by Joan Reeves
So. She was matchmaking. Had she known what Maddie intended to do? He figured it was useless to ask. "Okay. Let's set that aside for the moment. When did you and Constance become so chummy?"
To his surprise, his mother looked even more nervous. "I don't know what you mean."
"I think you do. So tell me the truth."
"Jake, sometimes people change. You shouldn't judge people based on what they did in the past, but on what they do in the present."
Jake shook his head. When his mother waxed philosophical, he knew he wouldn't get anything out of her. He passed on Inez's message. "Inez said Maddie went to the shelter each morning. Do you know anything about that?"
"I really need to go. I suggest you ask Maddie if you want to know something about her." She rose and grabbed her purse from a hook on the wall. "Lock up before you leave."
With that she hurried to the garage. Jake rolled his eyes. What was going on with these women?
Before he returned to River Oaks, he drove by the address Inez had given him. Seeing the slightly rundown house just added to his curiosity. What could Maddie be doing there? Inez had said shelter. What kind of shelter was it? He drove on by then headed back to the Quinn mansion, thinking about what Maddie had said last night. Celibate. If that didn't beat all. He was married, and his wife was celibate. That sounded like the opening line of a joke. Had she taken some kind of vow?
Everyone had secrets. Even his mother which was odd. Of course, he had his own secrets. His wealth which he was wondering how to explain. His reasons for marrying Maddie. Which confused him. But he knew it was less to do with revenge and more to do with desire.
Back at the mansion, he learned that Maddie still hadn't returned. He noticed her bag had been unpacked so he unpacked his, tossing the new Lee Child paperback onto the nightstand he now considered his, placing his underwear, socks, and tee shirts in an empty dresser drawer and hanging his clothes next to hers. He hadn't packed much, figuring he'd buy what he needed here.
Then he prowled through the bedroom and closet, inspecting everything. He'd already noticed that her closet wasn't overflowing with designer clothes. There were a few pieces, mostly evening wear, but even to his untrained eye, he recognized that they weren't new. In fact, one of the little black dresses had a worn spot under the arm, and another had a small tear in a seam. Even the labels looked faded. The newer clothes were made well, but they could be bought at just about any chain store in a mall.
Her shoes and handbags were expensive, but they too looked like classics except for the sandals. Again, everything was well cared for and probably always in fashion, but none of the pieces looked new except for the pair of the red-soled stilettos that were all the rage for women. Even Laura had a pair.
The only jewelry he found were the emeralds that he knew she'd inherited from her mother. She'd worn them for the wedding and also last night. Maybe the rest of her stuff was at the townhome that he'd not yet seen. Had she gone to her townhome today to get away from him?
Jake made several calls to his business partners then showered and dressed for dinner in navy slacks and a pale blue dress shirt. Since it was just the family for dinner, he didn't bother with a tie and jacket. Then he plumped the pillows, kicked off his shoes, stretched out on the bed, and reached for the Jack Reacher novel.
When Maddie dashed in, he was engrossed in the latest exploits of Child's character Jack Reacher. He looked up. Her hair was windblown. Her cheeks pink. Her emerald green eyes sparkled. She looked so appealing that he all but drooled. Then he frowned. "Is that a handprint on your shirt?"
Maddie looked down at her chest. "Oh, I guess it is." She pulled her shirt up a bit and sniffed. "Grape jelly."
"From breakfast?"
Maddie laughed. "No, silly. From lunch."
"You had jelly for lunch?"
Maddie's laugh was infectious. "PBJ. My all-time favorite."
Jake remembered. When she was a kid, she'd been crazy about peanut butter and grape jelly. The stain on her shirt was small. The size of a child's hand. Another puzzle piece. To her, he merely said, "You'd better get cleaned up for dinner. I'm sure it's still at seven so you only have thirty minutes."
Still chuckling, Maddie hurried to do as he suggested. When she emerged from the bathroom, her hair was tamed, caught up on each side with simple hair combs, allowing the red-gold waves to tumble down her back. She wore a long-sleeved yellow silk tee shirt and gray wide-leg slacks with leopard-print high heels.
Maddie had spent as much time as she dared on her makeup. She didn't want to be late in case Constance chose tonight to revert to super critical. Lately, she didn't know what to expect when it came to her stepmother. A sigh escaped her.
Jake was sitting on the bed and putting on a pair of polished black leather loafers. "What's the matter?"
"Oh, it's nothing." When he continued looking at her, she said, "I was just thinking about how Constance is so..."
"Weird?" Jake nodded. "I think that's the word you're looking for."
"Maybe it is. I was rushing because I was afraid to be late. She used to be so critical of every little mistake I made so I guess she trained me to be wary of her. But this last year, it's like she's become a different person. It's almost as if she's trying to be friendly."
Jake laughed. "Stranger things have happened."
"Not here they haven't. Do you really think she's so Machiavellian that she's plotting to control me?"
Jake opened the bedroom door. He placed his hand in the small of Maddie's back. "It's either that or she's taken a nice pill. Constance being nice. It fairly boggles the mind, doesn't it?"
She couldn't answer. All of her attention was focused on his hand. His touch seared her. All day she'd thought about the night before. She'd almost convinced herself that it had been a dream. That no one could be that generous and nonjudgmental. That she'd exaggerated the way he'd made her feel. But it hadn't been a dream.
There were only the three of them at dinner. "I'm sorry, Jake, but your mother called and said she wouldn't be able to make it after all."
They dined on a delicious seafood gumbo served over rice, a tossed salad of mixed greens, and hot garlic French bread.
When they were nearly done, Constance said, "Tell me about your military service, Jake."
Jake was surprised. One of the worst days in his life was the day he'd had to tell his mother that he'd joined the army. And this was the woman who had forced that to happen. He looked at Constance, trying not to let his anger show. He told of his years in the army, but he glossed over the battle in which Danny had been killed, and he'd been wounded. Some things were too private. Too personal to trot out for public view.
"Your mother told me about your being wounded," Constance said. "I'm more sorry than you can know. Thank…" Her voice broke. "Thank you, Jake, for your service."
The simple words, and the heartfelt way in which they were spoken, surprised Jake so much that he could only incline his head in recognition of what she'd said.
After that, not much else was said. When Constance offered coffee and dessert, Jake and Maddie both declined. Constance rose from the table, but she didn't leave the dining room. She looked as if she had something else to say.
Curiosity overcame Maddie's caution. "Was there something else, Constance."
The woman wet her lips. She looked at Jake then down at the floor. Then she cleared her throat, squared her shoulders, and looked into his eyes. "I just wanted to say that I'm glad you survived. And, that I'm so terribly sorry. For that night."
Without warning, Constance made a choking sound that seemed much like a muffled sob. "If you'll excuse me, I'm not feeling very well."
Maddie's mouth dropped open as she watched her stepmother all but run from the room.
Jake's eyes met hers. "I don't know what's going on here, but maybe you infected everyone with insanity."
Maddie snorted. "I am not insane."
"What do you call proposing to a man you haven
't seen in almost nine years?"
"Okay. Maybe you're right. Maybe I am insane." Maddie didn't try to hide her yawn. "I'm beat."
"Rough day shopping?" he asked, following her up the stairs.
"Yes. Very rough," Maddie lied. "I had to fight a woman over a silk top."
"Poor little rich girl. You must have lost the fight. I didn't see you bring any packages home."
"Oh. Right. I guess I need to improve my kung fu skills."
"I have a few moves I could show you." Jake opened the bedroom door for her. His voice dropped to a low, sexy taunt. "I have a feeling you'd be a quick study."
Maddie dragged a breath into her lungs. Her eyes went to the bed. The comforter was mussed and a pillow bore the impression of his head from where he'd lain while reading. "Uh, that's okay. Really. I was just having an off day. I can take care of myself when it comes to snagging bargains."
With that, she took refuge in the bathroom where she changed into her most conservative pair of pajamas, gray seersucker with long sleeves and ankle-length pajama bottoms. The expensive set had been a gift from Constance. Maddie had never worn them because she thought they looked like a business suit rather than something comfy to sleep in. She went about her bedtime routine.
When she opened the bathroom door, the bedroom was lit by only the lamp on Jake's side of the bed. He was in bed with the blanket pulled up to his chest. Tonight, he wore no tee shirt. His shoulders were broad and acres of golden skin were revealed, making her fingers tingle at the thought of touching him. Even in the dim light, she could see small ragged-edged scars dotting his shoulders. She ached for the pain he'd gone through, but most of all, she ached for him.
"I hope you don't mind if I omit the tee shirt tonight," he said. "I'm not used to sleeping with anyone. All the body heat had me sweating last night."
He never looked up from his book. The fact that he spoke absently while continuing to look at his book made it less embarrassing for Maddie. "That's okay. I understand. Truly. I don't mind sleeping on the floor if it will make you more comfortable."
"Nah." He turned a page. "It's not a problem. As long as my reading in bed doesn't bother you?"
"Uh, no. I often do that myself."
"Great." He turned another page.
"Good book?" She had to admit his total lack of interest in her annoyed her.
"Yeah. Keeps my attention off other things."
Maddie blushed. Other things? She had no doubt he meant her.
He turned a page. "You ever read the Jack Reacher novels?"
"No. I mostly read children's books lately."
When his eyes raised from his book, Maddie realized what she'd said. "Just joking. I'm into romance and mystery."
"Oh." He gave her a searching look then returned to his book.
She didn't move until he turned another page. She told herself that she was being silly. They'd slept together last night and nothing had happened. The way he was engrossed in the book told her that it held more attraction for him than her body. She tried to tell herself that was what she wanted, but in her heart she knew she was lying to herself. Maddie removed her robe and again laid it across the foot of the bed then quickly slid under the covers. She heard another page turn.
Just being in the same bed with him made her senses come alive. Her body quickened as she imagined him kissing her. She ached for him. Another page turned. She swallowed hard and forced her thoughts from the man who shared her bed. A page turned. She didn't know why Jake had been concerned about being celibate for a year, she thought crossly. He seemed to be handling the situation easily. Or maybe he didn't feel desire for her. She looked nothing like the gorgeous brunette in the photograph in his apartment. She thought about all the nights when she'd fantasized about being in bed with Jake. She'd dreamed about him countless times. None of those fantasies had ever ended with them sleeping together like platonic friends.
The sound of turning pages lulled her to sleep. Later, she couldn't say what had awakened her. The room was lit only by the moonlight that came through the big windows. Then she heard a sound. A gasp of pain. "Jake?"
Suddenly, he bolted upright in bed. His chest heaved as if he'd been running. Maddie sat up and reached to touch him. With a guttural sound, he grabbed her wrist and held it in a band of iron. Maddie bit her lip. "Jake, wake up. You're dreaming."
He turned to face her, and there was such heartbreak in his eyes that she wanted to cry. He dropped her hand and sat unmoving.
Without thinking, Maddie reached out with both arms and pulled him close. "It's all right," she soothed. His body was clammy with perspiration. She could feel his heart pounding, his breath like a bellows.
"Bad dream?" She stroked her hands over his shoulders, soothing him, willing him to relax.
"The worst." His arms went around her and held her tightly as if he might lose himself if he let go.
Maddie rocked him gently, soothing him the way she did the children who were plagued by bad memories. Slowly, he relaxed and lay down, pulling her with him to the mattress. They lay facing each other with his arm across her. She was glad to see that he breathed easier.
"Want to talk about it?" she whispered.
"No." She felt his hand lift to stroke her hair. His fingers slid into her hair, pulling gently has he sifted the strands. "Talking about it tonight with Constance must be what brought it to the surface again."
After a long pause, he said, "The dream is always the firefight. The sniper. The IED exploding. All hell breaking loose."
She lay her hand on his strong jaw, hurting for him. For the pain he'd endured.
"There were four of us," he said. "We met in basic training and ended up going through every phase of training together. That's highly unusual. It's like they were the brothers that I always wanted. Danny was the only one of us who was married. He and Laura had a little daughter named Charlene. Charly. Laura is the woman in the photograph you asked about."
Maddie waited. She felt his arm tense. "Danny must have seen the sun's reflection off the sniper's scope or something. Maybe it was just gut instinct. He shoved me out of the way, and the bullet hit him instead of me." Jake shuddered. "I landed behind an armored Humvee. That protected me from the IED. Mostly. I lived. Danny died. It could have been the other way around."
Maddie didn't bother mouthing useless platitudes. She offered comfort in the way women had comforted the men they loved since time began. Her mouth sought his. She poured all her love into the kiss. Jake pulled her over him. She felt him against her belly. Hard and so hot. He took control of the kiss, his tongue probed, and she opened her mouth to him. His hands were on her body, stroking, spreading heat, making her pulse pound.
When Maddie broke the kiss and pushed away, he pleaded, his voice raw with emotion. "Maddie, please. I need you."
"I know," she whispered, unbuttoning the pajama shirt.
His eyes gleamed, and he sat up and helped, tossing the shirt aside a moment later. He tugged on the pajama bottoms. "Raise up."
When she did, he yanked the pants off and sent them to the floor next to the shirt. Then his hands claimed her. Before she lost all rational thought, she whispered, "Take your shorts off."
Jakes froze. "Are you sure?"
"I've never been more sure of anything."
He hesitated no longer, and his shorts ended up on the floor with her pajamas. His erection sprang free. Maddie could have told him that she'd waited a lifetime for him to love her, but she used her mouth to pleasure him instead, kissing his mouth, his neck, sliding over his beautiful body, making him gasp.
"You're so beautiful," he murmured, taking control once again. He held her breasts in his big hands while he tormented the taut peaks with his thumbs. Then his mouth replaced his fingers, and she felt a throbbing between her thighs so intense that she cried out. She wanted him so badly that her legs trembled. Her hands gripped his arms, pulling him down to her. Wanting his weight on top of her. Wanting to hold him close to her heart.
>
Her hips lifted, seeking the relief that only he could give her. Nearly mindless with desire, she managed to say, "Please. I want you. Now."
Jake needed no further encouragement. He groaned as he pushed inside her. Maddie squeezed her eyes tight against the tears that welled in her eyes. Not because he hurt her, but because the moment was so perfect. His arms shook. She felt him throbbing inside her as he began to move in a rhythm as old as time.
Maddie felt her orgasm building. She didn't want it to end so quickly, but she had no say in the matter. Her body tautened. "Jake!"
"Yes, Maddie, I'm here. Let it happen." He took her mouth in a hard, searing kiss, and her body tightened unbearably then pleasure exploded.
When Jake felt her pulsing around him, he lost what little control he had, driving into her, riding the waves of her pleasure until he gave a guttural cry and claimed his own pleasure.
Later, they lay entwined, neither wanting to move. Maddie wanted to freeze that moment in time so she could remember every moment. Every kiss. Every touch.
Now that she'd made love with Jake, how could she ever go back?
Chapter 9
Jake wasn't surprised that Maddie managed to leave their bed the next morning without waking him, but he was disappointed. He stretched, enjoying the pleasant tiredness of his muscles after a night of making love to her. It had been the best night of his life. He'd fallen asleep knowing that he'd wake with her in his arms. He wanted to see the early morning light caress her perfect skin while he made love to her.
Unfortunately, that was a fantasy he'd have to postpone.
The shower was still wet when he stepped in so he knew she hadn't been gone long. At least he knew where she was headed.
Not quite two hours later, he pulled up to the sprawling ranch-style house. Other than a chain link fence around the wide front yard, the house looked like any of the other mid-century brick homes in that older part of Houston. The front door was sheltered by a wide overhang that created a covered area. A small wrought iron table and two matching chairs occupied that covered area. The house was nothing special. A bit rundown even. It needed a new roof, but the yard was neatly mowed. Dark green shrubbery followed the lines of the house, and big clay pots of petunias sat on either side of the front door.
