The Wager

  “How do you even know—?”

  Jace laughed. “I’m not stupid. But let me ask you one thing.” He took the wine from her hands and set it on the table.

  “What?” His eyes were so clear and beautiful it was hard not to get lost in him.

  “Do you think…?” He tucked her hair behind her ear and leaned his forehead against hers. “That maybe the reason you love him, or think you love him, is because he never returned your feelings? Maybe what you really need is closure.”

  Char trembled beneath his touch. “Is that what you’re offering, closure?”

  Jace’s hands cupped her face as his thumbs ran over her bottom lip. “I don’t like being second, Char. But I’d be willing to be your second. That is, if you would have me. I’d love to take you out on dates, wine and dine you, make you feel deserving, because honestly, as a man, that’s my job. To make you see you how I see you. And I don’t think you see yourself clearly. I think your whole life can be summed up into one word.”

  She tried to pull back from him but he held her firm. “Yeah, Dr. Phil, what’s that?”

  He smiled sadly. “Almost. That’s how you define yourself. Almost. And it makes me sad, because you’re not an Almost sort of girl.”

  “And you’re the expert on what type of girl I am?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Well then, what am I?”

  Jace tilted his head to the side and gently ran his left hand down the side of her throat. “Forever. You’re the forever girl.”

  His mouth met hers softly before he pulled back. “The question is, do you want to forget him? Do you want to move on? Maybe with me? Or would it be enough? Would my words, my money, everything about what a relationship with me would mean, would it be enough to permanently abolish him from your memory?”

  Char’s lower lip trembled. With a small gasp she shook her head. “No, Jace. I’m sorry, but no.”

  With a brilliant smile he pulled back. “I’m glad.”

  “Huh?”

  He shrugged nonchalantly. “I took acting class for fun in high school. I have to admit, this has been the best time I’ve had in years.”

  Confused, Char could only stare at him. “You jackass! You pretended to like me?”

  “Hell no.” Jace took her hand in his. “I would gladly and happily take you off that ass’s hands, but you don’t want to be taken anywhere. Am I right?”

  “I don’t understand.” Char massaged her temples.

  “One word.” Jace nodded. “Grandma.”

  “No!” Char gasped. “She’s paying you?”

  “Don’t need the money, just needed to get over a bad break-up. That woman has been trying to set me up for the past year. She introduced me to Travis, and the rest is kind of history. I was already planning on being at the wedding; it was all too easy. Travis wanted me to meet you. Grandma had other plans. And here I am. Drinking wine while everyone plots our impending nuptials.”

  “Holy crap!” Char paced in front of him. “That woman is insane.”

  “Insane genius.” Jace lifted his glass. “Admit it. She’s helped more than hurt.”

  “She bought me a wedding dress.”

  “Isn’t that bad luck?” Jace tilted his head. “Just curious.”

  “So you’re not really a pompous ass.”

  He seemed to think about it, then said, “No, I don’t think so. But if you ask my ex she’d say that I am and more. I’m just trying to get through the wedding without having your grandmother kill me and bury my body. You know she bought a shock collar, right?”

  Laughing, Char threw her arms around Jace’s neck. “I don’t know whether to thank you or slap you for kissing me.”

  “Hey.” Jace pulled back and kissed her cheek. “My offer still stands. Your incredible, manipulating Grandmother aside, I would have wanted your number regardless.”

  “Thank you.” Char kissed him briefly on the lips.

  But apparently it wasn’t brief enough.

  Because the next thing she knew, Jake was charging down the stairs, his eyes wild with anger.

  Chapter Forty-six

  All Jake saw was red.

  Jace was holding her. His girl, his woman, his future—in Jace’s grimy politician hands! With a war cry that would have done any fan of Braveheart proud—Jake charged toward Jace and slammed him into the countertop.

  His fist flew toward Jace’s face and landed a blow along his jaw, causing the other man’s head to snap back and hit the table.

  In the back of his fuzzy mind he heard Char yelling for him to stop, but it was too late. Jace crumpled to the ground.

  “Holy crap!” Char covered her face. “You just knocked out a state senator!”

  “Well,” Jake cursed. “He was touching you!”

  “Great!” Char began pacing. “Be sure to tell that to the judge when they ask you why you shouldn’t go to prison!” She swatted him across the stomach and swore.

  “I’m sorry. I just… I panicked. I was protecting your honor!”

  “Easy, Pot,” Char said. “You’re getting black on your kettle.”

  Jake glared. “Very funny.”

  “What are we going to do?” Char pointed at Jace’s body. “You didn’t kill him, did you?”

  “I didn’t hit him that hard,” Jake muttered under his breath and then leaned over Jace. “He’s probably just knocked out for a bit.”

  “Well, how long do we wait for him to wake up?” Char was still pacing, only now she was thrusting her wineglass into the air, alternating between drinking it and yelling.

  “I don’t know. Put the wine down. You’re making me nervous.”

  “I’m making you nervous?” Well, at least she stopped pacing. “What right do you have to come to my rescue anyway?”

  Jake let out a heavy sigh. “I’ve always wanted to be the knight in shining armor.”

  “Funny, I don’t remember the knight beating the crap out of some innocent guy.”

  “Innocent, my ass!” Jake yelled. “He had his hands all over you!”

  “So?” She crossed her arms. “Why do you care?”

  “Damn it, Char!” In two strides she was in his arms; her mouth opened and the minute his tongue met hers, it was on fire.

  He pushed her against the countertop and deepened the kiss. Her body was so responsive to his. They kissed just like they fought: all aggression, all passion, nothing slow and steady about it.

  Unable to control himself anymore, he pulled down the straps of her sundress. Her skin was like soft velvet. Her hands twisted in his hair as he trailed his tongue along her lower lip, tasting and sucking the wine from her mouth. Goosebumps rose across her chest when his lips moved from hers down the front of her chest stopping just above her bra.

  Jace groaned from the ground.

  Jake ignored it.

  The groan got louder.

  Char dug her fingernails into Jake’s back.

  God hated him.

  Breaking away from her had to be one of the hardest things he’d ever done in his existence.

  Jace was stirring on the floor.

  “We should go.” Jake struggled to catch his breath when his eyes met Char’s. She had been thoroughly kissed, thoroughly ruined for a minute, by him, and he loved knowing that he was the man who’d put that look on her face. Her expression was one of lust, desire, want, and it was all because of him.

  Jace groaned again.

  “We’re fleeing the scene, aren’t we?” Char grabbed Jake’s hand as they returned to the main level.

  “If anyone asks, we saw him trip.”

  “Into your fist?” Char asked. “Really? That’s the lie we’re going to go with?”

  “Sorry that my brain isn’t exactly on the right track right now. We’re lucky I can even walk and talk at the same time without throwing you against the stairs and lifting your skirt.”

  “You can, you know.”

  Jake froze. “Can?”

  “Lift my skirt.”
/>
  “You’re punishing me, aren’t you.”

  Char grinned as she whispered into his ear. “I purchased some lingerie from the party. Be thinking about that during dinner.”

  “Great.” Jake swore. “So Grandma’s going to assume, what? Flowers turn me on? I have the hots for oysters? Damn uncomfortable, if you ask me. Let’s just skip dinner.” Once they reached the top of the stairs, he pushed her against the nearest wall, trapping her with his body. “Just one more kiss.”

  “It’s never just one kiss with you, Jake.”

  He couldn’t help the giant grin that spread across his face. “Good. Because I want them to be never ending.” He kissed her nose. “I have this need to prove to you that it won’t be just one kiss.” His lips grazed hers. “Because it’s going to be the first of a hundred thousand kisses.” He rubbed his lips against the base of her throat. “It’s going to be the first of the last kisses you ever receive.” His tongue swirled around her collarbone as he made his way back up the other side of her neck. “I want to ruin you for anyone else’s kisses. I want to brand you as mine. I want to hear you say my name, not because you’re irritated, but because you’re so damn turned on you can’t think straight. I want to do that to you. I want to make you mine.”

  “Yours?” Her eyes welled with tears.

  “I’m a very possessive man if you can’t tell. I’m done walking away.”

  “Can you promise me that?”

  Jake cupped her face with his hands. “Forever. That’s my offer.”

  “So this is a business arrangement?” She gave him a teasing smile.

  “Absolutely.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. “I’ll of course make you sign this insane gag order drawn up by lawyers who have nothing better to do than to protect me. You’ll have to sign on the dotted line—you know, the usual—that you’ll be my love slave at all hours of the day and night. Then I’ll punish you when you try to leave me.”

  “Nice. If you were still a CEO I could call you Christian Grey.”

  “Jake Titus!” Grandma’s shout could have awakened the dead. “Where are you! I need to speak with you!”

  “Do we run?” Char asked.

  “Grandma sees all. It’s like hiding from God.”

  With a sigh, they broke apart. Jake lifted her hand to his lips. “We can talk later.”

  “About the whole forever thing?” Her eyes looked hopeful, which made his heart basically jump in his chest.

  “Yeah, about this forever thing.”

  “There you are!” Grandma panted. “I looked everywhere for you two! It’s time for the toast! Wait. Where’s Jace?”

  “Sleeping,” a voice said behind them. “I decided to take a nap.”

  “In the wine cellar?” Grandma crossed her arms. “Oh dear! What in the blue blazes happened to your eye?”

  “Squirrel.” Jace’s gaze narrowed in on Jake. “Seems it found its nuts after all and attacked me, damn thing.”

  “Oh.” Grandma nodded. “Right. Well, I’m sure his nuts aren’t near as impressive as he’d like us to believe.”

  “Oh, but they are.” Char piped up.

  Jake gave her a wicked grin.

  Jace covered his smile and looked sternly at Grandma. “If you’re ready, we should probably go back to dinner.”

  “Okay.” She took his arm and led him away from Jake and Char.

  “Thanks.” Jake grabbed her hand. “For defending my manhood.”

  “Ah, it’s taken a pretty big hit lately. Thought I’d help you out.”

  With a smug grin Jake tugged her into his body and whispered, “I think it’s going to be more like me helping you out later.”

  “We’ll see.” Her eyes met his for a brief moment before she blinked and looked away.

  Chapter Forty-seven

  Kacey couldn’t help but notice Jace’s black eye as he made his way back to the main table. Char and Jake followed close behind, both of their heads touching. Char laughed. Jake touched her arm.

  Oh no.

  Kacey’s eyes narrowed as she sent a seething glare toward Grandma, who was at that moment trying to pat herself on the back.

  “She’s winning.” Kacey jabbed Travis in the ribs.

  “Believe me.” He banged his head loudly against the table. “I know.”

  “Oh stop. You have twenty-four hours left.”

  “It’s been the longest two weeks of my life.” Travis sighed. “What’s another twenty-four hours?” He put his arm around Kacey, then tensed.

  “What? What’s wrong?”

  “He kissed her.”

  “Huh?”

  “That sly son of a bitch.” Travis grinned. “Look at him.”

  Kacey looked where Travis was pointing. Jake was smiling at his plate and twirling his wine glass with his fingers. Every few seconds his eyes would meet Char’s and they’d share a private smile.

  “Bloody hell,” Travis muttered.

  “Still doesn’t work. You aren’t British,” Kacey sighed.

  Grandma stood and lifted her glass. “The best man had a few words he wanted to say to the bride and groom. Jake?”

  Jake licked his lips and stood, holding his glass out in front of him. “I kissed you first.”

  Kacey burst out laughing while Travis growled.

  With a wink, Jake continued. “I seem to remember a stupid bet my brother and I made about marrying the girl next door. Well, brother, I think you won. Thanks for the bill by the way, I appreciate it. You’ve both been a huge part of my life, and I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see both of my best friends marrying each another. To the bride and groom!” He lifted his glass.

  “Cheers!” Everyone said in unison.

  Jake motioned to Jace. “Didn’t you want to say a few words?”

  Jace waved him off. “Nah, I think you said it all.”

  “Holy crap,” Kacey whispered. “Something is very, very wrong. They’ve been at each other’s throats all week!”

  Travis looked from Char to Jake, back to Jake, and then to Jace. “I don’t get it. They all seem perfectly normal.”

  Kacey gripped Travis’s hand like a vise. Grandma winked at both of them and then pointed to the ground.

  At her damn microphone case.

  “Shit,” Travis muttered. “Damn woman’s going to beat us.”

  “I think,” Kacey pointed to Jake, “she already has.”

  Jake was sitting across from Char, making such inappropriately lustful gazes that Kacey wasn’t sure if she should just take pity on Travis and cover his eyes for him.

  But when she turned to say something to Travis, a wicked smile had formed at his lips.

  “Uh oh,” Kacey said. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking we’re going to get even.”

  “Even?”

  “He wants her so bad.” Travis chuckled. “And he thinks he’s going to get her, tonight, but—”

  “What?”

  “What type of brother would I be if I didn’t protect my brother’s heart? What type of person would I be if I didn’t protect poor Char’s virtue?” He shook his head and raised his hand to his chest. “I couldn’t live with myself…”

  “Jake’s going to murder me.”

  “Misery loves company.” Travis took a long gulp of water. “Yes it does.”

  Chapter Forty-eight

  Dessert was served. Char chose a chocolate soufflé with whipped cream. The minute it was set in front of her, she saw Jake’s hungry gaze.

  With a wicked smile she dipped her finger into the whipped cream and slowly licked it clean.

  His mouth dropped open, just slightly.

  She licked her lips and dipped her finger again.

  Jake leaned forward, his eyes almost closing as his half-lidded gaze went from teasing to lustful.

  Char wondered when was the last time the player had been played, or that he’d had to actually wait for something.

  Carefully, she slipped out o
f her wedge heels and relaxed a little further down in her seat. Trying to act nonchalant, she took another bite of her dessert and watched Jake watch her. She knew the exact moment her foot came into contact with his leg. With a jerk, he grabbed the edge of the table and cursed.

  “Everything all right, Jake?” Petunia asked, examining him through her glasses.

  “Perfect,” he said in a strained voice. “A bit hot.” His hooded eyes blinked a few times before he reached for his water glass and took a long sip.

  “It is quite humid out.” Petunia fanned herself. “But you look positively flushed. Are you sure you aren’t coming down with something?”

  “I wish,” Jake said.

  “Pardon?” Her brows furrowed.

  “Pretty dish.” He pointed to the butter dish in the middle of the table.

  Char bit her lip to keep from laughing; she took another slow bite of soufflé and licked her fork. Jake groaned across the table.

  Her foot came into contact with his skin.

  “Mother of—”

  “Jake?” Petunia shook her head. “You have me worried.”

  “Me too.” Char licked her lips and let her foot inch up his leg.

  Jake braced both hands on the table, his eyes setting her on fire with how hard he was staring at her. “I’m sure.”

  His eyes closed as she rubbed up and down his calf and then braced his one leg with both of hers, jerking him closer to the table.

  “Shit.” He exhaled.

  “I beg your pardon!” Petunia scolded. “Jake Titus, you stop your filthy language.”

  “He’s such a dirty, dirty, boy,” Grandma agreed with a wink.

  Jake groaned, his eyes pleading with Char to either stop or keep going and kill him right then and there.

  “You know what happens to dirty boys,” Char said helpfully.

  “What?” His voice was hoarse.

  “They get spanked,” Petunia spat. “Hard!”

  Jake swore a blue streak.

  “Wescott!” Petunia demanded. “Please control your son! It seems he keeps having urges to use foul language at the dinner table! Well, in my day we’d send boys to their rooms if they did such a thing.”

  “Fine.” Wescott rolled his eyes. “Go to your room, Jake, take your punishment like a man.”