Moments later, Viv continued to tremble. Jack kissed her once more, then rested his forehead against hers. His heart beat harshly against her chest and she wanted desperately to know what he was thinking. Then again, the silence of the moment was perfect. She could relish the fact that she’d made love with the one man she’d wanted for years. He’d come to her because he’d been unable to fight the attraction any longer.
Could he just walk away after this? Could he be satisfied with just one night and then go on as if this didn’t alter their lives?
Viv turned her head aside as guilt and fear trickled through the euphoric state she’d been floating in.
The journal was behind her closet door. The key to Jack’s past was only feet away. She’d been looking for the right time to talk to him, but this certainly wasn’t it.
“You were right earlier,” he murmured against the side of her neck. He rolled slightly so his weight wasn’t directly on her, but he kept an arm around her waist. “I was scared when you called. It’s not an emotion I connect with or have often.”
Viv jerked her thoughts from the journal and shifted to face him.
“My wife died when I was overseas, and I wasn’t there to protect her.” He held Viv’s gaze as his thumb stroked her abdomen. “She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I know I may not have been with her even if I had been stateside, but knowing I was so far...”
Viv slid her palm over his stubbled cheek. “You don’t have to explain why you were afraid. I know your wife died while you were overseas. I didn’t know specifics, though. You aren’t to blame. You have come to grips with that, right?”
Jack eased away and rose to his feet, instantly leaving her chilled. When he started gathering his clothes, Viv knew he was holding true to his word. What just happened was all he would give. There would be no opening up and sharing past stories now.
And how could she expect him to reveal a part of himself, when she held such a damning secret?
“I’ll be on the sofa.”
His parting words left her cold. She wished he would have just gone home, because what had taken place in her bed hadn’t drawn them closer together at all. If anything, she felt more distanced than ever.
Ten
Jack glared across the coffee shop, willing Ryker Barrett to step through the etched glass doors. After last night, Jack wasn’t in a great mood, which was perfect for a meeting with the man who knew all the O’Sheas’ secrets.
Sipping his black coffee, Jack tried to ignore the ache in his chest. Last night had been everything he’d wanted, everything he hadn’t known he’d been missing. But there was no way anything could ever come from hooking up with Viv. She was all about taking care of children, and he refused to allow himself the luxury of even entertaining the idea of a family life.
He’d had sex. He certainly wasn’t looking for holy matrimony. Once was enough. The risk of going through such heartache again wasn’t something he was on board with. Besides, no permanent relationship could come from an affair with his assistant, even if he were looking for something long term.
Which was why he’d found himself hightailing it from her apartment before she and Katie woke. He’d gone back to his Beacon Hill home to change, dodged all questions from Tilly and had made it out to Bean House, hopefully in time to catch Ryker.
Jack had done enough surveillance to know the man frequented this coffee shop next to the O’Shea offices. He wasn’t surprised that Ryker had picked this neutral territory for their meeting.
Jack waited nearly twenty minutes before he spotted the man in the dark leather jacket, with coal-black hair and a menacing look in his eyes. Ryker Barrett was exactly what he portrayed: mysterious and standoffish, and exuding a go-to-hell attitude.
Well, too bad. Jack was eager to get this little powwow started.
After Ryker placed his order, Jack stepped to the end of the counter and met the man’s gaze, relieved not to see recognition there.
“Get your coffee and meet me over in the corner.”
He didn’t wait for Ryker to answer. Even though Jack had been at the O’Sheas’ Christmas party, he hadn’t spoken to Ryker that night, so it was unlikely the family’s right-hand man would link him to Viv.
Just as Jack took a seat, Ryker came to stand on the other side of the table. Coffee cup in hand, he glared down at him.
“You can sit or stand, but you may not want everyone to hear our conversation.” Jack wasn’t in the mood for games.
Ryker sipped his coffee, then slid the wooden chair out and casually dropped into it. He glanced around the café as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Arrogant jerk. Jack wanted to reach across the table and punch the smug look off his face.
“I’ve already told you everything, which is more than you deserve.” Ryker flung an arm across the chair beside him and set his cup on the table. “You have two minutes.”
Jack knew if he wanted to get to the bottom of this case once and for all, he’d have to take a different approach. “I’m willing to work with you to find out who committed the crime against the Parkers,” he said grudgingly.
There was a ring of truth to the saying about keeping your enemies closer, even if Jack hated every second of it.
“And why would I want to work with you?” Ryker countered.
Jack shrugged, leaning forward on his elbows. “Because you want to clear the O’Shea name and I want to find out who made an orphan out of an innocent child.”
Even though Jack had a gut feeling he was looking at the main suspect. But if he could work closely with Ryker, and Viv kept digging at the office, there was no way they could miss the truth.
“You’ve been hell-bent on pinning this on us,” Ryker stated. “Why the change now?”
“I’m determined to get to the truth. You can either work with me or get out of my way.”
Ryker’s dark eyes narrowed. “Threatening me isn’t your smartest move.”
Jack couldn’t help but smile. “That wasn’t a threat. That was a promise.”
Determined to keep the upper hand, Jack pushed himself to his feet. “Talk it over with your friends and let me know.”
Gripping his to-go paper cup, Jack headed out the café door and into the brisk February air. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind he’d be contacted by Ryker or another member of the O’Shea clan in short order. If they were truly going legit in the legal sense—and Jack wasn’t so sure about that—then they’d want to work to clear their name and get the Feds off their backs.
Jack sipped his hot coffee as he made his way to his SUV. He’d head into the office, because he wasn’t in the mood to go home and face Tilly. After he’d spent the night at Viv’s apartment, there was no way Tilly wouldn’t know something was up. She’d caught him sneaking in this morning and he’d dodged her questions, but he couldn’t forever.
First, he had to come to grips with what had happened last night before he could even attempt to make excuses to his nosy, yet loving, chef and maid.
Logically, he knew he shouldn’t have slept with Viv, but there was no way he could’ve avoided her forever. The more he worked with her, the more he wanted her. The physical aspect he could deal with, and thoroughly enjoy. It was everything else that came after the sex that had him questioning what the hell he was doing.
Like why he was still thinking of her. Thinking of the way her hair had spilled around him, the way she’d looked at him with hope, as if their one night could lead to something more.
Jack climbed in behind the wheel of his SUV and brought the engine to life. He’d been up front with Viv, telling her that he was unable to give more, and she’d agreed. But her face as he’d dressed and left the room said differently.
They both needed time apart. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible, since they were working so closel
y together. Jack had to keep the upper hand on his emotions or he’d find himself falling deeper for Viv. And that was a heartache he couldn’t afford to revisit.
* * *
He’d avoided her for two days.
Viv sat behind her antique mahogany desk and willed her door to open. She’d come in and gone straight to her own office like she did every morning she was scheduled to work with Jack. But this morning was unlike any other. This was her first day back to work after sleeping with her boss.
The phrase sounded so clichéd and tacky, but there was no sugarcoating the truth. He’d left her bed before she’d fully recovered, and spent the night on the sofa, then slipped out before she was up for the day. Clearly, he meant what he’d said about one night being all he could give.
Viv would be lying if she didn’t admit she’d hoped he’d change his mind. Did he feel anything at all toward her? Was a one-night stand all he wanted? The man was so closed off, she honestly had no clue.
In his defense, he hadn’t lied to her.
Viv dropped her face into her hands as guilt consumed her. Jack may have had sex with her and left, but at least he’d been totally up-front with her. As opposed to Viv, who was still hiding a secret that would completely change his life and everything he thought to be true.
The timing hadn’t been right, then their attraction had snowballed and they’d slept together. Now here she sat, half in love with her boss and trying to help him bring down the family that was his by birthright.
From this point on, nothing would be easy. Not her feelings, not her actions...absolutely nothing.
Viv jumped when her cell rang. Glancing to the ID on the screen, she quickly slid her finger across to answer.
“Hello.”
As if her heart wasn’t already beating fast enough, now she waited to see what the social worker wanted. If it was time to say goodbye to Katie, then she’d have to let the precious baby go. But Viv wasn’t ready.
“Vivianna, I hope this is a good time.”
“Of course.” It wasn’t like she was actually working. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m calling with a question that I’d like you to take your time to consider.”
Viv eased back in her leather chair and crossed her legs. “All right.” Smoothing her pencil skirt down her thigh, she gripped her cell in anticipation.
“Before you took Katie in, you had expressed interest in full adoption. Is that still an avenue you’d like to explore, or are you content with fostering? I’d like to make it clear that Katie has no other family members.”
Hope blossomed in Viv’s chest. Being a parent had been a dream she never thought she’d reach. She’d put her forms in to adopt because she did want a family. She’d thought someday she’d be okay with erasing that distance between her and the foster children she helped, but honestly hadn’t known if that day would ever come. Was Katie the one to be part of her family?
To know she could fully adopt a baby so sweet, so perfect... Viv was almost afraid to get too excited.
“Adopting is definitely an option,” she replied, unable to hide her smile. “But I have questions and concerns.”
“Of course. I’m happy to answer anything. Would you like to take some time to think, to fully process what this means? There are so many things to consider. Cost, time, paperwork. You’re a fostering veteran, so you’ve already gone through a great deal of the process.”
Viv came to her feet just as her office door opened. Of course Jack would decide to barge in now. She held up a finger and he nodded as he sauntered over and took a seat in the leather club chair across from her desk.
Viv turned her back to him and concentrated on the view out the window. Snow swirled around, piling on top of the three inches that had already been dumped on Saturday.
“I’m definitely interested in talking with you further,” Viv stated, well aware that Jack was likely hanging on her every word. “Why don’t I call you in a day or two? Maybe by then I’ll have my questions all made out and we can go over everything at once.”
“Perfect. And Vivianna, there’s no pressure here. We can find a home for Katie. I just thought you would be the best candidate for her.”
Viv blinked as tears burned her eyes. “Thank you. I’ll be in touch.”
She disconnected the call and held on to her phone as she crossed her arms. Adopting Katie would be a dream come true. The little girl she’d come to love and care for could possibly be hers forever. Her heart swelled nearly to bursting.
“Viv?”
Jack’s voice pulled her from her daydream. Composing herself, she turned to face him, thankful the desk still sat between them as a barrier. She could handle only so much at once.
“Everything all right?” His eyes held hers and he frowned. “You’re crying.”
Viv swiped at the stray tear that had escaped. “Everything is fine. What did you need?”
“First I need to know why that call has you upset.”
Viv leaned over her desk chair and placed her phone back on her calendar. “Nothing that has to do with work.”
Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet, never taking his eyes off her. “Is this how things are going to be?”
“You mean a professional relationship?” she asked, crossing her arms. “Isn’t that exactly what you decided on? I’m just following orders like a good assistant.”
Jack rounded the desk, those green eyes never wavering from hers. He came to stand toe to toe with her, forcing her to tip her head back. Viv didn’t step away, but nerves spiraled through her.
“Don’t make things difficult,” he growled. “When I see you upset, I have to know why.”
“And you have no right to ask.” Oh, how she wanted to share this news with him, but after he’d all but sprinted from her bed, she just couldn’t expose herself to any more hurt and rejection. “My personal life has nothing to do with you. Now, I’ll ask again. What did you barge in here for?”
The muscles in his jaw ticked. “I spoke with Ryker on Saturday. I offered to work with him in order to solve this case.”
Now Viv did step back, mostly from shock. “What? What did he say?”
Shoving his hands in the pockets of his Italian suit, Jack shrugged. “We battled back and forth. I left before he could turn me down, but I’m sure he’ll think about it. He’ll discuss the offer with Braden and Mac, and with Mac coming into town, one of them will reach out to me.”
“You think they’ll agree to work with you?”
“I have no idea, but I’m not giving up and I had to find a new tack.”
Viv closed her eyes. If he knew about the journal, perhaps he could approach them in a different way. Maybe they’d be more willing to speak if they knew Jack was family.
But first and foremost, Jack was an investigator and security specialist. He was still the enemy, according to the O’Sheas. So for now, the journal and the secrets would remain locked safely in her closet.
“I’m going in early tomorrow to talk to the Feds,” Viv told him. “I know everyone will be at the office.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about.” Jack reached for her, then dropped his hand before he could make contact. “They haven’t discovered anything to incriminate you.”
Oh, but she had. Something much more life-altering than clues that might solve a mysterious case.
“I told you about the files I copied,” she countered. “That was months ago and I haven’t taken anything else, but the O’Sheas are convinced someone on the inside is betraying them.”
“The Feds won’t ask you anything that will be damning in front of Braden or Mac.”
Jack did reach for her now. His hands curled around her shoulders and she couldn’t help but stiffen at his touch.
“I don’t want you wor
ried. I’ll take care of you.”
Viv laughed. “Right. For the case, I know.” She shrugged away from his touch. “I have work to do.”
Jack fisted his hands at his sides. “And ignoring the other night is part of that?”
Oh, that was rich coming from him. “Says the man who couldn’t get out of my bed and dressed fast enough.”
Eleven
There was no way to avoid this conversation, but Jack just wished like hell he didn’t have to see that hurt in her eyes. How was he protecting her when he was the one causing her pain and frustration? He should’ve kept his damn hands to himself. But the slippery slope he’d been clinging to for months had become too much.
“Don’t do this.”
“What?” she asked, tilting her chin in defiance. “Call you out on the truth?”
“Damn it, Viv.” Jack raked his fingers through his hair. Propping his hands on his hips, he forced his eyes to stay on hers. “You’re everything I used to want.”
Great, now he’d exposed a portion of himself. Letting anyone see that side of his heart wasn’t an option, but the words hovered in the air between them and he wished like hell he could snatch them back.
Viv’s brows dipped as she frowned. “I don’t even know what that means.”
He’d come this far. Viv deserved the truth after the way he’d blurted out half of it.
“As you know, my wife died while I was overseas.”
He hated thinking about that time in his life, let alone talking about it. Yet somehow he felt the need to open up to Viv about it for the second time.
Other than Tilly, Viv had been in his life the longest since his darkest hour. If anyone deserved to be let in, it was her. Besides, he prided himself on being truthful whenever possible.
Viv had always been an open book, never pushing for more in return. Her loyalty, her honesty and her commitment to stand by him even during his moody days were humbling...and that was the only reason he was opening up to her. It had nothing to do with the fact he’d felt a connection while he’d been in her bed. That connection couldn’t go any deeper and she would understand why soon enough.
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