“Oh, is her mother…” Ally waved a hand around. “Excuse me—that’s none of my business.”
Mrs. Miller glanced around as if checking she wasn’t being overheard. “Her mother isn’t right,” she whispered. “She ain’t been the same since the accident.”
TEN
There were all manner of hotels in Portland. Small, intimate, romantic ones. Large, exclusive and expensive ones. But none of them fit the bill. Jace was driving in for a quick visit, with no intention of staying the night. The last thing he wanted was to give Crystal the impression he was here to have sex—to waste an afternoon screwing.
In the cold light of day, he’d come to his senses. He hadn’t intended to kiss Ally last night, but the urge had been impossible to resist.
He now had to put all thoughts of Ally from his mind. Needed to concentrate on Crystal. Needed to remind himself that she was the logical choice. Sure, she’d seemed uncaring about Rory, but that was because she didn’t know him.
There was a good reason why he’d considered taking their relationship to the next level. She was right for him. He wasn’t a kid any longer, being led around by his dick. He was a man. A father. Someone who needed to make the right choice for his future. For his and Rory’s futures.
Sure, something in him held back from making that final commitment to Crystal—he hadn’t examined it too closely in the past, just assumed the time wasn’t quite right. But now he had to. He needed to clear his mind and get his thinking back on track before he made a stupid mistake.
Because Ally was a mistake. She’d said so eloquently the night before when she told him she didn’t feel the same, that she didn’t want him. She’d told him to stay with a woman who loved him instead of screwing up his life on a whim.
In response, goaded by the words that were so at odds with the way she looked at him, he’d given in to the overwhelming urge to kiss her. And rather than bringing him clarity, her response had muddied the waters further.
Maybe it was because Ally had been an obsession after that long ago night together.
Maybe he’d been infected with a fever. The heat that spread through his body at the thought of her, the taste of her mouth, the feel of her skin under his fingers, and the permanent hard-on he’d spent half an hour in a cold shower trying to kill, suggested so.
Because it wasn’t normal to want a woman so much.
It was madness. It was temporary. He couldn’t fuck up his relationship with Crystal because of a fantasy. No matter how hot that fantasy.
And even though he’d thought of nothing else but the two women currently in his life during the drive to Portland, he was no closer to knowing what he would say to Crystal. Maybe one glance would be enough to turn the tide. Maybe he’d breathe in her scent, and remember why they should be together. Maybe not.
He blew out a breath. Jesus, being a grown up is tough.
He had plenty of friends who’d tell him he was an asshole, that if he wasn’t engaged or married, he was justified to play the field. Why not just screw both of them at the same time? He and Crystal had only been dating a couple of months, and they’d never laid down rules. Had never said they were exclusive. But it was understood, and he didn’t want it any other way. Sharing a woman—cycling women through his bed—had never been an attraction. It was difficult enough to find the time to date one, never mind two.
He parked the car in a nearby spot, got out, and locked it.
Laurelhurst Park in the sunshine. That’s the meeting place he’d finally settled on. They could talk, walk, sit and stare at the giant trees or watch the ducks if the conversation stalled. There would be no possibility of being overheard, and in the freedom of the outdoors, she could hit him if she didn’t like what he had to tell her. If he had anything to tell her.
He was on time, but Crystal, as usual, was early. She sat on a bench facing the duck pond, looking out of place in her designer suit amongst casually dressed park-goers. Her legs were crossed; her black briefcase sat on the bench next to her, and she stared out across the water with a pensive look on her face.
Tension gripped Jace’s insides as he approached. “Crystal.”
Her head whipped around, and a smile transformed her features. She bounded up and made straight for him, opening her arms for his embrace. He pressed his mouth to hers, just as he always did when they met. But this time something was different. Something was wrong. There was no ease being in her arms. He’d come here to banish Ally, but her ghost stood between them, making its presence known.
“Oh, I’ve missed you,” Crystal murmured against his lips.
He couldn’t reply. So instead, he edged back a fraction. “Shall we sit?”
A micro-pleat appeared on Crystal’s perfect brow. “What’s the matter?”
He took her hand and led her to the bench. Lying wasn’t possible. Seeing her, being with her, had only cemented the tenuous feeling that Crystal wasn’t the one into a solid, definite reality. Even if things with Ally didn’t work out, he couldn’t lie to himself—or Crystal—for one moment longer. There was more to a relationship than compatibility in bed and out of it. He needed sparks. He needed passion. And there was no passion or sparks between them.
“Jace?”
“You know I care for you,” he started. “These few months…”
Her eyes widened. “Are you breaking up with me?” Her mouth compressed into a line. “Is this because I wanted to talk about me rather than Ronan?”
“Ronan?” He frowned. “You mean Rory?”
“Rory. Yes.” She played with the string of pearls around her slender neck. “Sorry.”
He tested her. “I am worried about him. He’s been quiet the past couple of months. Spending a lot of time in his room.”
“That’s normal. He’ll be okay. He’s just a regular teenager.” She swatted away Jace’s concern as if it was as inconsequential as an irritating insect.
Even though Jace had only said the words to gauge her reaction, he realized they were true. Rory had been acting out of character recently. Maybe it was worry about the girl. Maybe there was something else bubbling under the surface. Something he should talk to Rory about.
Crystal cleared her throat.
“It’s not Rory. Things have changed.” God, why couldn’t he get the words out? Everything he was saying was making matters worse. Jace pulled in a deep breath, and speared his hand through his hair. “Someone has come back into my life, and I think—I mean, I know…”
She stared at him. Crossed her arms. Waited.
“I never thought I’d see her again. But now I have, I know you and I just aren’t meant to be.”
Crystal scowled. “So some woman you knew before has come back into your life. And what, you took her to bed?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“But you want to?”
His silence was more damning than if he said the words.
“I’m trying to be understanding here. I care about you, Jace. I was ready to start a life with you, if you’d asked. Now you’re telling me you want a life with someone else.” She blinked. “Is that what you’re saying?”
“I don’t know. Nothing has happened between us.” Except that kiss. “But I feel the pull, and it wouldn’t be fair to hide that from you. It wouldn’t be fair to stay in our relationship under the circumstances.”
“You were in love with her, before?”
“We had one night together over a year ago. I couldn’t call it love.”
“Jesus. I don’t believe this.” She pushed both hands on the bench’s surface, as if preparing to launch herself from it. “We’ve had more than that. We’ve been seeing each other for months!”
“I know. You mean a lot to me.” He made the mistake of grasping one of her hands, then found it difficult to let it go without causing more offense and pain. “I’m sorry.”
She pulled her hand away. Took a deep breath. Fixed him with a cold stare. “We never said we were exclusive. And it seems t
o me that throwing away what we have because you’re attracted to someone—because you have unfinished business—is foolish.” Her tone was calm and measured, as though she was in full control of her emotions. “I’m prepared to give you a hall pass. Take her to bed. Screw her out of your system. See if you’re right. If you’re wrong, I’ll take you back, and we’ll say no more about it.”
He was no prude. Plenty of his male friends would consider her offer a golden ticket—would be delighted to be given the opportunity to try out another woman and not jeopardize their relationship. But he didn’t feel that way. If she wanted him, if she cared as much as she said she did, how could she stand to shove him into another woman’s arms? If the situation were reversed, he sure as hell wouldn’t be on for it.
“I can’t do that.” The thought of Crystal with another man left him indifferent. But at the thought of Ally with someone else his mind clouded; mixed emotions, jealousy, anger, pain, flooded him.
“Does she want you?” Crystal asked in the way someone might ask something innocuous. Like ‘do you want another cookie’ or something.
“I don’t know.”
Crystal smiled. A smile he’d never seen on her face before. A calculating half-twist of her lips.
“Let’s find out, shall we?” She reached into her bag and took out her phone. “Now be good, and don’t say anything.” She pressed her finger to her lips in an exaggerated ‘don’t talk’ gesture. She called a number, and put speakerphone on. Pressed her finger to her lips again.
“Hello, Crystal.”
Ally’s voice. Ally’s voice. How could it be Ally’s voice?
“Hi, Ally.” Crystal’s voice was cheerful and happy. Her gaze connected with Jace and didn’t waver. “I’m satisfied with the information you’ve gathered. The job is over. Leave Shepherd’s Crook tonight, and come back to the office.”
“I have some unfinished business… I’d like to stay for another couple of days.”
Crystal’s eyebrows rose. “Taking some personal time?”
“Um. Yes.”
“Of course. I’m not a slave driver, and you’ve worked very hard the past few days. I’ll see you on Monday.” She terminated the call. “You’ve been played, Jace. When the air clears, you know where I am.”
Ally had tried to get more information, but Mrs. Miller, perhaps realizing that she’d been pretty darned indiscreet with someone she didn’t know, clammed up tight. Ally spent the rest of the day checking the internet for any information about the mysterious accident that had befallen Kenna’s mother, but without a definite date, it was as futile as searching for one particular grain of sand on a beach.
She’d even hacked into the local police records to see if she could find arrest details for any member of Kenna’s family without success.
What she’d been told didn’t gel with the scenario she’d drawn in her head. Mysterious Sophia had been a girl living in fear of her father. Kenna Miller was by her aunt’s account part of a large family; she’d mentioned one sister and brothers. With a mother who lived at home, and a father who worked. Which wasn’t to say that she wasn’t a victim of abuse, but the contradictions jarred.
It took everything she had to force thoughts of Jace from her mind. She wanted to believe he was the sort of guy Cleo said he was. A decent, reliable man. Someone who wouldn’t cheat, who would be upfront with everyone he cared about. But he’d been on that call in his bedroom with Crystal for quite a while. Was there a man in the world who could resist the pull of a naked woman they were sleeping with skyping in the middle of the night?
Ally was in the coffee shop taking advantage of the fast Wi-Fi and replenishing her caffeine levels when Crystal rang. Her heart pounded hard, and sweat broke out on her brow. This was it. The moment she got fired for sure. Crystal wouldn’t care about the details—she’d just put two and two together. Ally and Jace together the previous night. Jace questioning their relationship—because an old flame had come back into his life.
Shit.
She’d distracted herself well up till that point, but hearing Crystal’s voice, her composure shredded.
Crystal sounded happy. More than that, she sounded fucking delighted.
Ally registered Crystal’s words: “The job is over. Leave Shepherd’s Crook tonight, and come back to the office,” with disbelief.
She was calling an end to the sting. Which could only mean one thing. She and Jace were still together. The sun was shining bright in Jace-and Crystal-land.
Somehow she strung words together without revealing the extent of the devastation paralyzing her. Then terminated the call and sat there, numb.
Jace had called this morning before setting out. Had told her he was meeting Crystal and driving right back. And despite the fact that she should have known better—despite the things she’d learned about human nature, and the way that people lied to get what they want—Ally had believed him.
Outside the window, rain splattered the sidewalk. It felt like it was splattering inside her heart too. There was no way in hell Ally was hanging around here to see the happy couple reunite. She’d stay for a couple of days to solve the mystery of Kenna, and after that, she’d be out of this town as fast as her rental could take her.
I must have stupid written on my forehead. Jace had sat on the bench, staring at Crystal’s departing back. Her parting shot echoed in his head, and the memory of Ally’s voice. He’d been too shocked and confused to call her back—to demand that she explain. He just sat there, in the sunshine, trying to string the facts together into something that actually made some sort of sense.
The miasma of confusion had surrounded him on the half hour drive home. Then he’d poured a glass of whiskey, and powered up the laptop. He never even considered doing a background check on a woman he’d dated, but that was then, and right now he needed answers. To his disgust, they were easy to find. He tracked the company Crystal would be working with when she moved to Portland, and a quick search revealed they were in the process of taking over a small investigation company in Seattle, where she was named as a company director. Honeytrap Inc. There was no mention of Ally, but he guessed they kept their operatives secret.
Do you want to know if he’s cheating?
Be sure, not stupid.
Let our trained operatives tell you if the woman you loves has the cheating gene.
Reading the lines on the website, the pieces slotted together just like the jigsaws he loved as a kid.
Crystal wanted to know if he’d be faithful. And she sent Ally to tempt him. Had she known their history? Could there have been any way Ally knew the man she was going to honeytrap was the same man she spent a night with?
He wanted to believe she was as surprised as she seemed when they recognized each other. He wanted to believe so many things, but then he’d been proved to be a completely blind idiot before, so who knew what the fuck the truth was.
And she had unfinished business. What was that? Fucking him?
He swallowed the glass of whiskey, and curled his hands into fists.
He’d been played. By both of them. But he had the advantage now. He knew Ally’s game, or at least part of it. And Crystal’s cynical offer of a hall pass and an open door when he wanted to come back to her had shown her true colors. Any guilt he’d been feeling about being attracted to Ally while he owed Crystal something was assuaged. His relationship with Crystal was over. Completely over.
Ally? He strode into the kitchen and made a strong cup of coffee.
She’d asked for a few days leave, and in less than a week Rory would be back from his camping trip. She was lying to him. But two could play at that game.
ELEVEN
She didn’t hear from Jace that night. The longer her cell stayed silent, the more pain lanced through Ally’s gut. She should have been investigating Kenna, but instead the next day, she stayed inside with the curtains drawn, and had an orgy with the two men who had never let her down—Ben and Jerry. No amount of motivational self-
help would work in this situation, so she put her faith in ice-cream until she couldn’t stomach any more and dumped the half-eaten second carton back into the freezer before returning to the sofa.
There was something strangely comforting about old Star Trek reruns. Maybe because her mom had always had a bit of a thing for Captain Kirk—which made sense; he was the ultimate playboy, and maybe because Ally’d admired Spock’s cold, controlled reliance on logic. Oh heck, maybe it was just the costumes. And the aliens. Whatever it was, being curled up on the sofa in a pair of pajamas splurging on a Star Trek marathon was working. For now anyway.
When the doorbell rang at ten, she stared at the door in shock. Across the path, her landlord’s lights had flicked off hours ago. There was only one person who could be ringing it. And that person had spent last night in Crystal’s bed.
She crept to the door, and peeked through the glass button embedded in the wood to view visitors.
Jace stood on the doorstep.
“I know you’re there. I can see your shadow at the bottom of the door.”
Shit. She automatically took a step back.
“Open the door, Ally.”
“She can’t take it, Captain!” from the TV, as if Scotty could see her predicament.
“Come on. I won’t bite.”
There’s no way her instinctive reaction to that statement should have been disappointment.
Ally sighed. Stroked a hand down the front of her pajama top. She’d brushed her hair after a shower, but hadn’t reapplied makeup, so she looked a complete mess. Maybe that was for the best.
She shot the bolt, and opened the door.
“Hi.” The man looked sinfully delicious. Black jeans, black shirt. Fresh shave. “I’ve missed you.” Without hesitation, he stepped in, snuck an arm around her waist and pulled her straight against his hard body. “You look gorgeous.” Okay, now the man was definitely delusional. “I bet you taste that way too.” Before she had a chance to respond, he brought his mouth down onto hers, teasing along the seam of her lips and invading her mouth with his tongue.
The Fiancé Trap: A Honeytrap Inc. Romance Page 10
