“What’s the matter?” Katie queried.
“A bit of sunburn.”
Marcus said, “Have you got something for it here?”
“Yes, calamine,” Jenna said.
“Get Katie to help you.” He turned to his sister. “She needs someone to do her back.”
Katie did it for her before they went to bed, and again the following morning. Marcus phoned Jenna in the evening. “How’s the burn?”
“Settling down nicely. It was worth it.
“He laughed. “Want to try it again?”
“Sunburn?” she parried.
“You know what I mean.”
“Sailing?”
“Not necessarily.”
When she didn’t answer, he said with slight impatience, “A date, Jenna.”
He hadn’t used the word before.
“What did you have in mind?”
“If you’re free we could go to a movie tomorrow evening.” He paused. “Bring Katie along if you like.”
Katie, who had handed the phone to her when Marcus asked for Jenna, gave her a surprised look when she relayed the invitation.
“I forgot to tell you. Dean and Callie are coming over,” she said. “Dean’s got another job interview, and Callie’s going to look for a place for them to live in the city, so they’re coming for dinner afterward. But there’s no reason you shouldn’t go,” she added. “Have a good time.”
When Marcus brought her home after the film, he glanced at the familiar car parked in front of his, and said, “Do you want me to come in with you?”
“I’m sure Dean and Callie would like to see you.” She waited for him to close the door. “Did you know they were going to be here tonight?”
“Should I have?” His hand at her waist urged her toward the flat.
“I just wondered,” she said, “if you’d invited me out tonight to be kind.”
They stopped on the porch. It was dark, the street-light not reaching there. “I asked you out because I wanted to spend time with you!” he said rather forcefully. “I hope you accepted for the same reason.”
“Of course I did,” she said quickly. “I mean, I enjoy doing things with you, Marcus.”
“I’m glad to hear that. And it’s mutual. So…let’s have no more of this stuff about you being some kind of personal charity of mine.”
Inside the flat Dean had his arm about Callie on the sofa, while Katie sprawled across one of the big old armchairs.
The greetings over, Jenna poured coffee for herself and Marcus. He gave the other chair to her before perching on the wide arm, his hand resting behind her.
“How was the job interview?” Jenna asked Dean.
“I think it’s in the bag.” He looked pleased with himself. “And Callie found a great apartment today. If I get this job we can afford the rent.”
Katie said, “Have you set a wedding date?”
“Not yet.” Dean glanced at his fiancée. “Callie wants her parents here for it.”
Marcus looked from him to Callie. “Of course she does.”
“There’s no hurry,” Callie said.
They chatted for a while, and then Dean made a reluctant move. Marcus got up too, and as they were leaving Callie said brightly, “Why don’t we all go out together sometime? The five of us.”
Dean and Katie agreed in chorus, “Good idea.” Marcus lifted an eyebrow at Jenna.
She managed a smile. “That sounds like fun.”
“Marcus?” Katie turned to him.
“We’d enjoy that.” Casually he hooked his arm about Jenna.
She saw Dean’s look of surprise, and Katie’s eyes flicking from her to Marcus.
“Dean?” Callie prompted.
“Sure.” He dragged his eyes from his brother.
Marcus loosened his hold and kissed Jenna quickly on her mouth. “Good night.” His wave included Katie before he turned away to follow the other two out.
When Katie shut the door and turned, obviously bursting with curiosity, Jenna shrugged and answered the unspoken question. “We’re…friends. I suppose we’re sort of dating,” she mumbled.
“What happened on that yachting weekend?” Katie demanded.
“Nothing! Honestly.”
Katie looked fascinated. “You know, I sometimes thought Marcus kind of fancied you, after he came back from overseas. He used to look at you a lot when he thought no one was watching. But I asked him once, and he just laughed and reminded me you were the same age as me, as if it had never crossed his mind that you weren’t his sister. And you never said anything…you would have, wouldn’t you? I mean, if he’d made a move…”
“He didn’t. We’re friends,” Jenna repeated. That was what he’d said, wasn’t it? That she needed a friend.
“Sure.” Katie was unconvinced. “Okay.”
They all celebrated Dean’s job acceptance with dinner at a Turkish restaurant that Katie had discovered when she was dating her last boyfriend.
Instead of chairs, they were seated on a low, curved divan. Katie and Callie giggled as they arranged themselves against the piled silk and velvet cushions, and Callie pulled Dean down beside her. “This is wonderful,” she said. “So-o over the top.”
“They have belly dancers later,” Katie told her. “The men will enjoy that.”
They ordered exotic dishes and shared, sampling each other’s and making recommendations.
Marcus offered Jenna something dark and prune-like, holding it by one end between his thumb and forefinger.
“What is it?”
“I’ve no idea, but it’s good. Maybe a fig?” He slipped it between her lips and it was, as he’d said, very good, sweet and syrupy. Marcus watched her, and unexpectedly reached out and ran his thumb over her lower lip, leaving a trace of the syrup before he withdrew.
Instinctively Jenna licked at the sticky sweetness. Her eyes locked with his, and a jolt of sexual awareness coursed through her, leaving her breathless and dizzy.
Marcus’s eyes had darkened, and she could see a tiny muscle twitch near his jaw. Then he smiled and, without taking his eyes from her, snaked his arm along the padded back of the couch, letting it lie there, his fingers just touching her shoulder.
“Nice?” he said softly.
Jenna couldn’t speak, managing a jerky nod instead, and some sort of smile. That light touch scorched. She couldn’t recall ever being so acutely aware of another human being. When his thigh brushed against hers she bit down hard on her lip.
This is Marcus, she said to herself, dazed. Marcus. She’d never felt like this about him—about anyone, even Dean.
He’d already turned away, finding another delicacy to tempt her with. This time she forced herself to laugh and shake her head. “I’ll feed myself, thanks. I feel decadent enough as it is.”
Marcus slanted her a smile. A knowing smile, as if he knew what he’d done to her. He turned to the table but didn’t take away his arm, and when the lights dimmed and a burst of music announced that the dancers were about to begin, he sank back on the cushions and closed his hand over her shoulder, bringing her into the curve of his arm.
She glanced at him a couple of times while three women in their glitter and draperies gyrated and twisted and twirled. When one of them caught his eye and danced closer, her stomach muscles rippling amazingly, he gave her a coolly amused smile. But most of the time he watched with detached interest. Katie and Callie were both teasing Dean, whispering comments while he pretended drooling fascination.
Afterward Marcus took Jenna and Katie home, declining Katie’s invitation to come in. She nipped inside, leaving the door almost closed, and Marcus gave a low laugh. “My little sister trying to be tactful.”
“I told her we’re just friends.” Jenna was flustered.
“Did you, now?”
“You said…”
“I know what I said.” He put a hand on her arm and made her face him. “But one day,” he said with deliberation, “I intend to make love to you, Je
nna.”
Her breath stopped. The change of pace was too sudden. “You’re taking a lot for granted, aren’t you?” She’d stepped on a nice safe merry-go-round, and it had turned into a switchback railway. Hearing the panic in her tone, she brought it down half an octave. “I never said I’d sleep with you! I don’t know if I want to!”
“There’s no rush.” He moved his hand to tip her chin and make her look at him. “What’s the problem?”
“One step at a time,” she reminded him frantically.
He looked at her consideringly. “Yes. Which implies moving forward. I’m a patient man, Jenna. More so than you know, but I won’t mark time forever. Living on hopes and dreams isn’t my style.”
Without waiting for a reply he pressed his lips briefly to hers, and then he was gone.
Katie had a new boyfriend. When Dean and Callie moved into their flat and threw a housewarming party, Jason drove the two girls along to it, although Marcus had offered.
He was there, of course, and so were his parents. Jenna knew most of the people present and was able to give a passable imitation of enjoying herself.
The guests milled about in every room and on the small deck and lawn outside, and some were dancing in the living room, which was almost devoid of furniture. Dean and Callie still had to get around to acquiring some.
Halfway through the evening, while Jenna was chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Crossan and Marcus had gone to get drinks for the two women, the phone rang and Callie disappeared into the bedroom to talk with her parents.
Dean, his eyes bright and cheeks flushed, appeared at Jenna’s side. “My fiancée’s deserted me temporarily,” he said. “Dance with me, Jenna.”
Giving her no chance to refuse, he put his arm about her and urged her in among the dancers. “Enjoying yourself?” he asked her.
Jenna smiled widely. “It’s a great party.” The other guests obviously thought so.
“What gives with you and old Marc?”
“What’s Katie been telling you?”
His grin teased. “She thinks there’s something going on.”
“What’s it to you?” she asked involuntarily.
He grinned. “I guess I just want everyone I love to be as happy as I am.”
Jenna made her voice sound light. “That’s nice.”
“I’m a nice guy,” he said modestly, and moved in, twirling her exuberantly, retaining his hold on her hand when they faced each other again. “Aren’t I?”
He was, she knew that. Blind to a lot of things, but nice. He deserved his happiness. For the first time she felt genuinely glad for him, a rush of affection burying her hurt. “You’re really in love with Callie, aren’t you?”
Foolish question, but Dean didn’t seem to mind. “I’m crazy for her,” he said simply. He put his hands on Jenna’s waist, moving gently to the music. Suddenly sober, he said, “Thank you, Jenna, for sending me to America.”
Jenna blinked. “Me? Sending you?”
“You were right, it was too good a chance to pass up. Not that I ever thought I’d meet someone like Callie.” He gave her a lopsided, almost embarrassed smile. “Remember when we were kids and we said we’d marry each other?”
A lump in her throat, Jenna nodded.
“You were the first girl I ever kissed.”
“You were the first boy…”
“Yeah, I know. Y’know, while we were at university I wondered sometimes if we’d end up together after all. But…obviously you weren’t thinking along the same lines.”
Jenna’s mouth opened. “O-obviously?”
“You were dead keen for me to take the scholarship. Well,” he added as if it were self-evident, “you’d never have let me go away for four years if you were serious about me.” He grinned again. “I can hardly bear to be without Callie for four minutes!”
An exaggeration, she was sure, but when Callie emerged from the bedroom a few minutes later looking pink-eyed, Dean excused himself, went straight to her and gave her a hug.
Still dazed from the irony of his revelations, Jenna rejoined the elder Crossans. Marcus handed over the drink he’d fetched for her, and for the rest of the evening stayed at her side. Around midnight, after his parents had departed, he suggested, “I’ll drive you home whenever you’re ready. Katie looks as though she’s happy to stay on until dawn.”
Katie was energetically dancing with her handsome, laughing partner. Watching them, Marcus said, “What do you think of this guy Jason?”
“He seems nice. They have the same sense of humor, but they hardly know each other yet. He was nervous about meeting her family.” They’d been joking about it in the car.
“Are we so formidable?” Marcus looked across the room at his parents.
“You are,” Jenna said involuntarily. “I think as kids the twins and I were more afraid of you than we were of your parents.”
He looked at her with skepticism. “I never lifted a finger to any of you.”
She shook her head. “No, only you were bigger and…somehow you always seemed…”
“Bossy?” he suggested wryly.
Jenna laughed. “I know we said so. You felt responsible for us, didn’t you? Protective.”
“You were so much younger.” He looked rueful.
“But we’re all adults now.” She looked again at Katie.
Marcus did too, and then back at Jenna, his gaze disconcertingly level.
Something about that straight look disturbed her equilibrium. Her eyelids fluttered, and she had to make an effort to meet his gaze.
“That’s what I’m hoping.” Marcus lifted the glass in his hand and tossed off his drink. She was already holding an empty glass. “Let’s dance,” he said abruptly, taking her glass to deposit it with his on the nearest flat surface.
Someone had turned up the volume on the stereo system, and the noise level had risen to where people having a conversation had to stand close or shout above the music to be heard.
But as he took her hand to lead her in among the couples wiggling their hips and stamping their feet in the center of the room, the track came to an end and was replaced by a slow, dreamy number.
A few people stopped dancing and went to refresh their drinks, but the others wrapped their arms about each other and began swaying to the new rhythm.
Marcus’s arms came about her, and automatically she rested her hands on his shoulders. She lifted her face and found him looking at her almost somberly, his eyes very dark and enigmatic.
They stared at each other for a long moment, swaying in time to the music, their feet hardly moving. Then he shifted his grip and brought her closer, his hands sliding to her hips, his shaven cheek rasping gently at the tender skin of her temple.
She wondered if he could feel the hurrying pulse there, and if her scent was as alluring to him as his was to her. He smelled male and exciting, under the soap and clean clothing.
When the music picked up a faster beat and the other couples broke apart, he didn’t release her. Instead he said in her ear, “Shall I take you home?”
A rush of panic made her stiffen. She pulled away, not looking at him. “If you’ve had enough of the party I’d appreciate a lift, thanks.”
Coward, sneered a tiny voice inside her head. She tried to ignore it.
“Fine,” Marcus said, his voice clipped. When she dared peek at him his face was rigidly controlled.
Outside it was cooler. She had worn a thin dress, and she hugged herself as they hurried to Marcus’s car.
“Didn’t you bring a jacket?” he asked her.
“I didn’t think it would turn cold. I’m all right, it’s warmer in the car.”
It was only a ten-minute drive, and he didn’t speak again until he drew up at the flat and accompanied her to the door.
He followed her into darkness, and she fumbled for the hall light and switched it on while he closed the door. “It’s late,” she said.
“Not too late.” As she started down the passageway his han
d on her arm stopped her, turned her to face him. “What are you scared of?”
“I’m not scared.”
Marcus gave a short, unexpected laugh. “What you always declared when Dean dared you to do some silly, dangerous prank. I’m surprised you survived childhood.” He paused, but she was staring stubbornly at the open neck of his casual shirt.
“Look at me, Jenna.”
She pulled a careful breath in through her nose and looked up into his eyes. They were steady and searching and stern.
Jenna swallowed, and when she spoke her voice came out husky. “What do you want, Marcus?”
His lips curved very slightly. “If you’re really an adult, not a little girl any longer, surely you know.”
She felt her eyes go wider at his blunt challenge. But she didn’t trust her own reactions to him. They were too new, and too disturbing. Surely unreal. “A woman who’s been in love with a man for years can’t just not be in a matter of weeks, even if she’s…in lust with someone else.” She might as well admit it. He must know, anyway.
“In lust?” His tone was peculiar. “Is that what you call it?”
Pulling away from him, she said, “You’re an attractive man, Marcus, you must know that.”
“Thank you. Then why do I hear a but coming?”
Difficult to express her conflicted feelings of physical fascination and emotional rejection, her muddled thoughts. “You’re the nearest I’ve ever had to an elder brother.”
“I’m not your brother!”
He’d stepped out of the role, and it unsettled her.
Until recently she had known what place each of the Crossans held in her life, and where she stood in theirs. Since Dean had brought Callie home, all those relationships had radically altered. Jenna no longer held the position in his heart that she had always imagined. Katie was growing closer to her future sister-in-law, with the inevitable consequence that Jenna sometimes felt left out. Jenna herself had withdrawn from the family circle to some extent, not being a natural masochist. And now Marcus wanted to be her lover.
“Everything’s changing,” she muttered, reluctant to admit how much it frightened her, throwing her back into childhood nightmares where people she loved abruptly disappeared or turned away from her, and familiarity turned to strangeness and loss.
Marrying Marcus Page 7
