The Mysterious Stranger (Triple Trouble) (23 page)

Still in his embrace, Anna Jane looked at Fallon. “Open yours.”

Fallon had an idea she was about to receive a grown-up version of the girl’s necklace and she could already feel tears burning in her eyes.

“I refuse to cry,” she muttered.

“Oh, happy tears, Uncle Jarrett. That’s good, huh?”

“I hope so,” he replied.

Fallon didn’t dare look at him or her sisters. She tugged at the wrapping paper, then let it fall to the floor. The flat jeweler’s box was pale, salmon-colored velvet. Emotionally bracing herself, she opened the top.

Her breath caught in her throat. Instead of a pendant, she stared down at a strand of perfectly matched pearls. They were smooth and gleaming in the morning light.

“Oh, my,” she breathed. She didn’t think she’d ever seen anything so lovely.

Kayla and Elissa crowded close. “Boy howdy, there’s a present,” Kayla said, and grinned. “I can hardly wait to borrow them.”

Fallon smiled slightly, then sobered. “Jarrett, these are too expensive. I can’t accept.”

Elissa and Kayla both groaned. “Are you insane?” Kayla asked.

“I—”

“He wants you to have them,” Elissa added. “Right, Jarrett?”

“Of course. Otherwise I wouldn’t have bought them.”

Fallon risked a quick glance. Jarrett was smiling at her. “It’s okay,” he said in a mock whisper. “I can afford them.”

Anna Jane leaned over her shoulder. “They’re nice, Uncle Jarrett, but I thought there would be a mermaid.”

“There is.” He pointed to the tissue-wrapped object in the center of the box.

Fallon felt her fingers start to shake. She rested the box on the floor and picked up the small package. It felt heavy. As she unwrapped it, she felt the shape of the mermaid’s tail. When she finally held the golden beauty in her hand, she gasped.

The mermaid was a larger version of Anna Jane’s. The only difference was there were no pearls in her mermaid’s crown and the small diamond in her hands had been replaced with a much larger stone.

“So you can remember her,” Jarrett said.

“Ariel or Anna Jane?” she asked.

“Both.” He pointed to the solid gold object. “It’s a pearl enhancer. You can wear the strand with or without it. The mermaid will fit on a wide chain, too.”

“I don’t know what to say,” she said, feeling numb. Something damp trickled down her cheek. She brushed at her chin and was shocked to realize she was crying.

Anna Jane leaned close. “Say ‘thank you,’” the child whispered.

“I really shouldn’t—”

“Fallon!” Kayla and Elissa said together.

“I—” She clamped her lips together and tried again. “Thank you.”

Still holding the mermaid, she rosé onto her knees and hugged him. As he squeezed her back she felt something tighten, then release in her chest. A warm glow filled her. Over Jarrett’s shoulder she saw Kayla give her a thumbs-up sign.

Fallon laughed and fought tears and wondered if any moment in her life had ever been this perfect.

* * *

“This is crazy,” Fallon said. “I refuse to cry. I’ll see you guys in a few weeks.”

Elissa hugged her close. “It won’t be soon enough. This has been a great holiday.”

She crouched down and hugged Anna Jane. The nine-year-old didn’t attempt to hide her tears. They flowed freely.

“I’ll miss you, little one,” Elissa told her.

“I’ll miss you, too. I wish you didn’t have to go.”

Jarrett placed his hand on his niece’s shoulder. “They’ll come back.”

Kayla laughed. “You can bet on it.” She stretched her T-shirt over her barely rounded belly. “The next time you see me, I’ll be skinny and gorgeous again.”

“You’re already beautiful,” Jarrett told her. “Pregnancy only enhances that.”

“Hey, that’s my line,” Patrick said, and grinned.

Kayla laid the back of her hand across her forehead. “I swear I’m going to swoon. Keep this one, Fallon. There aren’t enough like him out there.”

Her sister was right, Fallon thought. She wasn’t sure how, but she’d gotten lucky with Jarrett. He’d made the time with her family the best Christmas they’d ever had.

The sisters hugged while the men shook hands. Everyone took turns kissing Anna Jane on the cheek. She waved bravely as they climbed into the charter plane that would take them to Miami.

“Bye,” Anna Jane called as the door closed.

Fallon waved as her family took their seats and waved back. In a matter of minutes, the plane had disappeared into the brilliant blue sky.

Jarrett bent and picked up Anna Jane. He put his arm around Fallon. “It’s New Year’s Eve tomorrow,” he reminded them. “Are you two going to be down in the dumps for that?”

Anna Jane sniffed. “Are we having a party?”

“Of course. We’re going to the hotel and they’re having a big party.”

Anna Jane smiled through her tears. “Can I stay up until midnight?”

“I don’t know. Can you?”

She giggled. “May I stay up until midnight?”

“Yes, you may. If you can.”

Fallon laughed with them. Like Anna Jane, she was sorry to see her sisters go, but the prospect of dancing the night away in Jarrett’s arms tomorrow night had its own appeal. She’d bought a sexy dress from the boutique, just for the occasion. She wanted to impress him. And maybe knock him a little off balance. It was only fair; he did that to her every time he smiled at her.

* * *

The hotel ballroom had been decorated with balloons and streamers. Black, gold and silver moons and stars covered the tables and hung from slender strings. The hotel had flown the band in from the States and their combination of contemporary and jazz had everyone out on the dance floor. Anna Jane was a hit with all the young boys staying at the resort.

“She’s having a wonderful time,” Fallon said as Jarrett made a quick turn. She followed his steps, moving her body with his but keeping her attention on his niece.

“The belle of the ball.”

“Lucky for her all the kids seem to be boys. Although I suspect she would be this popular even without those numbers in her favor.”

She said the words without thinking. Jarrett would have bet his entire fortune on that fact. Fallon didn’t weigh her conversation and try to get the most mileage out of it. She spoke her mind, regardless of what others might think. Even without trying, she still got it right the first time. Her obvious affection for his niece made him care about her more. He wanted her, he liked her, he respected her. It was a deadly combination.

The music ended. They stepped apart and clapped. Jarrett took her bare arm and led her back to the table. He knew several of the men in the room were watching them, wondering about his relationship with the stunning creature at his side. He allowed himself a small smile. They could look, but they wouldn’t be touching any part of her tonight.

“What are you so happy about?” she asked.

“I was thinking how beautiful you are,” he told her.

She blushed. “Thank you. It’s the dress.”

She motioned to the strapless, beaded gown she wore. It started at her breasts, leaving a fair amount of cleavage exposed, skimmed over her waist and rounded hips, before stopping about six inches above her knees. The glittering fabric was the exact color of her eyes. High heels made her already long legs look even longer. With her hair piled on top of her head and makeup highlighting her perfect features, she was more supermodel than real woman. Maybe there were people who would disagree and point to other guests as more beautiful or sophisticated. Jarrett didn’t care. Fallon was all he could see—all he wanted to see.

Anna Jane was waiting for them at the table. She finished a glass of water and fanned herself. “Did you watch me? I’m dancing. I hated those lessons Nana B. made me take, but now I’m glad. I can do all the dances.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t have to kiss any of those boys, do I?”

Jarrett stiffened at the thought. “Not only don’t you have to, you’re not allowed to. You’re only nine years old. What on earth—”

Fallon laid a hand on his forearm. “Uncle Jarrett, don’t overreact to the question.”

Her calm voice had the desired affect. He realized Anna Jane was looking apprehensive. He bent and kissed her cheek. “I’m the only boy you’ll be kissing tonight.”

She laughed. “You’re not a boy. You’re all grown up.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “But I’m glad. Bobby told me there was kissing at midnight.” She made a gagging noise. “I didn’t think I’d like it.”

The waiter appeared with more champagne for the adults and sparkling soda water for Anna Jane. The band started up again and yet another youngster appeared to claim the little girl.

“It’s crazy,” Jarrett said, watching her go off with a boy. “How am I supposed to handle dating? Maybe I could send her to an all-girls school.”

Fallon smiled at him. “It wouldn’t help. She’ll still discover boys when she’s ready.”

“What about when I’m ready? Shouldn’t she have to wait until then?”

“You’re never going to be ready. Besides, it could be worse.”

“How?”

“You could have triplet daughters.”

He groaned at the thought. “I couldn’t handle that.” He pulled her into his arms and they moved back onto the dance floor. “About that midnight kiss,” he said.

“Yes?”

“Well, will you mind very much?”

He felt her shiver slightly, and his own body hardened in anticipation. “‘Mind’ isn’t the word I’d use,” she said, her voice low and husky. “I was thinking more of anticipate.”

But it didn’t turn out to be an issue. Anna Jane faded shortly after ten and it was barely eleven by the time they returned home and he carried her to bed. Fallon came with him and got the young girl out of her fancy party dress and into her nightie. Jarrett peeled back the covers.

“I could have left you at the party,” he said quietly as he placed Anna Jane in bed. She stirred sleepily and rolled onto her side.

Fallon shook her head. “Why would I want to stay there without you? This is fine. I had a wonderful time, but I’m also happy to be back here.”

“Thanks.” He wondered how many other women would have understood. Probably about as many as would have been pleased to have Anna Jane tagging along in the first place.

They turned off the light and stepped into the hallway. For the first time in a long time, Jarrett was unsure of what to do next. He didn’t want to leave Fallon, but he didn’t know that he had the right to expect her company any longer. She might be tired. Or sick of being with him.

“I have champagne downstairs,” he said. “But if you’re sleepy, you’re welcome to go to bed.”

She moved away from Anna Jane’s door and paused by her own. “I’m not the least bit sleepy,” she told him.

He tried not to notice the fire in her eyes. He suspected it was there without her consent. Probably just a reaction to the night, or the dancing, or the champagne they’d already tasted.

Or maybe it was something else entirely. Maybe she was reacting to him the way he was reacting to her. Maybe she felt the need, too. Maybe the desire had kept her awake until dawn, just as it had kept him tossing and turning.

“Hell,” he muttered, and ran his fingers through his hair.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m trying to decide if I’m going to be a gentleman or not.”

“I could help you decide, if you could explain the difference.”

Her voice—the melodious tones tugged at him like a siren’s call. He tried not to notice how much of her breasts were exposed by her dress, or think about what would happen to the garment if he undid the zipper. The beaded fabric looked heavy. Would it fall to the ground and leave her exposed before him? What exactly was she wearing underneath?

“If I were acting like a gentleman, I would invite you downstairs for more champagne.”

Her eyes turned smoky and her mouth parted. “If you weren’t acting like a gentleman?”

“I would invite myself into your bedroom…and your bed.”

She stared at him for several heartbeats. It took him a couple of seconds to figure out he was damned nervous about her reaction. He didn’t think rejection would kill him, but it would certainly rip a few holes in his hide.

Instead of answering, she reached behind her and turned the knob. The door swung open, as if beckoning them into the darkness.

Anticipation tightened his throat. “Fallon?”

“The whole gentleman thing is highly overrated,” she murmured.

Chapter Fifteen

F
allon couldn’t believe she’d been so bold. Judging from the look on Jarrett’s face, he didn’t believe it, either. She consoled herself with the thought that if nothing else, he appeared very happy.

He cupped her cheek in his hand and kissed her gently. She felt the warm contact all the way down to her toes. His fingertips gently stroked her cheekbone while his tongue traced the seam of her mouth. She parted for him, her body already hot and ready for what he offered.

But instead of plunging inside, he licked her lower lip, then teased at the sensitive skin inside. He held her still, tilted his head and nibbled at the corner of her mouth. His teeth gently pressed against the sensitive skin. Her breath caught in her throat.

At the sound, he shuddered. Some of Fallon’s nerves faded at the obvious proof of his desire. Apparently she wasn’t the only one trembling with unfamiliar need. Cautiously, not sure exactly what he expected of her, she placed her hands on his shoulders. He was hard and strong, so powerful. Yet he held her and touched her as if she were a fragile and precious creature. He was a man of contrasts. A tough, successful businessman who hid the bruised soul of a poet.

He moved his head a little and pressed his mouth to the sensitive spot below her right ear. Tiny bolts of electricity raced through her as her breasts began to ache. Her legs trembled until she wondered if she could continue to stay upright. She leaned on him, letting his strength support her.

His tongue tasted her neck as he trailed a damp path to the hollow of her throat. Her breath caught there as sharp, exquisite desire grew.

“Jarrett,” she whispered, because the sound of his name brought her pleasure.

“Tell me you want me,” he commanded, his voice muffled as he moved lower, kissing her chest, then reaching the full curve of her breasts.