It said a lot about Jena’s relationship with her mother that she spent more than an hour trying to pick the perfect clothes to wear to dinner. It was a wasted effort. She knew no matter what she wore, her mom would find fault with it. She threw her latest outfit onto the pile of all the other ones that didn’t make the cut. With a groan, Jena fell back onto her bed. It was all getting a bit too much. She felt like her head would burst with all the worries crammed into it. There was only so much one person could take.
“Wear the bronze dress you had on the other night.”
Jena used what little energy she had left to lift her head and look at Matt. He was leaning in her bedroom doorway, hands in his pockets, ankles crossed. Dressed in a dark blue tee and faded jeans, he was effortlessly sexy. Typical. Men had it so easy. All they needed was a pair of jeans that cupped their ass and a tee that stretched across their shoulders and they were good to go.
“I set fire to a man in that dress. It has bad memories.” She might never wear it again. Not without seeing a hysterical Bob rolled in a rug.
Matt grinned, and it melted her organs, turning them to mush inside her body.
“Aye, but it has good memories for me. You set Bob the butcher on fire in that dress, then I got to hold you while he whined like a baby. Good times.” His eyes darkened. “Wear the dress, princess, and I’ll give you some good memories to replace the bad.”
She resisted the urge to fan herself at the heat in his eyes. “I doubt an evening with my mom will improve the mojo of the dress.”
“She won’t be with us all evening. Wear the dress. Do it for me.”
Her mouth went dry. “If I wear it for you, what will you do for me?”
“If I tell you that now, princess, we won’t make it to dinner with your mother.”
Jena let her head fall back onto the thick duvet as she laughed. The tension eased from her body. Man, she needed that.
“I forgot about you thinking you’re a sexpert.” She wiped her eyes. “Thanks, Matt, I needed a laugh.”
“Happy to be of service. Anytime. Anywhere. In any way.”
She could hear the humour in his voice. Jena let out a heavy breath. “Dinner is going to be horrible.”
“Hate to break it to you, but I already figured that out.” She felt the bed dip as he sat beside her. He stroked her cheek. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll get through whatever this evening brings. Together.”
Her heart clenched at the word. Together. Like she belonged. She wondered if he knew how much she longed to belong to someone. To be part of a family. To be wanted instead of used.
“You’re really lucky with your family, Matt.” Even Jena was aware how wistful she sounded.
“I know. They drive me nuts, but I hate being away from them. It’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed around Invertary this long. That and Dad. Mum needs support right now.”
What was unsaid was heavy in the air between them. His mum wouldn’t need him forever, because his dad wouldn’t be around forever.
“You’re a good man, Matt.”
“Not that good, Jena. Right now I’m undressing you in my head and wondering if I can get you to stay in bed instead of going to the pub.”
Jena laughed at his frustrated expression.
“You don’t have a hope. I keep telling you—we’re not in a relationship. We’re not even dating.”
“And yet you want me.” He waggled his eyebrows at her, making her giggle.
“Right now, I want you to get out of here so I can get dressed.”
“I can do that. If you wear the bronze dress.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Fine. You win. I’ll wear the damn dress.”
“I win. I like that. Keep it in mind. Persistence usually pays off, and I’m very persistent.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her to sitting. “One more thing before you get ready.”
Before she could ask what he was talking about, his lips were on hers. His fingers wove into the hair at the back of her head. His other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her tight against him. She offered no resistance. She wasn’t an idiot. The guy made her toes curl just from a kiss. What woman in her right mind would pass up on that?
The kiss finished all too soon for Jena’s liking. It took a minute to calm her pulse and focus her eyes on his face.
“Better get ready, princess. I want to get there, get this over with and get home as fast as we can. I have plans for you and your dress.” With a sexy little smile, he kissed the tip of her nose, then sauntered from the room.
Leaving Jena dazed, horny and seriously confused.
The pub was packed, more so than usual for a Monday night. As Matt led Jena into the restaurant area, he got the impression people were there for more than the food. Word had spread round Invertary at warp speed. The curious were out to watch Jena and her mum. Matt wasn’t surprised; the locals treated everybody else’s business as the equivalent of a live reality TV show. There was an air of expectation in the room, a buzz of anticipation. He didn’t like it one bit.
As soon as Dougal spotted them, he rushed over. Another bad sign. If the town’s unofficial mayor and pub owner was tense, there was usually a reason for it. One Matt knew he wouldn’t like.
“Hi, Jena.” Dougal gave her a tight little smile. He grimaced at Matt. “Jena’s mother is in the booth round the corner of the bar.” He paused as he gave Jena a sympathetic look. “She has company.”
Matt was instantly on alert. “Don’t tell me she managed to get hold of Josh and Mitch. I gave them a heads-up that she was on the prowl.”
“No, lad, it’s not the boys. She’s with Frank.”
Jena froze beside him. He rubbed the small of her back through the silky material of his favourite dress to reassure her, and to remind her she wasn’t alone. Anyone wanting to mess with her had to get through him first.
“Your mum has been telling everyone you’re going back home with Frank. She also told anyone who would listen that you were”—he cleared his throat—“only sowing your wild oats with Matt, that your relationship isn’t serious.”
Jena hung her head. Matt felt her heart pound under his hand. “Everyone thinks we’re dating.” She looked up at him, her honey-coloured eyes wide and panicked at the thought. Matt wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or amused.
“No they don’t, princess. Remember, I’m still in one piece.”
She elbowed him in the ribs. At least she didn’t look so desolate anymore. “Be serious for one minute. This is a mess. We’re not dating. Tell him we’re not dating.” She pointed at Dougal.
Matt did as he was told. “We’re not dating.” He even managed to keep his face straight while he said it.
Dougal’s eyes flickered with amusement. “So what are you doing, lad?”
“I’m living with her.”
Jena gasped before glaring at him.
“I thought it was best to skip the dating stage,” he told Dougal.
“Wise decision.” Dougal nodded. His lip twitching as he hid a smile.
“Matt, it’s one thing to let my mom and Frank think we’re an item, but you can’t let it spread through town. Once Frank and my mom go home, people will still think we’re together.”
“You’re right,” he said. Really? What else was there to say? They were together. Jena would eventually catch on.
“Anything else we should know?” he asked Dougal.
“Nothing concrete. Although I have a bad feeling. Those two are after something, and I get the impression they’re not above using our Jena to get it.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
Dougal nodded as though he hadn’t expected anything less. He made his excuses and headed back to the bar. Matt pulled Jena closer to his side as they wound their way around the tables. People gawked and whispered. Matt ignored it. He’d been living in Invertary practically his whole life, so he was used to it. Jena wasn’t. He felt her stiffen beside him. If she didn’t relax, she’d never make it thro
ugh dinner with her mother and ex-boyfriend.
“Princess.” He pulled her to a stop beside the bar. He held her hand in his as she looked up at him. He hated the anxiety in her eyes. “You look gorgeous.” Her eyes softened slightly. He cupped her cheek with his hand. “You take my breath away.”
“Matt,” she admonished. The pretty pink flush that coloured her cheeks made him wish they were alone.
He leaned into her. Her scent engulfed him, making everything else fade away. “You are definitely the sexiest woman in town,” he whispered, pleased when she shivered. “I can’t wait to get my hands on you.”
He placed a light kiss on her luscious lips. Man, she was beautiful. He heard the murmurs behind him and didn’t care. He was well aware he’d made his claim on Jena as public as possible. It was a nice side benefit of getting her mind off their evening. Hopefully now the men of Invertary would stop asking his woman out. Because she was his woman. She just didn’t know it yet.
Jena’s first thought when she saw her mom sitting, heads together, with the man who broke her heart, was that she hadn’t moved far enough away. She should have followed up on the little house she’d seen in New Zealand. Maybe it wasn’t too late to move. Surely someone out there was dumb enough to buy her house.
It was clear the minute her mom and Frank spotted her. Her mother looked annoyed and Frank looked angry, then just as quickly they both covered their reactions with charming smiles. Wow. It hit Jena hard—she’d somehow managed to date the male version of her mom. How twisted was that? And now she’d realised it, she’d need therapy to get over it. Lots and lots of therapy.
“Jena, honey, isn’t it wonderful? Frank was free for dinner, so I invited him to join us. I knew you wouldn’t mind.”
Matt pulled out a chair for Jena and settled her into it. He ran a hand over her bare shoulder as he nabbed the seat beside her. Frank and her mom studied every move Matt made, with pursed lips and angry eyes.
Jena bit back her ire. Was there any point in arguing with her mother’s decision to invite Frank? All Jena wanted was to get this over and go home. With Matt. “No, I don’t mind at all. Do you, Matt?”
“Nope.” He wrapped an arm around the back of her chair and caressed her shoulder.
He appeared to be so laidback, he came across as bored. Not to mention he looked particularly hot in his grey v-neck shirt, black blazer and dark blue jeans. Casual but smart, laidback but sexy. His black hair was tousled as though he didn’t care enough to style it, and still it looked cool. To make it perfect, the blazer was cut to show off the strength of his shoulders. The sight of him made her mouth water.
Frank leaned across the table towards Jena, breaking into her consideration of Matt’s many charms.
“I want to talk about things between us,” Frank said. His earnest look was back, and Jena found it irritating.
He was dressed in his uniform of black suit and black shirt. Compared to Matt, Frank looked like he was trying too hard.
“There’s nothing to talk about, Frank. There’s nothing between us.”
Her mother’s smile was shark-like. “It wouldn’t hurt to listen to the man, would it? He came all this way to talk to you. You could make the effort to give him five minutes of your time. I’m sure Matt wouldn’t mind waiting at the bar while you have dinner with your family.”
“Frank isn’t family,” Jena pointed out.
“You know what I mean. It would be nice to spend some time alone with my daughter.”
“In that case, Frank can sit at the bar with Matt.”
“You’re not being reasonable,” her mother snapped.
“Probably not, but if Frank stays, Matt stays.”
“I’m hungry and I’m staying,” Matt said. “Plus, Jena is wearing my favourite dress. There’s no way I’m letting her out of my sight when she looks this hot.”
Jena rolled her eyes at him, but she was smiling while she did it.
“I can understand that.” Frank’s voice made Jena feel slightly nauseated. She found it hard to believe she’d once thought herself in love with the man. She’d been blind. Blind and stupid. He smiled that greasy smile again. “A man would be insane to let a woman like Jena out of sight. A man would be insane to let a woman like her get away.”
“Aye.” Matt’s smile was ice cold. “Good job I’m not insane.”
“I need to go to the ladies’ room,” her mother suddenly announced, and stood. “Jena, come with me. We’ll do the chick thing and go together.”
Yeah, like they’d ever done that before. It seemed strangely fitting that Jena’s girl time with her mother would take place in a toilet.
“Order for me?” she asked Matt.
“No problem. Make sure you’re back fast, or I’ll eat it.”
He would, too. In the time Matt had been camped at her house, she’d discovered nothing got between him and his food. Jena stood to follow her mom, who was dressed in a skintight black leather mini dress. For a second Jena felt a familiar burst of inadequacy, but it passed. She stepped away from the table.
Before she could second-guess herself, she leaned over and kissed Matt. His eyes flared with heat. “I’ll hurry,” she said against his lips.
“You’d better.”
The spell he cast over her was broken when her mom cleared her throat. Jena pushed back her shoulders and followed her mom.
“You doing Jena, then?” As soon as the women had disappeared from sight, the question Matt had been expecting popped out of Frank’s mouth.
Matt stared him down for a beat before answering. Frank Di Marco was the living definition of revolting. “She isn’t going back with you.” Matt decided to cut to the chase. The tick beside Frank’s eye telegraphed his displeasure at Matt’s words. “You can give up on your plan to talk her in to stripping at your club. Jena doesn’t strip. Especially for you.”
Frank’s surprise oozed through a crack in his easygoing façade. “You’ve been doing some investigating, officer.” Frank spat the last word out like it was an insult.
Matt shrugged. Like he cared what Frank Di Marco thought about anything. “I’ve done some digging. You’re in trouble with the club. Your investors have given you an ultimatum to turn things around. You think Jena is your ticket out of trouble.” Matt leaned forward. “Let’s be clear about something. Jena isn’t your ticket to anything. Jena isn’t your anything at all. You blew your chance with her. She’s done. It’s time for you to go home. Find another way to save your sorry hide.”
Frank clenched his fists on top of the table. “You don’t get to tell me nothing. You’re insignificant. Jena and me got history. One mistake don’t wipe that out. You have no idea what you’re dealing with here, cop. Back off before you regret it.”
Matt's eyes went hard. “Are you threatening me, Frank?”
The easygoing smile was back. He spread his hands wide. “Now what makes you think that, officer? I’m just giving you a friendly heads-up that Jena is fair game. Unless you got a ring on her finger, you ain’t got a claim to her. If her feelings for me should persuade her she’d have a better life back in the States, then so be it. You can’t do nothing to stop her going home with me.” He laughed. It was small and pathetic, but it still made Matt want to break his nose.
“You’re delusional if you think she has feelings for you. You’re also delusional if you think I don’t have a claim.”
“We’ll see.” The smug smile on Frank’s face acted like a target for Matt’s rage.
“Be very careful,” Matt said. “I don’t play games with the people who belong to me.”
“Good she doesn’t belong to you, then.” Frank leaned forward and sneered inches from Matt’s face. “You got her on loan, cop. Jena belongs to me until I say otherwise. And I ain’t ready to let her go. Not while I still have use for her.”
“You son of a…” Matt pulled his fist back, ready to let it fly.
A hand clasped his arm and held him back. Matt looked up to find Grunt st
aring down at him. His muscles were clenched with the effort it took to hold Matt back. His face was blank.
“Don’t,” was all he said.
Matt felt everything within him still. If he had to go through Grunt to get to Frank, so be it. In fact, it would be Matt’s pleasure.
“This is not the time,” Grunt rumbled.
Matt clenched his teeth as the room came into focus. Every eye was on him. He never lost control. He never forgot he was a cop. Never. Not until Jena. He couldn’t cope with a threat to Jena. All he could think was that he had to eliminate the threat—now.
Grunt leaned over to talk in Matt’s ear. “Your girl’s coming back. She needs you.”
Matt’s eyes shot to the bathroom doors. Grunt released his hold on Matt and stepped back. Jena stepped into the room. She walked stiffly as though injured. Her face was pale, and her eyes were glassy with tears. Matt’s eyes shot to Jena’s mom, who seemed pleased with herself. Now Matt had two people to kill. He wondered if Lake would help him hide the bodies. With effort, he swallowed his anger. Jena needed him.
Jena stopped beside him. “I want to leave. I don’t feel well.” She kept her eyes on the floor.
“I think it’s all the rubbish she eats,” her mother said with barely concealed glee. “Carrying extra weight can make you feel real bad.”
Jena’s head lifted slightly and big, sad eyes beseeched him. “Please,” she whispered.
“You know we can,” Matt said softly.
He stood, wrapped his arm around Jena and, without a word to Frank or Mona, he led her out of the pub. Shielding her from the Invertary gossips as he did so.
22
Jena walked straight into her house without a word to Matt. She couldn’t talk to him even if she wanted to—the voices in her head were too loud to talk over. All she could see, and hear, was a continuous replay of her time in the restroom with her mother.
She stalked up the stairs, stripped out of her bad-luck dress and pulled on her favourite PJs. Once her feet were clad in fuzzy bunny slippers instead of her usual wedges, she rummaged around in the back of her closet for the box she knew was there. Once she’d pulled it out, she strode back downstairs to the front door.
Calamity Jena Page 17
