His Unforgettable Fiancée

by Teresa Carpenter

  “You remembered something,” she guessed. It’s the only thing she could think of that could incapacitate him like this.

  “I remembered everything.” His voice was rough as if squeezed through a vise.

  Everything?

  “Congratulations.” Joy for him washed through her along with a pinch of dread, but now wasn’t the time for celebrating or anticipating the end. The surge of intel had obviously overloaded his senses. She needed to get him home so he could rest. His brain needed to shut down for a while in order to absorb everything. “Do you think you can move?”

  “Yes. Just give me another minute.” He reached for the bottle and drank it dry.

  She used the time to call his driver and instruct him to meet them at the front doors.

  Jackson pushed to his feet. He gave her a small smile as he reached for her hand. “If I fall, don’t let them take me to the hospital.”

  “Someday you’re going to have to tell me what that’s about.” Grace opened the door and they started down the hall. When he swayed, she wrapped her arm around his waist. His arm automatically went around her shoulders. “Lean on me. I’ll get you out of here.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  JACKSON LOOKED LIKE a billion dollars. The cut of his tux, the straight line of his posture, the jut of his chin, all spoke of confidence and determination, both elements Grace saw every time she looked at him. But there was more tonight. There was a surety of self that had been missing until now.

  He was in his element, among his people. And he was thriving.

  Still, she kept an eye on him, watching for any sign of distress or fatigue.

  She’d tried to talk him out of attending the gala. He’d crashed this morning when they returned from meeting with the detective. Slept for hours. She woke him around four and suggested skipping the event or merely putting in a brief appearance.

  He refused to hear of it. Said he was fine and proved it by pulling her with him into the grotto shower for a lovely interval. She’d been forced to agree he was fine indeed.

  The memory brought a touch of heat to her cheeks.

  Hard to believe making love with Jackson could get better. It had. The man knew his way around a woman’s body. She had no doubt he’d made a thorough study of it at some point in the past.

  He laughed at something said in the group he was speaking with and then wished them well and broke away. Several people had joined the group after he did, and she’d ended up standing somewhat behind him. Now she watched as he moved off without her toward the next group.

  She slowly followed in his wake. He’d been solicitous all evening, keeping her within hands’ reach. Until now. Maybe she should have been the one to beg off the event.

  He stopped suddenly and swung around. A frown drew his dark brows together until he spotted her. The approval in his eyes as he walked back to her almost made up for his leaving her behind.

  “There you are. I missed you.”

  She shook her finger at him. “You forgot me.”

  “A momentary blip. I’m told that can happen when you have a concussion.”

  “Oh, now it’s convenient to have a concussion. I can’t believe you’re using it as an excuse to me.”

  “Hmm. Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

  Oh, how sly. Of course she knew he meant to distract her. And he knew just how to get to her. The dress was strapless in a deep true red, the fitted, drop-waist bodice hugged her curves to the hips, and the full ballroom skirt, completely covered in ribbon roses, flowed around her when she moved.

  She’d never felt more like a woman, or more beautiful. Except in his arms.

  Because she wasn’t mad, just a little sad to see the end creeping up on her, she let him off the hook.

  “You did.” She swished the skirt back and forth and smiled up at him, enjoying the spark in his eyes as they lingered on her. “Thank you. For the dress and for insisting it was the right one. I’ll never forget this night. I feel like Cinderella at the ball.”

  “Good grief, does that make me Prince Charming? I don’t think I can live that one down.”

  “Not so.” She straightened his already perfect bow tie. “JD may have stumbled a bit here, but Jackson is in his element. These people are lining up to eat out of your hand. You are every bit the prince of all you survey.”

  He glanced around at the crowd surrounding them. And there was just a little surprise in the gaze he turned back to her. “I suppose you’re right.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him. “I guess I’m just used to them versus me.”

  “I’m sure that’s true in some cases.” She leaned against him. “But not always. Tonight they’re all backing you. This is a good thing you’re doing here. And you don’t need me hampering your progress. Why don’t I find a quiet corner while you work the room for a while?”

  Concern flashed into his green eyes. “Are you not feeling well?”

  “I’m fine.” It warmed her that his focus went to her first. “I just think you can move around easier without me tagging along.”

  “Absolutely not.” He planted a soft kiss on her upraised mouth. “You saved my butt by interpreting Japanese for Mr. Watanabe. We were struggling without his interpreter.”

  “You were doing fine.”

  “I wasn’t kidding when I said I missed you. My head is a mishmash of old and new. You help to ground me between the two. I can be myself with you.”

  It meant a lot that he felt that way. Love welled up causing her throat to tighten. She blinked back tears. Oh, yeah, the end was zinging at her with the speed of a bullet. But she could have this last night.

  She cleared her throat and lifted onto her toes to kiss his cheek. “Okay, but if Cinderella’s feet start to hurt, Prince Charming is going to carry her shoes.”

  “It’s a deal.” He kissed her again, lingering over the caress long enough to make her toes curl. Then he released her but kept hold of her hand as he headed toward another group of people.

  He’d gone only a few steps when Clay intercepted them. “Jackson, I’ll be shadowing you for a while.”

  “You’ve been shadowing me all night, Clay. What’s changed?”

  “A bit of a disturbance in the tunnel from the casino.”

  “What kind of disturbance?”

  “Someone trying to break in. My men are handling it, and Hunt and his partner are headed over to check it out. It’s probably nothing. But it means I’ll be shadowing you from a foot away rather than ten.”

  “Do they think it’s Vanessa?” Grace asked.

  “Wouldn’t that make the night a true success?” Clay fell into step with Jackson. “We should know soon.”

  “I can help if you need an extra hand,” she offered.

  “You’re not going to need an extra hand, are you, Clay?” Jackson made it clear her assistance would not be tolerated.

  “You do know I’m trained to handle situations like this.”

  “Yeah, I do. And I appreciate your willingness to help. But I won’t risk you.”

  “That’s just ridiculous.” She tugged at her hand, wanting free of the bullheaded man.

  “Don’t care.” He held on tight.

  She threw up her free hand in frustration and looked to Clay for help.

  He shrugged. “Works for me. I’m counting on you as a last line of defense.”

  “Ha.” She smirked at Jackson.

  He glared at Clay. “What the hell?”

  Clay remained stoned-faced. “You’re my number one concern. I’ll use what tools I have to ensure your safety.”

  Jackson stepped right into her space and cupped her face, forcing her gaze to his. “How much would I have to pay you to get out of law enforcement?”

  She blinked at him. What was he talking about? “It’s what I do, who I am.”

  “You could learn something new with what I’m willing to pay. The thought of you getting hurt flays me.”

  The intensity in his
expression shouted the truth of his words.

  “I’m good at what I do,” she reassured him. “And you were the one encouraging me to join the FBI.”

  “I was wrong. You should teach kindergarten or become a florist.”

  “A florist?” she repeated confused with where this was going. Seriously, she killed off cacti, something he didn’t know about her, but still. She brushed the hair back at his temple. “Is your head hurting? Maybe we should take a break.”

  A pleading look toward the other man had him stepping forward.

  “Jackson—”

  “I don’t need a break.” Jackson ignored Clay. “I need for you to be safe.”

  “I am safe, right here by your side. You know as well as I do Clay isn’t letting anyone get past him.”

  “And what about next week or a month from now? I have a scar to remind me things happen you never expect. Working in law enforcement comes with an expectation of being harmed in the line of duty.”

  “True. But I’m not taking money from you to change careers, so can we get back to enjoying the night?”

  “Okay.”

  Yeah. He’d taken the hint in her tone and backed off.

  “But the subject is not closed.”

  Or maybe not.

  “I have confirmation,” Clay broke in. “They just apprehended Vanessa.”

  * * *

  Early the next morning, Grace woke to Jackson leaning over her. His lips caressed her cheek. “Sleep in. I have things to catch up on.”

  And then he was gone.

  But there was no going back to sleep. Too much had happened yesterday for her mind to settle back into slumber. Not when she knew a difficult decision loomed ahead of her.

  She was so happy for Jackson that Vanessa had been found and incarcerated. And still dread lay lead-heavy in her stomach.

  His concern over her welfare touched her, but it also worried her. It would be different if they were a real couple, but her time with Jackson was more fantasy than reality. Their relationship was temporary at best.

  She’d be a fool to let a fleeting lover influence her next career choice. Yet it would be too easy to do, considering she loved him. She’d known as soon as he regained his memory that her time with Jackson was limited, but with Vanessa still at large she’d figured she had a little extra time. Now that excuse was gone. She should make the break sooner rather than later.

  Being a kept woman wasn’t her style.

  No, the fantasy only worked as long as she had something to bring to the relationship. Jackson no longer needed her, so it was time to go.

  Just forming the thought in her head broke her heart. But it was for the best. She loved Jackson but not his transient lifestyle. She’d compromised in that regard for too long. She may be undecided with what she wanted to do for employment, but finding a place to put down roots was the one constant her soul never wavered on.

  And for all his professions of missing her and his bargaining to find her a safer career, the longer the evening wore on, the more distant he became. Sure, he shackled her to his side, but he drew her into the conversation less and less. And for the past hour he sat her on a bar stool and completely ignored her while he talked to a group of old cronies several feet away.

  It gave her a chance to observe him. He laughed, he talked, he listened, but always he maintained his distance. His stance, the angle of his head and the extra inches between him and those he conversed with shouted a need for space. And people gave it to him, happy just to have his attention.

  His attention had been full-on when he made love to her last night, but his early disappearing act just confirmed he was reverting to his old ways. With each passing hour, the Jackson she knew morphed into the Jackson he used to be, which by all accounts meant a lack of emotional commitment.

  What she’d learned from reading his file and talking with Sierra revealed a man shut off from the world. He lived in hotel suites, kept women and the world at a distance, and 90 percent of the work he did was in his head. His associates were his family, the company his home.

  She couldn’t live that way.

  The man she knew wasn’t quite so closed off, but with his memory back she had no doubt he’d soon revert to his former self. Too bad. The signs were there that he longed for more. He’d created the facsimile of a home by having all the penthouse suites designed the same. And his work with the foundation showed he had a heart.

  He just wasn’t willing to risk it by letting anyone too close.

  So sad, because the man she knew was warm and generous, intelligent and funny. He’d make a great dad.

  Good gracious, now she was thinking of children? That settled it. She threw back the covers and made her way to the bathroom for one last shower in her own personal grotto.

  She needed to leave, and she needed to leave today. Before she completely lost her mind.

  * * *

  As Grace zipped up her duffel bag, a text sounded on her phone. Jackson, letting her know he was wrapping up a meeting and would be up in the next few minutes.

  She blew out a breath. Showtime.

  Carrying her bags into the living area, she set them down near the archway. Being a bright guy, Jackson was sure to get the meaning and start the conversation for her.

  A few minutes stretched into twenty and then thirty. More to occupy her hands and mind than because she was hungry, she worked in the kitchen, putting together a snack tray of veggies, fruit and cheese. After a while, she heard Jackson come in.

  “I’m in here,” she called out.

  “Sorry, that took longer than I anticipated. This looks good.” A kiss landed on her cheek as he snagged a broccoli floret before opening the refrigerator for a bottle of water. “I’ve been thinking this morning. I’ve come up with the answer to your career decision.”

  A sinking feeling settled on top of the dread she already sported.

  “I’m not going to work for you.”

  “Way to undermine a guy.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank. “Why not? It’s the perfect solution.”

  So not perfect. Silly her, she longed for a proposal, not a job offer.

  To give herself a moment, she carried the tray to the living room and set it on the glass coffee table. Jackson followed on her heels.

  “You can work with Clay on our internet security team. Electronic games are a highly competitive field. Espionage is rampant, but there’s little chance of being physically hurt.”

  “Cyber security isn’t really where my talents lie.”

  “You’re being modest. I’ve seen your work, remember. The reports you’ve done for me, the profiles you put together for the gala have all been efficient and thorough. Top-notch.” He reached for a piece of apple and spotted her luggage. His brows narrowed into a frown. “What’s this?”

  “I commandeered the suitcase you bought in Santa Rosa to hold the dresses you gave me. I didn’t have the heart to squash them into the duffel bag.”

  “What are you doing, Grace? This sounds like goodbye.”

  “It is. You’re home, Jackson. You have your memory back. You don’t need me anymore.” She thanked her years in the navy for managing to deliver the message in a strong voice.

  A scowl drew his dark brows closer together. “That’s not true. I have my memory back, but I’m still having headaches from the concussion.”

  “Dr. Wilcox can help you with those. And your friends will keep you from doing too much.”

  “Vanessa—”

  “Has been apprehended. She’s no longer a threat.”

  He cupped her cheek in his hand, ran his thumb over her chin, his touch nearly reverent. His eyes entreated her to stay. “I’m not ready to let you go.”

  Just for a moment she leaned into his hand, savoring the comfort of his touch, knowing this was the last connection they’d have.

  “I don’t want to go.” The words squeezed past the lump in her throat. “Which is why I have to go now.”

  “That d
oesn’t make sense.”

  “But it’s the way it has to be.”

  “No,” he argued, “there’s another way. Come work for me.”

  Her head began shaking before he finished the sentence. “That’s not a good idea.”

  “It’s a great idea,” he corrected, his voice going husky with his enthusiasm. “You’re already working for me. You can just continue to do so. It’s perfect.”

  “Except I don’t want to work where a job has to be created for me. I want to be useful.” Could he truly not see how he cut her each time he made the offer?

  “You are useful. I couldn’t have made it through the last week without you.”

  “But these were special circumstances. You don’t need me to stand over your shoulder to do your business.”

  “Maybe I do.” He broke away to pace. “Your notes saved me at my meeting yesterday. I’ve been vulnerable, not myself.”

  “Wrong.” She wouldn’t let him use his vulnerability against her, because he was so much stronger than his ailments. He’d proven that again and again. “You have been yourself. Pride, stubbornness, intelligence, determination, confidence—all those elements are you. The difference is your shields were down for a while. You’ve been more open to the world around you, allowed people to get closer. Experienced things like a regular man again.”

  “I’m not a regular man,” he proclaimed with conviction. “I can’t allow myself to be vulnerable.”

  That he believed that made her sad.

  “Yes, you can. It takes a strong man to be open to being hurt. If nothing else, this experience has more than proven how strong you are. I hope that now you’ve regained your memory you’ll take the lessons you learned this last week and apply them to your life going forward. Not all women are like Vanessa. They’re not going to stab you. Give yourself a chance to be happy.”

  “Having you work for me will make me happy.”

  “Stop, Jackson.” She couldn’t take any more of this. His persistence chipped away at her determination. “Why are you doing this?”

  “I told you, I’m not ready for you to go.”