Her eyes widened with shock. “I’m so sorry. That must be difficult.”
“It is, yeah. But even more difficult to handle was my dad’s infidelity. He cheated on her and I hated him.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. “What I didn’t realize was that she knew the whole time. She actually encouraged him to do it. I’ve hated my father for years because I thought he was lying to my mom. That he was making a fool out of her by cheating on her. But she knew. I guess I’m still having a hard time processing everything because I feel like they’ve both lied to me.”
She had a hard time swallowing, knowing she was lying to him every day she didn’t tell him who she really was. “That’s a lot for a teenager to process. I can’t imagine your dad would hold your attitude against you.”
“Yeah, that’s the thing. He doesn’t. And I’ve treated him like shit for so long, I don’t know any other way to treat him. I don’t know how to fix this.”
“Maybe you don’t have to fix it. Maybe you just have to accept him for who he is, put it all aside, and move on. Forgive him and forgive yourself at the same time.”
There was that smile again, the one that made her knees melt. “Beautiful and smart. Do you know how sexy that is?”
Her own smile broke free, even though the little voice in her head kept battering at her, telling her over and over that she, too, was lying to him.
“I’m glad your mom’s feeling better.”
“So am I. Now, what did you have planned today?”
“Where are we off to?” Annabelle asked as Jared slipped into the driver’s seat of his car.
Jared twisted the key and the car hummed to life. “I thought we’d just drive around so I can get the lay of the land. There’re a couple of properties I’d like to look at but mainly I just want to look around.”
“Then you might want to head out Route 568,” she suggested. “There’s some nice country out there.”
As they drove off, Annabelle let her mind drift. She’d planned to spend the day digging through the Internet for Beatrice’s missing ring. She’d start her search by contacting auction houses and antique jewelry dealers in the tri-state area to see if they remembered seeing or selling the ring at any point.
Beatrice had said the police made a thorough investigation at the time of the robbery. She’d also hired someone to search for the pieces every five years after they’d been stolen until about fifteen years ago, when she’d given up on ever seeing them again.
If the ring was out there, it could be hiding in another box of costume jewelry or buried in someone’s jewelry box. Or safe deposit box.
She’d have to go through her grandfather’s records and see if she could come up with a name or a receipt for the pin, though she didn’t hold out much hope there. If her grandfather had bought a box full of what he’d thought was costume jewelry, he’d probably paid cash and hadn’t gotten a receipt.
Beatrice had promised to email a picture of the ring this morning, though she hadn’t had time to check. Jared’s grandmother had asked her not to say anything to Jared about their arrangement and Annabelle had agreed, mostly because it’d seemed an innocuous request. Maybe Beatrice wanted to surprise her grandsons with the pieces. Annabelle was determined to give the pin back to her as well, even if she didn’t find the ring. It really did belong with her family.
She let her gaze land on Jared. Beatrice had said the pieces united soul mates.
Which was pure fairy tale.
Jared was not her soul mate.
Neither of them was looking for happily ever after. Nothing had changed since she’d first met him.
Just because her pulse leaped in anticipation every time he touched her, it didn’t mean it was love. It wasn’t love. Just pure old-fashioned lust. It could never be more. She couldn’t imagine the scrutiny she’d be under if she and Jared…What? Got married?
She huffed. Was she crazy? She wasn’t thinking about marriage. She’d flat out told him she wasn’t in the market for marriage. And she’d told Kate she was going to break off their personal relationship.
Look how well that worked out.
So had she changed her mind?
No, of course not. They could work together but mind-blowing sex did not make for a stable marriage.
No, but great passion did.
“Hey, you’re not falling asleep on me over there, are you?”
Jared laid a hand on her knee, and even through a layer of denim, she could feel his body heat. His touch wasn’t sexual, just a light squeeze. But electricity jolted through her body, sparking her ever-present desire for him.
As casually as she could, she shifted so she was facing him more fully, but he had to remove his hand because her knee was now too far for him to reach. He slid a glance her way and she smiled at him.
“So, what exactly are you looking for?” she asked. “Was there a property you had in mind? Did you see something in the newspaper?”
He shook his head. “Not really. I’ll know it when I see it. I don’t like to do a lot of prep work for something like this. I like to go with my gut. I knew the moment I saw the building in Philadelphia that it’d be perfect for Haven.”
“And you really think you’re going to find what you’re looking for around here?”
His mouth turned up in a sexy grin, and he reached over to run a hand along her cheek, making her skin tingle. “This past month has been full of surprises. I’m sure there’ll be more.”
Okay, the man didn’t even have to touch her and lust threatened to burn her up from the inside out. Her cheeks flamed and she silently cursed her fair skin.
Luckily, his attention was focused on the road at the moment. They drove the next few miles in silence as Annabelle tried to stuff her desire back into the little box she’d nailed shut Saturday night.
She wasn’t having much luck with that.
Instead, she focused on the scenery, on the rolling farmland abruptly interrupted by sprawling, cookie-cutter housing developments and the occasional thick stands of trees. The closer they got to Reading, the more developments and less open land. So they ended up back on Annabelle’s side of the highway, heading into the hills.
The homes were farther apart up here, the trees more dense, hiding buildings at the end of the unmarked lanes shooting off from the two-lane road.
Jared had punched a couple of buttons on the dashboard and music filtered through the speakers. Etta James, early Elvis Presley, and several blues musicians she couldn’t place enveloped them in a warm cocoon that soon had Annabelle fighting to keep her eyes open.
She must have lost the battle because when the car came to a halt, she woke with a start.
“Hey, Belle, what do you think?”
The intensity in Jared’s voice caught her attention right away. His eyes were narrowed as he stared out the driver’s-side window. She had to lean toward him to see what he was looking at. With him this close, she caught the clean, dark scent of him, which made her stomach clench.
She really had to get a grip.
Following Jared’s gaze, she found herself staring at a castle.
She blinked. No, that couldn’t be right. She shook her head, trying to make things come into focus, but that castle wouldn’t budge.
She looked around, trying to get her bearings. She wasn’t exactly sure where they were but she knew they couldn’t be too far from home.
“What is this place? How did you find it?” she asked.
“I have no idea. We’re about fifteen miles or so north of Adamstown. I just happened to see a ‘For Sale’ sign on the road and followed an unmarked lane up here. It doesn’t even show up on the GPS.”
Annabelle felt Jared’s excitement like a physical force. It infected her, made her heart beat a little faster. She swore she could actually see his brain working.
Jared slid out of the car and she did the same. He walked forward to lean on a short stone wall encircling what looked to be a garden laid out in front of the building
.
The stone in the wall matched the stone of the building, which had all the characteristics of a castle. Twin towers jutted from either end and a multitude of windows and balconies dotted the façade. A huge arched wooden door beckoned.
It nestled into the forest like it had been there for centuries. All the building needed was a princess in the tower to look as if it had been transplanted from Germany or England. Though it was not as huge, it was still pretty impressive.
“I never knew this place existed. I’ve lived here for years and no one’s ever said anything about it.”
“Jesus, this is perfect.”
Striding to the garden gate, Jared flung it open and walked through like he already owned the place, his gaze taking everything in.
She approached cautiously, not wanting to get in his way. He looked intense. He wore that same expression when he made love to her.
Unreasonable jealousy curled through her. Which was just too ridiculous.
“Look at the lines,” he said, though she wasn’t sure if he was talking to her or himself. “Three floors and maybe ten or twelve rooms on the second and third floors if the number of windows is any indication. It’s gonna need a hell of a lot of work but still…I’m gonna take a walk around the back. I’ll be right back.”
He strode off around the side of the building and disappeared. Annabelle decided to get comfortable and found a marble bench in the overgrown garden. As she settled onto it, the cold seeped into her thighs and she welcomed the clarity it brought.
What would she do if he actually found a site for his spa retreat so close to her home? Would they continue their relationship? Meet every couple of weeks for sex? Would it be enough?
She’d known from the beginning that this relationship wasn’t going to last. But if Jared actually bought this place, she’d already committed to furnishing it. Could she continue their sexual relationship as long as they did business together? Without falling in love with him?
Did she want to continue the relationship?
It was a stupid question. Of course she did. Because no matter how many times she told herself she wasn’t looking for the man of her dreams, she had to admit Jared would fill the bill.
She was afraid and…Well, she should just leave it at that. She was afraid.
She’d spent so many years hiding her identity, terrified of igniting a media frenzy that would make her life a living hell again. Could she trust him with her secret? And what if they actually took their relationship further? Jared occasionally made the gossip rags. Would they dig into her background? Would some reporter get lucky and figure out who she was?
She didn’t think she’d be able to live through that scandal again.
Maybe you’re getting way ahead of yourself.
Yes, he’d asked her to the fundraiser but it wasn’t like he’d asked her to move in with him.
And then there was the question of his lifestyle…
Which, she had to admit, thrilled her. No question about it.
Shaking her head, she sighed. So many questions. Not enough answers.
Jared reappeared around the other side of the building then, heading toward her with a smile that could devastate the entire female population in a three-county area. When he reached her, he swept her into his arms and kissed her hard and fast, his taste fleeting but heady.
“I think you must be my good luck charm.” He smiled into her eyes, making her thighs clench. “This place is perfect.”
But she thought he was the perfect one, with his gorgeous smile and devastating personality.
Releasing her, he pulled his cell phone from the pocket of his jacket and dialed a number. “I’m betting the real estate agent will drop off the key. The place looks like it’s been on the market for a while. There’re a few structural problems but— Yes, hi. I’d like to speak to Danielle West, please.”
Thinking she’d give him some room, she started to move away, but he caught her and pulled her back against him. He kept one arm around her shoulders, and she allowed herself to rest her head on his chest, hearing his heart beat through his warm cotton sweater. She breathed deeply, letting his scent envelop her.
His voice rumbled in his chest as he charmed the person on the other end into dropping off the key. She enjoyed watching him in action. He knew exactly what he wanted and he got it.
“So what do you think?” he asked when he hung up. He stared down at her with an expectant expression, as if he really cared what she thought.
She forced a smile. “It’s gorgeous. How long will it take for the real estate agent to get here?”
Jared looked at his watch. “She said it’d take her a few minutes to finish what she was doing and then about twenty minutes to get out here. Are you cold? Do you want to sit in the car?”
She shook her head, not wanting to leave his side. “Why don’t you show me around?”
They walked the perimeter of the building hand-in-hand as he pointed out attributes and faults, picking up on things she never would have noticed. He talked about where more rooms could be added while maintaining the charm of the building.
He was pointing out loose roof slates to be replaced when the sound of a car driving up the lane caught their attention.
They hurried around to the front of the building and caught sight of a young woman arriving at the front door. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of Jared. No surprise there, Annabelle thought.
After introducing herself, the real estate agent handed over the keys and a thin folder.
“I spoke to our branch manager in Philadelphia who’s done some work for you,” she said. “She said it would be okay to leave the keys with you. I’m so sorry I can’t stay. I have another showing in just a few minutes, but I’ll be back in about an hour. We can talk then. A few of the rooms had been decorated for a recent designer showcase in a magazine but none of the furniture is included with the asking price. Of course, if you like it, I’m sure we could work something out. Anything else, just let me know what you need.”
Giving her a patented Jared smile, he agreed, but Annabelle could tell he was anxious to get rid of the woman. When she’d left, he set off like a kid with the key to the candy shop, pulling her along after him with a tight hold on her hand.
Opening the front door, he walked into the foyer. “Damn, it’s even better than I thought.”
“Oh, Jared.” Annabelle felt her mouth drop open in surprise. “It’s like a fairy tale.”
The circular foyer led to a sunken area that was twice the size of the entire first floor of the shop. A grand staircase with a balustrade of dark wood to the right of the door led to the second floor.
Wandering through the first floor, Jared noted broken windows, some water damage. Looking through the materials from the agent, he said there were eighteen bedrooms on the second and third floors, but only three had separate baths.
“Have to add baths,” he mumbled under his breath. “Lose a couple rooms there. The kitchen’s huge but that’ll need a total update.”
After exploring the first floor, they headed up the staircase. The first few rooms lacked anything other than wallpaper and trim.
Jared stopped in one room to check out the bathroom, but Annabelle continued on to the end of the hall, her curiosity piqued by a large intricately carved panel of wood on the wall. Flowers and vines writhed over the surface in a pattern reminiscent of Arabic script. She moved closer to have a better look and realized the panel was a door.
She looked for a knob but found none. After a few minutes of pressing her fingers into any and all indentations, she found a hidden latch in one of the carved flowers.
The door glided open on silent hinges to reveal a curved stairwell. Up the stairs, she gasped in delight as the tower room came into view.
Rose moiré silk draped curved walls, inset with windows every few feet and a door she assumed led to a bathroom next to the entry. This room was bare, but an intricate metal spiral staircase near the back led
to a loft. Climbing up, she came face-to-face with a scene out of Arabian Nights.
Panels of gold, silver, and purple fabric hung from a ring on the ceiling, creating a tent-like effect over a large circular bed dead center in the loft.
Wandering over to the bed, she ran her fingers down the drapery, marveling at the quality of the silk. Golden tassels held the panels together at the sides, and a purple comforter covered midnight-blue silk sheets.
Wow. She’d love to meet the designer of this room.
What a bed! Annabelle couldn’t help but kick off her shoes and stretch out. She closed her eyes and let the sensuous silk surround her, soothe her, seduce her into relaxing.
A small sound made her eyes fly open, and she saw Jared at the top of the stairs.
“You look like you belong there.” His voice caressed her, the intense heat in his eyes scorching. “I want to tie you to that bed and never let you leave.”
Her heart began to race and she couldn’t catch her breath. His desire was a palpable force, holding her in place as if he’d tied her hands to those silken panels with the tassels.
Just thinking about that made her body heat and moisten.
As she stared, Jared shrugged out of his coat and dropped it to the floor. She raised herself onto her elbows and watched as he walked toward the bed and stopped in front of her.
Reaching for her jeans, he popped the button, then released the zipper, the metallic rasp echoing through the room. The cool air seemed to heat around them, and she swore she’d be able to see steam rising from their bodies soon.
Instead of pulling down his own jeans, though, he grabbed the sides of hers and yanked them to her bent knees hanging over the side of the mattress.
She drew in a sharp breath as her underwear caught and followed, leaving her exposed to his hot, searching gaze. And her legs trapped.
Wanting him to touch her, she arched her hips but he reached instead for the buttons on her sweater. The little discs didn’t give him any hassle, but she felt each pluck and release between her legs.
He didn’t remove the sweater, just parted the sides so the pretty pink bra that matched her underwear was exposed. His fingers drew white-hot lines of fire over her skin, drawing her nipples into aching points that throbbed under his gaze.
By Private Invitation Page 23
