The Pawn (Shattered Series Book 1) (16 page)

        “You don’t have to do that, you know,” Jarrod said stiffly, still not looking at her.

        She frowned in confusion. “Do what?”

        “While I certainly appreciate that you are doing it, I don’t want you to think that you have to.”

        “Wait,” she said, grabbing hold of his wrist. “Can you please stop talking in riddles and just tell me what you’re talking about?”

        Jarrod looked at her fully. “Meghan can be demanding sometimes, but she’s one helluva kid,” he said and the pride played in his voice. “I know that’s surprising, considering the fact that I’m her father. I’m trying my best---”

        “Jarrod, you are an amazing dad, and she is so lucky to have you. I love watching the two of you together. It’s evident how much you both love each other.” Her eyes searched his. “I can only imagine how difficult it’s been for the both of you, especially with her mother being gone.” She paused. “I love Meghan and spending time with her. She’d never be a burden to me. So, if that’s what you’re thinking, you can dispel that idea at once.”

        “Again…thank you.” He turned to the grill again. “I’m about finished here. So, if you want to go and bury your head in that mystery book again.”

        “I think that I’ll hang here awhile if it’s okay with you,” she said, reaching for the other spatula. “I’ll help you get things ready.”

        He shrugged. “If that’s what you want to do.”

        Of course, it was, she mulled, cutting him a side glance.

        Wasn’t he the greatest mystery yet?

***

        Hours later, at dark midnight, a startling white moon hang over the watery abyss, splaying illustrious shadows of bright light upon its surface, and in a perfectly synchronized dance, the waves rolled onto the shore.                        

        A new day was overtaking the last---

        A day that’d been perfect...

        With that thought lingering, Olivia closed the curtains against the breathtaking sight.    

         As she turned and faced the room that’d been home for months, she paused. Wasn’t it a great feeling to not hold apprehension and uncertainty any longer? And couldn’t she honestly admit that she was at peace? Dare she say it---happy? This sleeplessness that she was experiencing now was due to that very fact, she realized, stopping at the center of the bedroom. If she let go for even the briefest moment, would those feelings be lost and never recaptured?

        Like today…

        All the precious moments that they’d shared together---it’d seemed as if they were a real family. But, of course they
were
a family; it’s just that she had no immediate recollection of that fact. The deep emotions that’d stirred within her as they’d laughed and played, she sighed, staring into the open space, there were no appropriate words to describe them.

        These last months had given her a glimpse into their personal lives…the very one that she’d lost and was fighting for now.

        Everyday was like an adventure as their relationship deepened, she mulled. Meghan was more adorable than words, and she enjoyed the little girl’s company immensely. In a short time, they’d bonded on a level that was even surprising to her.

        And Jarrod---

        She caught her breath.

        He was everything that she wanted in a man.

        All raw male…

        Sensual, sexy, playful, intense, moody, dangerous…

        But, in so many ways, their tentative relationship was still at ground zero. All because he wanted to keep an emotional distance, she thought, biting her lip. Beneath that tough exterior, she saw and understood the vulnerable side that he kept secret.

        She shook her head to clear it.

        But, it was more than that.

        “I’m getting my life back,” she whispered, teary-eyed. “After all this time, it’s really happening.”

        After tugging the thigh-length wrap closer around her, she padded for the bed and climbed in. Reaching over, she grabbed the novel from the nightstand. But, after reading a few pages, her interest dwindled, so she snapped it shut before laying it back down. With a heavy sigh, she sank into the plush bed pillows, and as she’d done countless nights, she held her ringed hand out, staring at the expensive engagement ring. Even under the dimmed floodlights, the small clustered diamonds shone with an explicit brilliancy.

        “Mrs. Olivia Sabatino,” she said, spreading her fingers apart. “I just love the sound of that.” Her heart skipped a beat. “And nothing seems more right.”

        As the words left her, she frowned in concentration. But, when would things progress between the two of them?

        As a matter of fact, he’d been the consummate gentleman at all times, and if she were truthful with herself, it was disappointing. She
wanted
him to make romantic gestures, she thought with a reddened face.

        What did that say about her?

        That she had no boundaries?

        But, there were obvious truths, her mind argued.

Didn’t the very essence of him linger with her day in and day out? Not to mention their attraction to one another. “And the fact that I love you trumps everything else as far as I’m concerned,” she whispered to the darkness. “Only problem is that I don’t know what to do about it.”

        With that knowledgeable thought, she flicked the lights off and pulled the covers up to her chin. But, after lying there and staring into the darkness for another thirty minutes, she gave up.

        A short moment later, she was standing outside her bedroom door.

        Not so confident now, hesitating, she looked along the landing. The darkness and steady quiet nearly made her jump.

        She tensed.

        Now what?

        At 12:37 am, there weren’t too many options. Meghan and Rosa were abed, so that meant no lively or entertaining conversations with them at the seemingly late hour.

        And her heart’s tormentor---

        Her gaze shot towards the short stairs. Up there, she’d probably find Jarrod’s bedroom, she mulled, embracing the fiery heat as it spread throughout her body. Was it possible that her body had a natural detector where he was concerned, she mulled, flushing red.

       Before common sense prevailed, she took the stairs leading to his room. The darkness masked her as she ascended, and as she made it halfway, she saw that the door stood wide open. Releasing a shaky breath, she forged on.

        Of course, he wasn’t there, she thought, disappointed, taking a look inside as she stood within the open doorway. She took in the sights of the room. Unsurprisingly, a king-sized, mahogany-hued four poster bed dominated the center of the large master suite, and pure masculinity exuded from the room. The curtains were pushed back on the balcony doors, and she saw that they stood open, too. Not too much furniture obliterated the space, she noticed, taking in the wide screen television hanging on the wall and a sparsely decorated night table stood on the left side of the room.

        Her eyes strayed back to the empty bed.

        She placed a shaky hand over her thundering heartbeat. How many nights had she actually lain there with him and made love?

       Was it the very reason that she standing here now---to ask him to touch her in the naughtiest, sinful places and make love to her?

        Embarrassed at where her thoughts had gone, she fled, and didn’t stop until she reached the second level. Anyway, she thought, having regained her composure, and stopped outside her bedroom door.

        There were two possible places that he could be: the study or the basement. Since she’d left him working in the study earlier this evening, he was probably there finishing up, she blushed, tugging on the wrap’s thin belt.

        She stared across the dark landing.

       Certainly, she had no right to disturb him, and she was hardly dressed to socialize, she thought, looking down at the powder-blue wrap that barely concealed the matching lacy brassiere and panties.

        She combed her fingers through her dark tresses.     Probably, her hair was the only thing that
was
presentable.

        However, her thoughts weren’t enough to deter her, and she found herself taking the stairs leading to the lower level. Once she reached the living area, she paused again. A deep silence hummed within the darkened room, and for a brief second, she questioned her decision as well as her motives. Just what was she expecting or wanting to happen, she thought, biting her bottom lip. Then, disregarding her apprehension, she treaded towards the study, and to her disappointment, solitude and darkness drenched the room.

        “What are you doing?” she whispered in the darkness, pausing at the open door and shook her head. “Good thing he’s not here. You’d just make a fool out of yourself anyway.”

        “Talking to yourself in the dark?”

        With a gasp of surprise, she whirled around and collided into a solid chest. “Oh!”

        As Jarrod’s arms closed around her, she nearly collapsed to the floor in response. The electricity fired through her, from head to toe, and she struggled to breathe.

       Would she ever get used to the fact that he easily set her afire with a simple touch?

        She clung to him weakly.

        Finally, her gaze adjusted to the darkness.

        His stare was equally intense.

        And his eyes, she mulled, staring into them helplessly. They were just like green emeralds. And now, they were so intense and filled with something else.

        Her pulse rate skyrocketed.

        If only he’d rain his fire upon her…

        “I-I----” she stammered, biting her lip. “I-I didn’t mean to---”

        He stiffened against her. “No, you haven’t done anything wrong. I’m sorry---I didn’t mean to startle you.” With reluctance, he released her. “But, I certainly didn’t expect to find you wandering around in the dark either.”

        “I couldn’t sleep,” she said, returning his deep stare, and for the life of her, she didn’t have the strength to look away. Nor did she want to. “So, I came down here looking for a book.”

        “Last time I checked, the library was at the other end of the house. Or did you get lost?”

         She flicked her eyes over him quickly.

         Bare-chested and black pajama bottoms…

        At the bottom of her belly, she heard a siren call.

        She met his eyes again. “Of course I didn’t get lost. I was just trying to get there without waking anyone, especially at this hour.”

        A dangerous glint flared in his eyes. “Oh---I suppose you would be. That’s very thoughtful of you.”

        She stiffened.

        As she suspected, she
was
making a fool of herself, she thought, face flaming red. As a matter of fact, subconsciously,
hadn’t
she come to innocently throw herself at him?
Well, maybe not so innocently
…

        That thought alone was enough to sober her.

        “I’m sorry to have disturbed you. Goodnight,” she said, moving to step around him.

        With a subtle quickness, he grabbed her hand in the darkness, and stepped closer to her, bringing their bodies dangerously close. “Walk with me.”

        “W-walk with you?” she stammered, fighting to ignore the shocks of pleasure ricocheting through her body at the simple contact. Rather than looking at him, she stared at his bare chest.

        “I couldn’t sleep either. So, I was about to take a stroll on the beach,” he admitted, grasping her chin, and forced her to look at him. Again, their connection was staggering to the senses. “It seems that we both could use some fresh air. But, I understand if you don’t want to---”

        “No,” she broke in breathlessly, searching his face. “It’s exactly what I need.”

        Or rather you’re what I need, she thought, embarrassed, looking down.

        His voice was deep and low. “Come on.”

        Like a meek child, she held onto his hand and followed.

        Moments later, the sound of the ocean met them as they stepped onto the balcony and headed for the short steps. Once they reached the bottom, she held onto his hand as he led the way. In a few short minutes, they crossed the small grassy area before meeting the sandy beach.

        In mutual silence, they walked along the edge of the beach, being careful to miss the waves as they washed upon the shore. After they’d made way about twenty minutes from the house, he stopped walking and turned to face her. “This spot good for you?” he asked huskily, staring down at her. “Or do you want to go further?”

        She watched him.

        The words were lodged in her throat.