’Cause I wouldn’t.”
“No.” Jack didn’t even know if “violining” was a proper word. “But I know what I felt listening to Blaine. Watching her.”
“And that was?” Wyn prompted.
Jack turned over his card. An ace of hearts stared at him. He shoved his pile of chips to the center of the table. Curses from both Levi and Wyn met his move. He waited for them to make their bids, then spread his winning hand on the table. “Heaven.”
Both his brothers tossed the cards, conceding the game. Jack swept the chips into his pile, but the win didn’t excite him the way it normally did. Thoughts of Blaine and her music consumed him. He wanted her to realize the same thing he had.
Blaine had followed the wrong path in life. Happiness awaited her. She just needed to seize it before the opportunity slipped away.
Chapter 13
Saying a grateful prayer for technology, Blaine turned off the GPS and killed the engine. Her destination sat across the street.
She locked the car, then stood on the sidewalk and studied this section of town. Sullivan’s Pub sat tucked between two decrepit storefronts. A piece of cardboard displaying the words “4 sale” hung by a single piece of duct tape in the window of the building to the right, and a clothing store that still had snowsuits and mittens on display occupied the building on the left.
Blaine scrunched her nose, then focused on the sign for the university visible at the end of the road. She’d driven by the well-maintained and impressive campus. The AI voice that had led Blaine to Jack’s pub had offered up the basic details when she’d prompted it.
The private university had been preparing ethical leaders in a wide range of professions for positions across the globe for close to two centuries. Enrollment was up, and the moderate price tag attached to tuition ensured students wouldn’t be dumping all their money into their education. They’d have funds to spare.
Tapping a single finger to her mouth, Blaine slid her gaze to Jack’s place of business. Demolishing those buildings next to it would offer plenty of room to expand.
“Hey, I saw you standing out here. Are you lost?”
Blaine jerked her head to meet Brenna’s eyes. The pretty redhead who’d danced with Jack at the wedding stood under a sign for Sugar and Spice. An apron covered her loose skirt, and a logo for the shop behind her stood out against her white top.
“No. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.” Blaine glanced from the logo to the sign above Brenna. “Do you work here?”
With pride on her face, Brenna looked at the sign. “Work here and own it.”
Blaine peeked into the windows. Several tables occupied the section of the shop visible through the panes of glass. All but one table had customers enjoying a late-afternoon snack. “It looks lovely. And quite busy.”
“Thank you.” Brenna beamed. “The café section has only been open a few days, so we’ll see, but so far, it does seem to be quite popular. I’m glad I took Jack’s advice. I think it really made a difference.”
“What advice was that?”
“On decorating.” Brenna’s cheeks took on a pink tint. “I’d planned on something bright and fun to match the bakery section. He convinced me to go with darker colors and trendy décor to draw a different set of customers than who’d buy my baked goods.”
Blaine stepped closer to the building. In addition to the tables in the center and by the windows, deep-cushioned love seats and a round couch large enough for several people to share took up the back of the café. “He’s right. The university’s students will love it. You’ll have young people gathering here to study.”
“And drink coffee and eat snacks.” Brenna laughed. “I owe Jack big-time for this. I have no idea how I’m going to repay him.”
“For decorating advice?” A simple thank-you should’ve been enough. At least in Blaine’s opinion.
“For being the best friend ever. He dropped everything for me last week to paint and set this place up. Even missed out on dinner at his parents’ house. And Jack loves his mother’s cooking.”
Blaine’s smile likely appeared too smug for this moment. She couldn’t help it. Getting the confirmation Brenna wasn’t Jack’s lover satisfied her on a very primitive level. Guess Blaine’s jealousy toward Jack was more severe than she’d assumed. Good thing she was leaving. Possessive thoughts toward men were dangerous. “So you aren’t involved with Jack?”
“No. We’re only friends.” Brenna shook her head on a laugh. “One fake relationship was enough, thank you very much. I have no desire to add another loveless partnership to the list of my life’s mistakes.”
Brenna’s statement stirred a wealth of questions. With only two more days left in Sander’s Valley, Blaine didn’t have time to indulge her curiosity. Better she focus on what she had to accomplish before catching her flight home.
“I can’t say I blame you.” Blaine glanced at Sullivan’s Pub. She still hadn’t quite decided how to say goodbye. Or even if their short fling necessitated a goodbye. She only knew she needed to see Jack’s smile once more before she left. “Have you seen Jack around?”
“For a few seconds. His head waitress was in a car accident this morning, and last night, he had another waitress quit. He’s swamped.”
Which explained why her calls went directly to voicemail. The considerate thing to do would be to leave. Her silly need to see him smile wasn’t enough of a reason to bother him.
She bit her lip. Then shrugged. The idea teasing her mind was a crazy one. But why not? How hard could waitressing be? She’d had more people wait on her than she could count. They took orders. They delivered orders. Simple.
“Thanks, Brenna.”
Blaine glanced over her shoulder. “And I hope your café does wonderfully.”
Brenna inclined her head, but Blaine didn’t wait to exchange more pleasantries. She hurried across the street and slipped into the pub where she’d met the rude American who’d turned into quite an adventure. Too bad it had to end. Such was life, though.
A sultry blues instrumental played. The music slipped around her, a loving caress that brought a smile to her lips. Jack had an ear for music. No doubt about it.
With a tight white T-shirt stretched over his chest and a rag tucked into the front pocket of his jeans, Jack should’ve passed for an average American man. The combination of ruggedness and gentle protectiveness that surrounded him, along with that incredible body she could still feel pressed against hers when she closed her eyes, set him apart.
Blaine stepped to the side so as not to block the door and studied Jack, letting his image burn itself into her mind. Those jeans he’d worn drew her eye to his firm ass. The memory of his flexing muscles as he pounded into her left her mouth dry.
She licked her lips, the bottom then the top. When he’d done so, the brush of his beard had sensitized her, leaving her skin tingling. It would’ve been nice if he’d buried his face between her legs. That memory could’ve been one she treasured for years to come.
Jack lifted a tray of foamy mugs. His gaze snagged hers. A slow, lazy smile spread over his face. Her heart raced with an immediate punch of satisfaction and need.
She matched his grin. He dipped his head slightly, then continued walking to a table in the back.
Her shoulders slumped without his attention on her, but the rushing of her blood in her ears didn’t ease. The warmth spreading through her didn’t either. One look and Jack had made her come alive.
He was dangerous. Good thing she was leaving early. Memories were one thing. Addictions were another, and Blaine would never plan her life around a man. She would, however, arrange her next thirty hours around him. No sense wasting the pack of condoms she’d picked up before getting Eliot’s call this afternoon.
Blaine went to her unexpected lover, meeting Jack at the bar the same time he set his empty tray on the surface. “Hey, handsome.”
His heated perusal set her on fire. If there weren’t so many people here, she would’ve thrown herself into his arms.
“Hey, angel.” Jack wiped his hands on the towel in his pants and stroked his fingers over the back of her hand, a light touch that sent shivers of awareness through her.
“Is that my nickname now?” Because she liked it, especially coming out of this rough American’s mouth.
He inclined his head once while his gaze mapped her face. The warmth faded from his expression. A careful look settled in his eyes. “Something wrong?”
The defensive man who’d grilled her on her first night in this valley had just turned his protectiveness on her. Grinning, she glanced at where his strong fingers lingered on the back of her hand. “No. I just stopped to see you.”
“Then why the tense look?”
His intuitiveness would impress Avery…if they ever crossed paths. It would never happen, but she’d guess they’d get along well. They both acted as if they’d take on the world for her.
“I ran into Brenna outside. She mentioned one of your waitresses quit last night and another was in a car accident this morning. That you’re swamped.”
Jack studied her as if he didn’t quite understand where her comment was going. “Yeah. Tina’s fine but needs to deal with the insurance company, rentals, stuff like that. And I was expecting Olivia’s resignation. She wasn’t cut out for waitressing.”
“Not cut out for waitressing?” Blaine snorted. “It’s probably the easiest job in the world.”
Jack gave her the smile she’d been craving. “Whoever told you that lied to you. Waitressing is hard work.”
She waved his comment off. “You take orders. You deliver orders. That’s not hard work. Even I can do it.”
Jack’s laugh warmed her. “You think?”
“Uh-huh.” Blaine nodded, her sincerest expression on her face. “In fact, I can help you tonight if you need it. I don’t have anything else planned.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.” Her amused look didn’t match the word. It was the best she could do. Proving Jack wrong would be fun.
Jack gave her a sideways glance, then turned his back on her and pulled a couple of glasses off the shelf. He mixed the drinks, set them on a clean tray, and handed her an apron. Then he motioned to the back of the bar. “See that couple in the back. One guy wearing a polo, the other guy with a black T-shirt?”
“Yes.” With their heads close, bodies angled to each other, and smiles on their faces, they reminded her of how Iona and Wyn looked in this same bar. As if nobody else had any chance of invading their happiness. “I see them.”
“Take these to them, then get the order of the older couple on their right.”
Blaine donned the apron and slid the notepad and pen in the front pocket. She was really going to do this. It’d be a great story to tell the next time she was searching for topic for small talk. “Okay.”
She reached for the tray. Jack dropped his hand on it. “First, tell me the real reason you looked so tense a couple of minutes ago.”
“I did.”
“You lied.” Jack bent closer to her. “Tell me the truth.”
“I did not lie.” She was concerned about Jack being swamped at work. Impressions mattered. Bad service might stop a customer from returning. And Jack deserved to succeed.
“I can see through you.” Jack’s carefully enunciated words brought a smile to her face. “You latched on to something plausible right at the last second to hide your real reason. That’s the same thing as lying in my book.”
“Yeah?” She raised a brow. “How exactly did you come to that conclusion?”
Jack tipped her chin up. “Saw it in your eyes. Now tell me the truth. Something’s bothering you. What is it?”
While she had every intention of telling Jack about her plans, this moment was too good to pass up. Jack’s protectiveness—directed at her—sent a thrill through her. “Why? Will you fix whatever it is that’s bothering me?”
“In a heartbeat.” Not even a second’s hesitation.
Instead of exciting her, Jack’s response left a sick feeling in her gut. She didn’t want to hurt Jack when she left. His reaction made her wonder if she’d somehow become more than a fling. Then again, maybe not. Iona was the type of friend who shared her friends’ pain. If something happened to Blaine, Iona would suffer too, and if Iona was upset, Wyn would be too. Jack wouldn’t stand for that. Yes, this explanation made better sense.
“That’s good to know, but this isn’t something that needs fixing.”
“What, then?” Jack’s narrowed eyes spoke of his confusion.
“I was trying to figure out how to say goodbye.” She bit her lip and debated whether this instance called for total honesty or the fake response she’d give a stranger. She opened her mouth and let her heart speak. “Or if a goodbye even fits our situation.”
“Goodbye.” Jack glanced at the tray for a brief moment before meeting her eyes. “Don’t you plan on seeing me over the next couple of weeks?”
“Wyn is driving me to the airport tomorrow night. My flight leaves at eleven.”
Jack licked his lips, then cleared his throat. “I thought you were staying longer. What changed?”
“Eliot called my brother and offered up Alex’s services until Avery’s fully recovered.” Which wouldn’t be soon enough. The doctors were telling Avery he’d have months of physical therapy until he was back to one hundred percent. Months where she’d be stuck with a bodyguard who stood too close to her. And talked way too much about what Eliot wanted.
“And your brother’s okay with this?” Jack crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes. “He checked Alex’s clearances and everything?”
“Alex has worked
for Eliot for years, Jack. Before that, he was in a special forces unit with the Royal Guard. He’s good at what he does.”
“But Alex is only a bodyguard when Eliot is in England. How often is that?”
“Often enough.” And Blaine didn’t want to argue with Jack or play twenty questions. She wanted happy memories of her night of waitressing. She lifted the tray. “I really should get these drinks delivered. Customers should not be kept waiting. Right?”
“Right.” Jack snagged her apron before she could walk away. “But you’re mine until you get on your flight.”
“No need to drive me. Wyn already offered.”
“You’re mine until you get on your flight.” Jack repeated his words.
Blaine turned, forcing Jack to either let go or pull the apron off. “Then don’t wear yourself out. I have plans for you.”
The hunger in his eyes matched the need building within her. She couldn’t wait until the last customer left tonight. She’d never had sex on a bar table before.
Chapter 14
The woman at his bar with her head resting on her folded arms drew him as no other had. Jack glanced from Blaine’s closed eyes to her feet. One canvas shoe sat on the floor with a bunched sock shoved inside the opening. Tangled knotted laces dangled from her other shoe still on her foot, a battle she’d obviously decided not to fight.
Jack focused on the slow, even breaths that lifted her chest. She’d fallen asleep in the ten minutes it had taken him to lock up the register and see his employees to their cars.
He went to Blaine and laid a hand on her back. “Angel, time to wake up.”
Blaine made an annoyed sound. Her eyelids fluttered before opening. “I’m not sleeping.”
“Just resting, right?”
“Mm-hmm.” She grinned. Her eyes closed again. “Come back tomorrow morning. I should be done resting by then.”