“He’s correct, my dear. I do apologize for prying into your business.”
She smiled as she looked between us, a curious expression on her face. “You bring a new level to gentlemanly manners. I don’t mind telling you, but it’s kind of gross.” She gave us a rueful look. “Especially before dinner.”
“Now, I must know. Continue.” I waved at her and she rolled her eyes.
“We went on a mission trip to Chile when I was thirteen. Now, by that point I was accustomed to traveling to devastated areas and knew the routine. Number one is don’t drink the water. A fact I was well aware of. But they served us a welcome feast, and I don’t know if it was the water or something else that made our entire crew horribly sick.” She closed her eyes as she recalled the events. “I don’t ever remember being as sick in my entire life as I was those three days. Now we were in the South American jungle. There were no bathrooms or even toilet paper, not enough anyway. It was miserable and disgusting, and that was before I got my period on the second day.” She peeked at us to gauge our reactions, and we must have appeared suitably horrified because she grinned. “So, if you ever want to know what tops getting attacked twice in one day it’s food poisoning in a third world country.”
“Dear God.” Michael shudder caused her to chuckle.
“Today was scary, but on the scale of sheer miserableness, doesn’t even register.”
“You have my sympathy. I don’t think even my worst drunken hangovers could compete.” I lifted a glass to her. “Cheers you’ve topped my worst day.”
“You really don’t consider today terrible do you?” Michael was perplexed by her ease and I could see it was bothering him.
“She’s stalwart, like us. You should be proud, brother, you might have found the only woman who can handle the Wright brothers.”
“That explains so much about you.” Jane commented casually, shifting to cross her legs on the couch. “Your last name is Wright. You never had a chance to be anything less than arrogant.”
A snort escaped me as Michael gave her a considering look. “I’m not arrogant.”
“Uh huh.” She popped a candy in her mouth and flashed him a smile.
“I don’t think she believes you, brother.”
“And back to your question about why this isn’t the worst day.” Her words paused Michael’s oncoming argument. Jane didn’t know it yet, but she’d hit on one of Michael’s tender spots. He despised the implication of arrogance even as he represented it. “Yes, it was bad and I encountered two really awful men, but I also met two incredible men who have shown me nothing but kindness and worked to help me. Which is much more important. I’d rather be grateful for the good.”
A knock on the door followed her statement and disrupted whatever Michael was about to say. I leaned over and brushed a tendril of her hair off her cheek. She’d pulled in up in a loose ponytail when she’d changed and one stubborn strand clung to her face. She shivered at the brush of my fingers so I rubbed my thumb along her jaw before pulling back.
“You are exceptional, Jane love.” The faintest hint of pink bloomed on her cheeks at my compliment, and indicated she was not immune to me any more than I was to her.
The waiter unloaded the room service cart onto the low table in front of us, the scent of our meal causing Jane’s stomach to rumble once again. Michael tipped the waiter on his way out and came over to us.
“Are we partaking of dessert first?” An eager nod from Jane had me passing her a glass of milk along with a cookie.
“It’s warm.” She groaned, biting into the chocolate chip cookie. At the sound I offered her my cookie and she graced me with a questioning look.
“I believe I’ll find more enjoyment watching you eat my cookie than if I ate it myself.” She snatched the cookie from my hand with narrowed eyes.
“Is that some type of innuendo? Remember rule number three.”
“How could I forget? You singlehandly ruined all of my summer plans with your list of rules.” She frowned, looking upset at my declaration, and handed my cookie back to me.
“We’ll have fun. You’ll see. Now eat your cookie.”
“It is quite good.” Michael commented, taking a swig of milk. “I don’t remember the last time I had milk and cookies. And before dinner, I’m positive that’s never happened.”
“Take it easy there, brother. You don’t want to get too wild.” I proceeded to dunk my cookie in the milk to Jane’s consternation. She eyed me heavily but didn’t comment as I took a bite of the now soggy cookie and washed it down with milk.
Once we’d moved past the dessert portion of the evening, Jane felt it was our turn to divulge information about ourselves.
“Tell me about yourself.” She popped a French fry in her mouth, and gave me a sideways glance.
“I’m a Pisces, not really the type for long walks on the beach, but I do love a good pub crawl.” I paused and pointed to her. “And a good shag, can’t neglect to mention that. A spot of bourbon on occasion.”
A snort from Michael along with him repeating, “On occasion,” interrupted me and I responded with a lift of my eyebrow.
He gave me a nonchalant wave, “Continue.”
A tight smile was my reply as I said, “Surprisingly, I’ve found some of the best bourbon happens to be in this town.”
“Good to know.” She nodded reflexively, her cheeseburger frozen midway between her plate and mouth. I indicated it, “May I?”
She held it out to me and I stole a bite. “Good choice, love.”
I offered her a bite of my red fish, my eyes tracing her lips as she delicately ate it off my fork. She nodded enthusiastically. “That’s very good. I’ll get that next time.” She then proceeded to steal a shrimp off Michael’s plate.
His austere glance had her offering him her cheeseburger as she said, “It looked lonely.”
His lips twitched as he accepted her offering and took a bite.
“I believe that’s the first time I’ve ever witnessed you eat a hamburger, Michael. How is it?”
He chewed slowly before he replied, “It’s interesting. Surprisingly good.”
“Wait, are you serious?” She gave him a wide eyed look. “How can you never have eaten a cheeseburger? What else haven’t you eaten?”
“I don’t generally eat foods that are required to be picked up with your hands.” He admitted, picking up his own fork.
“So, pizza? Hot dogs? Sandwiches? Po’boys? I thought you got a po’boy at lunch.”
“No, he ordered the shrimp creole.” I answered for him, smirking at his look of discomfort.
“Well, we have to fix that.” Jane declared to Michael’s consternation.
“I don’t believe I need any assistance with my dining habits.” He replied repressively.
“Oh, but you do.” Jane nodded with wide eyes. “Trust me. You’re missing out. I think this is the perfect opportunity to branch out. You seem very straight-laced, Michael. Can I call you Mike?”
“No.”
She deflated at his immediate rejection, and Michael relented. Slightly.
“Perhaps we can try more casual fare.” He suggested, and I fought a laugh at the sway she already held over him. He accused me of being taken with her, but he caved at the merest hint of her unhappiness.
She immediately perked up at his concession, but was smart enough not to push it.
“Great! So, Ian told me about himself.” She gave me an uncertain look to which I responded with a wink. She blushed and continued, “Now it’s your turn.”
“I’m not arrogant and I have no idea what my astrological sign is.” He told her bluntly, and a laugh spilled out of me. I knew he’d come back to the arrogant comment eventually. Michael didn’t let things go easily.
“Okaaaay.” Jane took another bite of her burger and chewed slowly. Apparently she was unwilling to continue to push for information after Michael shut her down. I gave him a pointed look and he closed his eyes in irritation.
“We attended boarding schools for most of our formative years. Luckily, we were at the same one until I went to university. It’s one of the reasons we’re so close.”
“So, you didn’t stay at home with your family?” She seemed shocked by the idea that children would be sent away to be educated. A glimpse into how different her own family life was from ours.
“No, we were an inconvenience to our parents. Children should be seen and not heard,” I answered bitterly. My nose twitched at the sheen of tears my words brought to her eyes, and I made an effort to lighten the moment. “What about you? Did you go to high school with a bunch of jocks and hillbillies? Are you a born again virgin, by chance?”
“Ian! No, I’m not a born again virgin. What is that even? I was homeschooled most of my school years, but I did attend a normal high school.”
“So virgin?” I prodded.
“Ian, she hasn’t even been here twenty four hours.” Michael admonished as I grinned at the sight of Jane’s mouth hanging open. “A change of subject please.”
I gave an exaggerated sigh and pursed my lips. I didn’t imagine the faintest flicker of her eyes to my mouth as I did so and felt my lips curl up in response as I did what he asked.
“What college are you attending? Perhaps I can offer some tips. I’ve been to numerous universities.”
“Do not take advice from my brother unless you wish to find the quickest way to be expelled.”
“It’s an all-women’s college. Agnes Scott.”
“Agnes. What a lovely name! No telling what manner of hi-jinx you’ll get into there.”
“It’s a very respectable school.” She defended to my amusement.
“Of that, I have no doubt. But fun? I somehow doubt it.”
“Some consider university a place to learn, not party, brother.” Michael responded bitingly.
“It was the only one my parents and I agreed on.” Jane interjected with a faint grimace.
“And the truth comes out.” I responded with a flick of my fingers, somehow unsurprised her parents had played a large part in the choice. “Will they be attending with you as well?”
“No, they’re in Africa, remember?” Her tart response had my eyes narrowing with surprising admiration. I’d witnessed her defend herself from a physical attack, but it was refreshing to see her do the same with a verbal one. It was rare anyone spoke back to my brother and me. Too many wanted something from us to ever take a chance on offending. She, however, didn’t feel the same way.
She held my gaze, showing a level of self-respect I hadn’t expected.
“I do believe you’ve met your match, Ian.” Michael’s amused words had the effect of breaking our stare down, and I favored him with an amused smirk.
“I have no doubt she’s a fitting match for both of us. One who will keep us on our toes.”
I stacked our empty dishes on the room service cart, waving Jane back as she moved to assist.
“No need, love. Room service I’m quite good at. Now, washing dishes is another matter. I’d demand your help in that instance.” My words served to garner a smile from her, and I pushed the cart in to the hallway. On my return, I watched her endeavor to smother a yawn, her eyes blinking heavily.
“I do believe it’s bedtime for our little warrior.” I announced, drawing Michael’s attention from his phone. Jane shook her head reflexively, but I gave her a resolute stare. “I watched you yawn. You’ve had a long day, I imagine, with all of these villains attempting to steal your virtue, and then you wind up with us. Quite possibly the worst of the lot.”
She smiled, her eyes soft as she shook her head again.
“I’m pretty sure I found knights in shining armor when you came to my rescue.” She rubbed her eyes, the motion almost childlike as she tried to pretend she wasn’t exhausted.
“Do I need to carry you to bed?” I asked hopefully. She laughed as she said, “No.”
Discomfort slipped across her face so quickly I almost missed it. It puzzled me until her eyes darted to the door I’d left open when I’d come back from getting her clothes. It dawned on me then that she didn’t know where she would sleep and was nervous.
“You’ll take my room.” She opened her mouth to protest, but I spoke over her. “I don’t sleep much. No more than a couple of hours a night. It’s practically a waste for me to even have a bed. The couch will be fine.” It appeared she still wanted to argue and I shook my head firmly, glancing at Michael for back up. “No arguments.”
“He’s quite right. We’d never allow a guest to sleep on the couch, and he is a veritable insomniac.” He narrowed his eyes slightly at her. “However, perhaps you don’t wish to stay with us? Would you be more comfortable with a room of your own? I can call down to the front desk and see if there is a room nearby available.”
“I think not.” I replied, spinning around to glare at him.
“Ian. Brother. She’s agreed to work for us. That doesn’t mean she should have to stay in the same room. It may make her uncomfortable.” He stressed uncomfortable and I frowned, disliking the idea of her being out of my sight, especially at night, but understanding what he was trying to say. Demanding she stay here would not win her over in any way.
“Fine, but only if the room across the hall is available. If it’s not, have the occupants thrown out. Anything else is too far, and she could possibly miss out on an opportunity to babysit me.” My high handed demand caused Michael’s lips to twitch as he fought a smile.
“That won’t be necessary.” Jane muttered, rubbing her eyes as she stood up determinedly. “You can’t throw someone out of their room in the middle of the night.” She shook her finger at me. “That’s not nice, Ian.”
“I’m not nice.” I smiled as I said it, but my eyes warned her I was speaking the absolute truth.
“I’ll be the one to decide that.” She told me calmly, her gaze unwavering. “Tonight I’ll take your room. I trust you to be gentlemen.”
“Of course. If you’re sure?” Michael gave her one last chance to stay elsewhere knowing if she stayed tonight she’d be staying every night.
“Yes, Michael. I am.” Her eyes told me to not let her regret her faith in me, and I gave her a tiny nod. She had no cause to worry. I wouldn’t do anything she didn’t explicitly give me permission to do. She didn’t see my smile as she walked toward the bedroom. A good thing because the predatory gleam would have had her changing her mind.
The click of the bedroom door closing had Michael swiveling around to the bar. He pulled the bottle of bourbon out and poured us each a glass. As he slid mine toward me, he said, “Our secret.”
I nodded, savoring the smoky flavor and feeling more content than I had in years. A glance at Michael had me straightening as I saw his contemplative expression. He had the heart and soul of an analyst, always calculating the odds of any given move. Today’s series of split second decisions had to be difficult for him and I had no doubt he was working out the ramifications as we drank.
His silence finally led me to ask, “Do I sense a hint of regret, brother?”
Was he coming to the conclusion that Jane being gone was the wiser course of action? I ignored the momentary panic the thought gave me, instead focusing on Michael. Jane was as intrigued with me and our lifestyle as I was with her. It was my brother I had to convince.
“Not in the least.” He finally replied, his words penetrating the list of counter arguments I was planning.
“You look surprised.”
“I am.” I reached for my glass, taking a sip to give me time to reorganize my thoughts. “It’s unlike you to jump on board so quickly with an idea.”
“I have a good feeling about her.” He pierced me with a knowing stare. “You’re happy with her here. She needs our protection. I think it will work out quite well.”
I tipped my glass to him, impressed. It seemed as if Jane’s presence was having an effect on both of the Wright brothers.
“I need to look over notes for tomo
rrow’s meeting. You’ll be alright out here?” He gestured to the couch I was sitting on so I brought my feet up and stretched out.
“Right as rain, brother.” He looked conflicted, almost as if he wished to say something, a warning I was sure, but his jaw relaxed and he headed to his room without saying whatever thought he’d had. I stared out the window broodingly. It was eight o’clock at night in New Orleans and normally I would be strolling down Bourbon Street. Instead I was sleeping on a couch tonight, my plans interrupted by a mere slip of a girl. One who was far better than anything I would ever deserve.
A muffled cry pulled me from a light doze and I sat for a second wondering if I was hearing things. Another sharper cry had me on my feet and moving toward my room.
It was Jane.
I didn’t hesitate in pushing open the door, privacy be damned. She was scared and I would comfort her. Restless slumber had her twisted up in the sheets, the hem of my shirt pulled up just enough for me to see a pale sliver of her belly. The sight of tears gleaming against her cheeks twisted my heart and pushed me forward. I kneeled next to the bed, hesitating for a second before resting my hand on her cheek. I brushed my thumb over the tracks of her tears, and heard her choked cries ease with my touch.
“Love, shh. It’s okay. I’m hear. You’re safe.”
“Ian?” Her whisper was uncertain as her eyes slowly opened. The light coming in through the window was enough for me to make out her relief as she recognized me. She pushed herself up and threw one of her arms around my neck as she buried her face against me. I held her, murmuring nonsense words as her breath stuttered against my cheek. The uneven gasps settled down as I stroked her back. She eventually leaned back from me, her lips mere inches from my own, but I refrained from brushing my own against them. She sought comfort this night, and I was determined to give only that.
“You’re safe here, I promise.” I pressed my lips against her temple, unable to resist the tiny touch. I forced myself to stand up, not wanting the moment to turn into something it wasn’t meant to be. I reached down and tugged her shirt so it covered the strip of skin before pulling the blanket back over her. “You can rest knowing I’ll keep watch over you. No harm will come to you while I’m here.”
Average Jane Page 6
