Eight
She hadn’t had a good glass of wine in so long, but Viv was rewarding herself tonight. Katie had fallen asleep without incident. Martha said there had been no issues during the day, and Katie had two teeth popping through. Viv nearly wept with relief at the sight of those little white points.
She’d gone into O’Shea’s earlier in the day. Even though it was Saturday, they were getting ready for the spring auction and there was a constant stream of data to be inputted.
Viv had left the office early and done some birthday shopping for Katie. She was turning only one and would never remember this time in her life, but Viv wanted to make the day special. She’d never had a foster child at birthday time before and she may have gone a bit overboard. Her credit card had definitely taken a hit, but she didn’t care.
Once Katie had gone down, Viv had relaxed with a bubble bath. The lavender lotion she’d applied afterward had instantly calmed the rest of her nerves.
She hadn’t heard from Jack since he’d kissed her and bolted out the door. His silence spoke volumes, though. For a man who checked in with her almost hourly, he’d gone off the grid, most likely to analyze his actions. Knowing Jack, he was going to come back with some quick, stern apology and expect to move on like nothing had happened. He would shut down once again if she didn’t do something to make him realize that the kiss had not been a mistake.
If it had been, she wouldn’t still be tingling and reliving every glorious detail.
Viv settled back against her pile of pillows, propped her feet on her bed and reached for the book on her nightstand. Armed with a glass of wine and a good novel, she didn’t care what went on for the next hour or so. She was taking this time for herself.
With the snow blowing around outside, being cozy in her apartment was the perfect setting for getting lost in a good book. Unfortunately, she’d started this one so long ago she’d have to start over to refresh her memory.
Viv had just opened the hardback when she heard a thump. She glanced to the video monitor screen on her nightstand. Katie hadn’t moved one inch since being laid down. Viv strained to hear another sound, figuring it must be one of her neighbors.
Just as she dismissed the noise, she heard it again. Sounded like someone was at her front door. Viv quickly set her glass and book on the nightstand, grabbed her phone and the monitor and tiptoed across the hall to Katie’s bedroom. If someone was trying to get in, she wanted to be in the same room as the baby.
Her building had security, but nothing like the fingerprint scanner at Jack’s office and his home. Her heart beat too fast as possible scenarios flooded her mind. Was someone trying to get in? Was this related to the case she was working on from both sides?
It was too late for visitors and the only people who ever dropped by her place were Jack and Martha. Viv didn’t figure either of them would be attempting to get in to her apartment.
Viv heard a creak, very faint. She couldn’t just open the door and look, because if someone was there, they could hurt her and take Katie. Right now, Viv needed to stay with the baby.
She dialed Jack and willed him to answer and not still be sulking about their intense kiss.
He answered on the second ring. “Viv.”
“I think someone is in my apartment,” she whispered. She kept her eyes glued to the crack beneath the bedroom door, praying she wouldn’t see a shadow.
“Don’t move,” he said, his tone suddenly alert. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”
In other words, a lifetime.
“Don’t hang up,” he told her. “Keep this line open while I drive so I know you’re okay.”
Beneath the bold, firm command, Viv caught an underlying sense of fear.
“Don’t be reckless,” she whispered. “The roads are—”
“Damn the roads,” he growled. “Talk to me. Where are you and Katie in the apartment?”
“I came into her room.”
She heard another faint thump and squeezed her eyes shut. She’d never been one to rely on someone else to get her out of a jam, but this was different. Fear gripped her as she stood by the crib, clutching the phone and watching the door. She’d at least turned the simple lock when she’d come in.
“Viv.”
“I’m here.”
“Don’t talk anymore,” he ordered. “I’m almost at your street.”
Still minutes from getting in to her apartment. But just knowing he was close, knowing he was on the other end of the line, was a comfort.
Thankfully, Katie slept on, unaware of any turmoil.
Viv hadn’t heard anything in the past couple minutes, but she wasn’t ready to step out of the room and leave Katie yet.
“I just parked and I’m heading inside.”
He already knew the building code and the code to her apartment. Viv waited, hearing random clicks and footsteps through her cell phone.
He was in her building and she was going to be just fine. But was someone out there waiting for him?
“Be careful,” she whispered.
Then she heard a few beeps seconds before her apartment door opened.
“The door was closed and I don’t see anyone in here.”
The heavy weight lifted from her shoulders as she tucked the monitor under her arm and quietly stepped from Katie’s bedroom. Jack stood at the end of the hall, filling the opening with his broad shoulders. She’d never seen a more beautiful sight in all her life.
And it struck her that her first instinct had been to call him and not 911. Jack was the only protection, only security she wanted.
With the monitor and phone clutched to her chest, she moved on into her bedroom and dumped them on the bed. The wine and the book remained on the table where she’d left them what seemed like hours ago.
Wrapping her arms around her waist, she tipped her head down and drew in a shaky breath. Strong hands gripped her shoulders and Jack pulled her against his firm chest.
“You’re fine now.”
She nodded, afraid to speak. His heartbeat at her back was nearly as frantic as her own.
“Sorry I bothered you so late,” she muttered.
“I would’ve been pissed had you not.”
She turned, not caring how utterly unprofessional this entire scenario was, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Give me just a minute,” she murmured against his chest. “I just...need to get my heart rate back under control.”
When his arms circled her, tugging her tighter against him, Viv melted right into his embrace. The woodsy cologne he always used filled her senses. The warmth from his touch had her nerves settling. Just knowing she’d called and he’d beat feet to get here had her heart swelling.
“Thank you.” Viv eased back to look up into his eyes. “I probably should’ve called 911, but I thought of you and then I heard another noise. I just dialed your number without thinking and didn’t know who else to—”
Jack placed a finger over her lips. “I’m always your first call. Always.”
Viv nodded, never taking her eyes off his. She noticed then that she wasn’t the one trembling now. Every part of him, from his hand touching her face to his body pressed against hers, had a slight tremor.
Curling her fingers around his wrist, Viv pulled his hand away. “Are you all right?”
“Of course I am.”
The words came out on a huff, as if she were asking an absurd question. But worry was etched all over his face. The drawn brows, the thin lips. Jack had been just as scared, maybe more, than she had been.
“You’re shaking.”
“Adrenaline.” He kept her close, his gaze on her face. “It’s not often I get a phone call after midnight unless it’s business, and even then I’m expecting it.”
She no
ticed then that this was quite possibly the first time she’d ever seen him sporting something other than an Italian-cut suit. He wore jeans and a long-sleeved black T-shirt. He hadn’t even bothered with a coat.
And she was even more aware of how little she wore, considering she’d gotten ready for bed. Suddenly her silk tap shorts and matching pink tank seemed like nothing. The thin material was barely a barrier between them.
Viv took a step back, hating how her body cooled instantly once away from his touch. “Um...sorry you came for nothing. I think I’ll be fine now.”
Jack’s eyes raked over her. “I’m not leaving.”
Heart in her throat, Viv crossed her arms over her chest—the only defense she had, given the nearly sheer material and no bra. “It’s fine, Jack. I’m sure it was a neighbor and my mind just played tricks on me. I’m sorry I dragged you out in this weather.”
“Never apologize and never call me second when you need someone.” He took a step forward, closing the gap between them. “I’m staying on the couch tonight.”
“But—”
“I’m not asking your permission.” He glanced around her bedroom, his eyes landing on the nightstand with her wine and book. “Pretend I’m not here.”
Viv snorted. As if that were even a possibility.
Once again, he was visually sampling her—and he wasn’t hiding the fact. Having Jack on her couch all night would ensure one thing...there was no way in hell she’d get one wink of sleep.
Nine
Jack was used to sleeping in random places. The military had instilled that ability in him from the get-go. Then, when he’d started doing surveillance, he spent many nights holed up in his car or a van with video equipment. While he might have eight bedrooms, in his home here and villas in two other countries, he wasn’t pampered and didn’t need the finest accommodations. He was comfortable anywhere.
Or so he thought.
Viv’s sofa smelled like flowers, like her. And he could possibly get beyond that, but every time he tried to close his eyes, images of her in that damn silky pajama number flooded his mind.
Hell, he didn’t even need to close his eyes to see that glorious view.
And how much of a jerk was he, sitting here fantasizing about her, when she’d been scared out of her mind earlier. When she’d called him, Jack hadn’t even thought. There hadn’t been time. The fear in her tone, the way she whispered that she needed him, had absolutely gutted him...and thrown him back ten years.
Letting anyone else get hurt, or worse, on his watch again was not an option. Especially someone he cared about. And he did care about Viv—more than he would ever admit.
Jack dropped his head back against the cushion and stared into the darkness. Viv was only a few walls away, still wearing that outfit that dreams were made of. How much willpower did a man have?
Part of him wanted to ignore the fact that she was his assistant, and to go take what they both wanted. The boss part of him knew there would be no turning back—and the boundaries he’d so carefully constructed would be permanently blurred.
Did he really want to risk that for one night?
Before Jack could think too much, he came to his feet. Hell, yes, he wanted to risk it. If anything, he’d learned to take what he wanted out of life...and he wanted Vivianna Smith.
* * *
She’d stared at the same page, the same paragraph, for the past fifteen minutes. She’d downed her wine immediately, because she’d needed something to calm her nerves...nerves that had nothing to do with the scare she’d had earlier and everything to do with the man keeping guard in her living room.
That whole protective nature of his was such a turn-on, as if she needed more reasons to want him. So far the only flaw she’d discovered was his inability to let anyone behind the wall he’d erected around himself.
But after the way he’d kissed her, the way he’d looked at her and proved to be a white knight, Viv wasn’t letting her desire go. She had to know if there was more passion in him where that came from.
Her mind made up, she set the book on the nightstand next to her empty glass. Just as she rose to her feet, there was a creak outside her bedroom. A second later, the door eased open.
Viv stood next to her bed, eyes locked on Jack filling her doorway. The small accent lamp on her nightstand was the only thing illuminating the space. Jack raked his gaze over her as he’d done earlier...as if he couldn’t get enough. She was counting on just that.
“What took you so long?” she asked. “I was coming to you.”
He stayed in the doorway, but Viv wasn’t deterred. She knew he’d come this far and wasn’t about to leave. She remained by the bed, because there was no way she was going to cross that space now. The next move was his.
“This is it,” he murmured, stepping over the threshold. “Tonight has nothing to do with tomorrow.”
If that’s what he chose to believe, whatever. She knew better, but she wasn’t about to argue, not when she was so turned on she was about ready to pounce on him.
“What changed your mind?”
He stalked closer, until they were toe to toe and she had to tilt her head to look into his eyes. “Does it matter?”
In the grand scheme of things maybe, but right this second? No.
Anticipation had her stomach quivering. Now that he was in her bedroom, Viv really wished he’d do something rather than stand so close with no contact. Throw her down on the bed, for starters.
Jack’s fingertips traveled up her bare arms, across her collarbone, before slowly sliding the straps of her tank out of the way.
“Do you always wear sexy silk things to bed?” His eyes remained on the task of undressing her as he spoke.
“Yes.”
He eased the thin material down until the tank pooled around her waist. Instinctively, her body arched, reacting to the cooler air and the anticipation of his touch. He was slowly killing her.
“If you don’t move faster, I’m going to take over.”
Jack’s eyes darted to hers. “I’ve waited for this. I’m going to take in every single second.”
He’d waited? For how long?
Before she could analyze his statement too much, Jack hooked his thumbs in the bunched material around her waist and slid everything lower. When he crouched down, she lifted one foot, then the other, until she was completely bared to him.
If any other man was at her feet, Viv would think him submissive, but she knew better with Jack. He was in control at all times.
Jack curled his fingers around her ankles, then pushed his way up her body, over her hips to the dip in her waist, until he was on his feet again. Viv let out a moan when he finally palmed her breasts.
“You’re so responsive.”
Now wouldn’t be the time to tell him she’d never been this responsive to another man. She’d never ached for a man like this before. Viv wanted to see him, too, all of him. She reached for the hem of his shirt and jerked it up. Jack released her long enough to whip the garment over his head and toss it aside. Keeping his eyes locked on hers, he quickly rid himself of his jeans and boxer briefs, until he stood before her in all his glorious masculinity.
“I’m not—”
Her thoughts were lost as he snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her against his body. His mouth crashed down onto hers as if every shred of his control had snapped.
The backs of her knees hit the edge of her bed. Jack followed her down, never breaking away from her. The weight of his body pressing her into the duvet was a welcome sensation. She’d dreamed of this moment, never thinking he’d be in her bed. In her imagination they’d always been in one of the rooms of his grand home.
Jack pulled his lips from hers as he looked down into her eyes. He rested his elbows on either side of her head,
smoothing her hair away from her face.
“Be sure.”
Viv bent her knees, sliding her ankles around his waist and locking them behind his back. When he closed his eyes and pulled in a deep breath, she stilled. Realization hit her.
“You don’t have protection, do you?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I clearly didn’t plan this when I left.”
“I don’t keep anything here.”
The corners of his mouth tipped up. “On one hand that makes me happy. On the other hand, I’m dying.”
Viv wasn’t the most sexually active woman and pregnancy wasn’t an option with her history. But now was definitely not the time to start verbally going through her medical chart.
“I’m clean,” she told him. “And you don’t have to worry about pregnancy.”
His eyes turned darker as he lowered his lids once again. Before she could question him, he slid his mouth across hers and murmured, “I’m clean, too.”
Viv tightened her grip around his waist, urging him to take what they both were so desperate for.
The second he joined their bodies, he locked his eyes on hers. This was what she’d been waiting for. This man, this moment.
Viv arched into him, her fingers gripping his shoulders as he set the pace. Jack captured her mouth, nipping at her lips over and over as his hips met hers. He reached down, curling his hand around the back of her knee and lifting just enough for her to feel even more sensations rushing through her.
Viv tore her mouth from his the second her body started to climb. She squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting him to see just how affected she was by the intensity of their passion.
Jack’s lips on the side of her neck, drifting down to her sensitive breast, was all she needed to peak. Her body clenched around him as she cried out. He jerked against her, his own body stilling as he followed her into oblivion.
The Heir's Unexpected Baby Page 8
