I took it, held it to my chest. "You won't miss it?"
He closed his fingers around my ankle, shifted the sole of my foot flat against his fly. He was hard—and working himself through his jeans with my foot while I clutched his shirt, and this was what I meant by all the tension in the world. This was why my bosom was heaving. This was it. Right here.
"I should get started." I pushed back in my chair though that meant I gave him a firm, unexpected press with the ball of my foot.
"Jasper," he groaned, both hands wrapped around my ankle now. "Fuck. Jasper."
With as much grace as I could manage, I retrieved my legs and pushed to my feet, grinning at Linden's unmasked distress as I grabbed my tote bag. He didn't move from his seat at the table, his hands cupped over his crotch and his gaze raising a blush to my cheeks. I didn't look away until I had the door closed behind me.
As luck would have it, I ended up needing Linden's shirt. I'd left my robe at home plus the "until I put on my real clothes" top I usually wore. The only article of clothing worth wearing was a fresh pair of leggings, unless I wanted to give yesterday's outfit another spin—which I didn't.
So, while I twisted my hair into a knot, I stepped out of the bathroom in leggings and his shirt, which fell to my mid-thigh. "Thanks for the—"
The front door swept open and in came a tornado of a woman, moving and talking and dropping packages in a loud, colorful blur. I stood frozen while I watched this tornado blow through.
"Linden, be a good boy and get the box of preserves from my car. I didn't mean to can so much, I got carried away with the fruit. It's just so good and I have so much fun and—oh, hello dear." She stopped, grinned at me with a deep pink lipstick smile, and without taking her eyes off me, called to Linden, "You didn't tell me you were having guests today."
Her purple ankle jeans and pink pullover with a crisp white blouse underneath reminded me of a Talbots catalog, though the dark hazel eyes, just like her son's, sized me up right away. It was the middle of the workday and I was fresh from the shower, and that meant only one thing as far as mothers were concerned.
"Just the one guest, Mom." He stood up, gave me a sorry about this shrug. "Jasper, this is my mother, Diana, who has forgotten how to knock. Mom, this is Jasper-Anne Cleary."
I held out my hand to her. "How do you do?"
Her curious grin melted into a comically gleeful smile as she pressed both hands to her chest and squealed. She squealed. "Linden! You should've told me you had such a beautiful guest!" She shot him a wink that said she was in on the joke. "Oh my goodness, you are just gorgeous!"
Then she flung herself at me, gathering me into a crushing hug that stole my breath and seemed unnaturally strong for such a petite woman. Since I was a guest of Linden's but not a wink-wink guest, I wasn't sure how to respond, but after a beat passed, it didn't matter. I had no choice but to return her hug. "That's so kind of you."
She pulled back, holding tight to my shoulders. "Good gracious. Is that a touch of the South I'm hearing from you?"
I laughed because she asked with the most Steel Magnolias accent I'd ever heard, and everyone mimicked my accent when they met me. What was left of it.
"Oh my god," Linden murmured. "Mom. Stop. You're being ridiculous."
"Quiet, Linden," she replied, smoothing a hand over the arms of my shirt. Which was her son's. Which she knew. "I'm having a chat with Jasper-Anne."
"Jasper will do, thank you."
"Jasper," she drawled. "So lovely."
He shot me a look that seemed to say are you good? and I nodded. I wanted to scoff and say of course I'm good. I could handle far stickier situations than a pop-in from Mom.
He dipped his chin, arched his brows up. Are you sure?
I gave him a nod, a quick smirk. Oh yeah. I got this.
"I'm going to grab that box from the car," he said, pointing to Diana. "Behave yourself."
She blinked. "Whatever could you be implying?"
"That I know your tricks. Behave," he repeated.
The door closed and I was alone with Linden's mother. Wet hair, bare feet, borrowed shirt. Obviously not my ideal look for any introductory situation but I wasn't in the business of getting my ideals anymore.
"I am just so happy to meet you," Diana said, gripping both of my hands and leading me into the kitchen. "Where are you from, sweetheart?"
"Originally, Georgia," I said, allowing her to steer me into a seat. "Then Washington, D.C., and now I'm here."
She gave me a subtle up-and-down glance as she smiled but it was clear she wanted to know what I did, why I was here, and how wonderful her son was to me. "This quaint town must be quite the change of pace for you."
I was prepared to joke about the culture shock but instead answered, "I'm enjoying it."
"As you should." She patted my arm with so much maternal reassurance, I felt tears prickling behind my eyes. "Now, before my son returns and tells me to keep quiet, I just want to apologize for walking in on you. If you're anything like me, you don't meet company until after your hair is set for the day." She touched gel manicured fingers to her dark, silver-streaked bob. "Not because you aren't perfect just like this—because you are just gorgeous—but that's how I'd feel. I'd also want plenty of warning before meeting my significant other's family"—oh, wow, she was going there—"and I should've called ahead. I am learning this, slowly but surely, as my children keep growing up and leading their own lives. I'm sorry for popping in unannounced. I just came from my daughter's house and, because of her aversions to certain foods during this pregnancy, she didn't want to see a jar of preserves. Since my canning closet is full and the food banks won't take home-canned goods, I thought I'd stop here—"
"Jesus, Mom. Don't put her to sleep with the hand-me-down history of your jams, jellies, and preserves."
"Don't forget the marmalades!" She gave me a conspiratorial grin. "I went to town on the Meyer lemon marmalade this year. I hope you love it."
Since that sounded phenomenal and I did enjoy anything intended for spreading over bread, I said, "I'm sure I will. I love toast."
"She really does," Linden added as he set the box on the countertop.
"Then I've come to the right place. Oh, Jasper, you have to join us for Sunday supper this weekend. We haven't managed to get everyone together since July because Rob and Magnolia were visiting his family and then Zelda was off on her fieldwork adventures and Ash had all those audits in Arizona—"
"Mom. For real. Jas doesn't need a rundown of everyone's schedules." He turned toward us, his arms crossed over his chest. Without the benefit of his plaid shirt, he was all bulging biceps and thick forearms. "Have you thought about selling this stuff? Even if Jasper eats toast three times a day, every day—"
"I've been known to do that."
Diana hit me with another one of her sly winks.
"—we will still have enough spreadable fruit for several years."
"Where would I sell it?" she asked, tossing her hands up like it was a real mystery. "And I don't have the time for that. I just like making my preserves and giving them to the people I love. I'm not interested in any kind of entrepreneurial adventure. Please. I have grandbabies on the way." She shook her head at him like he should've known better than to start with her. "I'm sure you'll manage. Give your clients a jar or two when you visit. They'll enjoy that. A personal touch."
He stared at her. "Not gonna happen."
"Anyway," Diana started, patting my hand again, "I am looking forward to Jasper joining us on Sunday."
For a split second, Linden looked completely stricken. He recovered before Diana glanced up at him but I saw his jaw hang open and his eyes pop, and I knew exactly what he was thinking.
"I will have to check my schedule," I said. "Now that I think of it, I might have a commitment that day."
He cut a sidelong glance in my direction. "Jasper is really busy."
Diana shifted in her seat, made a pointed glance at the wall clock which clearl
y stated it was eleven thirty in the morning and I was hanging out in her son's kitchen, and offered a pleasant grin. "I hope you can make it. I understand if you can't, given the short notice."
I figured that would be the end of it. I figured Diana would find something else to talk about and Linden would let her because this wasn't the conversation he wanted to have with her today, mainly because there wasn't a conversation to be had. I wasn't his girlfriend. I was the girl next door who showered here every day, occasionally slept over, and engaged in some very un-kitchenlike behavior in this room when the mood was right.
I didn't figure Linden would drop his hands to my shoulders and say, "We'll see what happens, Mom."
Diana rolled her eyes toward the ceiling, whispering, "He tells me we'll see. We'll see!" She pressed her hands to her chest again. "I'd love to have both of you around my table on Sunday. It's just supper. Only a few hours from your busy days. You have to eat, right? You can't spend all day on the go." She shrugged, and wow, this lady was slick. She knew a maneuver. "Linden, I know your sister is hoping to get some time to speak with you and Ash together. While you do that, Jasper can help me make sense of the menu for Magnolia's shower." She smiled at me. "I can just tell you have the best taste. You'd really be doing me a favor too."
"I know a few senators who'd do well to get you on their payroll," I said under my breath.
Linden kneaded my shoulders, his thumbs digging into the back of my neck. "Do you think you could swing it, Jas? What do you think?"
I peeked up at him as best I could while he massaged me. Did he want me to say yes? That couldn't be the case. He didn't want to bring me home to the family. When I caught his eye, he gave me a quick, jerky nod.
Okay. I was rolling with this.
I smiled at Diana again, who was busy beaming at her son. "Thank you for the invitation. It's very generous. It would be my pleasure to join you."
"Oh, my word. I cannot hardly contain my excitement," she cried.
"That's enough out of you, Scarlett O'Hara," he quipped.
"Tell me what I can bring," I said.
"No, Peach, you don't have to do anything. I'll grab a few bottles of wine."
"That's right," Diana said, gripping my hand again. Very handsy, this one. "When you come to my Sunday supper, you're coming home. All I need is your smiling face, sweetheart."
There was no way in hell I could live with that but I said, "Thank you."
"And you'll have to come to the party too," she continued. "It's going to be such a fabulous time."
From behind me, I heard Linden's ragged exhale. Then, "Mom."
"What?" She worked hard at looking very innocent as she stared at him.
"You know what," he replied.
"I haven't a clue." She turned her attention back to me, saying, "We're having a little get-together—"
"Two hundred people at a country club but sure, call it a little get-together," Linden muttered.
"—to celebrate our fortieth wedding anniversary. Can you even imagine it? I couldn't see myself being forty years old when I got married but here we are, all these years later."
"You don't look a day over thirty-nine," I said.
"I knew you were special when I saw you but now I believe it too," Diana said with a hearty laugh. "So, we decided to seize the day and throw ourselves a bash before we become grandparents. Knock on wood that my daughter doesn't go into an early labor. The invitations have already gone out but, of course, all we want is to see these babies born healthy."
"And your party to go as planned," Linden added.
"It sounds wonderful," I said to her.
"It will be with you there," she replied. "You don't have to decide right now but having someone as special as you there"—she shot a meaningful grin at Linden—"would make my day. And Carlo's too. You'll meet him on Sunday but I can already tell you, he'll be thrilled."
He traced his thumbs along my hairline, behind my ears. I had to fight off a shiver. "I think Jasper might be able to make that work," he said. "What do you say, Jas?"
This wasn't real. I knew that. I was going along with this because Linden seemed to want that but none of it was real. He'd explain the nuances of this situation and I'd put on a good face come Sunday and again whenever this party took place but I wasn't here to stay.
And yet here I was, wondering how it was possible to want a man who insisted—and a mother figure who did too. I didn't know how I could live all these years believing I didn't want such a thing because it would rob me of all the self-reliance I'd built like fortress walls when it seemed as perfect as an overly tight embrace right now.
"I'll have to check my book though it really does sound wonderful. I'd love to celebrate with y'all."
"Y'all!" she hooted. "Oh my god, I love you already."
"Okay, all right, you've delivered your preserves and backed Jasper into a corner she's too polite to kick you out of. You've done your damage. Go harass someone else, would you?"
Diana pushed to her feet with an exaggerated sniff. It was sweet hilarity to watch these two ribbing each other. "I just left Magnolia, and Ash is at the office. Since your father is a golf devotee in his retirement, he won't be home until dark."
Linden circled a hand in her direction. "I see your game."
"No games," she replied. "Just very excited to meet Jasper. What a happy accident it was that I stopped in today."
"And now that you've caused this accident"—he gestured toward the door—"you have places to go, too many pumpkins to buy."
"Too many pumpkins?" She swung her purse over her shoulder. "I've never heard of that." Ignoring her son entirely, Diana bent down and wrapped me up in another soul-squeezing hug. "I am just so happy to finally meet you, Jasper. So happy."
She passed a thumb over the birthmark on my cheek and smiled at me with a type of joy I didn't actually understand. I bolted to my feet and glanced up at Linden, who must've interpreted my panic at being the source of his mother's cheek-stroking joy in some kind of urgent way because he looped an arm around her and steered her away, saying, "Jasper doesn't have all day, you know. Some of us have things to do that don't involve meddling or marmalade, or popping in unannounced."
"If you'd told me you had a special guest—"
"That's enough," he said, walking her to the door. "Save it for Sunday."
"Four o'clock," she called, waving to me over the ridge of Linden's shoulders. "Can't wait!"
I was still staring at the door when Linden returned to the kitchen, stepped into my space, and fisted his hands in the shirt I'd borrowed. "I should probably apologize for that ambush and tell you that you don't have to go to any of these things." He jerked me closer. "I should but I won't."
"Why not?"
He dipped his head to my neck, his beard rasping against my skin and drawing a slight squeak from me. "Because I want you there. I shouldn't. It's not fair to you because my mother will obviously get carried away. But I want you. There."
"I really don't want to ask what that means because I live quite contentedly without defining everything but what does that mean?"
From his spot against my neck and shoulder, he shook his head. "I don't know. I need a date for this party, is what it means. I have a family dinner coming up. I don't hate you, so—"
"You don't hate me," I said with a laugh.
He lifted his head, stared into my eyes. Down at my lips. "I don't hate you," he repeated. "I don't hate you at all, Peach."
So, this was new.
Until now, Linden had put on an ambivalent face where I was concerned. Even when he was kissing me and clearly turned on by me, it seemed as though he could just as easily not.
Yeah, he kissed me. Yeah, he backed me up against a tree or two and let me work out years of frustration. Yeah, he did something very terrible to my nipple the other day and something slightly obscene with my foot this morning.
And he didn't hate me.
"You just don't want to have to explain to
your mother why I didn't come along," I countered.
Linden dropped the shirt and reached down, grabbing me by the ass and lifting me to the countertop. He liked doing that. Or, rather, he didn't hate it. "Because I want you there."
He leaned in and took my lips in a gentle kiss that seemed to go on forever, shutting down the world and responsibilities and bank balances and disappointments and all of it.
My hands flat on his barrel chest, I shifted my face to the side, asking, "What if someone recognizes me? I don't want to complicate—"
"Even if they do, there's nothing to complicate." He brought his forehead to my shoulder. "You're hell in heels. No one is going to come for you, knives out, at an anniversary party, especially not one attended by accountants and teachers. It's at a country club, for fuck's sake. The entire ethos of country clubs is making it as easy as possible for people to pretend everything is fine." He gave a quick shake of his head to my shoulder, ran his lips along my neck. "And if anyone has a problem with you, they'll have to go through me first. It's not going to be any other way, Jasper."
This insistence…I decided I could get used to it.
13
Linden
It wasn't my style to make snap decisions.
I didn't waffle or ruminate either but I preferred to take my damn time on the things that mattered.
The partnership with Magnolia was a good example.
Introducing Jasper to my family was another.
Lucky for me, my mother jumped in and took care of the latter for me. Awesome.
I probably would've invited Jasper along on Sunday if my mother hadn't beaten me to the chase. It wasn't like I wanted to keep Jasper away from my family. I didn't want them getting the wrong idea was all. I didn't want my mother gushing about how special Jasper was and how she had to attend the party, as if she could force this relationship into permanence if she pulled the right strings and pushed hard enough on the soft spots.
The Belle and the Beard Page 16
