Tit for Tat Baby, page 14
Bloody hypocrites! Shelly Watts broke apart in his arms over and over again the night before. Callum McGregor most probably did the same to his sister! Today, she couldn’t seem to keep her hands off her fiancé and he smilingly accommodated her.
“I completely forgot about that! Shelly, I have to be back here for that.”
Shelly sank down on his lap and stroked his chin. Callum frowned at her sudden touchy feely attitude. She leaned forward and kissed him on his lips.
“Of course we will be back for their birthday, darling! We can always go again at a later stage.”
“Please excuse me. I have work to do.”
“But it is holiday, Aunty Jen! You can’t work today!”
“Sorry squirt. The quicker I can get this job done, the quicker I can go home. That day can’t arrive too soon for me!”
She turned and walked away with her head held high, ignoring a furious shout from Callum. She snorted when Shelly interceded.
“Leave her be, darling. You promised the twins a trip to the Zoo. If we don’t leave now, we won’t see everything.”
Kevin glared at her and her eyes fell from his. Her insides quivered. She held on to Callum to ground her. She has never experienced pleasure as the wicked blond man gave her all night long.
Kevin got up and strode after Jenna. He walked in just behind her into the studio and slammed the door shut. She swung around and when she noticed it was him, fell into his arms and clutched him against her.
“Have you changed your plane ticket yet, Kev?”
“No, I was going to today.”
“Would you please book one for me as well?”
“You want to go home with me?”
She looked at him and the hurt was battling with the fury in her eyes.
“I have to get away from here, Kev. I need to … to find perspective. I can’t … stay here.”
“When do you want to leave?”
“Today, while they’re at the zoo. Do you think it is too late to book now?”
“I don’t think so. I’ll go and do it immediately.”
He left and Jenna placed the large painting of a Kings inauguration on the table. She pushed the stereo binocular microscope closer and switched it on. The procedure used to clean this painting was carried out under high magnification with the aid of the microscope. It enabled her to refer constantly to photographs of the painting on a computer screen, of the painting taken before cleaning. It also enabled her useful images such as X-radiographs and infrared reflectograms to follow the proper cleaning methods, ensuring no further damage.
This specific painting had areas of damage that became insoluble to normal cleaning solvents and had to be removed with a scalpel. This was a slow and painstaking process which she had to carry out under the microscope.
Callum walked in just as she started the scraping process with her eyes against the microscope eyepiece.
“Jenna, I don’t want you to work today. The twins wants you to join us.”
“It is never too early for them to learn one does not always get what one wants. Go away, Callum.”
“Baby …”
“Don’t … why don’t you go and … rub your fiancé on your lap. Clearly she is used to sitting on it. I should thank her … she must have been the one …”
“Shut up! Before you say something we will both regret!”
“Go away, McGregor. I am busy.”
“Jenna …”
“GO AWAY!”
Jenna lost it and screamed at him. Her voice echoed down the passage.
“I’ll leave, but beware, Jenna, we will talk when I get back.”
Jenna trembled so badly she had to put the scalpel down she clutched in her hand. She was still trying to get her emotions under control when she saw Callum watching her through the window, waiting for everyone to get into his Jeep. They looked at each other until the twins complained. He turned away and got into the SUV. She turned back to her desk, refusing to watch them drive away.
Jenna only relaxed once the plane was airborne. She sighed and immediately reclined the seat back to catch up on much needed sleep. Kevin took her hand and pressed it. She looked at him and smiled.
“Thanks for being here for me, Kev”
“I’ll always be there for you, sis. You know that.”
“Yes, I do. What are you going to do?”
“Forget about him.”
“You’re not going back?”
“No. Dad can send a team in for the two weeks he is done. They should be able to make quite a dent in the work.”
“Are you sure you are doing the right thing, Sis?”
“You saw them today. He is not going to leave her and I deserve more than being the other woman in any man’s life.”
“Yes, you do.
They fell silent after that. Jenna fell asleep and Kevin’s mind wandered back to the night he spent with Shelly Watts. He walked into her room without knocking and caught her just as she got out of the shower.
He did not offer her an opportunity to deny him, not when he kissed her, nor when he caressed her. Only when he laid her down on her bed and covered her with his body did he ask the question. She denied him nothing, not once throughout the whole night. He had a night never equaled before, nor did he believe one that could be equaled again.
She was more than he ever imagined she would be. So much more, that he wanted more … again and again! He’d be damned if he was going to walk away from her. She would learn she would not just use him and then discard him. Hiding behind Callum and their so-called engagement was not going to keep him from her.
“Daddy! I am so happy to see you!”
Devon hugged his daughter clinging to him and looked enquiringly at Kevin. He shook his head. He stroked her hair until she pulled away and wiped the tears from her cheeks. He frowned.
“What is wrong, my girl? You’ve been away from home much longer than this before. You’ve never reacted like this. What happened?”
“I don’t want to talk about it now, please Daddy.”
“Does the phone call I received from Callum McGregor three hours ago have something to do with this?”
“He phoned you?”
“To give you a message when you got here.”
“I should have known Ronan would not keep his mouth shut. So what was the message mister high and mighty left?”
“That his plane will be waiting for you at eight on Monday morning.”
“His plane … I do not believe the gall of that man! When he phones again, you can give him this message. Go. To. Hell!”
She stormed out of the house and sat steaming on the porch. Devon looked at Kevin questioningly. Kevin sighed and shrugged.
“You don’t want to know, Dad.”
“I’ve known Callum for a number of years, Kevin. He is an honorable man of high integrity. What the devil is going on? He was livid when he phoned.”
“How do you know him?”
“My investment portfolio is with him.”
“He’s the one that turned my inheritance into millions in two years?”
“Which allowed you to open all those additional branches.”
“I suppose he did the same with Jenna’s”
“Yes, but she does not even know it. She’s never bothered with it. Tell me what happened with my little girl, Kev.”
“Our little Jenna fell in love.”
“With McGregor?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t understand. His demand and the way he spoke, he was seriously upset that she left.”
“He is engaged.”
“What!”
“With Shelly Watts.”
“The model you always drool over?”
Kevin smiled wryly and nodded. Devon thought back on the conversation and he glared at Kevin.
“He sounded excessively possessive about your sister when he spoke to me.”
“Oh, yes. The likes of which I have never seen.”
“Did he … did they …?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll kill him!”
“He never told her. She only found out when she arrived at the Castle for a visit.”
“I’ll kill him!”
“Yeah … I don’t think our little Jenna would like that, Dad.”
Devon’s cell phone rang and he picked it up. He glanced at Kevin.
“It’s McGregor.”
He swiped the screen and growled in the phone.
“McGregor … my son just informed me of a very disturbing piece of information. I am extremely upset.”
“That is to be expected.”
“I suppose you want to speak with Jenna?”
“She is not answering her phone.”
“Which means she does not want to talk to you, McGregor.”
Jenna walked in at that moment and glared at her father.
“I don’t believe it. And you are quite right, Daddy. I don’t want to talk to him.”
“There, you heard her.”
“I just want to know if she is okay.”
Devon heard the concern in his voice and realized all was not as it seemed. The look Kevin gave him confirmed it. He decided to push the boundaries a bit.
“He wants to know if you’re okay.”
“No, I am not! But that is none of his concern!”
“She says she is …”
“I heard what she said! Please hand her the phone. I have to speak to her.”
Devon held the phone out to her and she glowered at him. He shrugged his shoulders. Kevin only raised his eyebrows at her. She yanked the phone out of her father’s hand and Kevin and he walked to the porch. Jenna took a deep breath before raising the phone to her ear.
“What do you want?”
“Running away now, Jenna?”
“I took a break. There is a difference.”
“Without telling me?”
“I don’t owe you anything, McGregor.”
“Don’t you, Jenna? You seem to have a very short memory, Baby. I on the other hand have an excellent memory. Shall I remind you of the promise you made last night?”
Jenna’s heart cried through the cracks. Her voice was thick when she answered him.
“You should know better than anyone that a person says things you don’t even know you are when in the height of passion. If we’re honest here, honeybuns … you know how to make a woman’s body sing and take their ability to think straight, away. I would have said anything to get you to give me what I needed at that point. You should not read anything into it. It got me what I wanted.”
He was silent for long moments, then he chuckled.
“I guess I will just have to prove you wrong again. Be on that plane on Monday, Jenna.”
“Or what? Will you cancel your trip with your dear fiancé to come and get me and prove me wrong?”
He cursed viciously and Jenna snorted.
“Yeah … I did not think so.”
“You have a responsibility to finish your assignment still. I will keep the Smithsonian to it.”
“My Dad will send a team …”
“If you don’t come back and finish your assignment, I will close that division and discredit your father.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Ask your father if I won’t. I will expect you back here on Sunday evening, Jenna.”
“Go to hell, McGregor!”
She ended the call and threw the phone on the counter in the kitchen.
Her cell phone woke her early the following morning. She reached for it and flicked it to answer.
“H’lo.”
“Jenna.”
“Please Callum. It is too early for a fight.”
“Happy birthday, Baby.”
“I … I did not even know you knew.”
“Of course I knew and I really wanted you here for your birthday. I had a whole day planned.”
“What, making me watch your fiancé sitting and kissing on your lap. Thanks …”
“Jenna … don’t Baby. I hope you’ll like your gift. Enjoy the day, little painter.”
Kevin and Devon knocked on her door and bundled her in the car ten minutes later. They went for breakfast and from there to a private airfield.
“So, sis. My gift is something you have always wanted to do and we are going to do it with you.”
Her eyes widened. “You didn’t?”
He nodded.
“We’re going skydiving? Really?”
Jenna was as excited as a little girl. The day was one of the best she has experienced in a very long time. She had so much fun and enjoyed it so much that she did not have time to think about her broken heart.
They arrived home just after three and Jenna went to take a shower and change her clothes. Kevin sat on her bed waiting for her when she came out of the bathroom.
“What’s up, Kev?”
He held out a box to her. “This was just delivered for you.”
She took it from him and stood looking at it. He got up from the bed and kissed her on her cheek.
“We’ll see you downstairs soon?”
She nodded and sat on the bed. Her hands trembled when she tore the brown wrapping from the box and opened it. Inside was a smaller box, beautifully giftwrapped and a card.
She picked up the card and opened it slowly. She read the hand written note three times with tears in her eyes.
“This gift represents you in a gem … infinite beauty, purity of heart, angel’s soul and eyes that adds color to my sunset sky every day. Come back to me, Jenna.
Jenna unwrapped the package and slowly lifted the lid. An Eli Frei jeweler’s box was inside. She took it out and flipped open the lid. Her breath caught in her throat. Inside was the most beautiful drop earrings. They featured oval and pear-shaped amber diamonds, enhanced by full-cut white diamonds in a heart shape with links on both sides to link the two stones and set in white gold. They were exquisite and pure; they looked like drops of sunshine.
The words he wrote kept repeating in her mind as her tears dropped on her hands clasping the jewelry box.
Come back to me, Jenna.
Chapter Sixteen
Kevin froze as his eyes slammed on the beautiful red head just exiting the elevator. He watched her walking to the receptionist and smile. He stopped next to her without realizing he had moved.
“I see you managed to unglue yourself from your fiancé, Red.”
Shelly gasped and stared at the blonde giant with the searing blue eyes. Her insides quivered. Why could she not have that feeling for Callum?
“He is parking the car. What are you doing here?”
“So, you’re still holidaying?”
“It’s not really a holiday … and it’s none of your business.”
Kevin turned to the receptionist who just replaced the phone. She turned to Shelly.
“I am sorry, Miss Watts, but Miss Shultz is in court. Apparently the case took another turn and she would not be able to make your meeting.”
“Is Miss Watts a new client of ours, Emily?”
“Yes, but as I said …”
“Not a problem. I’ll take care of this myself. Direct Mr. McGregor to my office when he arrives, Emily.”
He took a resisting Shelly’s arm and drew her to his office and closed the door. He pressed her against it and his mouth covered hers in a devastatingly sensual kiss. Shelly’s arms wrapped around his neck and she returned the kiss just as ardently.
“When are you going to end that farce of an engagement, Red?”
“I … we … it’s not a farce!”
“It’s not? Yet here you are, your body weeping for mine. Admit it Red … you want me too. Guess what, love … I am going to get you. You could just as well save us all the time and break it off. I’ll go and buy the ring in the meantime.”
“What ring?”
The look in his eyes burned into her soul.
“After the night we spent, Red, do you really believe all I was after is sex?”
There was a knock on the door. Shelly gasped and pushed him away, her mind in total turmoil. Kevin smiled and opened the door. Callum’s eyebrows rose as their eyes met. They shook hands and he gestured him inside.
“Please, sit down.” He waited until they did and offered them coffee, which they both accepted. He placed the order with his assistant and sank down on his chair.
“How is Jenna? She still refuses to speak to me.”
Kevin looked at Callum and noticed the strain in his eyes.
“She is fine. She has been catching up with her friends and is out on the town every night with one or the other guy sniffling down her skirts. Since I took her skydiving on her birthday, she can’t get enough of it.”
“Skydiving! Dammit Kevin, that is a dangerous sport and what damn guys are you talking about!”
He smiled and shrugged nonchalantly, then turned to Shelly.
“What can I do for you Miss Watts?”
She glanced at Callum and cleared her throat.
“I have been accepted as the new Business Partner for the Emily Hobbs Modelling School for disadvantaged kids. I have the agreement here which I need a legal opinion on before I sign.”
“You’re giving up modelling?”
“Yes. I’ve had enough of the limelight and the little sleep and even less food. I need to start living and doing something I have always loved. Working with kids. Combining my passion for modelling with that, seems to be the ideal solution.”
He frowned and looked from Shelly to Callum and back to her.
“The Emily Hobbs center is here in Washington. How are you going to run the modelling school from Belfast in Ireland?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Miss Watts. You are engaged to an Irishman and I assume once you get married, you will move there.”
“That … is none of your business!”
“Isn’t it Red?”
Callum watched the interaction between the two and noticed the heated look in Kevin’s eyes and uneasiness in Shelly. There was clearly some undercurrent between them. He, however was more concerned about the guys sniffling down Jenna’s skirts to pay too much attention to it.
