The Pawn (Shattered Series Book 1) (12 page)

        “Olivia, has it ever occurred to you that we need to make new memories?” he challenged, pulling his sunglasses off, and dropped them onto the ground. As he turned to face her, their eyes locked. “Why is it so wrong that I want to face our tomorrows instead of dwell on the yesterdays? Besides, we’re out here to leave all worries behind, remember?”

        As she stared into his green depths, she found herself drowning.

        Had there ever been such a mesmerizing hue, she thought distractedly, and her heartbeat drummed out of control. What would it be like to be lost within them forever? That thought was all too pleasing, she realized.        

        “Because it’s important for me to know who I am,” she insisted, throwing off the wayward thoughts. “Why can’t you understand that?”

        His look was intense. “Are you afraid of me?”

        “No,” she said truthfully. “I’m not afraid of you. Maybe I shouldn’t, but I trust you.”

        “Then trust me enough to chart this journey,” he said roughly, sitting up. Biting back a curse, he shoved the hat off of his head and took off the twill shirt. “Come on, let’s go for a swim.”

         “A swim?” she stammered, flustered at the sight of his bare chest. “Us?”

         His smile was devilish. “Who else? It’s just you, me, and the water, sweetheart. And Meghan, of course. Come on—I’m not going to let you talk your way out of it, and you need to focus on something pleasant,” Jarrod said, pulling her to her feet. He led her towards Meghan who was busy building sandcastles. “Poppet, we’re going for a swim. Come on!”

        Dropping her bucket and shovel, Meghan jumped up and down enthusiastically. “Yay! This is going to be so much fun!”

        “We have to convince Livvy of that,” Jarrod winked, tweaking his daughter’s nose with a finger, and then faced her again. “How can you possibly say ‘no’ to such an offer?”

        “Yeah, Livvy. How can you?” Meghan chimed in, wiping a grimy hand along her one piece bathing suit. “It’ll be fun. I promise!”

       
How could she
, she agreed silently with a smile.

        Especially, since he was displaying such a playful side---

        “It’s settled. I’m convinced,” she said, untying the wrap. “Let’s do this!”

        Laughing, twirling in a full circle, she pushed the hair away from her face. A second later, when she whirled to a stop, she found herself facing Jarrod.

        As their eyes locked, her laughter died.

        From head to toe, his gaze perused over her.

        And to her shame, she couldn’t control her womanly response.

        Through the fabric, she felt her body respond to his blatant perusal, and a siren call wailed deep within her soul, begging to be released. On some instinctive, unconscious level, they met within the mind space, and only they stood inside of it. Breathing fast, she wet her lips, and his eyes tracked the sensual movement.

        Within his green depths, desire flared, and she responded with a breathless gasp. In that moment, she was convinced that there was never a look more intense than his. And his hunger, she mulled, taking in a shaky breath, how would it feel to taste it firsthand?

         What of her own?

         There was no denying that she was sexually attracted to him!

         Then, as if coming to himself, he blinked fast, breaking the intimate spell.

         Now, as he stared back at her, the usual coolness masked his face.

         Turning away from her, he whipped off his shirt before grabbing Meghan’s hand, and together, they ran for the ocean. The ocean waves lapped against them as they frolicked in the water.

         Before the courage deserted her, she made a running go. With all hope, she knew how to swim.

Chapter 7

        “I’ll make sure that Mr. Sabatino gets your message,” she murmured on the phone, frowning at the use of formality, several days later. But, then again, she did want to seem professional since she was dealing with his business clients. Scribbling the note down fast on the memo pad, she listened for further information before nodding. “Of course, we realize that the deadline is quickly approaching, and I can assure you that the matter will be taken care of.”

        After giving a courteous goodbye, she hung up.

        She ripped the note from the steno pad.

        As promised, she would deliver the impromptu message.

        Yet, locating her hunky fiancé might prove to be a feat at the moment, she frowned, trailing from the study. This morning, after a few curt replies and instructions, he’d departed and left her to work alone in the study. And that had made the day long, tedious, and boring.

        But, then again, hadn’t he been keeping his distance since their day on the beach? Even now, she could recall how tense he’d been the remainder of that day, especially when she’d innocently caught him staring at her more than once.

        Was it possible that he was ready to forge forward with their tentative relationship? But, he didn’t just know how to proceed?   Like you, the niggling voice in her head suggested.

        She shook the thought off.

        “As usual, I’m making nothing into something,” she sighed, stacking the papers neatly on the desk. “Maybe over-analyzing should be my first name.”

        She pushed the pencil behind her ear, and surprisingly, it didn’t disturb the carefully coiffed bun on her head. With the island heat, keeping her long tresses up was a necessity, she thought, fanning herself with a hand, and yet still didn’t get any relief. Now, she begrudged her earlier decision of opening the study window. It’d certainly admitted more than enough warmth. And now hours later, even with the air stirring in the room, it still seemed slightly muggy.

        Maybe just maybe she’d been a little particular about her attire this morning, she thought, tugging on the yellow floral skirt. Since working side by side with Jarrod all day and acting secretary, she wanted to play the part in every way. Not to mention that she was unconsciously trying to steal his attention, the little niggling voice returned.

        Still mentally arguing with herself, she crossed the room while loosening the third button on the white short-sleeved blouse. Not too much skin was showing, she deduced, taking a fast look. Only if one were playing close introspection would they notice the edges of the peach-hue lace brassiere peeking from the top.

        And that certainly wouldn’t be Jarrod, she pondered, confused as to why she was disappointed. Hadn’t they both agreed not to rush things and just let them happen naturally? Now, privately, she wondered if that was a good thing, especially since he was all that she thought about, she mulled, leaving the study.

        When she reached the kitchen, she met Rosa’s singing voice and freshly baked goods.

        “OMG, you are truly after my heart,” she teased, inhaling a whiff of the just baked chocolate chip cookies. “I swear that I could eat the entire batch myself. Where’s your little helper? I’m surprised that she’s not down here stuffing her sweet little tummy full.”

        The housekeeper smiled. “If you’re looking for Meghan, you’re wasting your time. The poor thing went out like a light after helping me put the chocolate chips on,” Rosa said, wiping her wet hands on the kitchen towel. She began to scoop the cookies on a platter with the spatula. “Grab a few----take some for a snack while you work today.”

        She snatched a cookie from the platter. “Hmmmm,” Olivia said between chews.  “These are sooooo good. Has anyone ever suggested that you become a celebrity cook? You are more than an awesome chef. In these last weeks, I bet that I’ve gained at least 10 pounds.”

        Rosa scoffed. “Now, you’re really boosting my ego, worse so than Jarrod. The boy’s always boasting about my culinary skills.”

        “Where is Jarrod, by the way?” she asked, stealing a stool at the counter, and tried not to appear too eager. “He’s been pretty scarce today.”
        “Tell me about it. After a few quipped questions about lunch and dinner, he just disappeared,” Rosa replied, taking a seat herself, and then sighed. “I really worry about him sometimes---well all of the time.”

        “Is everything alright with him?” she asked with concern. She looked away from the woman at her next words. “These past few days, he’s been kind of standoffish---I mean he’ll barely give me the time of day.”

        “Try not to be hurt by that. The poor man has so much to deal with, and it’s hardly any wonder that he gets any rest at all,” Rosa sighed again, giving her a close look. “And how are you faring here? I realize that it can’t be easy.”

        “Some days are harder than others, and while that’s so, I still feel this strange sense of peace,” she confessed. “This place---it just feels like home. I can’t explain it, but I feel like I belong here.”

        “With Jarrod?” the housekeeper probed, and then an embarrassed flush crept up her face. “I’m sorry, Olivia. It’s none of my business. I don’t even know why I said that.”

        “It’s okay,” she said, flushing red herself. “I mean, you’re a part of our lives here, so it’s only natural that you have questions. Jarrod and I are---” she paused for a moment. “Let’s just say that we’re taking the time to learn one another again.”

        “Jarrod is a complicated man, and he’s always been even as a child,” Rosa answered, studying her hard. “If you’re looking for shades of only black and white, you’ll definitely end up disappointed. But, I don’t get the sense that you think in such a narrow scope anyway.” The woman stood up. “I’ve been watching you, Jarrod, and Meghan----you all need each other. Hopefully, together, you can all find the happiness you deserve.” Her smile was quick. “Now, I’m going to check on Meghan and try to get some work done.”

        “Any idea of where Jarrod could be?”

        “Try the basement area,” Rosa called from the doorway before promptly disappearing.

       
Jarrod, complicated
, she thought, several minutes later, descending the steep stairs to the basement area. That was putting it mildly. He was more like an intricate puzzle that was hard to piece together. Just when she believed that she’d figured him out, he’d reveal a new side to his persona.

        The Chill step music greeted her as she went further down. When she met the bottom step, she stopped before looking around the enormous room with interest.

        If there ever were a man cave, this was it, she mulled, trailing away from the stairs. A 65’ plasma television covered the center of the brick wall. Underneath it, the mahogany-hued TV stand housed a stereo system, DVD disc player, system, and a score of DVDs, CDs, and video games.

        But, he certainly wasn’t here, she thought, bypassing the custom black leather sofa and followed the sound of the hard grunts coming from the far side of the room. As she veered around the corner, she halted in surprise.

        A boxing ring obliterated the space, and along the bottom platform, the University of East Georgia’s logo was striped along it. The punching bag was not too far off from it and dangled solo in the corner, along with a speed bag. A few yards away, a glass console case held a number of collegiate trophies, plaques, and championship belts. On the far side of the ring, mirrors spanned the wall from floor to ceiling.

        Dumbstruck, she stared at the reflection in the mirror.

        A hot, sweaty, Jarrod…shadowboxing.

        Oh….my….gosh….she mouthed the words silently, sliding an appreciative glance along him, and stood rooted to the spot.

        Simply put, he was---

        Hot…as…hell---

        His dark hair was dripping wet from exertion.

        The sweat glistened on his bare skin…

        She inhaled a sharp breath.

        The navy blue boxing shorts molded his hips.

        Somehow, she managed to cross the room.

        She paused alongside the ring.

        Rather than disturbing him, she watched.

        With smooth precision, he executed a well-timed series of jabs and punches as he moved across the hardwood floor. So absorbed he was, he hadn’t noticed her yet.

        But, she was dead wrong.

        Their gazes locked in the mirror.

      She held her breath, transfixed by the connection that they made in that very moment. Finally, she had to look away, if only for her sanity and hers alone.

        “You didn’t tell me that you boxed,” she said in a rush, rooted to the spot, and her heartbeat thudded out of control as he sauntered towards her in his sexy gait. When he stopped directly in front of her, she literally stopped breathing. “I have to say that you’re quite good at it.”

        He gave a roguish grin. “I’ve been told that a time or so,” he murmured, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of a glove, and blew a hard breath. Still, the sweat dripped from his dark hair, making him all the sexier. “During my collegiate tenure at the University of East Georgia, I was one of the fiercest competitors on the boxing team. I’ve got the medals and belts to back me up.”

        “You boxed in college?” she asked, and the words almost sounded like a squeak, mainly because she was too distracted.

        She swallowed hard.

        Oh, how she just wanted to trace every contour of that hard body.

        “I believe that’s what I just said,” Jarrod muttered, raising a brow. “
Again
, I boxed during the college years, and it took a long time for me to realize that I was doing it just to irritate my mother and father….I guess that you could say that I was quite rebellious even at that point in my life. While I was ass-deep in it, I never really wanted to box professionally at all. …”

        His words became lost in the translation.

        Mesmerized, she watched as his lips moved.

        Heavens
, she breathed, hearing her own small gasp.
He was simply sex-on-a-stick….

        Finally, her thoughts adhered to his words again.

        “……..When I bought the villa here, I moved all this stuff from the States. Still, I guess some small part of me can’t leave it behind. I guess that you could call it my pastime or means of escapism. Not only that, it’s become my main workout method or when I need to blow off some extra steam,” Jarrod said, and a wicked gleam shone in his green eyes as they flicked over her. “I’ve been finding that I’ve needed to do that a lot lately.”

        “Really?” she said as a blush stained her face. “I suppose that’s understandable considering that you’ve been so involved with all these new business proposals. That’d stress anyone out.”

        Using his teeth, he snagged the end of the boxing glove before tugging it off, and again, she resisted the urge to mew like a feral cat.

        “That among other forbidden and unspeakable things,” he hinted, pulling the other glove off, and she easily caught the innuendo. After dropping them in a nearby chair, he snagged the towel from it. “What brings you down here, anyway?”

        Her unspoken words held at the tip of her tongue.

       
Well, you’ve been avoiding me for days…

        But, instead, she said, “Mr. Hamilton called and left a message.”

        After wiping more sweat from his face, he looped the towel around his neck and then held both ends with each hand.

        Her eyes flicked over him again.

        Hot as hell personified ten-fold---

        Breathe idiot
, she hissed to herself silently, still staring.

        No point in him knowing that she was completely ga-ga over him!

        He raised a fast brow. “Hamilton left a message? Is that so?” Jarrod inquired, and to her secret delight, he stepped closer to her. “What’d he say?”

        “Ummmm, it’s right here,” she said, flustered, lifting the note, and thankfully her hand was steady as she passed it. But, still, she fought to control her shiver as his warm hand brushed hers.

        “Well, I’ll be damned,” Jarrod muttered with an arrogant smile, crumpling the note in his hand and dropped it to the floor. “The bastard caved in like I knew he would.”

        “But, you didn’t even read it all!” she said, surprised. “How could you possibly know what he wants?”

        He grabbed the boxing gloves from the chair. “Oh, trust me. I know exactly what he wants. As a matter of fact, he has played directly into my hands. Now, I will get what I want: a lucrative multi-year $5,000,000 shipping deal. The next time there’s contact with Hamilton, we’ll be drawing up an ironclad contract.”

        Fascinated, she trailed behind him.

        “Are you that good at reading people?” she asked, stopping beside him at the punching bag. “That you can turn any situation to your favor?”