The Pawn (Shattered Series Book 1) (28 page)

        Sighing, he nodded before turning away. “You look tired,” he muttered, trailing to the window and stared out. Even through the glass pane, the night silence echoed, and just how many times had he embraced a new day without sleep, he thought, returning his attention back to her. “Why don’t you go ahead and turn in? The ride back will be as taxing as it was today.”

        “I’m not tired,” she said, joining him at the window. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

        “What?” he asked, captivated by the moonlight playing across her face.

        Yes, she was
, he mulled, distracted.

        “The beautiful night sky.” Again, her smile was sad. “Since I awakened from my coma, I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve just stood by my window and stared out. Sometimes, the night seemed just as lost as I was.” Her gaze met his. “Have you ever felt that way?”

        Their eyes clung amidst her question.

        A challenge played within her depths.

        Was he bold enough to accept it?

        “Too many,” Jarrod said roughly, surprising them both. Breaking their deep connection, he looked away, and this time, his eyes tracked a pattern in the sky. He braced an unsteady hand against the window sill. “But, when I look to the heavens, I see vast opportunities and new chances. Its infinite beauty is a marvel in itself.”

        Yet, wasn’t he afraid of it?

        “What’s your sign?” she smiled, glancing up at him. “Scorpio, I’m willing to bet.”

        He gave a quick laugh. “How’d you guess?”

        As their gazes clashed again, he was sucker punched.

        “I mean, you possess all the qualities,” she went on, staring up at him. “Bold, confident, and, you’re always in control. But, behind the façade, you carry many secrets, those that you’re not willing to share with anyone.” Though it was hardly noticeable, her hand shook as she pushed the wayward tresses from her face. “And if anything, you love a challenge.”

        “Wow, remind me to look you up the next time I need a fortune reading,” he quipped, arching a brow, and then shrugged. “I really don’t give that much credence to the zodiac signs. They’re a complete and utter joke.”

        “Maybe, who knows,” she shrugged. “But, all the things that I’ve said, they describe you perfectly.” Turning away from him, she looked out the window again. “As for me---”

        “Fiery, passionate, and strong-willed,” Jarrod retorted, staring out. “The sign of the Aries, and you always fight for what you want.”

        For a brief moment, they were both rendered silent, and in mutual accordance, they watched as the night evolved. But, somehow, within that quiet, they connected in ways that were indescribable.

        “What time is it?” he asked, finally breaking the silence.

        “Twelve past midnight,” she murmured sleepily, barely able to suppress a yawn.

        “Go to bed,” Jarrod chastised with a frown. “Please don’t think that you have to stay awake on my account.”

        Staring up at him, she hesitated. “You coming?”

        “Think I’ll hang out here for a while longer,” he said, passing a half-smile. “Now go.”

        “Okay,” Olivia said, but stayed where she was, and then looked at him shyly. “Can we talk more tomorrow?”

        “If that’s what you want,” he said huskily, staring down at her.

        As she stepped closer to him, he tensed, fighting against their dangerous attraction. But, her words cut him to the very core. “I think it’s what we both want,” she whispered, reaching out to caress his face gently. “When you accept that, we’ll begin making our way back to each other. Goodnight.”

        Mesmerized, he watched as she sauntered across the room.

        When she veered from sight, he released a pent-up breath.

        Someway, somehow, she’d broken the barriers to his hardened heart.

***

        “But, Daddy, you promised,” Meghan whined, pouting, and folded her arms across her chest, the following morning. “You said that Maria and I could have a sleep over. You promised Daddy!”

        Frowning, cradling the glass of orange juice, Jarrod sighed. “Meghan, I did promise that you could, but we haven’t decided when. Besides, I have to talk with Javier and find out the best time for a sleepover. There’ll be no more discussion on the matter. Now, eat your breakfast.”

        “No!” Meghan said defiantly. “I’m not eating anything!”

        Taking a bite from the crunchy toast, Olivia watched the exchange. One thing was apparent. They were both stubborn as all out, she mulled, quickly deciding to intervene and diffuse the situation. “Surely you’re not saying ‘no’ to all your favorites?” she murmured, bracing her elbows on the table. “I mean, there’s blackberry jam, buttery toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Don’t know about you, but I simply can’t turn away from so many goodies.”

        Tiny face pinching in a deep frown, the child eyed the scrambled eggs. “They do look kinda yummy.”

        “Umm, and they taste good, too,” she said, eating a mouthful of the eggs. “Meghan, you simply have to try some.” Using the spoon on the platter, she scooped some of the eggs before depositing them on Meghan’s plate. “Here, try some.”

        Shooting her father a side glance, Meghan twirled the fork around on her plate. Then, licking her lips, she scooped up a heap before shoving them into her mouth. “You’re right, Livvy! They’re so good.”

        “Why stop there?” she chided. “I mean your father did make sure that Rosa made this a special morning for you by making all your favorites. Doesn’t he need a kind thank you for that?”

        “Thank you, Daddy,” Meghan said, sullen, staring down at the table. “I’m sorry that I was mean to you.”

        Tensing, she stared at Jarrod.

        And she
thought
she was tense, she mulled, taking in his hardened features. Instead of watching Meghan, he was watching
her
, and at any given moment, he’d probably explode.

        Keeping his gaze on her, he pushed away from the table and stood.  Then, bending over, he pressed a gentle kiss atop Meghan’s head. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Poppet. Finish your breakfast. When I come back from my walk, we’ll talk about that sleep over, okay?”

        “Daddy, you’re the best!” Meghan squealed, hugging his waist.

        Again, watching him, she saw just how affected he was by the child’s embrace.

        “Not only that. We’ll drop by the market as well. Remember that toffee candy that we had the last time that we were here?” he said, smiling down at his daughter. “This time, we’re going to get lots of it.”

        Giggling, Meghan covered her face with her hands. “Daddy, don’t be silly. We can’t have too many sweets or we’ll have cavities.”

        “And we can’t have that, can we?” he teased, tugging on her pigtail playfully. “See you in a bit, Poppet.”

        “Aren’t you gonna say something to Livvy, Daddy?” the child asked, confused. “You haven’t said anything to her. You mad at her?”

        When his intense gaze fell on her, she nearly shrunk down in the chair, and as he addressed her, his words were clipped. “Olivia, I’ll see you when I return.”

        A short moment later, when the door closed behind him, she fell silent.

        He hadn’t denied being upset with her.

        “Please don’t be mad at Daddy,” Meghan said, looking at her. “When he leaves like that he’s really sad, that’s all.”

        Stunned, she absorbed the child’s words.

        How could one so young be so insightful?

        “Why do you say that, Meghan?” she prodded, shoving her plate away, having lost her appetite completely.

        “When he thinks about my mommy, he doesn’t know what to do,” the child said innocently, her face sad. “I still don’t think he knows what to do.”

        A stab of jealousy hit her.

        Was it possible that Jarrod was still in love with Meghan’s mother?
        The guilt slammed into her.

        How could she be so selfish?

        Of course, he’d still care for her, she thought, her face flaming red.

        And that only made the situation worse.

        How could she possibly compete with a dead woman?

        “Livvy, you’re acting kind of funny,” Meghan said with rounded eyes. “Grownups always act funny. Glad I’m just a kid.”
        “Me too, sweetheart,” she sighed. “Me too.”

***

        An hour later, Jarrod still hadn’t returned.

After growing increasingly concerned, she’d left Meghan behind with Rosa. By now, the two of them were probably working on the next batch of oatmeal raisin cookies.

        But, exactly where would he be, she mulled, shielding her eyes from the morning sun with her hand, already minutes away from the cabin. Though it was still fairly early, 9:34 am to be exact, the humidity was already rising amidst the ocean air, and the haltered sundress was already beginning to plaster against her skin. Overhead, the blue skies held a thin layer of clouds while the sun stole center stage.

        To say that the area was magnificently beautiful wouldn’t do it justice, she thought as her gaze skittered along the jagged cliffs, rocks, and white sands. It was a startling visual display of a perfect paradise.

        For long minutes, she trekked along the edge of the shore, and the rolling waves gave chase as she made way down the beach. The seagulls circled over the clear blue water, scouting a fresh meal, undoubtedly.

        Finally, she spied him several hundred feet away.

        “There you are, Mr. Elusive,” she muttered, purposefully slowing her steps.

        She didn’t want to appear overly eager, did she?

        And shouldn’t she have some level of pride, her inner voice chastised.

        But, where he was concerned, she was learning that she didn’t have that much, she frowned.

        Deep in thought, he was, she realized as she approached.

        Sitting on the sandy ground, Jarrod stared at the ocean water, and it was probably his most unguarded moment yet, she thought as her heartbeat tripled. How could she even dare to deny her intense attraction to her gorgeous fiancé? There was no use, she decided. As usual, her lustful thoughts were rearing their head.

        When she was almost upon him, he turned his attention in her direction, and at once, his guard was up again as he stared at her aloofly. But, it was too late for him to run away, she mulled, firming her shoulders as she drew closer.

        And heaven help her, she marveled at every tiny facet of him, she thought, flushing red as his heated gaze swept over her.

        “You’d think by now that you’d take the hint when a man wants to be left alone,” Jarrod said coolly, arching a brow. “But, apparently, you’re intent upon---”

        “Being a grown man, I’d think that you’d do more than sulk like a petty child,” she interrupted, sitting beside him on the warm sand. “I don’t know who’s the bigger child, you or Meghan.”

        “Wow, the lady wears many hats, doesn’t she?” he laughed shortly, tensing beside her. “Fortune teller, advice giver, mind reader, and apparently, a shrink as well. Tell me, how are you so fortunate to have so many talents?”

        “I never know what role to play with you.” She shrugged. “Since you’re intent upon keeping me in the dark and at arms length, I have no choice but to wander aimlessly along, right?”

        A strange look played in his eyes as he stared at her. “I don’t know what more you want from me,” Jarrod said, looking away from her. “What is it that you do want? My blood dripping on stone to prove my loyalty to you?”

        “Actually, that’s not a bad idea,” she retorted, staring at his chiseled jaw line. “Perhaps then, I’ll know that you care about me and our future as much as I do. Right now, I’m getting nothing from you, and frankly, I’m fed up with it.”

        “What the hell do you want, Livvy?” he snapped. “I’ve told you everything. We’re engaged to be married---”

        “Words, Jarrod, words,” she whispered softly. “That’s all that you give me.”

        When his intense gaze met hers, she nearly melted.

“And you want more?” he asked huskily, reaching out, and traced a scorching path along her bottom lip. “What is it that you want from me, Olivia Lange?”

        “
Show me
. I want to feel what you feel for me. Be the man that you are with me---a man in love,” she whispered again, leaning into his caress. “Like any real man in love, why won’t you throw caution to the wind and do whatever it takes to claim me?”

        “Is that what I am to you?” Jarrod rasped unsteadily. “A real man in love?”

        The tears blurred her vision. “That’s what I’m desperate to know,” Olivia confessed, grasping his wrist. “I need to know
you
.”