“You’re awake!”
“Awfully observant this morning.” I smirked at her frown and used my grip on her arm to tug her into my lap.
“Oh!” She gasped as she landed.
“Now, where were we?” She remained stiff for a moment before relaxing against me. Her simple trust eased the knot in my chest. The timeline for her departure loomed closer and with each passing day I grew more disgruntled at the thought of her leaving. Michael had made me promise to finish university, but he hadn’t specified a location and as much as it would pain me to leave him, I would follow Jane.
“I don’t remember.” She answered and it took me a second to remember what we were talking about.
“What has you upset?”
“I’m not upset.” She said, her fingers curling around her hair once again. I captured them gently, as I tilted her chin up.
“Then why are you fiddling with your hair?” Her grumpy frown amused me and I stroked the length of her braid, the dark strands silky beneath my hand.
“I…was checking to make sure it hadn’t come undone.” She replied with a triumphant grin. I tugged on the end of it as I raised a knowing eyebrow. She gave a defeated sigh and leaned back against me. “What happened last night? Where’s Michael?” Uncertainty laced her voice and it dawned on me she thought we’d had a row.
“He had an important business meeting this morning.” My smile was that of a confidante. “He’s decided we should buy the company together. He’s making them an offer as we speak.”
She gasped excitedly and clenched my hand. “Really? Should you be there? Do you think they’ll take it? What about your parents?”
Her questions bombarded me and I held up a hand.
“It’s Michael, love. Of course, they’ll take it. As to whether I need to be there, let’s just say I’ll be a silent partner in this endeavor.” The last question had me pausing for a moment. Michael and I had devised a plan in the wee hours of the morning and my part necessitated a trip to England. A fact I wasn’t looking forward to in the least as it meant I would miss time with Jane.
“What is it?” She placed a gentle finger against my lip, and the frown I felt there turned to a small smile. “You look unhappy when you should be ecstatic.”
“I’m afraid dealing with my parents will involve a brief trip. Michael can’t afford to leave at the moment so it’ll need to be me.” Her downcast eyes hide the disappointment I’d seen.
“How long?”
“Three…four days, tops.”
Her eyes shot up to mine at my reply.
“That’s quick.”
“I don’t see any point in lingering. Michael thinks I need closure and that I’ll derive a certain satisfaction from informing them of the imminent departure of their sons from the family business.” I waggled my eyebrows at her, garnering a grin. “I can’t say he’s wrong, but I will miss you.” The words were a little heavier than I intended, ruining the lighthearted mood I was striving for.
“It’s only a few days.” She told me with a forced smile. “Maybe I can get Michael to tour the city with me. I doubt he’s seen anything more than the streets to work and back.”
“Undoubtedly you are correct.” I cupped her face between my hands and swallowed hard. “We discussed you traveling with me.” She blinked at me in surprise, but it was the slight hope on her face that made my heart soar. “But the trip is so short and in truth I don’t want you anywhere near my parents’ vitriol.” Her face fell and as she struggled to smile I smoothed my thumb along her velvety cheek. “I want to show you the country I was born in.” Her eyes met mine and I gave her a soft smile. “But it would take an entire summer to do so and I don’t want to rush. Please believe me when I say I don’t take leaving lightly. There is nothing more that I wish than to spend every waking moment with you, but this must be done.” My smile turned brittle at the thought of our upcoming confrontation. “They need to be purged from our lives so we can move on.”
She nodded and bit her lip as conflicting emotions raced through her eyes. I leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to her lips.
“Do not fret, little warrior.” She frowned at how easily I read her emotions. “You are an open book to me, and how you feel about your parents is vastly different than how I view mine. This is a long time coming and brings with it a hard won peace.”
She nodded and I witnessed a small struggle before she finally asked her next question.
“And Audra?”
“Ah, Audra.” I smiled at the memory of Michael’s face as he demanded the right to deal with her. “Well, it seems Michael has plans for her. In fact, he seemed eager, and who am I to deny him his pleasure?”
The wicked little smile that came over her face then caused a jolt of pure heat to sizzle through me. I pressed my thumb against her chin, forcing her lips to part, and captured the plump lower lip that drove me nuts.
“Aw, bloody hell. Is this what I have to look forward to from now on?” The door banged shut as an irritated Scot barged in, complaining loudly. “I spend the evening worrying about you lot, only to be woken up by an eerily cheerful Michael who then tells me to bring beignets over because Ian is going to London. Anyone care to explain?”
Our lips parted and the tip of Jane’s tongue came out to press against the lip I’d just devoured. I bit back a groan and refrained from uttering a sharp retort over Buster’s untimely interruption.
“You have beignets?”
“Well, I know one way to the lassie’s heart.”
I dropped my arm with a sigh as Jane scrambled off my lap and reached for the bag Buster held. I met his eyes as Jane told him thank you, and from the seriousness reflected there he knew the story. I spread my fingers wide, lifting my hand in inquiry. He gave a subtle shake of his head and the subject was forgotten. Jane curled next to me, offering the bag and I selected one of the sugary pastries.
“Still warm.” I nodded, impressed. “You must have hauled ass.” A sharp little elbow digging into my side had me correcting myself. “Hauled butt this morning.”
Buster smirked at my correction, mouthing, “Whipped.”
To which Jane replied, “Don’t think I didn’t catch that curse word when you came in this morning, Buster McTavish.”
I raised my eyebrows as he gave an abashed apology.
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen.” I caroled, amused by the power she held over us all.
“I recall a certain lady using a curse word last evening.” I teased, running my finger under her ribcage and laughing as she squirmed away.
“She is a bitch and I won’t apologize for it. In fact I’ll make her pay for it.” She gasped around a giggle and it was Buster’s turn to raise an eyebrow.
“Remind me never to piss her off.” He said, pointing to giggling Jane. “She’s got a mean streak in her I wouldn’t have expected. Couple that with the fact that I know she can bring a man down in under thirty seconds and I’d stay on her good side, lad.”
“I plan to.” I answered with a wide smile. “So, Michael sent you around?”
“Aye,” Buster replied with a sigh, settling on to the chair across from us. “He said you were going home to talk to your parents. Asked me to accompany you.” His curious glance asked if I was amenable to the idea and I nodded. I’d welcome the company. I didn’t think I’d be going off on another one of my binges after my talk with Jane, but I could use the support. Dealing with my parents in any capacity was a vile task I loathed, but this time promised to be even more spectacular than normal. “In case you need someone to bail you out with the coppers.”
I laughed, but didn’t discount the possibility.
“When do you leave?” Jane asked, her earlier happiness disappearing at the thought of my absence. I rubbed a smudge of powdered sugar off her cheek as I sent an inquiring look towards Buster. Michael would have made the arrangements by now.
“We leave in a few hours.” He answered and I saw the duffel he’d set by the door. I k
issed Jane’s temple and stood up.
“I think that means I need to go pack.” Jane set the beignets down and knotted her hands together. I reached for them, pausing her fidgeting. “Why don’t you help me? Make sure I don’t forget anything necessary, like socks.” She gave me a faint smile and glanced over at Buster, who quickly held up his phone. “Got to make a few calls, lass. Won’t bother me a bit.”
She jumped onto the bed, crossing her legs under her as she watched me pull out a small carry on. I was a master at packing after having moved and traveled so much over the years, but this was the hardest one yet. I dumped necessities in the bag along with workout clothes and my normal attire. The suit was last as I tucked it in carefully so it would hang correctly.
“A suit?”
She fingered the sleeve of my favorite cashmere suit, the dove gray standing out against the black garment bag.
“Yes, love. Armor, you could say.” I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It never hurts to be well armed when dealing with ones foes.”
“Is it okay that I’m sad you consider your parents the enemy?” Her expression was torn and I knew it was because she understood the reason why I despised them, but she also wished it wasn’t so.
I crouched next to her, the flannel from her pajama pants soft on my hand as I cupped her knee.
“I think it shows how kind your heart is, love. There were many times I wished for a different outcome, but in the end they chose the path that took them away from us instead of closer to us.” I shook my head. “I’m thankful for my grandparents. They showed my brother and I what it means to have people care for you. Someone like you.” I swallowed as I remembered the warmth of my grandmother’s hugs. “They would have liked you.” I squeezed the knee I held to watch her squirm and she grabbed my shoulders. “I won’t allow my parents vindictiveness to destroy someone as perfectly innocent as you. It’s why Michael and I have kept your presence in our lives from them. They would have found some way to cause you harm and my only goal is to keep you happy and safe.”
“But you have to face them…”
“Something I’ll gladly do to be rid of them once and for all.” My smile was vicious as I considered the reaction I was likely to get when my parents realized what was happening. “We will take the only things that ever mattered to them…money, power, and prestige.”
“What a lonely life they lead. To not know how special you and Michael are.” She looped her arms around my shoulders and hugged me. As I slide my arms around her waist, I felt myself come home. The second I laid eyes on her she had a hold over me. Every moment since then had only cemented the bond between us and now I understood she had been what I searched for. All the women, the one night stands, the casual disregard I’d had for all of the ones before her had brought me here, to her. To the one I couldn’t bear to leave.
“You’re going to have to send me on my way, love.” I grasped her arms tightly as I spoke seriously. She gave me a soft smile and rubbed her hand against the bristles on my cheek.
“I’ll be right here when you come back. I promise.” She seemed to innately understand my fear that she would disappear while I was gone. “Now go, exorcise your demons and come back to me a changed man.” Her lip curled up in a wicked smile. “But not too changed. I rather like the roguish version.”
I brushed my lips against hers, back and forth, and pushed to my feet as the temptation to do more overcame me.
“We should probably go back to living room, my little vixen, before I show you exactly how little of a gentleman I actually am.” The flush on her cheeks combined with the shaky little sigh she gave had me forcing back a groan. “Yep, off with you.” I swatted at her behind as she scooted past me. “I’ll be there in a minute.” She cast a lingering look back at me as she slipped through the door.
I finished closing everything up and took a look around. The changes were subtle but there if you looked close enough. The lotion on the nightstand, the long hairs on the pillowcase, the tiny ballet flats she preferred next to my black leather shoes, all indicated how well she integrated into our lives, into my life. Our shared space reflected both of us and for the first time in a long time, it welcomed me.
Glancing at the bed, only one side was slept in, but as I pressed my hand against the side that was still made I remembered the nights I held her hand as she slept, the trust and acceptance she’d offered me from the first moment we’d met. Those had been things I craved without knowing I craved them. She’d become my haven, my source of joy, and she’d given me a sense of peace back.
I shuddered to think of what the summer would have been if she hadn’t been in my life when I was confronted with Audra again. Even in my worst moments, Jane had kept me afloat. I grabbed my bag and went to spend the rest of my day with her.
“Is there a reason you’re still wearing pajamas?”
Hours later, Michael’s sharp question had Jane flinching. We’d hung out in the room with Buster till it was time to go to the airport. Michael had called earlier to say he would go with us so we’d been waiting on his arrival.
“I…”
“You will get dressed. I understand your reluctance to see my brother leave, but that does not give you license to lounge around all day in your pajamas. Are we clear?”
“Yes, sir.” Jane was on her feet in an instant and as she disappeared into her room I turned a steely glare to Michael.
“Don’t look at me like that, brother.” Michael flicked his wrist at me. “She needs tough love. She’ll feel better if she’s presentable. I won’t allow her to mope around while you’re gone.” I bit back my retort about his version of ‘tough love’ as he continued. “I have a plan to keep her in New Orleans come fall and I need her engaged, not depressed.”
“Are you going to tell me what it is?”
“No, but suffice to say it will work.”
I rolled my eyes at his certainty, but if it involved Jane remaining in our lives I was all for it.
Jane bounced in a few minutes later, blush on her cheeks, her hair piled high on her head, and wearing a sundress with low heels. She looked presentable enough for dinner and Michael gave her an approving smile.
“Now, we may go.”
“Yes, lord and master.”
“I’ve had quite enough of your snarky, Ian.”
Buster drove to the airport with Jane in the seat next to him. Our late arrival didn’t leave much time for goodbyes, but I hugged Jane tightly to me and whispered in her ear, “Only a couple of days, love.” I felt her sharp nod against my shoulder as she clung to me. Finally, I let her go as Buster cleared his throat and she stepped back before darting to Buster to give him a quick squeeze.
“Be careful.” She admonished us and we nodded like proper lads. She waved us away with a quick motion. “Ok, go. Don’t be late for your flight.” We headed inside and as I gave a quick glance back I saw her watching us, her hand gripping Michael’s.
***
As he disappeared from my view, I turned back to the car, my hand still in Michael’s and was confronted with a conundrum. I glanced between Michael and the car a few times before hesitantly asking, “Do you want me to drive?”
He flicked a glance at me and said, “Don’t be absurd.” He opened the passenger door and motioned me to get in. “I’ve made reservations for dinner.”
I slid in and put my seatbelt on. I’d never ridden with Michael driving, and after glancing at him out of the corner of my eye, I also realized I’d never seen him in the front seat.
After a few heart stopping seconds of his driving, I understood why. I closed my eyes as my hands clenched around the seat and prayed I’d live to see Ian again.
“You can open your eyes now,” he told me drily. I blinked them open slowly to see we were stopped in front of Brennan’s. A valet hovered next to my door and I pried my fingers from the seat to unbuckle my seatbelt. He opened the door and I leaned a little more heavily on his arm than I normally would as I forced m
y shaky legs to hold me.
“You didn’t die.” He mentioned as he escorted me inside.
“Only because I prayed the entire time.” I retorted, making the sign of the cross to his amusement. “Someone could have warned me.”
“I’m an exceptional driver.”
“Which is why you never drive.”
“I never drive with a passenger.” He corrected, flashing a smile at the host, who took us back immediately without even asking Michael’s name. I shook my head, still impressed by how many people seemed to recognize Michael and instinctively gave him whatever he wanted.
“You are spoiled.” I told him as we were seated at the best table they had.
“Perhaps. But it comes at a cost.”
I bit my cheek, knowing he was correct. I’d seen firsthand the people that constantly asked for favors, the invasion of privacy, and the expectations that came with such wealth. They were privileged, but I wasn’t certain it always outweighed the cost.
“So, they took your offer for the company?” I asked after we’d placed our orders.
“Yes, Ian and I are now the proud owners of a severely mismanaged corporation whose parts are currently worth more than the whole.” He smiled wryly at me. “When presented with the option of being bought out and salvaged or being bought and reorganized, they took the reorganization option. A smart decision.”
“Because you were buying them either way.”
“Correct.”
“So, you’re going to manage the company then? And Ian?”
“Ian will be attending university. A stipulation I made when agreeing to partner with him. I’ll manage the company myself and hopefully have it turned around within the next four years. It’ll be sold, probably back to the prior owners at a significant profit for Ian and I.”
I nodded, impressed with his plan and the idea that the company would remain intact.
“You saved a lot of jobs.”
“We did. It was Ian’s idea and without an influx of his money, it would have been difficult if not impossible to make happen.” Michael admitted candidly. “He possesses a rare insight. One that will make him an excellent investor one day, once he’s learned to apply himself.” He smiled at me. “I think he may have finally found his initiative in you.”
Average Jane Page 21
