Falling Star (17 page)

"She slept on the couch." Adam growled.

"Was she wearing flannel sleep pants, or a flimsy nightgown?"

"Dean!" Jade slapped her friend's shoulder.

"Sort of in between, she had flannel boxers and a tank top."

"Adam!"

Dean ignored her. "Oh, so after a few hours of pouting, she was all right?"

Jade's mouth dropped open. She was being discussed as if she weren't present, and Dean knew how much that bothered her. That earned him another slap on the shoulder which he didn't even acknowledge.

"You're right," Adam looked like he enjoyed Dean's little game. "How did you know?"

"Some people wear their emotions on their sleeves, Jade's emotions come through in her clothing, especially what she wears to bed. Take for example what she wore after your first date—"

"Dean, if you don't shut up right now, so help me…" Jade used the rear-view mirror to glare at him.

"Not flannel sleep pants I hope."

"Will you two knock it off?" She caught three tiny hairs from Dean's nape, and pulled.

"Damn it Jade…I'm trying to drive." He winced.

"Then mind your manners." She didn't release her hold.

"Yes ma'am."

Adam laughed, and Jade shot him a warning glare. "You too, mister."

"You can't threaten me, I know your secrets." He glanced at her lap meaningfully.

She wanted to slap that silly grin off his face before Dean could read anything into it. Jade quickly changed subjects. "How was business Saturday?"

Dean filled her in on the weekend at Earth Scents in between Adam's directions to his house. When they pulled into a huge circular driveway, Adam handed Dean a key to the panel camouflaged by decorative stone, and the tall iron gate opened.

Jade had a hard time keeping her mouth closed. She'd seen television shows that showcased celebrity houses, and she could almost hear Robin Leach's voice pointing out amenities.

The dark brick driveway bordered the neatly trimmed front lawn, surrounded by native trees and boulders. The botanist in her salivated at the well-maintained foliage, and couldn't wait to walk through the property and catalogue each species. A decorative fountain sat in the center of the drive, angels and birds of white marble directing water flow back into the basin.

Dean stopped the car in front of the door. The stoop was covered in a lush green vine, clematis, if she wasn't mistaken, and gave the entrance an inviting feel.

"You can just park here, unless you want it in the garage," Adam told Dean. Jade pressed her forehead against the car window to see the house in its entirety. A two story English Manor-style brick estate, with huge arching windows that emitted a warm yellow glow from the spacious rooms inside. The clematis climbed all the way to the roof, draping the grey and maroon brick with a lush green shroud.

Adam opened her door for her, and smiled at her expression.

"Do you like it?"

She nodded, trying not to look like a country bumpkin with her first look at indoor plumbing. "I suppose you already have a gardener…" Whoever landscaped the front lawn knew what they were doing. Jade spun around for a full look at the Eden-like setting.

"There's always room for one more." Adam reached to pull her into his arms.

"Jade! It's Tropaeolum majus!" Dean was on his knees in front of a bricked-in enclosure between the driveway and the home. Jade rushed over and mindless of her attire, knelt beside him.

The plant was gorgeous, the bloom was a perfect red-orange specimen, opened to its full glory and releasing the distinctive perfume in the evening breeze. "It's amazing! But I can't tell if it's from the T. moritzanum or T. peltophorum, it has both characteristics."

"It must be a hybrid. Whoever planted this knew their stuff. Look how it's flourishing along with the Trifolium."

"You know," Adam said from behind them, "I've brought a lot of people to my place. This is the first time they've been on their knees in the grass discussing the landscaping."

"What a shame." Jade looked up at Adam, a little embarrassed at her exuberance, especially in her dress and heels, but she couldn't stop. "This Tropaeolum majus…or Monk's Cress, is one of the species that Dean and I studied in Colombia. I think we could spend hours out here."

"I'd like to take credit, but this was all here when I moved in three years ago. All I know about plants can fit into a thimble, with room to spare. But I should get in the shower and make myself presentable. You two are welcome to look around out here, or come on inside."

Jade stood up and dusted her hands off. From the look on Dean's face, it was obvious he wanted to see what other treasures he could find in Adam's yard.

"If you don't mind, we'd love to snoop around your garden." Jade gripped both of Adam's hands. "But hurry back."

Adam kissed her cheek before leaving the two plant scientists to their discoveries. Jade watched Adam's retreat, her gaze focused on his ass, shaking her head at his baggy shorts.

"I'd ask how he was in bed, but the look on your face already told me."

"You know I wouldn't tell you even if you asked." Jade rolled her eyes, then took Dean's arm and they made their way around Adam Nash's property.

"I can tell by the way he moves that he knows what he's doing."

"Keep your mind out of his pants. That man is off limits to you."

"He's actually a nice guy. I thought all celebrities were stuck up."

"He is nice. I still can't believe he is who he is."

"And I can't believe you didn't recognize him right away."

"Who would have thought Adam Nash would show up at Earth Scents to buy lilies?"

She and Dean wandered through the yard, the recessed garden lights highlighting the showcase plants. "So you got a private concert, huh?"

"He played a few songs for me. Even one that he wrote while we were on the boat."

"Really?"

She gave him a rundown of her weekend, but without going into details about their bedroom activities, there wasn't a lot to tell.

The property had to be at least two acres. They walked around the house to the backyard, where there sat a long rectangular pool. Rather than being surrounded by tile and deck chairs, there was lush grass growing almost to the edge of the pool. A deck area was close by, enclosed behind a knee-high brick wall. That patio was furnished with small tables, chairs, and a brick barbecue.

It was well lit and welcoming, bordered by potted Hydrangeas and Lavender plants. A gardener's dream come true. If there were neighbors, she couldn't tell. A wall of palm and oak trees shielded the yard from prying eyes.

"Damn, Jade. You hit the jackpot."

Jade ignored Dean. She didn't want to think about Adam's money. It made her uncomfortable.

There wasn't anything like this in Logan, New Mexico. Even crabby old-man Carson's yard, which he guarded with a wooden cane and a snarl, had nothing on Adam Nash's acreage.

They were crouched over a particularly vibrant Freesia plant when Adam strolled through his back patio door. Jade saw him instantly, and stood upright. Too fast, she'd realized, because either her blood hadn't had time to adjust to the movement, or just the sight of him almost knocked her on her ass.

Black slacks encased his long lean legs, and a grey silk shirt fit like it was made for him, and perhaps it was. His hair was still wet, and it looked like he used his fingers rather than a comb. The ruffled look was damn sexy when paired with the designer clothing. His eyes never left hers as he made his way across the lawn, looking like a black panther stalking a helpless bunny.

"Did you find anything interesting?" A teasing smile lifted one side of his mouth.

"Plenty. You didn't tell me you lived in a veritable greenhouse." She walked quite naturally into his arms.

"I've kept a lot from you, but no more. I'm an open book now." The serious flare behind his eyes dared her to disbelieve him.

"Would you mind if I take a cutting of this Hydrangea?"

"Take whatever you want." Adam answered Dean without looking away from Jade. "But you'll have to get it after dinner. I think Elaine is about to have a coronary." He slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, and led them back toward the house.

As soon as she stepped over the threshold, Jade felt the first pang of insecurity. She had never been inside a home like this. The closest experience she'd had was the luxury hotel she'd been bumped to during a trip to Miami in college. She stood trying to take it all in, tall ceilings, marble tile, six-foot windows, and a curved floating staircase.

"Wow," she croaked, feeling way out of her league as Adam took them through a living area and into a formal dining room that looked like it was plucked straight from Versailles. Ornate plaster ceiling, dripping crystal chandelier, oak paneling, Persian rug…it was gorgeous. She knew her eyes were as wide as Dean's.

The highly polished wood inlayed table was surrounded by twelve chairs, but they only used the three clustered around the head.

"Pardon the formality. Elaine about bit my head off when I suggested we eat on the patio."

No sooner had they all settled in than a woman no more than five feet tall wearing a crisp black uniform and tight white bun emerged through the wide doors, balancing three plates of shrimp pasta primavera. Adam introduced her to Jade and Dean as, "Elaine, the cook-slash-housekeeper, but I call her my House Manager. Elaine runs this place."

Elaine's long bony face flushed, and she waved off the compliment. "Only because he's never here to answer questions. Oh, Honey, I'm so glad he's brought guests home. He never lets me show off this dining room." She patted Jade's hand. "Mr. Nash has chosen the wine for tonight, but if you hate it, just let me know, he's not that good at this sort of thing." She gave Dean's shoulder a conspiring tap. "I'll bring ice water out shortly, and…oh! I forgot the rolls." Elaine left the room as quickly as she'd entered.

Jade giggled, immediately at ease in her starched setting.

"I think she took the job thinking she'd get to plan parties every weekend." Adam poked a juicy shrimp with his fork. "I'm afraid she's disappointed."

"Disappointed doesn't even come close." Elaine burst through the doors with a bowl of bread that smelled like it just came out of the oven. "Disgusted is more like it. A big beautiful home, and you don't show it off to anyone." Elaine leaned down to Jade, and pointed at Adam with a bony finger. "Can you believe he didn't even put up a Christmas tree last year?"

"Adam!" Jade admonished.

"Elaine, I told you to put one up if you wanted to. I was in New York over Christmas, and spent a total of three days at home during those two months." He shook his head, and continued eating. "Quit trying to get me in trouble. Jade is on my side."

"You brought her home, that's all that matters. And I got to wear my black and white uniform." She turned to Jade again. "He lets me choose something for special occasions, and then he never has any." She pursed her thin lips in annoyance, and left the room again with a promise that she'd check on them soon.

Elaine was a good cook. Adam's wine choice was superb, and Jade told him so, which earned her a kiss on the back of her hand, and one of those sexy winks. Twice during the meal, Jade glanced up at Adam, who gave her lap a long hungry look. Jade crossed her legs, as if that would keep her nakedness more of a secret. He even licked his lips like a man starved, which made her squirm even more. It was a good thing Dean wasn't the type of man to notice how her nipples pointed out eagerly. The prudent thing to do would be to avoid Adam's lascivious hints, but her eyes would defy her direct orders, and find his again and again.

"Jade, we need one of these House Manager things." Dean leaned against the carved high-backed chair. "That was delicious."

When their plates were cleared, Adam took them on a tour of the house, with a promise to Elaine that they would have dessert and drinks in the game room.

The first stop was the nine-car garage. Dean pushed by her, and she turned to glare at Adam. "What was that about your car in the shop?"

"I never said my car was in the shop. I specifically remember saying 'I should be able to drive mine again soon'." He hooked his arm around her shoulders, and walked with her into the garage that could easily have housed a small family. "You must have just assumed the part about the shop. I've never lied to you."

Jade looked down the row of vehicles, one in each stall, and was reminded about her offer to drive him on their dates. She shook her head, and stepped into the pristine space. The limousine they'd ridden in from the marina. Two motorcycles—one Ducati and one Harley Davidson. A sleek black Porsche, and a white Escalade. Good lord, this man liked cars!

Jade followed Dean through the luxury vehicle line-up, listening to his questions and answers by Adam about each car's specs. She almost ran into Dean's back when he stopped dead in his tracks. His excited chatter stopped.

She touched his forearm. "Dean? What is it?"

"It's a 1969 Camaro."

"Oh."
Men.

Dean bent over to study the back panel.