Kyle squirmed in the leather chair. “Um, no, thanks. This will only take a minute.” It was obvious to Jared that Kyle was nervous, and he wondered if Tony had ripped the trainer a new asshole at work that day.

  He handed Bernie her glass, then sat on the sofa and pulled her down beside him. There was an edge to his voice when he growled, “So what exactly do you want, Kyle?”

  Kyle looked at his hands, then up at Bernie. “I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for the way I talked to and about you. I apologize.”

  Jared hoped she’d tell Kyle to go fuck himself, but instead, Bernie sweetly replied, “Apology accepted.”

  Kyle shifted his gaze to Jared. “And I want to tell you how sorry I am for talking to her that way in front of you, and for talking to you that way. That was out of line, and I’m sorry.”

  “Just so we’re clear – I have no intention of apologizing to you for decking you. You deserved it, and you know it.” Jared’s face was stony, his eyes steely, as he stared right into Kyle’s eyes.

  “I know. I don’t blame you either. And when you knocked me down, I should’ve stayed down. I’ve just been so . . .” They waited, but Kyle didn’t finish the sentence.

  “So what? Kyle, what the hell is going on with you?”

  The smaller man sighed. “It’s a long story, but I’ve been under a lot of pressure – financial pressure. But I think that’s over. I feel like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders.” Jared could only assume Tony had something to do with that. “And Bernie, I wasn’t very fair with you. I know the job market’s horrible, and I didn’t give you anything to work with, no phone, no transportation, nothing, but I didn’t have it to give. Still, I shouldn’t have been so harsh about it. I know you’re trying, really, I do. And Jared, thanks for helping her. You’ve been very generous in every way, and I appreciate it.” He hesitated, then added, “And I can’t stand in judgment of your relationship. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it’s really none of my business.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad you understand. And I’m sorry that you’ve had such a hard time of it, you and Lisette.” Kyle could tell that Jared was being genuine by the sad look on his face, and Kyle’s eyes reddened.

  Before either man could say anything else, Bernie interrupted. “Why didn’t you tell me how bad it was? I could’ve eaten less. I would’ve given you some things to sell. I would help you however I could. I owe you everything. I have nowhere else to go, and I’d do anything to help you.” With that, the young beauty began to cry.

  She would’ve eaten less and given them things to sell? My god, she eats like a bird and she doesn’t have a damn thing to her name except that Hermes bag. Jared had figured out that Bernie was a good person, but for someone who’d been in such an enviable position for so long, she was sweetly humble and generous with things she didn’t even have. There was a tiny sensation in his chest, as though his heart were being pricked with a needle, and he felt compelled to take her in his arms and hold her tight. She just kept sobbing, and when Jared checked with a glance, Kyle’s eyes were so sad that it made Jared want to weep too. He slipped his hand under Bernie’s chin and tipped her head upward, then kissed her tears. “Shhhhh, baby, it’s okay now. Everything’s fine. Don’t cry.” She sniffled a couple of times and then choked down a few sobs. Then he turned to Kyle. “Thank you for apologizing to her. She didn’t deserve any of that, and I’m glad you did the right thing.”

  “Thank you for listening to me, both of you. It won’t happen again. Bernie, you can gather up your things and come home with me. You’re always welcome there, and I’m sorry for kicking you out.”

  Before he could stop himself, Jared looked into Bernie’s face and whispered, “Stay with me?” What the fuck is wrong with me?, his brain screamed. Let her go back home with Kyle where she belongs! But he couldn’t stop himself. He wanted her there with him, wanted to protect her and take care of her. He felt responsible for her and, frankly, for reasons he couldn’t explain, he liked the feeling, that sensation of being needed by someone else. It scared him and thrilled him at the same time.

  Wordlessly, Bernie nodded, and he kissed her forehead. “I think she’ll just stay here. She’s already settled here, and it’ll give you and Lisette some privacy and a little more room. I’ve got plenty of room and it’s nice to have someone around.” As he spoke, Jared smiled at Bernie, and she smiled back through her tears.

  “Well, okay, but the offer stands. You’re always welcome to come back,” Kyle reminded her.

  “Thank you. I love you and Lisette. I never wished to bring any hardship to you.” Bernie’s eyes clouded over again and a big tear dripped down one cheek.

  “I know. And I’m sorry I made you feel that way.” Kyle rose from the chair and extended a hand to Jared, who stood and took it. “If I can do anything, just let me know. I should probably be going.”

  Jared nodded without smiling. “Thanks, man. We’ll remember that.” He strode to the door and opened it before Kyle could change his mind. Right that minute, he wanted to be alone with Bernie. They needed to talk privately; about what, he wasn’t sure, but he knew it had to happen.

  Once Kyle was gone, Jared went back to Bernie and took her hand. “I know it’s early, but we need to get ready for bed. Let’s put on pajamas, order some pizza, and just relax. If we fall asleep, we fall asleep. But you’ve been under a lot of stress, and you need to get some rest.”

  Bernie sniffed and let Jared pull her up from the sofa. “I don’t have any pajamas.”

  “Then I’ll give you one of my big tees. You like Papa John’s?”

  She shrugged. “Papa John’s what?”

  Jared laughed right out loud. “Papa John’s! Pizza! From right here in Louisville. He’s like a . . . oh, it’s just a pizza company here called Papa John’s. You’ve never had it?”

  “I suppose not.”

  “Okay. What do you like on pizza?”

  Bernie shrugged again. “I don’t know. Sauce. Cheese. Not bacon. I hate bacon.”

  “So no bacon. Veggies?”

  “All kinds! I love veggies.”

  “Me too.” Jared made the call, then pulled her down the hallway. He handed her a UK Wildcats jersey, then pulled out a BBC tee shirt from Bluegrass Brewing Company and slipped on a pair of blue and white pinstriped lounge pants. She laughed when he tossed her a pair of thick hiking socks and then stripped his own socks off. He took in the sight before him and grinned. “Well, aren’t we the fashionable pair?”

  “Yes. I feel like quite the chic fashionista!” Bernie laughed. “But the socks do not, um, don’t match the shirt. Whatever will I do?”

  “You’ll live. Come on – let’s go get some paper plates and glasses out so we’ll be ready when the pizza comes.” When he started down the hallway, he heard a pitter-pat behind him just before she jumped onto his back, her arms around his neck, and he laughed and wrapped his arms under her knees, piggy-backing her into the kitchen. Before he let her down, she leaned in and kissed the side of his neck, and Jared felt something in his stomach flutter and dive. I’m in trouble here, he told himself.

  But he felt powerless to put an end to it. He’d just have to admit it to himself – he was drawn to this woman. For all her worldliness, she had an innocence and freshness to her that he hadn’t experienced before with the women he’d known. Bernie was different somehow, refreshing and simple, and that was truly surprising, considering the lifestyle she’d had in Paris. It seemed all she wanted was to be treated with kindness and for someone to want her around.

  Jared did want her around, more than he wanted to admit. He could feel his heart softening toward her, and that wasn’t what he’d intended at all. But he tried to imagine sending her back to Kyle and Lisette’s, and the idea of her leaving made his chest hurt. Deep down, he knew. Loving a woman wasn’t something he wanted to do, but it was too late. Something about her had made a mark on his heart, and there was no going back. If she didn’t feel it too, he was in deeper trouble than he’d imagined.

  The doorbell interrupted his thoughts, and he opened the door, paid the delivery guy, and brought the hot, aromatic treat into the kitchen. For the first time, Bernie ate as though she were famished, and Jared was over the moon. They laughed and chattered during the whole meal. Finished and with everything cleaned up, Jared dragged her back down the hallway to the bedroom. It was only seven thirty, but he wanted to just rest and have some down time.

  They settled into the king size bed, all propped up with pillows, and watched a couple of TV shows. Bernie looked surprised when Jared flicked the remote control to shut the TV off, and he faced her, making every attempt to hide any and all emotion. “So let’s talk.”

  “Of course. What should we talk about?”

  Just do it, Calhoun, his brain shrieked. “Well, I wanted to talk to you about something. Remember when I said this was going to be just for fun?”

  Bernie’s face fell. “Yes. I remember. I’m sorry if I’m not acting appropriately for keeping it fun.”

  “What?”

  “What? I mean, am I making it more than, no, wait, is it becoming, no. I don’t know how to say . . .”

  “Bernie?” Jared took both her hands in his. “Something’s happening here, at least for me. I don’t see you as just a friend anymore. I don’t know how to describe it either, but I feel . . . close to you. It’s like, oh, I’m not sure what I mean.” Trying to explain was exasperating.

  “I understand.” Bernie’s smile was gentle and a little shy. “I like you, Jared. You’re so kind to me, and you’re gentle too. It’s almost like you care about me.”

  Hearing her say those words and the uncertainty in her voice made Jared’s heart throb painfully. “I do care about you, Bernie, I really do.” Before he could stop himself, he added, “Maybe a little too much.”

  A single tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m so sorry, Jared, if I make you feel these things you don’t want to feel. Please don’t be mad at me.”

  He pressed his hand against her cheek and caught the tear with his thumb, wiping it away. “I could never be mad at you, honey. You’re too precious.” He hesitated, then asked, his voice quiet and low, “Could you care about me?”

  “I already do. I’ve never met a man like you, so sexy and strong, and still not afraid to be tender. I think you’re amazing.” She didn’t balk when he drew her face to his and kissed her. It was a different kind of kiss, almost a submission, and Jared was positive that Bernie could feel it too. He felt his skin warm to the point that he was sure he was glowing like a red-hot branding iron, and Bernie’s body seemed to liquefy and mold to his. Something about it all felt right, even as his mind fought it. When his body met hers, she whispered into his lips, “Jared Calhoun, my heart wants yours. My body too. Make love to me, please?”

  All Jared could do was groan. Damn, he didn’t want to give in, but he couldn’t say no. As he pressed her back into the pillows, he rolled on top of her and just kept kissing her, not those crazy, lust-filled things from before, but sweet, gentle kisses loaded with longing, oddly exciting and soothing at the same time. He hadn’t kissed a woman that way in . . .

  Never. He’d never kissed a woman that way before, or had her kiss him back the same way. When he rolled them to their sides, he opened his eyes and smiled at Bernie. That headful of dark, shiny tresses was slightly mussed, her lips were cherry red from the kisses, and her eyes were almost glowing. That’s when Jared heard it, that tiny voice in his head that said, Just let go, Jared. She’s the one.

  With a trembling hand, Jared stroked his knuckles down Bernie’s cheek. “Do you know how beautiful you are?”

  Her big, dark lashes brushed her cheeks when her eyes closed and she whispered, “Thank you. But I wish more than anything to find a man who can see that my soul is beautiful too. No one sees past my face and body, but there is a person in here, someone who wants to be loved.” Tear-filled eyes met his. “I’ve been just a fuck for so long. Just once I would so like to be someone’s princess.”

  Without warning, Jared’s eyes dampened and he felt his heart split open. It didn’t matter anymore that loving her wasn’t what he thought he wanted. It felt right, being there with that girl, holding her tight and whispering to her, his hands on her velvety skin. He meant every word when he whispered back, “Be my princess, Bernadette. I want to make you happy.” She started to weep, and he told her again, “I see the you inside that beautiful body, and I want to know it. Be my princess, baby. I’ve wanted a princess for so long.”

  In seconds, his hands began to roam her body, and she responded with a moan that lit Jared’s soul ablaze. Scorching lips locked to his, and her perfect nails dragged up his back, hardening his cock and setting up an ache in his balls that made him very nearly crazy with need. There was a softness in his touch when he skimmed his fingers along the flatness of her belly and grazed their tips along her mound, then cupped it.

  The warmth of his hand soothed Bernie. There was something so comforting about the way his hand covered her femininity and held there, guarding it, sheltering it. For the first time ever, Bernie felt safe with a man, as though he wanted to give to her instead of taking from her. She wanted to give herself to him completely, to know he understood that whatever she was or had, it was all his. “I’ll be your princess. I want to be your princess. No one else’s.”

  “Mine.” Jared kissed her again, then repeated, “Mine. And I’m yours. I don’t want this to be something we fall into. I want us to work at it. I want to make something strong and good, something that won’t be a waste of time and a heartbreak for us both.” After another kiss, he asked, “Is that something you’re interested in?”

  “Yesssss,” Bernie hissed into his mouth when she kissed him again. “Be my Prince Charming, please? I need one. You’re my Prince Charming, Jared. I’ve looked for you for so long. You’re finally here.”

  Lips pressed to hers in pure desire, Jared’s fingers dug into Bernie’s hips and dragged them toward his rigid manhood. Unlike before, he pressed into her gently and groaned as his cock claimed her heat and wetness, and he stroked deep inside her like Rembrandt drawing a brush across his canvas, enjoying the feel of her warmth. Bending his spine, he drew a nipple into his lips, and the hiss she that escaped her lips hardened him even more. To his delight, he watched her hand wander down between them, and she started to stroke herself, her finger working her clit slowly as Jared gazed on in wonder. He was making love to her, the first woman he’d actually made love to in years, and there was nowhere else on earth he wanted to be in that moment. Pure bliss illuminated her face as he watched her giving into the passion, and he felt himself slipping toward it too. Whatever happened, he wanted her to know, needed her to know, that she was his.

  Without warning, her body tightened and a gasp left her lips, followed by a cry of, “Oh, god, Jared! Deeper, baby, deeper!” She needn’t have asked; Jared buried himself in her channel so far that he’d never find his way out and, in just seconds, his essence filled her. That heat and wetness – it had been years since he’d welcomed that, but he did. When she whispered, “Oh, baby, that feels so good,” against his neck, Jared’s arms slipped around her and held her tight. He could feel her body, soft and yielding, against his, and he relaxed against her.

  It was all going to be okay. Prince Charming finally had his princess. It wasn’t what he thought he wanted but there, in the quiet of his bedroom, he realized it was exactly what he needed.

  Love had finally come home to him. And the thought of her going anywhere was out of the question.

  “Calhoun!”

  Jared jumped two feet when Steve’s voice rang out. He darted down the hallway. “What? You scared the shit out of me!”

  “Oh. Sorry. Didn’t mean to. Did you talk to Trevor about that weird thing we found in the desk drawer?”

  “Yeah. It’s a part for some kind of weapon, but we’re not sure what. He found it beside that building where our suspected arsonist was holed up, and we’re looking for a weapons expert to look at it and see if we can figure out what it came from.”

  “Have you called Evan Dickerson down at the police department?”

  “Yeah, but he’s never called us back.”

  Steve thought for a minute. “Take it out to the farm. Show it to Stokes. He might be able to tell you what it is.”

  “Good idea. Got anything I need to do, or want me to go now?”

  “Head on out there. Where’s your girlfriend?” Steve asked with sarcasm.

  “Bernie’s out job hunting. Could you maybe take her to lunch?”

  “Oh, god, no. I’d never want to be seen in public with someone who looks like her. What would people say? ‘That Steve McCoy, he has horrible taste in women. Look at that one. What a dog!’” He snickered. “Of course I’ll take her to lunch. Get to sit across the table from that and drool? Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  Jared shook his head and grinned as he walked out. “I see some things never change.”

  “Say, ‘Thank you, Steve!’”

  Jared laughed out loud. “Thank you, Steve! Sorry to put you out with such a horrible job.”

  “Yeah. You’ll owe me,” he heard Steve chuckling.

  When he got on the road, Jared called Bernie’s cell. “Hello, handsome Mr. Calhoun! How are you?”

  He couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m good! How’s it going, babe?”

  “Well, I got a ‘maybe’ from a man at a hardware store. And a lady at a shoe store asked me to check back next week.”

  “Hey! That’s great! So those are two possibilities. Keep going, babe. You’ll find something. Listen, I’m on my way out to Cabrizzi Farms to see Peyton about something. Steve said he’d take you to lunch if you want to go back to the office and meet him.”

  “That would be nice. I think I will. How long will you be gone?” In a whisper so soft he could barely hear it, she said, “I miss you.”

  Jared grinned. God, it had been a long time since anyone had said that to him! “I’ll be back as soon as I can get back. Probably not more than a couple of hours. Just have fun with Steve and then get busy again. I’ll let you know when I’m on my way back.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26