Would it be so wrong to let her cling to the idea that this case was no big deal? Then she wouldn’t have to worry. But she also might decide to let down her guard, giving that thug a chance to get near her again. No, she definitely needed to know the whole truth.
“It’s a money-laundering scam that involved my business partner. I blew the whistle on him before he could take us both down. I wore a wire and gave the government all the evidence they needed to make their case against him and his shady affiliates.”
Cleo’s face grew ashen. “That sounds dangerous.”
“Let’s just say these men aren’t the friendliest people to cross.”
“That...that man... Does he want to—”
“Scare me off? Yes, he does. But it won’t work. I will finish what I started.”
“Oh, Jax. What if—”
“There are no what-ifs. I just have a few more weeks until I return to New York for the trial and then this will all be over. Now it’s time to call it a night. I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted. It’s been a long day.”
In truth, not only was he truly tired but he also needed some space. He was still smarting over the fact that Cleo thought he might be a criminal.
Her fine brows gathered. “You can’t expect me to stay here with you until the trial.”
“We’ll have to see how things go. But for now you’re staying where I can protect you.”
He yawned. Maybe tonight he’d be able to fall asleep without the endless hours of staring into the dark. Or even worse, to drift off only to have that blasted recurring nightmare where he was chased down a dark alley. Stupid dream.
“Come on.” He knelt down beside her and held out his arms. “Your chariot awaits.”
* * *
Cleo’s head felt fuzzy. She didn’t know if it was the painkillers or the information she’d just learned. Either way, it didn’t matter. She was tired of being treated as if she was helpless. And she didn’t need Jax making decisions for her.
When Jax reached out to her, she pushed aside his offer. “Thanks, but I can get to the bedroom on my own.”
His face creased with frown lines, but he didn’t argue. Instead he grabbed her crutches and held them out to her. “Are you sure?”
She nodded and placed the crutches under her arms. A bump on the head hadn’t made her forget the way Jax had rejected her earlier that day. The memory still stung. Why should things change just because she got hurt?
They weren’t a happy couple. They never would be.
She paused at the bottom of the long line of steps. Suddenly, sleeping on the couch didn’t sound like such a bad idea.
“Sure you haven’t changed your mind?” Jax prodded in a persuasive voice.
“I can manage.” All she had to do was focus. Soon she’d be upstairs and then she could lie down.
“You don’t look so good.”
“Thanks. You sure know how to give a girl a compliment.”
“That isn’t how I meant it and you know it. You’re just being difficult.”
He was right. But tonight she didn’t care. Maybe it was the medicine or hitting her head, but she didn’t feel like acting as if everything was all right when it clearly wasn’t.
He followed her into a spacious bedroom with a king-size bed done up in peaches and cream. She sat down on the edge, very aware of Jax’s presence. He knelt down in front of her to remove her shoe from her good leg. Why did he have to be so nice when she wanted to be angry with him?
“I can do it.” She attempted to take over.
He brushed aside her hand. “You don’t need to. That’s what I’m here for.”
His gentle tone smoothed her agitation. “I’m not even sure how I’ll sleep tonight. Every time I close my eyes I see that ape man. You have to promise to be careful. He isn’t a nice guy. He totally gave me the creeps.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“You promise?”
“I do. I brought us here, didn’t I? He won’t know where to find us.”
She lay back against the bed and closed her eyes, willing away the image of that man. Jax’s warm fingers touched the bare skin of her calf, snapping her eyes open. What was he doing? Then she realized he was removing her sock. How could such a mundane task feel so amazing?
Dropping the sock, his fingers continued to work their magic, kneading and pressing on the sole of her foot. One by one her muscles relaxed and she turned to putty in his hands. The most amazing sensations coursed through her body. If he could do this massaging just one foot, she couldn’t even imagine what other tricks he had up his sleeve.
“This will help you relax.” His voice was soft and soothing.
She hadn’t realized that she’d moaned out loud until he said, “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
“What can I say? I’m a sucker for a foot massage.”
“Scoot back on the bed.”
She did as he said, wondering what he was up to next. He grabbed a couple of pillows and propped up her injured leg. Then he sat down and put her other foot in his lap. The pad of his thumb rubbed up and down over the arch of her foot. She watched him as he used both hands to stretch her foot and then run both thumbs in circular patterns.
“Close your eyes,” he said, still working his magic fingers.
She was in the midst of ecstasy and didn’t want it to stop so she complied. Tomorrow she would stand her ground—yes, tomorrow. Tonight she would let him feel as though he were taking care of her... Just so long as his fingers kept moving.
Time slipped by and, at last, he stopped. She was lost somewhere between floating on a fluffy cloud and half-asleep. He got up and turned off the light.
“Don’t go.” She reached out to grab his hand. “Not yet.”
“Cleo...”
All she knew was that she was in a happy place and she didn’t want it to end. Her body felt like mush. The darkness made her feel safe from his scrutinizing stare. She felt as though she could say anything to him. And in a sleepy haze she decided to throw caution to the wind.
“Why don’t you find me attractive?”
She heard a swift intake of his breath. Then an awkward silence hung there.
The edge of the bed dipped as he sat down. The back of his hand glided over her cheek. “Who says I don’t find you attractive?”
“When we kissed earlier, you pulled away. You didn’t like it.”
His voice was soft. “Did you ever think that I liked it too much?”
“Then kiss me now.” He groaned but she wasn’t giving up. “I’ve kissed you twice. You owe me.”
Again there was an elongated silence. It had to be the medication because she’d never asked a man to kiss her. And it was so much easier to blame it on the painkillers than to admit how very much she wanted him. She’d never desired a man as she did Jax.
Then without warning he leaned over. His lips were just a breath away from hers. “Cleo, you don’t know what you’re asking of me.”
“Yes, I do. I want you to kiss me. I want to know what it’s like to be desired by Jax Monroe. Hope Springs’s bad boy. Now a Wall Street tycoon. Kiss