“You've probably guessed already, but this is my sister and the bride-to-be, Callie.”
Charlie smiled. “Nice to meet you.” Extending her hand she waited for the other woman to take it but instead Callie stepped toward her and hugged her. Taken back Charlie stood frozen for half a second before returning the warm gesture.
“I'm glad you could come. Someone needs to make sure my brother behaves himself,” Callie said nodding in Jake's direction. In a flash the smile that had been on Callie's face faded. “Warren wants to see you.”
By the way Callie looked over at Jake, Charlie guessed he already knew what his father wanted
“I'll keep Charlotte company.”
Despite his sister's reassurance Jake still didn't move. Something was up. Jake always spoke warmly about his family, giving her the impression that they were a tight-knit group, so his current reluctance didn't make a lot of sense.
Mind your own business. If he wants to share he will, Charlie told herself.
“Go ahead. I'll be fine.” Charlie took a step away from him.
Jake watched as his sister led Charlie away. “Do you like baseball?” He heard his sister ask as the women walked up the grand staircase.
At least someone will have a good afternoon. Jake turned toward the hall that led to his father's study. Callie was one of the friendliest people he knew. If anyone could make Charlie feel comfortable here, it was her. Why couldn't his father have waited for this? He knew his father wanted to discuss the Blair situation. A situation he was already handling. He didn't need his family getting involved. Although he'd expected their interference, he'd hoped they'd wait till after the wedding. They knew he had a guest with him.
Standing in front of his father's study, he paused. Right now he should be the one showing Charlie around. Maybe they could have hid out on the sail boat he kept moored here for some private time before lunch. She'd told him she was eager to give sailing a try. But instead of doing that he was about to face the firing squad. Hell.
Raising his fist, he knocked on the heavy mahogany door and waited. From the other side his father told him to come in. Taking another deep breath, he turned the knob and entered.
The familiar sent of old books and leather enveloped him. He'd always loved this room. Other than his own private suite on the second floor overlooking the ocean, this was his favorite room at Cliff House. As usual his father sat behind his massive antique desk, a mug of coffee and several documents in front of him. On the other side of the desk in one of the leather chairs sat his half-brother Dylan.
“About time my best man got here,” Dylan greeted. Coming to his feet he smiled and gave Jake a thump on the back.
Jake couldn't remember ever seeing his brother as happy as he'd been during the past year and today was no exception. “Wouldn't miss it for the world. Just don't forget you wouldn't even be getting married if it wasn't for me. You owe me one.” Jake couldn't resist giving his brother a hard time.
“I'll be sure to return the favor if the need ever arises,” Dylan replied with all seriousness.
Jake saw his father take off his reading glasses, a signal that he was ready to get down to business. Cursing under his breath he took the other seat in front of the desk. “None of it's true,” he said before anyone else could say a word.
“Are you sure? You were with Blair for several months. Accidents happen.”
No kidding? Really? Wasn't Callie proof of that? Jake wanted to say but held back. Being a wise ass toward his father wasn't going to help with anything. “She'd have to be at least four months pregnant for it to be mine. I ran into her a few weeks ago and there's no way Blair is that pregnant.” Jake shifted in his seat. Even though he was an adult he still found it uncomfortable to discuss his sex life with his father. With his brother it was one thing, but it didn't feel right with his father.
“Are you sure about that? Could you be confused about the dates?” his father asked.
Jake heard Dylan cover up a half laugh with a fake cough and threw him a dirty look. “I ended things with her over 2 months ago and before that I was in England for over a month. You know she didn't come with me.” Even if it'd been a normal trip he wouldn't have taken Blair, but this trip had been anything but typical. “Before I left we hadn't been spending a lot of time together. Besides we always used something.” Though he hadn't ended things with her until coming back, he'd known their relationship wasn't working before he left for England.
How could he have been so wrong about Blair? He'd known she wasn't the woman for him, but he never would have guessed she'd pull this stunt.
“I see. Have you spoken to her? Any idea why she's coming at you like this?”
Jake watched as his father drummed his finger tips on the desk telling him he was deep in thought trying to examine the problem from all aspects.
“Damned if I know.” He raked a hand through his hair. “We talked recently and she didn't mention a thing to me then. She just asked me to meet her in New York for the weekend. I already called my lawyer.” Jake wanted his father to know he was already on top of things.
“What did he say?” Dylan asked.
“He's pushing for an ultrasound and DNA testing.”
“I want to get Marty and our lawyers involved with this. They should be able to get this mess cleared up before it does too much damage to the family.”
More than anything he wanted to avoid having the family's team of lawyers and Marty Phillips involved in this. There was no denying that Marty Phillips knew what he was doing. Jake didn't like him, especially not after the way he'd treated Callie the year before. And while the lawyers that worked for Sherbrooke Enterprises were some of the best around, he had full confidence in his own hand-picked lawyer.
“No. Don't get them involved. I will take care of this problem.”
When his father didn't immediately respond, Jake assumed he was preparing his counter argument. Not that it would do any good. He'd already made up his mind and nothing his father said would change it.
“Are you positive? They'll be able to get things to happen quicker.” Warren leaned back in his chair.
“I've got this one, Dad.” Jake said in tone that let his father and brother know he was done discussing the situation.
“Callie told me you brought a date,” Dylan said changing the topic of their conversation. “You must have just met her. Last time we talked you planned on flying solo.”
Jake didn't miss the curiosity in his half-brother's voice or the raised eyebrow his father threw in his direction. He could imagine the questions floating around in his father's head. Though Dylan knew he wasn't the player the media made him out to be, his father didn't.
“Met her in North Salem. Her family runs the bed and breakfast where I've been staying.”
“What do you know about her?” his father asked, reaching for his coffee.
It was a valid question especially considering the current situation with his ex, but it still irked him. Who he spent his time with was no one's business but his.
“She's a Navy doctor stationed in Virginia. And I should save her from Callie before she bores her to death with wedding details.” Jake came to his feet and started to walk toward the door, pleased that he could use this opportunity to get away from the grilling and back to Charlie. “I'll see you both at the rehearsal dinner,” he called over his shoulder before heading off in search of Charlie and his sister.
***
The view from the guest bedroom reminded her of something out of a movie. Actually everything in Cliff House looked as if it belonged either on some classic movie set or in a museum. Antique furniture filled the rooms. Priceless paintings hung in gilded frames on the walls and marble fireplaces were located in each room.
Although she'd grown up in New England and had visited Newport a few times, she'd never toured any of the mansions that lined Bellevue Avenue. Before today she'd only seen pictures of these American castles and none had really prepared her for
being inside one of these magnificent homes built by the ultra wealthy of the 19th century as summer cottages.
“If I had a view like this, I'd never leave,” Charlie said. She, Callie and Callie's best friend Lauren sat on the balcony off Charlie's room drinking freshly brewed iced tea. As Jake had predicted she really liked his half-sister. She was friendly and down to earth. Charlie suspected that might be partially because she hadn't grown up in the world of the super rich.
Callie nodded, a smile spread across her heart-shaped face. “I agree. I have trouble leaving every time I come.”
“I think the only reason she does leave is because Mrs. Sherbrooke doesn't allow her and Dylan to share a bedroom when she's around,” Lauren said refilling her glass.
“Seriously?”
Callie nodded. “Elizabeth doesn't like Dylan and me to share a room when she's here. She's a little old-fashioned sometimes. That's why you have your own room this weekend. But don't worry Jake's just down the hall.”
Trying not to be obvious, Charlie glanced at her watch. More than an hour had passed since Jake left her to meet with his father, and although she was comfortable in Callie's company she wondered what kept him.
“They'll probably be done soon.” Callie picked up her glass of iced tea. “Dylan and Warren both know you're here.”
No sooner did Callie speak the words than Jake walked in. Charlie could tell something was bothering him the second she saw him. The easy-going smile that usually graced his face was gone and had been replaced with a somber look. Whatever his father wanted to see him about had obviously upset him.
“Not sure I like the looks of this. What stories have you been telling her about me Callie?” Jake walked over and dropped into the cushioned chair next to hers.
Though he tried to keep his voice light and carefree it sounded strained to her, and she couldn't help but try to cheer him up with a little teasing. “Who said we're talking about you. I know you find it hard to believe, but you're not the only man in the world. Callie was telling me about a friend she has coming to the wedding and she thinks he's perfect for me. She's going to introduce us so we can dance.” Though her teasing statement lacked much originality she hoped it would at least elicit a laugh from him. Instead it seemed to have the opposite effect as a stormy look of anger passed over his face.
“Don't think so Doc. I've already filled up your dance card for tomorrow.”
She wanted to come back with a sassy reply, but she didn't have one. A blank slate now occupied her mind. She wasn't used to men being possessive of her actions. With anyone else, she knew she would resent it. For some reason though, Charlie didn't find the comment offensive coming from him. He's just playing around too. And you did open yourself up for it.
In the end though it didn't matter that she didn't have a smart come back because Callie changed the topic of the conversation to Jake's work in North Salem. While she could have added to the discussion, Charlie remained silent, only speaking when Jake or Callie directed a question her way. By doing so she got an up close and personal look at Jake with his family. Something she guessed few people got.
“Before I forget, the Marshalls are coming,” Callie said after Jake finished answering her question about recovery efforts.
Charlie assumed this was somehow significant because the second the words left Callie's mouth Jake groaned.
“All of them or just Richard and Janet?”
“All. Sorry. Your mom insisted we couldn't leave them out.”
Charlie glanced from Callie to Jake and finally Lauren who was attempting to stifle a laugh. “What's wrong with the Marshalls?”
“What isn't?” Jake replied.
Callie tossed her brother a dirty look and then answered. “Richard and Warren grew up together and have stayed close. He and his wife aren't the problem. Evidently their youngest daughter has always had a thing for my brother. When they were all here for New Year's Eve she wouldn't leave him alone.”
“More like she stalked me all night, even though I had a date.”
“How old is she?” The person in question must be very young. She envisioned an infatuated fifteen year old following Jake around the ballroom.
“A little younger than Sara, right?” Callie looked over at Jake for confirmation.
Jake slumped back in his chair and put his feet up on the railing. “Yeah. I think she's twenty-two.”
Okay, maybe not so young. Someone that age should know better. “Don't worry I'll protect you from her.” Charlie patted him on the knee.
“He just might need it,” Lauren added with a half laugh. “Her behavior on New Year's Eve was obsessive.”
***
The wedding rehearsal began promptly at four-thirty. Charlie got the impression that everything around here started and ended exactly on time. She found this strangely comforting. She liked things to happen when they were supposed to. It just made life simpler. More organized.
From her seat on the lawn she watched as the wedding planner explained what each member of the wedding party needed to do. Though she'd never been in a wedding, she didn't really see any great need for a rehearsal beforehand. The chances of anyone there not having been to a wedding before or at least seeing one on TV were slim, so unless the bride and groom had something unusual planned, a rehearsal seemed like a waste of time. Even if it seemed pointless to her, it did give Charlie another chance to observe Jake with his family. Not to mention it gave her a chance to enjoy her surroundings. With its well-manicured gardens, sprawling lawns and view of the ocean the property around Cliff House was just as magnificent as the mansion itself.
Despite the breathtaking scenery, Charlie didn't find herself focusing on that. Instead her eyes zeroed in on the interaction between each of Jake's family members. The camaraderie between Jake and his half-brother Dylan and between Jake and Callie spoke volumes. At the same time Charlie could sense tension between Sara, Jake's full sister, and everyone else. Especially between Sara and Callie.
What is the deal between them? While everyone else appeared relaxed and bantered back and forth, Sara remained rigid and spoke only when someone drew her into the conversation. Perhaps she'd ask Jake; assuming they got some time alone together. So far it hadn't happened. They'd been surrounded by people since getting there, though Jake promised they would get plenty of time to themselves before the weekend ended.
Charlie hoped he was right. She'd made the trip with him for that very reason even though she knew her time would be better spent back in North Salem. Not only could she provide help to anyone who needed an extra hand, but she could be mulling over her own decisions without Jake around as a distraction. She'd hoped getting away from Norfolk for a while would help her make up her mind about her career in the Navy. Yet she'd been in North Salem for weeks now and she was still up in the air on whether to stay in the Navy or return to civilian life.
True she still had time. The final decision didn't have to be made this month, but she wanted to decide soon. Leaving things up in the air drove her crazy. The sooner she made up her mind the better. If she chose to leave the Navy, she opened herself up to a whole new world of decisions and opportunities. If she stayed, life would proceed pretty much as it had for the last several years. So the big question was did she want to enter uncharted territory or stay with the safe and familiar.
Every decision she'd made in life so far gravitated toward safe options. Even when it came to men and relationships she picked the safe options. She dated only men who wouldn't capture her heart and then walk out once they did. At least she always did until now. Somehow she knew Jake could do some serious damage to her heart if she let him. They'd only known each other a short time and already she felt more emotionally connected to him than any other man she'd dated. How had she let that happen?
He's not looking for long-term either. Jake's the kind of guy who hangs around for a while then moves on when he gets bored. There's nothing to worry about. Except my heart.
Charlie
forced herself to recall some of the magazine headlines she'd read over the years about Jake. They always painted him as the handsome playboy with women across the globe. Even though her mind pulled up plenty of names and incidents connected with his, Charlie wondered if it was all true. A month ago she would've said yes, but not now. Some of it had to be true. Pictures didn't lie, yet a picture could paint a misleading story.
From the altar Jake winked at her and Charlie's heart skipped a beat, something she'd never experienced before. Without a second thought she smiled and waved back, not once considering what his family would think if they saw her. She assumed they were already wondering what kind of relationship existed between them anyway. After all one didn't normally invite a virtual stranger to a family wedding. At least in her world people didn't. Yet if they were curious no one said anything to her.
***
“I've thought about this all day.” Jake wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him now that they were finally alone..
Charlie melted against him enjoying the warmth of his solid chest on her back and Jake's possessive embrace. Around them the crickets sang as the waves crashed against the shore. Above them stars sparkled liked diamonds in the clear sky.
Now this is romantic. A night to remember. She suspected she could live out the rest of her life and not experience a more romantic setting.
“Sorry we didn't get much time together earlier.” As he spoke Jake nuzzled the side of her neck. “Sunday it'll be just you and me. Promise.”
He whispered the last part of his sentence in her ear, filling her with desire that unfolded in her belly then spread like fire through her body. Words never affected her this way. They never made her want to throw her arms around a guy and beg him to make love to her. Beg him to make promises that he wouldn't be able to keep. Yet Jake's words were doing just that. More than anything she wanted to turn around and tell him to take her to his room where they could both enjoy the magnetism between them.
The Billionaire Playboy Page 9
