Chasing Marisol (Blueprint to Love Book 3) (9 page)

She took a deep breath and regained her footing. "Probably three times a month for the overnight guests." She mentally reviewed kitchen incidents over the past month. "And another ten times per month with feeding clients. But those occur during the day when we have a large staff to handle them."

He scribbled something on his pad. "So, it's a bigger problem at night because you have less resources to deal with it."

She nodded. "And because the abuser is so invested in his victim. During the day we mostly deal with drunks and addicts, mental illness— sometimes violent, but usually just belligerent."  

Jeff focused his attention on her and her pulse jumped in response. "Give me an example— when was the last time?"

She tried and failed to hold his gaze. "Um— actually it was last night."

His entire body stilled. "
Last night
? There was violence here last night?"

"Yes. An ex-spouse showed up-"

"Did he get inside?" Jeff's stunned expression betrayed the reaction most people probably felt when they heard something so completely foreign to their existence.

Mari nodded. "I was leaving with Hector-" Apprehension sizzled up her spine when he sprang from his chair.

"Dammit— you were in the middle of it?"

"It's fine, Jeff. We were able to stop it before it escalated."

"It's
not
fine."

Before she could react, he'd rounded her desk, concern flaring in his beautiful eyes.

"Mari— are you-" His voice worried, he gently tugged her from her chair. "Is Hector okay? Were you in danger?" He ran his hands down her arms before he pulled her roughly against him in a quick hug.

Still bewildered that she was experiencing the fantasy she'd imagined moments earlier, Mari hugged him back. "We're both fine, Jefferson. Nothing happened." When he didn't speak, she pulled away from him. "Are you angry?"

"No." His mouth brushed her forehead before he reluctantly released her. "I can't seem to think straight when I'm around you," he admitted. "When we started this conversation, I never imagined thinking about the security issues with you in mind."

"My being here doesn't make a difference. It's our clients who need protection."

"It matters to me." His expression was grim as he took a step back. Jeff hesitated several seconds, his eyes uncertain. Mari realized it was the very first time she'd ever seen him appear less than sure of himself. "It's become much more personal to me."

Part of her wanted to cheer over his admission. They were obviously attracted to each other— but it appeared he may actually like her, too. In a short period of time, he'd become important to her. And how she'd allowed that to happen, Marisol wasn't quite sure. But she was startled to realize Jeff's concern felt— good. The thought that he might worry about her had warmth coursing through her heart.

"I appreciate that you’ve grown to like the staff here," she said, intent on placating him to allay his fears. Working in this environment had risks. But, so did every job. Working at New Beginnings meant something different but no less important to each person who chose to accept the challenge. "We all know the risks when we take this job— the volunteers, too."

"If that's supposed to reassure me, it's not working."

She tried again, intent on softening his suddenly hard, determined features. "We’re trained to deal with violent confrontations."

"Seriously? Now you're just making it worse." Jeff's eyes darkened as he closed the gap between them. As her heart began a free-fall to her stomach, he tipped her chin up. "Just so we're totally clear— I don't want to think about anyone getting close enough to hurt you or Hector."

"I understand-"

"Damn it— I don't think you do." His muttered oath was whispered against her lips before he tugged her against him. His kiss was undemanding at first— until Mari met him eagerly, more than willing to admit she'd missed him. His large, capable hands stroked down her arms before coming to rest on her hips. And the strength in them, the weight of them anchoring her to him did strange things to her heart.

She wound her arms around his neck, suddenly needing him closer. When he took the kiss deeper, her shudder rippled through them. Mari went under— adrift in sensation as his hands stroked her, then cupped her bottom to pull her closer still.

She was vaguely aware of Jeff moving— toward the door to push it closed.
Dios
- She'd completely forgotten where she was. The next thing she knew, she was leaning back against it as Jeff nuzzled her throat. His tongue discovered the sensitized spot on her collarbone and her knees buckled when the incredible rocket of sensation sapped her strength. No one—
no one
— had ever made her feel as wild as she felt every time she was with Jeff. He only had to look at her and she was his for the taking. The mere thought of him— naked— over her— in her bed made her crazy with need.

When he staggered back, she offered a half-hearted protest. His eyes glowed with frustration— and something else. Shock. Confusion.

"Jeff?" The regret in his eyes had an icy knot of worry seeping into her chest.

"Sweet Jesus, Mari." His voice hoarse, he jammed shaking fingers through his hair. "Another minute and I would have stripped you out of your clothes."

His confession melted the chill that had begun to swirl around her. "At least you remembered the door."

Dragging in an unsteady breath, he managed a smile. "I think we'd better create some distance or we'll be in trouble." When Jeff returned to his chair, she had a fleeting sense of disappointment. Straightening her blouse, she retreated to her chair— safely behind her desk— as she dealt with the slow cooling of her raging hormones. As Sharon had been so quick to remind her . . . it had been far too long since she'd-

Though she knew her face was staining pink with embarrassment, Mari could only hope her eyes didn't convey the desperation she felt. How could she want him so badly? When she barely knew him? She prayed for strength— to get through the rest of this conversation without making the situation more awkward. "We should get back to— our discussion." She swallowed around the sudden dryness in her throat. "The shelter . . . security-"

His expression turned immediately somber. "At the meeting this morning-" Jeff hesitated as though searching for the right words. "When we were discussing violence— you were the furthest thing from my mind."

"I don't understand."

"You and Hector have opened my eyes to something I'd never really given much consideration." His beautiful eyes turned thoughtful. "I know you work here . . . but I viewed this renovation— these security measures as being important for the residents." His gaze was troubled. "Don't get me wrong— I want to protect your clients."

"Then what’s your concern?"

He was quiet for several seconds. "I don't like thinking that you or Hector could ever be in danger here."

If he only knew
. Her heartbeat accelerated over that truth. It wasn't only their clients who experienced violence at the hands of someone they believed loved them. Mari drew in a steadying breath. Now would probably be a good time to share her past- Yet— it felt way too soon. She wasn't ready. What happened was too personal— too horrifying to share with someone who might not be around in a month's time.

Instead, she shut her mind to the wayward thoughts. It could wait until later. Much later. Until she knew for sure what he meant to her. And to discover whether she meant anything to him.

Chapter 5

To say Jeff was floored would have been an understatement. Overwhelmed was more accurate. Staring at the plans on the conference table, he scribbled notes with Hank, but all he could see were images of Mari and Hector. In danger.

An hour later, he couldn’t shake the worry disrupting his concentration. Couldn’t understand why he was so edgy over the danger she'd casually dismissed. About the possibility of angry ex-partners showing up at New Beginnings. She'd worked there for years, Jeff reminded himself. Marisol was accustomed to dealing with their clientele. She knew what to expect and how to handle serious situations. So, why the hell was he freaking out about it? Why did he suddenly care so damn much?

All the benevolent thoughts about New Beginnings and the volunteers who worked there had to be rearranged. Suddenly, the women who lived there— who’d run there to hide— had become painfully real to him. Hyper aware of how fragile their existence was, Jeff realized he'd been deluding himself. Each and every change they discussed now held new meaning. Every lock— every bolt was significant. Because some irate nutcase could show up at the shelter and-

The cold knot in his stomach cinched tighter. Jeff swallowed around the lump of panic clogging his throat. All he could think about was what he might— God forbid—
be feeling
. . . for Mari. And the helpless, queasy sensation wasn't settling well with him. The acknowledgment sent jagged shards of dread slicing through his gut. Who the hell would choose to spend their life feeling like this? Only to have it end when you least expect it. Like his parents-

"Jeff? You in there?"

Words were erupting from Hank Freeman's mouth. He just couldn't seem to wrap his brain around them. His foreman tossed his hardhat on the table with a resounding clatter.

"Son— are you listenin' to me? Or is it time to change the light bulb in that head of yours?"

Blinking, Jeff turned to acknowledge his irritated foreman. Hank's insistence on maintaining a military crewcut for his salt and pepper hair meant his face tended to crinkle up like a raisin when he scowled. Consequently, he always looked more ticked off than he actually was. "Cool your jets, Colonel Cranky. I'm thinking about too many things at once."

His friend grinned. "I'll wager one of them is the hot tamale down the hall."

He glared at the older man before retrieving his pen. That Hank was right only served to piss him off. It would be a long friggin' afternoon. "That obvious?"

"Yup."

He released a frustrated sigh. Relieved to shelve the disturbing thoughts cluttering his brain, he attempted to refocus. "Okay— where were we?"

"I was reminding you that you wanted to give Miss Ortega's son a tour of the site today." Hank checked his watch. "We got thirty minutes before he'll be out of school. You want me to handle the show? Or you wanna do it?"

Jeff smiled when he remembered the child-sized hard hat sitting in his jeep. "I will. I promised Hector." He pointed to the plan of the interior hallways. "What do you think about card access for these corridors that lead to the dorm? That would eliminate any worry of outsiders getting into the living spaces."

"That could work." Hank leaned across the conference table, his brow furrowed in thought. He dragged his finger along the hallway. "If we spend the money here . . . and here, we can recoup it with good, solid locks on the rest of the doors— but save the expensive card access for where they really need it." He glanced up. "Damn, Jeffie— you're not as vacant as you look." 

"And you're not as big an ass as people say." He returned the shot with easy familiarity. They worked on the logistics of several more issues before wrapping up the meeting. While he loaded his briefcase, Hank picked up his hardhat. "I'll make sure there's some earthmoving going on when you get out there with Hector. No sense in putting on half a show."

"Great. Hector will love it. He's convinced we need his help."

Hank's face split with a rare smile. "He's probably right."

His friend continued to linger while he rolled up the plans and threw them over his shoulder. "We all set?"

"Uh— one more thing." The older man suddenly looked flustered. That rarity caught Jeff's attention right away. "Um— I was noticin' a woman in the kitchen. She seems to work every day . . . cute little thing but kinda quiet? Blonde? She doesn't wear a ring."

Jeff set his briefcase down and grinned. "Makin' fun of me, are you? And all the while, you've been scoping out the ladies."

"This is different," he protested. "I'm not lookin' for a quick score."

Like him
. Hank left the obvious words unspoken. Hell— they'd always been true in the past. Against his will, Jeff's thoughts circled back to Marisol. Was this time really any different? If the panicky feeling he'd experienced earlier was any indication of what it felt like to be in a relationship— then there was no way on earth he'd allow this thing with Mari to get out of control. Relationships didn't last anyway. What would be the point in even trying? Once they finally slept together, the picture would become clear.

Sex was always the beginning of the end— where wants and needs went to die. Sure— he could last a few weeks beyond that. In truth, that was when his dating efforts paid dividends. The payoff— weeks before everything turned to crap. Before she started expecting him to check in. Before she began making demands on his time. Soon enough, it always became crystal clear when it was time to get out. "What
are
you looking for?"

"What everyone wants— someone to talk to . . . someone to have dinner with— to make it worth the bother of makin' dinner." Hank scratched the whiskers on his chin, warming to his topic and apparently forgetting to whom he was talking. "I miss the noise— of having someone in your life. Maybe if Gayle and I'd had kids— then the past few years might a' been easier. And harder," he amended. "But, at least I'd have had something to focus on."

To Jeff's knowledge, this was the first time Hank had shown interest in another woman. Since his wife's death four years earlier, he'd become a hermit. Except for working ridiculously long hours, Hank retreated to his farm each evening. Alone. "I think you're describing Annie. She practically lives here. But I should warn you— she's not much for small talk. Even my legendary Traynor charm hasn't worked."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm just askin'— she seems nice, that's all. I've been eating lunch here every day— not because 'a her," he hastily added. "There's no sense in packing my lunch or taking the time to run offsite when they've got great food here."

"Makes sense to me." At least Hank had a legitimate reason for being there. He'd been spending way too much time at New Beginnings himself lately. Jake hadn't lectured him yet over his disappearing act, but Jeff knew he was on borrowed time.

Hank shrugged. "I feel a little guilty— like I'm taking food from someone who really needs it."

"I think the kitchen is open to everyone. Mari says they get lots of regulars." 

He looked relieved. "Well, I make sure to stuff money in the jar on the counter. I don't want them to think I'm mooching."

Jeff retrieved his briefcase. "You want me to say something to Mari or Sharon? Maybe find out what Annie's story is?"

Hank thought about it for several seconds then finally shook his head. "Nah. I'll handle it. I need to take it real slow because I'm twenty-two years out of practice." He jerked his head down the hall. "Besides, you'd better concentrate on your own situation. It appears you've got your hands full." 

***

Hector was wiggling with excitement. Mari couldn't contain her smile as she tried to zip his jacket. "Hold still, pequena."

"Hurry, Mari." He paused to frown at her. "If I'm not ready Jeff might change his mind."

Her heart sank. After all this time, that's what everything boiled down to with Hector. Disappointment. His young life had been filled with empty promises— that his mother would stay. When she appeared sporadically, she promised the moon. Then withdrawal would kick in and she'd disappear again, the need for drugs trumping everything else. Weeks later, she'd return, acting as though it had only been hours she'd missed— instead of days— unaware her son had spent hours each day . . . waiting. For his mother to return. For her to keep the promises he'd held close to his heart as though each was a talisman. Promises she'd never intended to keep. As Mari's journey with Hector had progressed, his mother's visits became less frequent. But they were no less destabilizing to him when she did show up. Each visit renewed hope that maybe this time, she'd stay.

Blinking back the burn of tears, Mari squatted to the ground, pretending to work on his zipper so she could see his eyes. "Has Jeff made a promise he hasn't kept?"

Hector cast his worried gaze to the ground. "No. But he might . . . get sick 'a me— or he might have work stuff." 

"He is
not
sick of you."

"But I'm annoyin'-"

"Who would dare call you annoying? They will answer to me." She forced a smile into her voice as she made a production of smooching his cheek.

"Stop, Maaari— that tickles."

His reluctant giggles made her feel marginally better. Not for the first time, Marisol wondered how long it would take before the ugly voices of doubt in his head would clam up and go away.

She tipped his chin up. "I spoke with Jeff just a little while ago. He'll be here soon. And he has a special present for you." Her spirits lifted when she read the excitement in his eyes.    

"What is it?"

"She can't tell you— because it's a three-part surprise."

They both turned at the sound of Jeff's voice. She wondered how long he'd been standing there. Though he wore his usual smile, his eyes were somber, making her suspect he’d overheard them.

Racing over, Hector gave him a hug. She slowly stood, watching Jeff's expression change— from the guarded glance he shot over Hector's head to his delight over the little boy's exuberant hug. Mari smiled— knowing exactly how it felt to experience both despair over his innocent comments and the swelling of love each time he made new strides away from his former life.

"Dude— you're getting strong. You practically knocked me over." When he winked at her, she felt the telltale blush stealing into her face. The expression in his eyes had heat igniting in the pit of her stomach. How could a mere glance make her heartbeat accelerate?

"A three part surprise? That sounds complicated." She knew about the hard hat, but he'd obviously cooked up something else to surprise Hector.

"Yeah— what's my surprise, Jeff?"

"First is this." He showed Hector his own hard hat, before reaching inside and revealing the little one he'd brought for him.

"Cool— is this mine?"

Jeff set the hat on his head, testing the fit. "Yup. See here? It's got your name on it. Whenever you step outside you have to wear your hardhat. It's a rule."

"Like if a buildin' tipped over on me? This would keep me safe?"

He shuddered over Hector's bloodthirsty imagination. "Let's hope there will be no buildings tipping over."

Hector’s eyes were huge. "This is— like one of the coolest thing I ever got." He shook his head, testing the tightness. "I can't wait to show Tommy and Jason."

"You ready? Because the next surprise is outside with Hank." Jeff checked his watch before he caught her gaze. "We'll be back in about twenty minutes. And the third part of my surprise includes you— so you'd better stick around."

"C'mon— let's go." Hector was pulling Jeff's hand toward the door.

"Alright. I'll be waiting." Mari acknowledged the flutter of excitement dancing through her. It grew increasingly difficult to reign in her feelings when Jeff was casting a spell over both of them.

If she didn't watch out, she could get her heart broken. And this time, it would affect Hector as well. She shivered as they walked out side by side, a growing sense of unease encroaching on the starry-eyed feeling. What would she do when he grew tired of them?

***

"That was awesome. I can't believe I got to ride the steamroller with Lefty. Is that really his name? Can we do that again?"

"We'll have to check with Hank. We might be pouring concrete by next week. We have to get your new addition up fast." Jeff scooped Hector into his arms to cross the mud pit that the newly excavated foundation had morphed into as a result of an overnight thunderstorm. Sharon probably wouldn't appreciate them tracking mud back into the building. The site crew was already afraid of incurring her wrath. They'd laid down an intricate series of mats outside the door so they could scrape their feet off before entering her building— something of a rarity on a project this size.

He nodded to Big Pete, who was still standing sentry duty, despite it being after four o'clock. Usually he was gone by now. "Got a status report for me?"

Pete's gaze remained rooted to the street beyond the construction area. "Been watching a red pickup. He's been out there since lunch time. Keeps circling the block."

"Maybe it's one of the crew?"

"Maybe." Pete didn't sound convinced. "I'll keep my eye on him for a little while longer."