Guardian Angel (20 page)

The following morning she wasn't so lucky when she had her first real bout of morning sickness. She felt as if the nausea had turned her stomach inside out. It didn't help when an alarmed Jared followed her into the bath
room, washed her face afterward, and carried her back into the bedroom.

"I don't know what's wrong," she lied, offering him a weak smile. "Maybe something didn't agree with me from dinner last night."

"And maybe it's a relapse," he replied, carefully tuck
ing the covers around her. "I'll fix you a cup of tea."

Alex smiled at the thought of Jared puttering in the kitchen. "Are you sure you can?"

He looked affronted at her idea of his being totally helpless with such an easy task. "I think I can manage it."

"Could I have a few crackers too? They're in the cabinet by the refrigerator."

Jared smiled down at her. "Anything you want. I'll be right back."

He left later after ordering Alex to stay in bed for the rest of the day. She waited until her doctor's office opened, called, and received a prescription for medicine to relieve the nausea. Since her stomach still rolled a bit, Alex took it easy for the rest of the day and kept in touch with Dena by phone.

"Now all the symptoms begin," the secretary warned her with a soft laugh. "Morning sickness, backaches, strange food cravings in the middle of the night. How well I remember it all."

"Terrific." Alex groaned, adding sarcastically, "Thank you so much for your concern, Dena. I really appreciate it."

The secretary's voice sobered. "I gather you haven't told him yet."

"Not yet," she hedged.

Alex usually didn't enjoy playing invalid. She certainly hadn't at the ranch. Now she discovered it was nice to have someone fuss over her. She was touched by Jared's frequent phone calls to her, asking how she was feeling and making sure she was staying in bed.

That evening he fixed her a light dinner and kept her entertained with stories about his day. Alex thought wist
fully how much like a married couple they sounded. She also wondered what Jared's reaction to the baby would be and several times thought of bringing up the subject but lost her nerve. If he hadn't married by age forty for the sake of having an heir, would he want one now?

She felt pleased that he talked over his problems with her, but it bothered her that he was making their relation
ship known in the office in subtle ways.

"Jared, you may be the boss, but please look at my side," she told him. "I won't be accused of securing my position through your bedroom."

His face hardened to granite while the expression in his eyes spelled doom to anyone who would dare malign her.

"Has something been said to you?" he demanded.

Alex shook her head. A faint smile twisted her lips. "Would you take on someone who could break your arm as easily as if she were filing her nails?"

Jared grinned. "No way, lady. Of course, as you said, I'm the boss. My clout just happens to be a little different from yours."

"It must be rough at the top," Alex mocked.

He grinned devilishly. "Depends on what I'm on top of ... or whom."

The next afternoon when Jared had a luncheon meet
ing, Alex called Chris.

"I'm in the mood for a thick, gooey pizza," she an
nounced. "I even have Dena talked into going out for it. Want to come down for an Italian orgy?"

"No contest." He laughed. "In fact, bring it up here and we'll use the conference room."

While they ate the thick slices dripping with cheese and a variety of toppings, Chris eyed Alex sharply.

"It seems we don't share as many of these impromptu lunches as we used to," he commented casually.

Alex showed no sign of reaction on the outside, al
though she knew exactly what Chris was getting at.

"Probably because you gave up betting with me," she said lightly.

"Or because Mr. Templeton has found himself a Los Angeles Lady," he countered with a strange edge in his voice.

Alex took a sip of her wine and slowly set her glass down. She looked up and studied him.

"I've always considered you a friend, Chris," she said quietly. "If you have something to say, say it and don't go about it in a roundabout way."

He fixed her with a steady gaze. "I don't want to see you hurt, Alex. You're a lovely lady, you're fun and intelli
gent. You know that. I don't think you're the type to go along in life as one of Jared Templeton's discards."

"Well," Alex murmured, feeling the pizza sitting heavy in her stomach. "You certainly don't pull any punches, do you?"

"You're an adult and hopefully know what you're do
ing. I just felt the need to speak up," Chris explained.

Alex leaned forward and cupped her palm around his cheek. "I understand," she said softly. "Thanks, friend."

"I hope I'm not interrupting something." Jared's cold voice fell on them.

Chris jumped back, looking guilty even though nothing had happened. Alex was slower to turn in Jared's direc
tion. Every action was deliberate and she'd be damned if she'd allow him to make her feel guilty!

"Mr. Templeton." She smiled, totally at ease, her arms draped over the sides of her chair. "Was your meeting a success?"

Jared's gaze was cutting her to bits. "For someone who's such a workaholic, you certainly know how to take full advantage of your off hours," he sneered, then turned on Chris. "There's a stack of notes on your desk that need to be compiled. I expect it done by the end of the day."

"Yes, sir." Chris hastily jumped to his feet and left the conference room. He sensed a storm brewing and he didn't care to be around when all hell broke loose.

Alex remained seated, watching Jared through nar
rowed eyes. "And what are my orders for the day?" Her soft voice was coated with steel.

Jared glanced around at the pizza carton and glasses of wine. He walked over to the table, picked up Alex's glass, and finished the contents. "Very cozy," he ground out.

"If you hadn't been tied up with those bankers from London, you would have been invited."

"Sorry, I don't like being a third wheel," he gritted out.

"And what do you like?" She knew she was courting trouble by egging him on when he was in this mood.

He slammed the glass down. "What else do you two share besides lunch?" he demanded.

"Watch it, Templeton!" Her low voice spelled her silent plot for his demise. "Don't say something you'll regret because then I'll say something I just might not regret."

"Damn it, Alex, he's in love with you!" Jared rasped, white lines of tension visible around his mouth.

She jumped to her feet. "I know it. I also know he's a very good friend," she informed him.

"And what am I?" he demanded.

That was the last question Alex expected to hear. She briefly closed her eyes, then looked straight at him. What was he to her? She only wished she could give him the right answer. She drew a deep, shuddering breath.

"I don't know, but at times like this, I wish I had never met you." She brushed past him and started to leave the conference room, then spun around. "I'm sure there won't be anything wrong if I take the rest of the day off. After all, it is one of the benefits of being the boss's mistress, isn't it?" Ignoring Jared's harsh command to return, she hur
ried out and down to her office.

Alex grabbed her briefcase, told a startled Dena she was going home, then left. She knew the last thing she needed just then was another confrontation with Jared. Her churning stomach was warning enough.

When she reached her apartment the telephone was ringing. She waited until it stopped, picked it up, and laid the receiver aside.

Alex was surprised that Jared didn't come by that eve
ning. For the rest of the week he stayed away from her and she had no word from him until Chris called to say they'd be flying to Denver the following Monday.

On Monday morning, for the first time in weeks, it was Frank who picked up Alex instead of Jared. She felt as if another part of her life was ending and she had no idea how to stop it.

Alex sat back in her seat wishing the faint queasiness would go away. How could she have forgotten her nausea pills today?

"Here's your tea." Chris leaned down and handed her a steaming cup. His good-natured grin was replaced by a concerned frown. "Are you sure you're all right, Alex? You look pale."

"I'm fine," she assured him with a wan smile. "It's probably just a touch of the flu."

After Chris left her, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She was going to have to tell Jared soon. She was already beginning to round out a bit and her skirts were taking on a snug fit.

A few moments later her nervous system told her she was under observation. Opening her eyes, she saw Jared staring at her across the jet's interior.

Even with the short distance separating them, she could feel the electric current flowing in a direct line to her. Nothing had to be said. Jared's eyes hotly caressed the contours of her face, moved down to her lips, and seared the soft skin of her throat. Alex's stomach tightened at the blatant heat in his gaze. There was no mistaking the silent message. Jared was recalling their nights together and decided he wasn't going to let her go—yet.

This new, softer Alex felt the desire to cry. She wanted more than his body; she wanted his mind and his love.

She dozed a little, not awakening until the jet was ready to touch down.

"The press is waiting," Chris informed Jared while they prepared to disembark.

Jared clearly wasn't happy at the idea. "I wonder who tipped them off when we'd be returning," he snapped.

"Somebody who wants to give you an ulcer." Alex slipped her jacket on. She felt very tired and was looking forward to going home and going to bed. She was hoping Jared wouldn't decide to make his reconciliation with her tonight. She was afraid his sharp eyes would detect her physical changes and question her. She didn't care to discuss the baby with him just now.

The hatch opened and the stairs were lowered. As she descended the jet, Alex could detect the uneasy prickles along her nape. She didn't like this feeling. Her eyes roamed over the waiting crowd and along the edges of the group. There was something very wrong here. Everything may look all right, but her sensitive antennae were telling her different. Once off the jet, she walked at Jared's side and a little ahead. She wasn't going to take any chances.

"Give us the scoop, Mr. Templeton," someone called out in an unfriendly voice. "What's the truth behind you buying Sheikh Kalim's oil wells? Why all the secrecy?"

Jared cursed explicitly under his breath.

"Come on, Mr. Templeton, out with it. Are you financ
ing Sheikh Kalim's strategy to regain control of his coun
try?" one belligerent voice rang out.

"Yeah, Mr. Templeton, how does it feel to be the trea
surer to a dictator?"

The questions flew at Jared with the sharpness of many knives. Airport security guards had appeared to keep the group in order.

Alex had to admire Jared's calm replies. She knew it took every ounce of his self-control to keep hold of his temper under the barrage. She still felt uneasy and kept a constant surveillance of the crowd. Deep down, she knew a danger was present. She only hoped it wouldn't choose to show itself.

"When did you begin financially backing wars, Mr. Templeton?" another voice shouted.

Alex wasn't exactly sure why she turned her head when she did, only that the silvery flash caught her attention.

"Hold it!" Her voice rang out, stilling Jared's audience. In one fluid motion she had pulled her gun out of its holster, stepped in front of Jared, and pushed him to one side. Pure instinct told her where to aim and shoot even as an answering shot cracked. When the fire rammed into her body, she at first stiffened, then slowly crumpled to the ground with Jared catching her.

CHAPTER NINE

"Alex!" Jared groaned, cradling her limp body in his arms. He looked up, his features contorted in pain. "Damn it, someone call for an ambulance!" He gazed down at her waxen face and murmured over and over again. "Alex, darling, look at me," he pleaded. "You're going to be all right. I swear you will."

She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him through a pain-filled haze. Her body was burning up from the fire raging through her veins.

Her mind was screaming, The baby! Please, Jared, don't let anything happen to our baby! But her dry lips couldn't form the words. Her eyes pleaded with him, except he couldn't read her message. She closed her eyes against the blinding glare of photographers' flash bulbs and heard Jared's voice shouting at them.

"Get out of here, you bastards!" he roared, his face twisted with rage.

When the ambulance arrived, Jared was still reluctant to relinquish the now unconscious Alex and insisted on riding with her. During the harrowing ride he continually assured her she would be all right. Not once did he think her injury could be life-threatening.