Safer With You (19 page)

Shocking how one night with Jase made me forget all about a lunatic and the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.
 

As I head out the bedroom door, the house is very quiet. Did they leave me here alone? No, that can’t be right. I’m sure Tucker is lurking somewhere close by.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I make my way down the stairs and see Jase starting up them. “Hey, I was just coming to drag you out of bed, but I see you are all ready to go.” He meets me on the steps; I’m one step higher than he is. He takes my hand and places his forehead against mine. “You look beautiful,” he whispers.

My heart rate skyrockets. His gentle touch and sweet words radiate joy within me.

“Thank you, you look nice too.” I’m too busy watching his mouth to notice what he is wearing. His lips are full, soft, and moist. Jase brushes his nose from my forehead, down my nose, then finally he kisses my lips with his.
 

He breaks away from me and says, “I have a surprise for you by the pond. I just want to make sure you’re okay being on the property. If it gets too difficult, tell me, and we’ll come back to the house.”

“I think it will be okay, as long as I’m with you.”

His bright smile extends wide. It’s almost as if I’ve given him the greatest gift.

He turns and tugs me with him. We make our way out the door to his old Ford truck, which is waiting for us. Today it looks in much better shape than the last time I saw it. It looks like maybe it’s been cleaned or painted. My eyes roam to the bed of the truck. It’s filled with pillows and blankets.

“I thought we could go for a drive, then have a picnic in my truck. I had it cleaned, painted, and even reupholstered. I don’t want you to get sick from whatever was living in there.” He has a boyish grin on his face and is truly excited to show me his new toy.

He opens the passenger door and I climb in. “Oh, Jase. This looks amazing. I can’t believe you did this for me.” It is clean, has that new car smell, and the ripped carpet seats have been transformed into white leather seats trimmed with sky blue…the color reminds me instantly of his eyes.

Jase crawls into the driver’s seat and starts the engine. Unlike last time, the truck rumbles to life on the first try. I smile at the memory of the last time I was in here. I wonder if his plan is to pick up right where we left off that night.

“Lizzy made a lunch for us; I thought I’d show you around a little. I won’t take you anywhere near the guest house. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

“I think I’ll be okay.” I really mean that. I feel like nothing can hurt me when I’m with Jase.

I watch as his eyes glance in the rearview mirror. His lips purse in annoyance. Suddenly, he slams the truck back into park. He sighs heavily and says, “Looks like I have company. Can you wait here? I’ll be right back.”

“Sure.” He exits the truck and slams the door. I take a peek in the side mirror. A candy apple red convertible is parked behind us. I can’t see anything else, so I turn around to look out the back window.

A beautiful blonde-haired woman sits behind the wheel. Jase extends his hand to help her. She takes his hand and gracefully exits the car, and seeing them touch makes the jealousy rage inside me. Her beautiful face brightens as she stands.
Why not? She’s looking at the most handsome guy in the world.
She wraps her tan arms around Jase, then kisses his cheek.

I look over at Jase, but he isn’t smiling; he’s scowling. Which makes me feel a little better.

Her blonde hair comes to the top of her butt and is styled into beautiful waves. Her makeup looks like it’s been applied by a professional. Even from my limited viewpoint, I can tell she’s pretty and rich.

Jase catches me staring. I abruptly face forward. Who is she and why is he not happy to see her?

My mind is going in a thousand different directions. I try and calm myself. I’m overreacting. It’s probably someone who knows his uncle. He’s admitted he’s a ladies’ man, even though she seems young for him.

I have no idea how long Jase talks to her, but it seems like an eternity. He opens the door to the truck, but doesn’t get in. His face is red, his forehead is crinkled, and above all, he looks mad.

“I’m sorry, but I have to end our date before it even starts. I’ll walk you into the house.” He closes the driver’s side door and walks over to my side. Jase leans in and kisses my cheek. “I’m sorry, but Samantha is in a bit of trouble, and I need to help her out.”

“Oh…okay,” I mumble, as I step out of the truck. Samantha, his fiancé? I thought they were over. What does she need help with? As I exit the truck, I can feel her smug smile directed right at me.
 

“I’ll be just a minute, then we can go,” he says to Samantha.

Wait, what? He’s leaving with her?

Samantha doesn’t listen to his request and leeches onto his free arm. He doesn’t flinch at her gesture, either. I can feel heat creeping up my cheeks.

When the three of us reach the front door, Samantha is forced to let go of his arm as Jase guides me in. Uncle Joe stands in the entry way with an inquisitive look on his face.
Don’t worry, Uncle Joe, I’m as confused as you.

“The date’s over, so…” Uncle Joe’s face changes to a frown; I’m guessing he’s just spotted Samantha.

Samantha answers his unasked question. “Uncle Joe, it’s so good to see you.” She leans in to kiss him on the cheek. “I need Jase’s assistance. My apartment has been broken into. Some of my irreplaceable jewelry has been stolen.”

“Well, I guess he’s your best bet in finding it, then,” Uncle Joe responds blandly.

“Uncle Joe, please let Lizzy know Nora is back and to get her settled into bed,” Jase orders.

Uncle Joe pipes up, “Nonsense. We’re going to spend the afternoon together. If you’re going to give up your time with her, I’m going to take advantage.” He smiles reassuringly.

I send Uncle Joe a silent thank you. I’m glad he doesn’t approve of Jase leaving me to be with Samantha.

Jase argues, “No, that’s not a good idea; she needs her rest.”

He’s aggravating me. If he doesn’t like me spending time with his uncle, maybe he shouldn’t leave with her.

“Jase, I’m fine. Go ahead and go.” My voice is steady, but on the inside I’m furious. I try to contain my anger because I know Jase’s reputation. Maybe last night meant nothing to him. Maybe all that talk about me being special was just a line to get me into bed, and really he thinks of me like all the other girls he’s been with. I have no right to him. Still, this move with Samantha seems like rotten thing to do, even if he was playing me.

Jase turns to me. “I’m sorry, but I need to handle this for her.” He leans in closer and whispers so only I can hear. “I’ll be back soon.” He kisses my cheek and turns and leaves with Samantha eagerly following him.

I can feel the tears well up as I watch them walk away. Why can’t Tucker deal with her mess?

Uncle Joe grabs my attention. “I’m going to make some lasagna for dinner. Want to help?”

I nod because it’s all I can manage. Really, I want to go back to my apartment and cry. Jase left me to be with his ex. I know I’m out of his league, yet here I am crying over the bastard. I’m so naive.

Uncle Joe and I spend the afternoon in the kitchen making dinner. I’m thankful that we talk about everything under the sun except his nephew, but I keep an eye on the clock, wondering if he’ll be back soon.

By ten o’clock, we’ve eaten dinner, washed the dishes, and watched some TV. Jase has not returned and now Tucker is MIA, too. I feel like I’m being an ass for a man once again.

I decide to head up to bed. I’ve had enough already. I settle into bed and try not to think of Jase anymore. I should have known better than to get involved with someone like him. You would think I learned my lesson after Luke.

My mind shuts down at some point, and I’m asleep until I hear a noise. My eyes fly open and I sit up. I throw the covers from my body and head towards the door. Turning the knob to open it, I can hear voices downstairs.

I tip-toe down the hall, then down the stairs, and make my way towards the living room. Jase is leaning against the wall talking to someone. I remain quiet. I know it’s not right to spy, but the moment I see Samantha in front of him, there is no way I’m not going to find out what the hell is going on.

“Jase, thank you for letting me stay here tonight. I’m just so afraid to go back to my apartment. I know you said that you had a team on the premises, but I feel so much safer here.” Her voice is low and seductive, but that’s not what bothers me. She has her arm resting on his shoulder while her hand casually plays with his thick russet hair on the nape of his neck.

Jase says something to her that I can’t hear. I stand back a little further when she peeks around him. I don’t think she sees me.

She takes his hand and leads him into the kitchen.

I’ve had enough. He made love to me and told me he wants me, but it sure does look like he wants
her
. I run noisily up to my room. I don’t give a crap who can hear me.

My door slams behind me and I find solace in the comfort of my bed. I don’t want to think of Jase or where I am or what is going on with my life. I just want to not think, so I take a sleeping pill, which I swore I’d never take, even if the pain kept me awake. But tonight, I’m done thinking.

Chapter Nineteen

Jase

I hear a door slam and immediately I know it’s Nora. All I wanted today was to spend some alone time with her, but instead I spent the day combing through surveillance videos and rummaging around Samantha’s apartment looking for any type of clue as to how someone broke in.

There was no sign of forced entry, and only a few items seemed to be taken. Honestly, she’s probably lying. I only helped her because her family is making a generous contribution to Senator Malone’s election campaign. Since he is my client, it’s my job to make sure he receives that money. If that bastard wasn’t a close personal friend of my uncle’s, I would never have left.

I was playing my role when Samantha yanked me into the kitchen. Now, Nora probably thinks the worst. She probably should. I did leave her today and I let Samantha touch me just to keep her content. Unfortunately, this comes with the job, appeasing everyone.

I need to explain to Nora more about me, my job, and my life. I planned to tell her everything today, in the bed of the truck, before she found out from someone else.

Samantha breaks into my thoughts, “Let me stay in your room tonight. It’ll be like old times.” The seduction in her voice makes my stomach roll. Old times are not what I want right now. What I want just slammed the door, letting me know I’m being an asshole.

I push Samantha away. “Sam, we have a guest room for you.”

She takes her perfectly manicured finger and traces it up and down my cheek. “Maybe I don’t want to be alone.”

Samantha then takes her finger and runs it down her neck to her cleavage. I see what she’s up to. No robbery, just a manipulative bitch. Honestly, I have no idea how I didn’t figure this out sooner.

“Well, I do. Look, Tucker will escort you to your room. Please be quiet. Nora is still recovering from her accident, and she doesn’t need to be woken up early.”

Samantha scoffs, “Is she your girlfriend? Did you replace me with that mousy pathetic school teacher?”

“She is Max’s family, so she’s my priority.”

“Priority? I was your fiancé! I’m your priority.” She pokes me in the chest as she talks. “I’m sleeping in your bed tonight, one way or another.”

I don’t need this shit right now. Nora is upstairs thinking God knows what. I reach for my cell phone and text Tucker. He is in his basement office, firing up our surveillance equipment.

“Who are you texting?” Samantha demands.

“Tucker will be here in a few minutes to get you settled into your room for the night, but after tonight, he will make arrangements for you to stay somewhere else until your apartment is secured. I never should have agreed to let you stay here.”

Why did I do that?

I wanted to get back here, to Nora, as soon as I could. I didn’t take into consideration who I was actually bringing home with me. I’m such an idiot. When I have Nora on my mind, which is beginning to be all the time, I make inappropriate decisions.

Samantha’s face changes from rage to seduction. “I always get what I want, Jase Madsyn. Don’t forget that,” she whispers in my ear and then bites my earlobe.

Tucker thankfully interrupts and she backs up and picks up her obnoxiously giant bag. She must think she is staying more than one night.

“This way, ma’am.” Tucker escorts her to her room that is on the main floor…far away from Nora and me.

Nausea fills my stomach as I watch Samantha walk away with Tucker. How did I even find her attractive? Sure, physically she is gorgeous. She is what all men picture when the words Playboy, Hooters, or even Barbie are brought up, but as soon as she talks, it’s all over.

Expecting the worst possible outcome from my next conversation with Nora, I mentally prepare myself. She’ll probably think I’m with Samantha, when I really just want to be with her, but there is so much chaos right now. I feel like everything is working against us.