by Lynn Forth
She stifled a sob. Unsuccessfully.
Jack heard it, and his voice became more urgent
‘Jane, please just tell me where you are. It will save time, because otherwise I will have to phone all the hotels in the area till I find you. And I will find you.’
Knowing, from the determination in his voice that he meant it, she whispered the name of the hotel, ended the call, and immediately convulsed into heart-rending sobs.
It was all just too much. On top of the news about Charlie, her emotions were in turmoil. She longed to tell Jack about her home news, but would he want to know? Would he take advantage of her distressed state to win her over…and win his bet?
All her instincts told her he was genuine, and she yearned to see him again, to embrace him. She had never felt this strongly about any man. Just the thought that he would soon be there set her pulses racing.
Her body wanted him. She wanted him. So why not give in?
If she was just a pawn in a betting game, or a ‘bedding’ game, between him and Scott, so be it. Jack could win.
She would happily have surrendered to him on the night of the party, so what was the difference if she submitted now? Despite everything she had learned about the wager, she still ached for him. So what, if his story didn’t totally ring true? The phone call proved that even the sound of his voice was enough to awaken all her repressed longings, her need to be near him, to be in his arms.
And yes, in his bed. She looked round the soulless hotel room. Even in this bed. Then Jack could claim his prize from Scott, and she could go home.
Exhausted by the whirlwind of events, she couldn’t fight her overwhelming longing for Jack.
Was it just longing? Or was it love?
Whatever it was, she would give herself to him, then escape to deal with the consequences back home.
Having made the decision, an amazing calm settled over her. She sat on the edge of the bed and concentrated on thinking about events at home.
And tried to compose herself for Jack’s impending arrival.
Chapter Twenty
When the knock on the door came, although anticipated, it still startled her.
Resolutely, she opened the door to find Jack’s tall figure framed there. Just like the first time she had seen him. Despite herself, her heart leapt again.
‘Jane, Jane.’ Clearly shocked by her appearance, he reached out to enfold her in his arms, but she recoiled.
Despite her decision, her pride would not let her submit. Although overwhelmingly attracted to him, she could not surrender to a sordid encounter for the sake of a cynical bet. She would not be duped again.
Coolly, she went to sit on the desk chair.
‘It was so good of you to come over to say goodbye, Jack. My flight leaves soon, so we won’t have long,’ she lied frantically, so she wouldn’t be tempted.
He looked bewildered. Could he see the tension in her body? Hear the tremor in her voice? Was he aware of the superhuman effort she was making to appear composed?
‘Jane, I wish I knew what was going on. Why you have changed so much? You must tell me if I’ve upset you in some way? Did my father say anything to turn you against me? Or Scott?’
She turned away to hide her reaction. She must close her ears to his blandishments. He was such a good talker; he could convince her that black was white, that it was all lies, and there was no bet. And because, in her heart, she desperately wanted to believe him, he could easily succeed in convincing her.
It had happened before. She daren’t trust her judgment any more.
So, she sat there, eyes downcast, not daring to look him in the face.
A week ago, Jack would have walked out with a shrug and not even a backward glance. There were, after all, many more fish in the sea.
But here he was facing rejection, which was a new experience for him. He knew he had to fight for her.
He couldn’t believe he cared so much.
But, damn it, this girl was worth the effort. This realisation had dawned on him as he had been driving over to see her. He didn’t want her to go home. He wanted her in his life.
‘Jane.’
The plea in his voice seemed to break her composure, and she finally looked at him, tears welling in her eyes.
He was across the room and holding her close before she had time to summon any last reserves of rejection. Embracing her tightly, he felt her sobs beat against his chest. How he longed to protect her. As he enfolded her in his arms, she seemed so lost, so bereft. Her vulnerability tugged at his heart. He stroked her back, her hair, longing to do more to ease her pain.
Gradually, her weeping subsided and he guided her to the bed and sat next to her, handing her several tissues. He held her close as he looked down at her stricken face.
‘So, my darling Jane, are you going to tell me what the matter is?’
‘It’s the bet,’ she blurted out at last.
‘The what?’
‘Scott said you had a bet with him to see who could seduce me first.’ She looked deeply into his eyes as if seeking for the truth.
He groaned. So that was it.
He held her away from him and looked at her sincerely, his eyes searching hers. ‘No, not true, Jane. You know me. How could you believe it was true?’
Jane’s words rushed out in a torrent. ‘Scott was so drunk he wasn’t able to make up a lie. He definitely thought it was true, which is why he tried so hard to seduce me. It was so he could win one over you. As I told you, he doesn’t like you very much…sees you as a rival. It’s the only explanation for why he wouldn’t let me go.’
Jack held her still shaking shoulders. ‘You surely can’t believe I would make a bet like that?’
But she hadn’t finished.
‘And the first time I saw you at the gate, you were having a bet about me with Hank, the security guard.’
‘Ah yes, I have to confess that was true.’
‘So, what was that about?’
‘Really, Jane, it was only an innocent bet about what job you did. Hank always reckons he can tell what job people do before they get to the gate. You were a tough one to guess, because you were so different from anyone else here in Hollywood. You still are,’ he added softly.
‘It was a silly five-dollar bet, and I happily paid up when he got it right. But I promise you I did not enter into any bet about you with Scott. He did suggest it, that’s true, but I emphatically rejected it. I wouldn’t do anything as sordid as that.’ He willed her to believe him.
‘OK.’ Jane nodded her head dubiously. But he could see there were still things on her mind to be cleared up.
‘Scott said that after his mum heard Bruno’s side of the story, she kicked you out. So, she must have believed him, and not you. If he was such a monster as you make out, why did she choose him to be Scott’s agent?’
Jack was surprised. ‘Well, that’s one version of events, I suppose.’
He stopped to think. ‘I suspect Robyn has let Scott come to these conclusions because she wanted to hide the truth. In fact, she is a bit ashamed of what she calls her “deal with the devil”. It’s true, Bruno did go to see her because he wanted her to kick me out. He’s a clever man and he knew threats wouldn’t do it. So, he tried bribery. He knows she adores her son and will do anything for him. So, he offered to “discover” Scott and be his agent. As you know, he is a scheming, manipulative rogue – all ruthless qualities which make him an excellent agent, one of the best. Robyn knew that, so in the end she agreed to kick me out in return for Bruno’s services to Scott.’
He glanced anxiously at Jane. ‘Scott doesn’t know this, of course; he has always believed it was his “raw talent” that propelled him to stardom. He is talented,’ Jack conceded grudgingly, ‘but it’s Bruno’s wheeling and dealing that has put him where he is today.’
‘But that’s awful. How can you know this and yet still be friends with Robyn?’
‘Because Robyn was totally up front and frank with m
e about it,’ Jack said, smiling. ‘She told me precisely why she was kicking me out. And I didn’t blame her.’
‘But you were so young…’
‘She phoned Hank, and he took me in. I was fine. Robyn was, and still is, more than a match for Bruno in her networking. Behind the scenes, she used her contacts to help me all she could. Got me started on the scriptwriting ladder through someone she knew. And voila…the gigawatt global success you see before you today.’ Jack struck a theatrical pose.
Despite her anguish, Jane smiled.
She seemed convinced, but he could see something clearly still niggled her. Surely he had answered all her doubts. He braced himself for what was coming next.
When it did, he was stunned by the fierceness of her question.
‘When we first met…’ she gulped nervously, ‘I still don’t understand why you were so nice to me, after I’d been so rotten to you?’
‘That’s easy. Because you intrigued me, you were witty and funny. I liked your honesty, your company, your fresh view of things.’ He couldn’t help smiling as he remembered their first meeting.
‘OK, I believe you enjoyed talking to me…but…but that doesn’t explain why a man like you, who can have any woman he wants, would want to have…um…was so passionate at the party…and it seemed like…well…’ She looked down at the tissue in her hands. ‘I know you wanted to have sex with me. I hope you know I’m not a…um…flighty woman who sleeps around, so if I yielded to you, it would be because I felt something for you. You’re the one who is always saying this is a cynical place, yet you seem to want to cynically exploit my feelings for you.’
Although taken aback, his heart leapt at her admission that she had feelings for him, feelings that went further than just sex. He was just about to explain his similar feelings, when she leapt up and began pacing around the room.
‘Why would you do that, Jack? Why complicate things between us? You could have had sex with any of those gorgeous women at the party; with anyone you want. Why choose someone like me? That’s the bit that doesn’t make sense. I trusted you. We could have stayed friends, but there has to be another reason why you wanted to make love to me, have kept pursuing me, why you are even here now. The only reason must be because of the bet with Scott. Be honest. I’m right, aren’t I?’
Jack was so shocked that for moment he couldn’t speak. Then he pulled her gently down to sit beside him once more. She didn’t resist, but looked fiercely into his eyes, as if daring him to tell the truth.
He couldn’t hide his incredulity. ‘You really have such a low opinion of yourself, don’t you? You really think I faked that time in the study? Jane, I can assure you, I really wanted you then, and I really want you now. You are the most beautiful woman…’ He felt her flinch at the word beautiful, so he very deliberately said it again, tenderly, truthfully. ‘You are, Jane. You need to know how beautiful you are. Both physically and as a person. I don’t want any other woman. I want you, only you. Not for any other reason than because you are you, my beautiful Jane.’
Pulling her closer, he softly kissed her upturned face as he had been longing to do since he arrived.
She believed him. No more niggling doubts. Yielding to her heart’s insistent throbbing, she at last surrendered to his powerful embrace. Totally overcome by the flame of need arcing through her body, she pressed against his hard, muscular frame.
Reaching up, she parted her lips hungrily, seeking his kiss. His firm mouth covered hers and sent ecstatic tremors along her spine. Urgent and exploratory, his hands began sliding down her body.
Instinctively arching into him, she longed to be skin to skin and, in one sinuous movement, she pulled her top over her head and flung it to the floor. She began to work frenziedly at the buttons of his shirt, but he took over and soon her naked body was next to his.
Only thin layers of skin separated their two fast-beating hearts, their entwined limbs.
Heart and body were as one with the certainty of her passionate need for this man.
This man, and no other.
But just as she was overwhelmed with this conviction, she felt Jack‘s lips gently leave hers, his hold on her slacken. He groaned as his arms released from around her waist, and he pulled slowly away. Stricken, trembling, she tried to tug him back, and gazed bewildered into his face.
She was met by a pair of agonised brown eyes.
‘Jane, Jane,’ his voice growled with the intensity of his effort. ‘Jane, I must stop now. I don’t want to, but I must.’ He was panting, but determined. ‘If I don’t, you might still wonder if it’s a bet.’
He strained away from her. Reluctantly, he unclasped her encircling arms.
‘There never was a bet on my part, no matter what Scott may have thought. I wouldn’t bet on anything as serious as this. But I want you to be sure. And,’ he glanced around, ‘I don’t want our first time to be in a crummy hotel room like this.’
Lost in the throes of desire, Jane shook her head. ‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘Oh yes, it does. It matters very much indeed. Our first time is going to be very special, and I want you to be sure I’m not taking advantage of you.’
‘Oh, Jack, I know you’re not. Please, please. I’ve never been so certain of anything in my life—’
Her phone rang.
The mood was broken. She knew it.
Slowly, she sat up and began to register her surroundings again. So deep had been her passion, she had lost all sense of time and place.
But looking at the number lit up on the screen totally focused her.
‘Mum! What did the specialist say? Is Charlie going to be OK?’
Her face drained of colour as she listened intently to the voice at the other end. Frowning with concentration, she tried to decipher the gist of what was going on so far away. Then her dad took over, as her mum sobbed into incoherence.
Chapter Twenty-One
Once she’d finished speaking, Jane tearfully gasped out her news to Jack, and was aware of him stroking her naked back in an effort to soothe her distress.
‘It’s Charlie, my sister Milly’s baby…not very well since he was born, but such a happy nature. We never suspected there was anything seriously wrong. But…well…he’s been desperately ill in hospital for a week now…I’ve only just found out. Mum didn’t tell me…didn’t want to worry me. That’s the main reason I said I had to go home.’
She could see Jack beginning to understand, as she paused to choke back the tears.
‘Charlie has been having lots of tests to find out what’s wrong with him. That was Mum, and Dad, telling me what the specialist said. Mum was too upset, but Dad said they have discovered it’s… Oh dear, I can’t remember the exact medical term, but it’s bad. At least we know what it is…not like before when… Dad says this time…’
Jane could no longer hold back her distress as she thought of the frail, tiny body of her baby nephew, battling for life in his hospital bed.
And she was so far away.
Jack enfolded her in his arms, stroking and kissing her hair, clearly distressed by the convulsive sobs racking her body. Part of her acknowledged how much it helped, knowing he was so close, so caring. He gently wrapped her in the rumpled bed sheet; nestled against his firm body, his protective presence helped keep her fears at bay.
She suddenly recalled something her father had said, and tried to relay the enormity of the situation to Jack.
‘Apparently, there is a glimmer of hope. Charlie needs complicated surgery and needs it soon, urgently, or he won’t survive. He will…’ Jane gulped at the enormity of what she had so nearly said. The prospect was too awful to contemplate. She stiffened, shocked into silence.
‘You said there might be a glimmer of hope?’ Jack asked softly.
‘Oh yes, although we might be clutching at straws.’ Dare she hope? She felt as if an enormous weight was crushing her lungs. Trying hard to regulate her erratic breathing, she continued, ‘I think I already told yo
u, my father is a doctor, and he has discovered there is a surgeon in San Francisco who is an expert in performing such a dangerous heart operation on a tiny baby. Dad has investigated him thoroughly, and he has a good record of success. So, they have contacted him and he is willing to take the case. At least it’s a chance, a chance we’ve got to take. Last time, we didn’t even have that chance. But the longer we wait, the worse Charlie will get…and his hopes for survival are going down…fast.’
Filled with dread, Jane lifted her tear-filled eyes to the caring face of the man holding her so closely.
‘What do you mean about “last time”?’ he asked gently.
She raised a hand as if to fend off the question.
‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.’
‘No, no. It’s just that I have tried to block the memories for so many years. Twenty years, to be exact. My little brother Gianni would have been a young man now if…’
There was a long pause while she summoned up the emotional reserves to relive the events of so long ago.
‘You remember you asked if the family was all girls, and I said yes. Well it’s true, but we did once have a brother. My mum’s last child was a boy. I don’t know if she kept trying for a boy, but I do remember my father saying that this time my Nonna wouldn’t have the cheek to say “better luck next time”. I was seven, so he was the first baby I ever really knew. I was only three when Milly was born, so have only hazy memories of her, but I remember everything about Gianni. In a way, I felt he was my baby. I soon became a dab hand at changing his nappy, rocking him to sleep, and…’ Jane gave a long, anguished sigh.
‘…I was the first to go into him in the mornings. So, I was the one who found him…the day he didn’t wake up. I couldn’t understand why he was so still…so cold… I think I shouted for Dad.’ She shook her head, trying to erase the pictures in her mind. ‘It’s all a blur from then on. But I will always remember that little, silent, unmoving baby in the cot.’
There was a horrified gasp from Jack as his arms wound more tightly round her. Through the grey mist of her memories, she felt him gently rock her backwards and forwards. His cheek pressed softly against her forehead, and he began to caress her hairline with soothing kisses.
