“Jagger, stop. I’m sorry.” At the entry, he bounds in front of me to block the door. “Let me explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain.” I dig in the depths of my purse for my keys. My anger begins to fade, replaced by humiliation. “Everything you said last night was a bunch of bullshit.”
He leans against the door. “You’re overreacting because you care.”
“No.”
“Yes, you do. Admit it.” The smile slips from his face when he sees the dangerous glint in my eyes.
I lift my chin. “You say you want more from me than friendship, but you aren’t acting like it.”
“So, you’re considering it.” His head cocks to one side, considering my ultimatum. “Let me get rid of everyone so we can talk.” He lifts a hand in the air. “Wait here. I’ll be back. Don’t move. Promise me.”
“You’ve got one minute.” I check the time on my wristwatch. Sensing my irritation, Lucy wriggles until I set her down. She sniffs around the floor but stays close to my legs.
On bare feet, Cash bounds down the living room steps and outside to the patio. The music stops. I can’t hear his words, but the people begin to climb out of the pool, gather their belongings, and filter out the side gate. He’s back with twenty seconds to spare. Threading his fingers through mine, he pulls me into an office next to the foyer, drawing the pocket doors closed behind us. Lucy hops onto a loveseat, circles twice, then lies down with her paws tucked beneath her.
“Have a seat.” He nods toward one of the club chairs. “Let’s talk this out.”
I sit in the chair and smooth my palms over the skirt of my dress. I’m curious to hear what he has to say. “You start.”
He draws up a second chair to face me, takes a seat, and claims both of my hands in his. He presses a kiss to each one, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his thighs. “I want you here. More than anything. Those girls—they’re here for the other guys. Not for me. I don’t need anyone but you.”
I want to trust him, but I’ve been disappointed by men so many times before in my life. At the same time, I’m thrilled by his declaration. “Why should I believe you?”
“You don’t have to.” A gleam of triumph shines in his eyes. “I’ll prove it. Just admit that you’re considering being my girlfriend.”
“Maybe.” I know it’s crazy, but I’m curious for a taste of his life. I want his power and his wealth and his attention. And, God help me, I want to be the girl in his bed. His dark eyes capture and hold mine above our clasped hands. “Are you sleeping with her?”
“Not now. Not ever.” The pads of his thumbs brush over the backs of my fingers. “I know you’ve got no reason to believe me, but I’ve never lied to you, and I’m not lying now.”
Relief chips away at my insecurities. My heart wants to accept his words, but my head remains cautious. “You understand why I’m skeptical, don’t you?”
“I do, and I’d be disappointed if you weren’t.” He moves his thumb to my palm, rubbing in soothing circles. “I told you once that I’m a bad guy, and I am. But not when it comes to you. I want to be the guy who makes your dreams come true. Not the dick who breaks your heart. All I need is a chance to prove it.”
My pulse skips a beat. Every caress, every kiss to my fingers weakens my defenses. Am I being a fool? I exhale in an effort to maintain a clear head. “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I’m asking.” He straightens, drawing me to my feet as he stands. The promise in his smile stirs unbidden emotions, feelings I’ve denied for so long. He sweeps my hair over my shoulder. The gentle caress sends ripples of gooseflesh along my arm. “You’ve never seen the whole house. Let me show you around.”
Eight
Cash
The minute I saw Jagger’s face at poolside, I knew I had fucked up. She’s not like the women of my past. Girls who were intimidated by my job and money. Jagger doesn’t seem to be scared of anything. If I’m going to win her trust, I’ve got to change tactics. No more flirting with random ladies. No more late-night visits to the strip club. In reality, I gave those things up after my first visit to Mercer’s. There’s something about Jagger’s inner fire that speaks to my soul. Something that makes her unique. I don’t want anyone else.
In order to prove my sincerity, I’ve pulled out all the stops. When she gets to my bedroom, she’ll find white roses in crystal vases on every horizontal surface. High end cosmetics and toiletries stocked in the bathroom cabinets. Designer clothes fill the walk-in closet. A velvet dog bed and stainless steel food bowls for Lucy. I spent the day making sure her needs would be met. Gage thinks I’m rushing toward disaster, but I don’t care. Once I set my sights on a prize, I won’t rest until it belongs to me, and Jagger is the ultimate prize.
We tour the entire house from top to bottom. She’s silent as we pass the glossy wood shelves of the library and move on to the home theater with its buttery leather recliners, popcorn machine, and ticket booth. I want her to be impressed, but most of all, I want her to feel comfortable. She certainly looks like she belongs here, in her kitten heels and sweet pink dress. Our last stop is my bedroom. Putting her up in here is a bold move on my part. Especially after the incident with Violet at the pool. I’m counting on my charm to win her over.
At the end of the tour, I swing open the doors to my bedroom. She’s never been in here during the day. I step aside, allowing her to take in the plush white carpet, the balcony, and the stunning view of the lake. The scent of roses sweetens the air.
“This is your room.” She hesitates at the threshold.
“You’re welcome to stay in one of the guest rooms, if you want.” My breath catches as I wait for her to process the statement. “But I was hoping you’d stay in here with me.” I lean against the wall, pretending to be cool when I’m really on edge. “I’m happy to change anything that’s not to your liking.”
“No. It’s fine.” Her voice carries a nervous lilt. She walks into the center of the room. She might not realize it yet, but she belongs here. With me.
“I took the liberty of having a personal shopper bring some things over for you—in case you needed anything.” I clasp my hands behind my back and wait for a reaction.
She cocks her head, her dark eyes narrowing. I can’t tell if she’s pleased or confused or if I’ve gone too far. If only I could read her thoughts the way she seems to read mine. Her lips twist in a tiny smile. “You certainly are confident, Mr. Delacorte.”
“Not confident. Hopeful.” My fingers clench with the need to touch her. “I’ll have your suitcase brought up from the car. Why don’t you take a few minutes to relax and change into something more comfortable? We can have dinner by the pool, if you want. Or we can go out. Your choice. Come downstairs whenever you’re ready.” I close the doors between us, giving her privacy. If she’s going to stay, she needs to feel like this is her home and not a hotel. I’ve never been the kind of guy to crowd a girl. A good relationship needs occasional distance to keep the mystery alive. Especially when we both have secrets to keep.
I descend the stairs two at a time to the kitchen. Gage is seated on a barstool. Violet and her sister Kellie are strutting around in their string bikinis. They fall silent when I enter the room. I glower at them. “I thought I told you to go home.”
“I live here,” Gage replies and takes a long pull off his beer bottle. “Or have you forgotten?”
“Not you.” I turn my attention to Violet and Kellie. “Time to go, ladies.” Violet’s been overtly flirtatious for the past few weeks. Probably because she caught her husband in bed with another woman, and she’s looking to trade up. I’ve tolerated her advances out of sympathy for her situation, not wanting to crush her bruised self-esteem, but my relationship with Jagger takes precedent over everyone else.
“Are you sure? Don’t you guys get lonely in this big old house?” Kellie, the identical twin to Violet, bats long lashes at me.
“I do,” Gage replies. He pulls Kellie onto his lap
, making her squeal.
“What about you?” Violet slinks over to me and runs her fingers up my bare chest.
I catch her hand and gently push her away. “I’ve got everything I need waiting upstairs for me.”
“Who? That girl?” Her disdain is palpable. “She’s not your type.”
“Her name is Jagger, and you don’t know shit about what I like.” I don’t lose my temper often, but when I do, people take notice. Violet backs up a step. I take her chin in my hand, tilting her face up to mine so she can see the danger in my eyes. “You never disrespect her. Do you understand? And especially not in my house.”
“Yes.” Her complexion pales beneath her suntan. “Yes, I understand.”
“Great.” I release her and turn in time to see Jagger standing behind me. She’s changed into a pair of denim shorts and a loose white T-shirt. Damn. I have no idea how much or how little of the conversation she’s heard. “Jagger, these are the Brandon twins. You already know Gage.”
“Hey.” Gage nods at Jagger. “Welcome.”
“Hi,” Kellie says, removing an arm from Gage’s neck to shake hands with Jagger. “I’m Kellie.”
Violet offers her hand as well. “Hi, Jagger. I’m Violet. It’s so nice to meet you.” She tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I’m so sorry about earlier. I didn’t realize you guys were a thing.”
“It’s okay. We’re not—” Jagger stops abruptly when I slide an arm around her waist to pull her into my side.
I jerk my head at Gage. “Why don’t you take these ladies home? Or to the club—or wherever. On me.” I pass my credit card over to him. “I need some time alone with Jagger.”
“Done and done.” He stands, giving me a wink, then offers an elbow to each of the twins. “Ladies, our chariot awaits.” Over his shoulder, he calls out to me. “You kids have fun. Don’t wait up.”
Jagger hops onto Gage’s barstool and stares at me. Having her undivided attention is more intoxicating than the best whiskey. I rest my elbows on the counter in front of her, leaning forward until we’re face to face. “Did you find everything you needed?”
“Yep.” She rolls her lips together like she’s nervous. “You didn’t need to go to so much trouble. I didn’t want to put you out.”
“No trouble at all.”
“I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I figure things out.”
I try not to smirk. That’s what she thinks.
Nine
Jagger
Cash remains shirtless, wearing his boardshorts, hair mussed. Something about the sight of his bare feet on the white tile floor of the kitchen turns me on. It’s such a normal thing to do when he’s anything but normal. With a little imagination, he’s just a regular guy. Being with him renews my determination to forget our past conflicts and enjoy his company. Is that even possible? I have no idea if it can be done, but I want to try.
“The grill’s hot. You want a burger? A hotdog? Chicken? I have a cook come in once a week, and Gage keeps the cabinets full.” He opens the refrigerator to peruse the well-stocked shelves. “Name your poison.”
The house is quiet. I study the curve of his back, the twin columns of muscle on either side of his spine, the contrast between his broad shoulders and narrow hips. He glances back at me from over his shoulder, catching me in the act of admiring his body. If he notices, he doesn’t show it.
“A burger sounds nice. And a hotdog. I’m starving.” I hop off the stool to help him. “What can I do?”
“Potato chips are in the cabinet over there. Grab some buns while you’re at it. I’ll get the plates.”
My bare shoulder brushes his arm. An electric tingle travels along my nerve endings. We navigate around each other to place the items on a silver tray. I get the feeling he’s deliberately crowding my space, and I like it. I like knowing he wants to be near me.
Once the food is assembled, I sit on the edge of the pool with my feet in the water while Cash works the grill. The sun lowers in the sky, sending fiery streaks of orange and red across the water. A ski boat roars past. The waves lap at the shore below us. I lean back, close my eyes, and let the tension ebb from my body. A girl could get used to this.
“So how was work?” Cash asks between flipping burgers. The fire pops and sizzles with each turn of the meat, sending the delicious aromas of beef and charcoal through the air.
“It was slow. I closed up early and went to visit with Mr. Mercer.”
“Yeah? How’s he doing?”
“Better. He said you came to see him.” Through the veil of my lashes, I watch for his reaction.
“Yeah. I did.” His feet pad on the cement as he approaches then squats beside me. With his little finger, he sweeps the hair back from my face. “You care about him. And if he’s important to you, he’s important to me.”
Warmth rushes through me. I place a hand on the side of his face. The stubble of his cheeks tickles my palm. His lips curve into a smile, and I’m done for. No matter how hard I try to deny my feelings, I’m completely, one hundred percent, head over heels crazy about this man.
“Are you like this with all your girlfriends?” I’m struggling to understand who he is beneath his tough exterior.
“Callie’s the only girlfriend I ever had. And I was a different person back then. We both knew our relationship was temporary.” He takes both my hands in his and looks deep into my eyes. “I want you, Jagger. And I always get what I want. I want all of you. The good parts and the bad. I won’t stop trying to win you over. Even when you’re mine.”
His pretty words and my erratic emotions plunge me into a sea of confusion. Is this really the same man who threatened my life over my sister’s debt? The depth of my attraction to him scares me. “You make a convincing argument, but I’m not ready yet.”
“I know. It’s okay.” Disappointment flashes across his face then fades. He stands and walks back to the grill. “How do you like your hamburger? Well done?”
Under the shade of an oak tree, we eat, talk about the latest news, and relax. Lucy cavorts on the grass. We laugh at her attempts to catch a butterfly. He feeds her bits of hamburger from his plate. I have to admit, I like this side of him. We find common ground through a mutual love of baseball, even though we’re fans of opposing teams. After we’ve cleaned up the mess from our meal and loaded the dishwasher, we take a quiet walk on a path along the shoreline. His fingers thread through mine. I feel small and feminine next to his overpowering masculinity. Most importantly, I feel safe.
“It’s really nice here,” I say, to fill a lull in the conversation.
“I like this location a lot more than I expected.” He releases my hand to lean against the railing of a scenic overlook. The scents of lake water and a nearby cluster of pink flowers waft on the evening breeze. “My lease here is up next spring. I’ll be sad to leave.”
“Oh.” A shiver of disappointment tempers the summer heat. I forgot this isn’t his real home. Sooner or later, he’ll go back to Chicago. I try to push aside the ache in my gut. “Where do you live when you’re not here?”
“Got a couple different places. An apartment in Chicago, a condo in Detroit, a farm in Kentucky.”
“Wait? What?” Laughter bubbles out of me. “A farm? You don’t strike me as the country type.”
His smile widens, making him look much younger. “Because you don’t know me, Jagger. Not yet, but you will.” Two strides close the gap between us. He skims his palms along my bare arms. “It’s a horse farm. A business and a great place to get away from everything. I’ll take you there sometime.”
“I’d like that.” His invitation means we have a future, one that I can picture for myself.
We walk in silence for a distance. Lucy begins to lag behind. Cash picks her up and carries her beneath one arm. A boat cruises past, stirring up waves that break along the shore.
“I met with Loretta.”
“Yeah? How did that go?” Every time he casts a sideways glance at me, my tummy fl
utters.
“Good. We’re all set to start again, except—” This seems like the perfect time to bring up Loretta’s problem. “I need a favor. Do you think you could help me?”
“Maybe. Depends on what I’m gonna get in return?” At the mischievous twist of his lips, my breasts ache for his touch. This is the Cash who melts my heart.
“I’m willing to negotiate the terms.” I smile back at him.
“You know I don’t negotiate.” His grip tightens on my hand as he helps me up a series of concrete steps to the next level of the boardwalk.
“Maybe it’s time you started.” The sound of his boyish laughter quickens my breath. When he’s relaxed, like he is now, his attractiveness increases exponentially.
He kisses the back of my hand. “I’ll consider it. What’s your request?”
I give him the highlights of Loretta’s situation. He listens to the end of my story then nods. “No promises, but I’ll put one of my guys on it.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” The darkness in his eyes is more thrilling than the exquisite sunset. I have no doubt that he’ll extract payment for the favor through sex, and I can’t wait to pay the price.
When we return to the house, I have a text message on my phone. I read through the words and frown.
“Bad news?” He sinks onto the sofa. Lucy leaps into his lap, her tail wagging furiously.
“Em. She’s calling off work tomorrow. She hasn’t missed a day of work in two years.” I sit beside them, tucking a foot beneath me. “I don’t know how to make this better.”
“Figure out what she wants and make her an offer she can’t refuse.” His long legs stretch out in front of him. He grabs the remote from the coffee table and clicks on the TV. Lucy bounces between us, poking her tiny muzzle into my face, jealous of his arm around my shoulders. “Always seems to work for me.”
Absolute Trust Page 5
