Dreaming With A Broken Heart (Hollywood Legends Book 1) (12 page)

“My opinion of your father continues to sink to depths
I didn’t know existed.”

“I was floored.”

Garrett rubbed Jade’s shoulders, trying to comfort. Anson
Marlow displayed a careless cruelty towards Jade that made him sick to his
stomach. How could you not care anything about your own daughter? The idea was
unfathomable.

“I sound pathetic,” Jade said. Before he could
protest, she added, “I had a playmate. Manuela, our gardener’s daughter.
Sometimes she would come with her father and we would play in the backyard.
She’s the reason I picked this motel.”

That surprised Garrett.

“You told her about us?”

“No,” Jade shook her head. “She once
mentioned that her older sister is a maid here. I knew how much pride the
entire family takes in their work, so I thought the chances were good these
rooms would be clean. I was right.”

“Jade…”

“You have to admit, you could eat off those bathroom
floors.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

Garrett didn’t know who was crazier. Jade for picking this
place on the off chance the gardener’s older daughter was as fastidious as the
rest of her family. Or him for continuing to come to this sparkling hellhole.
Something needed to change. Soon.

“Garrett?”

“Hmm?”

“Will you…?”

When Jade hesitated, Garrett slid down until they were face
to face. Close enough to see her eyes. He felt the frustration again. He wanted
to see the changing emotions in those hazel depths. When he gave her pleasure,
he wanted to see if the color became more green or gold. Right now, he couldn’t
tell what she was thinking. He was so sick of existing in the shadows when it
came to Jade.

“Will I…?”

“Can we have sex?”

Garrett smiled. Nothing shadowy about that request.

“Let’s start by removing that bra.”

He reached around, unclasping the back, then slid the piece
of silk down Jade’s arms.

“Are you excited or cold?”

“Garrett.”

“Jade,” Garrett chuckled. “I’ve touched your
breasts. Kissed them. I’ve taken your nipples in my mouth. Your moans have
filled this room, so I know you like what I do. Why are you embarrassed?”

“I like it when you do things,” she admitted.
“I don’t know if I can talk about it.”

“Does it bother you when
I
talk?” Garrett
asked. He traced the slope of her breast until his finger rubbed the tip.
“You don’t like dirty talk?”

“I
do
like it.” Jade whispered the words as
though her admission might be heard by someone outside the room. “I like
it a lot.”

“Good. Because I like talking during sex. I like letting
you know what you do to me. How good you feel. Of course, I can’t talk when I
do this.”

Garrett took her nipple in his mouth. The stiff little peak
became harder as he sucked, grazing it with his teeth. Like a juicy strawberry
— but much sweeter.

“Do you want me to tell you how you feel in my
mouth?”

He bit down again, this time a little harder. Jade’s moan
told him everything he needed to know. She was ready for him to stop holding
back quite so much. There were places he could take her that were still off
limits — too intense. However, Jade no longer needed pure vanilla. It was time
to add a little spice to their play. Words were a great place to start.

“I love it when you make that little sound in the back
of your throat.”

“What noise?”

When Garrett pinched her nipple between his fingers, biting
her neck at the same time, Jade’s question turned into a gasp, then a moan,
then a tantalizing combination of the two.

“That’s the one,” Garrett said, smiling. He left a
trail of kisses until his lips hovered over hers.

“I didn’t know I made a special noise,” Jade said.

“Like nothing I’ve ever heard before.” Garrett
gave her a light kiss. “Unique. Like the rest of you.”

“I’m ordinary, Garrett.”

From the tone of her voice, Garrett knew if he could see her
eyes, they would be a little sad. He wasn’t allowing that. He finally had Jade
where he wanted her. Years after that night in his car, they were going to have
sex. What the hell. He might as well admit it, if only to himself. He was going
to make love to Jade Marlow. A first for him. All was good. Sadness had no
place in bed with them.

“Why would I lie to you, Jade?”

“Not lie,” she conceded. “Embellish. To make
me feel better about myself.”

“The first time you asked me to meet you, all you
wanted was for me to have sex with you. Am I right?”

“Yes.”

“There was nothing in your request about pumping up
your ego with kind, insincere compliments.” Garrett knew he was pushing
the point a little too hard, but he didn’t want any doubts left in Jade’s mind.

“You’re a
kind
man, Garrett.”

“I don’t think anyone who has worked with me would ever
use that word. Slave driver. Asshole. Madman. That I’ve heard. Kind? Not so
much.”

Garrett saw her lips curve upward.

“How many of them have you slept with?”

“You have me there,” Garrett smiled in return.
“I don’t do location hook-ups.”

“I bet your lovers would agree with me.” Jade
cupped his face with one hand. “You are exciting, Garrett. You know how to
please a woman. Fundamentally, you are the kindest man I have ever known.”

Garrett was floored. Who knew that such a simple compliment
would bring him as close to tears as he could ever remember? Jade spent her
life without one of the most fundamental things he took for granted. Love was
complicated. Friendship could come and go. Kindness was so easy. Yet it was
what she craved because she spent her life without it.

“I’ll accept kind,” Garrett teased, hoping to
lighten the moment. “
If
you admit I’m the sexiest man you’ve ever
met.”

“That’s easy,” Jade said, the paused before
adding, “I’ve never met Colton.”

“Ha,” Garrett scoffed. Thrilled that Jade felt
comfortable enough to tease, he was happy to play along. “My brother is
all flash, honey. What you see up on the screen and in the magazines? A trick
of lights and filters. In person, Colt is a ninety pound weakling with bad skin
and thinning hair.”

“Wow, Hollywood really can work wonders.”

“You have no idea.” Garrett rolled on top of Jade,
linking his fingers with hers. He held her hands, trapped under his, on each
side of her head. “Now, while I worship your delectable skin with my
mouth, tell me how sexy
I
am.”

“I never knew a man could do the things you do to
me,” Jade breathed as Garrett licked her ear. “I’ve read about it in
books. God, I hated those books.”

“Not sexy enough?” Garrett asked between kisses.

“Too sexy. I was set up for disappointment. I — Oh,
God! Garrett, what did you just do?”

Garrett knew exactly what she meant. That little spot right
where her neck and shoulder met. When he bit with exactly the right amount of
pressure, Jade almost shot out of her skin. However, since they were in a
teasing mood, he decided to play dumb. For a little while.

“You mean this?”

Garrett lightly kissed Jade’s cheek.

“No.”

“This?”

His lips grazed the underside of her jaw.

“That isn’t where your mouth was.”

“Really?”

Garrett was enjoying himself. There was something to be said
for playing in bed. He couldn’t remember when he last took the time. Or wanted
to. He loved sex. Believed in satisfying himself with willing ladies as often
as possible. None of those women made him want to linger the way Jade did.

“Are you going to do it again?” Jade asked with
obvious frustration.

“If you do something for me.”

“Name it.”

“Careful, honey.” Garrett loved that he was
driving Jade to distraction. “I might ask for something kinky.”

“How kinky?”

Garrett could tell Jade was intrigued by the idea. Well,
well, well. It appeared Jade wasn’t a straight arrow, which was fine with him.
He wasn’t into anything extreme. Still, he enjoyed a little twist now and then.

“Let’s try knocking off those training wheels before
you tackle the big hill.” Garrett covered Jade’s mouth with his. The kiss
was hard, intense, and way too brief. They were both breathing harder when he
pulled back. “Say something dirty.”

“How dirty?”

“Don’t panic. Nothing too wild,” Garrett reassured
her. “Yet. Tell me what you want. One thing you would like.”

For a minute, Garrett was afraid she was through playing. He
didn’t think he was pushing too hard. Still, Jade wasn’t experienced. In any
way. It might take some time to coax her out of her shell.

“I like when you use your tongue.”

There we go
. Garrett smiled to himself as he gave
Jade what she asked for. Not too wet. He was a man, not a hormone-riddled
teenager. He knew the proper balance between what made a woman shudder with
passion and what made her shudder with disgust. It was a fine line. One he
always stayed on the proper side of.

“Do you like it here?”

Garrett outlined her shape of Jade’s ear, biting the lobe.

“And your teeth,” Jade gasped. “You always
make it feel so good. You bite, always stopping before it hurts. I didn’t know
I wanted that.”

“I plan on opening your world to all the possibilities,
Jade. Some of them you’ll like.” Garrett bit again. “Others, you can
decide as we go. Now, about that spot you wanted me to hit again. Right about
here.”

At the same moment his teeth latched on, he entered her. One
smooth motion. Garrett knew Jade was ready for him. The entire evening was leading
to this. The meal they shared. The teasing. Even her first orgasm was only a
prelude to having him inside her for the first time.

Jade surprised him. Garrett expected a slow build. He was
used to her being a little shy at first — unsure. Not this time. The double
stimulation of his teeth and his cock turned her into a wild woman. Her legs
wrapped around his, urging him on. She pulled her hands free. She grabbed his
head, guiding his mouth to hers. This was the first time she took the
initiative. She wasn’t happy to be led. She knew what she wanted and she was
taking it.

“This is going to be fast, Jade,” Garrett warned.
“You aren’t helping slow it down.”

“I don’t want slow.” Jade grabbed his ass, making
sure his pace matched the one she wanted. “Hard. Give me everything you
have.”

The words were music to Garrett’s ears. For weeks, he held
his desire in check. Giving Jade every consideration, then going home to jerk
off in his solitary shower. Being inside her hot, wet, body was better than any
dream. She was tight and slick. It only took a minute for him to hit his peak.

“Are you ready to come with me?”

Please say yes
.

“I’m coming, Garrett.
Now
!”

Thank God
. He tumbled over. His mouth found Jade’s,
their cries of pleasure mingling in a passionate duet. The slide back to Earth
was gradual, his hips still working, trying to wring out every ounce of the
moment, wanting it to last.

Garrett collapsed, rolling to the side. He kept Jade in his
arms, needing her near. Throwing his head back, he closed his eyes, savoring
the feel of her. Nothing could ruin the moment. Not the crappy motel
or
the loud air conditioner.

Garrett wished they were at his house. He would fill the
huge tub in his bathroom, pick Jade up, and then make love to her all over
again as the warm water lapped around their bodies. He didn’t want to think
about using the shower here at the motel. Things grew in the corners that he
feared would resist even the strongest disinfectant.

At least the sheets were clean. Next time, he would lavish
her with the kind of lovemaking experience she deserved. It was time to leave
the rattrap motel behind. After weeks of hiding, there was no longer any need.
They weren’t a one-time thing that had to be kept on the down low.

Now, he needed to convince Jade.

PRESENT DAY

JADE WONDERED IF she was making a huge mistake.

Having tea with Garrett’s mother? Was she out of her mind?
Not only was Jade carrying on a secret affair with Callie Flynn’s son — she was
meeting him that very evening.

The luncheon was a success. At least it seemed that way to
Jade. Judging such things was always difficult. You could spend the entire time
thinking you put every foot right. Then you find out a week later you had a
huge spot on the back of your dress and the
Ladies Who Lunch
club
thought you were a mess. At one time, the whole thing would have turned Jade
into a shaking mess. Now, she didn’t care what those women thought.

Garrett’s mother was a different matter altogether. Why
hadn’t she thought up a plausible excuse? Jade had one right at her fingertips.
She could have begged exhaustion. Between the luncheon, which ran until
three-thirty, and Jade’s recent medical problems, she doubted Callie would have
blinked an eye. Only Jade needed to know it was a lie. She was at full strength
— mentally and physically.

Now, instead of anticipating her rendezvous with Garrett,
Jade searched her closet for the perfect outfit to wear to meet his mother.
Should she check with Garrett? Will he be angry? Jade straightened her
shoulders. The hell with that. She was through worrying about angering men. Her
entire life, she let the fear of her father’s cold, cutting words, or her
husband’s fists, influence her actions. No more. Callie Flynn called
her.
If Garrett had a problem with that, he could take it up with his mother.

Feeling good about her internal pep talk, Jade stopped
fussing over what to wear and grabbed a bright yellow sheath off its hanger.
Because of the weight she gained in the past few months, Jade wasn’t concerned
about hiding behind layers of clothing. She would never be curvy; there was no
getting around that. Her figure was naturally slender. Another thing she was
coming to terms with. Garrett seemed to like her the way she was. More
importantly, Jade was beginning to like herself. Inside and out.

Meeting Callie Flynn was one more step toward the woman Jade
wanted to be. Confident women didn’t cower behind closed doors or agonize over
minute details. If one of the film industry’s greatest beauties wanted to have
tea with Jade Marlow, then tea they would have. As equals. She hoped that the
meeting had nothing to do with Garrett.

It was a ridiculous thought. How would Garrett’s mother find
out something the rest of the world knew nothing about? If even a hint had
leaked out, Jade would be all too aware. No, whatever Callie Flynn wanted, it
wasn’t about her son.

Jade reapplied her makeup while she thought back on the
luncheon.
Ladies Who
Lunch
was a charitable organization. They
did some good, Jade supposed. Fundraisers were always being held. The money
distributed to
needy
families
. However, when everyone you knew
was a multimillionaire, the term
needy
was relative.

The members consisted of some of Beverly Hills’ wealthiest wives.
Rather the wives of wealthy men. They were an interesting amalgamation. First
wives ruled the roost. Just below them were the second wives — if the first
wife died. Next, second wives of divorced husbands. At the bottom? The third,
fourth, and fifth trophy wives. If you were twenty or more years younger than
your husband, you were allowed to join. Achieving any amount of respect took
time and hard work. If you had the staying power, with both the group
and
your marriage, eventually it paid off. You graduated from interloper to the
in-crowd.

Jade shuddered at the thought. The last thing she aspired to
was acceptance from a group of women she neither liked nor admired. They let
her host the luncheon because her home was considered a neutral site and her
father had more money than most of their husbands. The main reason they sought
Jade out was morbid curiosity.

The gold hoop earrings she chose were simple, understated,
and much more Jade’s personal style than the flashy gems her father insisted
she wear. The world needed to see the Marlow wealth. When they entertained,
Jade was given whatever jewelry her father thought appropriate. The moment the
guests left, she returned it to him — he locked it in his office safe. Only
Anson Marlow had the combination. Or so he thought.

Jade had the numbers memorized. She learned them over time.
Catching a number here and there when her father was careless enough to open
the safe in her presence. It never occurred to him that she was clever enough
to pay attention. He was too arrogant to switch the numbers on a regular basis.
For a man who trusted no one when it came to business, Anson Marlow neglected
the little things in his home. He believed Jade to be one way. Meek. Boring.
Stupid. Easily led.

It was difficult to argue. For most of her life, Jade
was
meek, boring, and easily led. However, she was never stupid. She silently
observed. It would shock her father to know how much she knew about his
business. The legal transactions.
And
the under the table ones. Some
bordered on shady. Others were downright illegal.

She used to fantasize about cleaning out his safe. She would
hand over the papers to the proper authorities. The jewels and money she would
keep for herself. Jade wouldn’t hide what she did. The best part would be the
look on her father’s face when he realized who the mastermind was behind his
downfall. Stupid Jade. Not so stupid after all.

Anson Marlow never looked at his daughter — not really. He
didn’t when she was a child. He didn’t when she was an awkward teenager
desperately in need of a parent’s guidance. He turned a blind eye to the abuse
happening in his own home. Now, he failed to see the woman Jade was becoming.
Stronger, more independent. A woman who no longer yearned for his love and
approval. A woman capable of bringing his empire crashing down.

Of course, that was not going to happen. Jade did her
research. The people her father swindled were not innocent investors losing
their hard-earned life savings. They were men and women badder, or worse, than
the man they foolishly trusted. It might be satisfying to bring the lot of them
down. Unfortunately, it would be messy. Jade had lived with enough mess to last
a lifetime. Let them continue to screw each other over. They deserved what they
got.

The jewels and the money meant nothing to Jade. Yes, they
would ease her way. Having a cushion beyond her dwindling inheritance would be
nice.
Nice
was the last thing Jade was looking for. Not anymore. She
wanted to see what was beyond the gates she had grown up behind. Jade was ready
to break free. Maybe her father would miss her. Most likely, he would not.
Happily, Jade would not be around to find out.

For the luncheon, Jade carefully arranged her hair in a
French twist. Conservative, neat. Boring. There was that word again. She looked
in the mirror.
Really
looked. What she saw surprised her.

Her face was fuller. Her cheekbones no longer hollow. Her
eyes still dominated her face, but they didn’t stand out like tragic beacons
begging for the world to pity her. Trying to be objective, she gave herself a
thorough once over.

She was pretty, Jade decided. There was color in her cheeks
and a glint in her eyes. To be honest, that was entirely new. Even before her
marriage and the subsequent events, Jade rarely sparkled. She was quiet,
unobtrusive. Now? There was
more
. Whatever that meant. It was up to her
to find out.

Garrett called her beautiful. Thinking of her lover…
Lover
.
The mere thought brought a rosy bloom of color that traveled up her neck in a
suffusion of heat. She, Jade Marlow, had a lover. A strong, considerate,
passionate man who thought of her pleasure before his own.

Jade still wondered how she had the nerve to ask Garrett to
meet her. Then she asked him to have sex with her. It had been terrifying.
Embarrassing. Sure Garrett would reject her. She kept waiting for the floor to
open up, suck her in, and put her out of her misery. Instead, Garrett said yes.
Not out of pity or obligation to the poor abuse victim. He agreed because he
wanted her. After all these months, the multiple meetings — and orgasms — Jade
had no doubt. Garrett wanted
her
. Skinny, uninteresting Jade Marlow.

None of those women she played hostess for today would
believe it. Especially if they knew the demands Jade put on Garrett from the
beginning. Demands she continued to insist on even though a growing part of her
wanted to throw them away. For some time, she found herself wanting to see
Garrett when they were together. He had a wonderfully strong, leanly muscled
body. Her hands told her that. Her mouth confirmed it. She could see him in the
shadows. Now, she wanted to see more.

Fear held her back. What if he couldn’t handle her scars?
Deep down, Jade knew that wasn’t likely. Garrett wasn’t the kind of man to walk
away because of a series of crisscrossed lines on her stomach. How many times
had he traced them with his fingers? Kissed them? Murmured his distress for
what she had suffered? Garrett wouldn’t turn away in disgust. However, he might
pull away. For all her newfound strength and growing confidence, she couldn’t
quell the fear of losing Garrett. For a few hours, in a dingy, rundown motel,
he was hers. The moment the lights came on, all that would change.

One of two things would happen. Either Garrett would fade
from her life or he would want to take things public. Jade feared both. The
first, because being with him made her feel alive. She felt like a woman. How
could she give that up? The second would mean facing cameras, paparazzi,
microphones shoved in her face. The combination of her notoriety and Garrett’s
celebrity status would send the story through the roof.

Jade reached up, pulling out the pins that held her hair
rigidly in place. She sighed with relief when the thick tendrils fell onto her
shoulders and down her back. That was better. The loose, red strands were
symbolic of the new Jade. In the past, she would have picked up a comb. Not
today. She liked the slightly wild look, the not-so-perfect style. The new
Jade.

With a nod at her reflection, Jade grabbed her purse. Come
what may, she was ready to meet the great Callie Flynn head on.

“Miss Marlow?”

Jade sighed. Not three steps out of her bedroom before the
maid was dogging her. There was always someone waiting. Where was this person
when Stephen was slicing her up like a demented butcher? Why wouldn’t her
father give her some privacy? What the hell did he think she was going to do?

Straightening her shoulders, a small, pleasant smile
plastered on her face, Jade turned.

“Yes?”

“Your father is asking for you.”

“Did he say what he wanted?”

That threw the girl. Jade never asked questions. When her
father summoned, Jade jumped.
Why
he called for her didn’t matter. The
fact was he called.

Dressed in her crisp black and white uniform, the young
maid’s eyes darted around. Clearly in a panic, she searched for someone to
help. Jade knew the girl was on her own. There was no need to post guards. One
unimportant maid was enough. It was her job to watch, pass on messages, and
report. Anson Marlow had no reason to think Jade would question anything. It
was obvious the maid had no idea how to answer when a question was asked.

Taking pity on the girl, Jade gave her a friendly smile. The
staff was almost entirely new. With only two exceptions, her father had
replaced anyone who was here during her marriage to Stephen. Half of them were
afraid of her, half pitied her. Most were worried the rumor about her
precarious mental health was a fact — not fiction. Judging from the look the
maid gave her, the woman fell into the latter camp.

“Please tell my father I’m late for an appointment. I
will speak with him when I get back.”

“Oh, but…”

Not waiting, Jade proceeded down the stairs, the maid right
on her heels. When they reached the landing, Jade kept on going.

“Don’t worry,” she called, not bothering to turn around.
“My father won’t fire you.”

Jade had no idea if that was true. Reassuring the woman
seemed like the easiest way to get out the door without any interruption. If
she found out that her father had terminated the maid’s employment, Jade would
find her another job. One where she didn’t have to stand outside a bedroom
door, polishing the same table, waiting for the crazy woman to emerge.

Jade paused, letting the sun wash over her. When she had her
own place, the one thing she would insist on was some outdoor space. Not too
big. A balcony. As long as she could sit with the sun’s heat on her face. She
had spent too much time in the dark the past few years. A few flowers would be
nice. Tended by her, not an army of gardeners whose noses got out of joint when
she pulled a weed or picked a rose. God forbid those things be done out of
sequence. Whatever that meant.

Soon
, Jade thought.
Soon there would be no one to
answer to but herself
.

An image of Garrett popped into Jade’s mind. She kept him in
the dark. Hiding her body. All these months, his patience and caring helped
chase away the shadows. Whenever she started to slip back, she would picture
him. He kept her sane. Still, she wasn’t able to let him turn on the lights
when they were together. She felt his growing frustration. Very soon, there
would come a time when he would insist.

Would she agree? Would she walk away? Could she do either?
Jade didn’t know the answer. With a shake of her head, she set those worries
aside. Now, her only thought should be about getting through tea with Callie
Flynn.