He looked concerned. “Is that a good idea or should I leave before he wakes up?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure, but if you can spend a few more minutes with him, wouldn’t you want to?”
Jack took a step closer and she held her breath. Was he going to touch her? Did she want him to? Her body screamedyeswhile her mind shoutedno. In the past, her body had always won out.
“I want to spend every minute of every day with our son.” His voice was like sandpaper as he ran his hand down her arm. The shiver was involuntarily and she hoped he didn’t notice. He couldn’t know how much his presence still affected her. They needed to keep their distance, for their own safety and protection.
She allowed herself the luxury of his touch for a moment longer, then stepped back. “I know you do. And Jonathan needs you to see him whenever you can manage it. It would mean the world to him to have you here when he wakes up. If you’re super good, maybe I’ll even cook some bacon. I remember how much you love it.”
“Bacon.” He grinned, nodding his head. “You offer bacon and there’s no way I can refuse. You’ve got yourself a house guest for the night.”
“Be warned, your son takes after you in lots of ways. He can eat more bacon than most two-year-olds. He might give you a run for your money.”
Jack laughed again and pain sliced through Callie’s middle at the infrequency of it. He should be able to be happy and laugh, share in the life of his son. She turned so he couldn’t see her expression.
“I’ll get you a blanket and a pillow. You can decide on the couch or the recliner.” She moved down the hallway and reached in the closet to grab the items. Turning to go back to the living room, she bumped into Jack who had followed right behind her. He reached out to steady her, his hands burning a path up her arms. “Oh, here you go. Will you need anything else?”
The desire in his eyes as he stared at her told her what he needed. She needed it too, but she couldn’t allow it to happen. He reached for the pillow and blanket then moved back to the living room. She closed her eyes and released a sigh. After a few hours she was already deluding herself.Throw yourself in his arms. Kiss him senseless.More foolish thoughts followed. She wanted to lose herself in his touch and turn back time to before he was on the run.
Let’s face it. You weren’t meant to be together.Fate wasn’t on their side. It probably never would be.
When she walked into the living room, his six-foot-plus frame lounged on the too small couch, his booted feet draped over the edge. “Are you sleeping there? You can take off your boots, you know.”
His tired eyes opened a fraction and one side of his mouth crooked up. “Simply testing out the sleeping arrangements. Kind of like Goldilocks seeing which bed is too hard and too soft. This one’s good but I think I’ll check out the recliner. As I recall it was quite comfy last time I was here, though I only stayed in it until Jonathan fell asleep.”
He got up, moved to the recliner and pushed until he was horizontal, his feet on the foot rest and his head reclined. Comfortable and half asleep. Leaving him there to lock up the back door in the kitchen, she looked around then checked the front door as well. In this neighborhood in Connecticut, things were fairly safe but she’d spent too long in New Jersey and some habits never died.
Not wanting to disturb him, she whispered, “Good night, Goldilocks, see you in the morning.”
“Mmmm,” was about all she got in return. He must have found this bed not too hard at all. As she walked up the stairs, her mind drifted toherbed. Perhaps if he had tried that one, he would have found it to bejust right.
* * * *
Callie woke feeling refreshed and tingly. She’d been having the most decadent dream where she and Jack had been sitting in front of a fireplace wrapped in each other’s arms. When she ran her hand down her torso, desire still curled at the apex of her thighs. When was the last time she’d felt this way?
Memories returned. Jack had come to the house last night. He was even now possibly sleeping on her recliner downstairs. Glancing at her bedside clock, she startled when it showed it was after eight. Jonathan never slept this late. Was something wrong?
She jumped out of bed, padding barefoot to his room. His gate was still in place but as she clicked it open and pushed it aside, she saw he wasn’t in his bed and his pajamas were lying on top of the overflowing hamper. Had Jack changed him or had Jonathan dressed himself? He would occasionally choose his outfit for the day, with Callie’s help of course.
And where were they now? Jack wouldn’t take Jonathan away, would he? He’d said last night that he wanted to see his son every day. Not something he could do with his circumstances. Grabbing Jonathan and moving somewhere across the country wasn’t an option. Victor would still find them. Another country? No, he wouldn’t do that to her. Her mind whirled with fear and questions. Racing back down the hall, she stopped short when sound floated up from the first floor. The TV set.
With a deep sigh, she set off down the stairs, relief washing over her. The music indicated a children’s show. Her son was still here. Had he come down by himself? She peeked into the living room, her heart filling with joy at the sight.
Jack and Jonathan sat in the recliner watching the television. Jonathan rested against his father’s chest and her heart twisted.I want to be there.Want to feel the comfort and strength of his arms around me again.He’d held her many times when she was nervous about what Angelo and his father did. Such a coward. She wished she could dig deep and find half the courage Jack had.
Absorbing the scene, she stayed still for a few minutes. Jonathan’s times with his father were so sporadic that she didn’t want to interrupt even for a second. She understood how precious it was, even more so, knowing how little time she and Jack had spent together over the years. Neither could be blamed for that. They’d met at the wrong time.
In her last term in graduate school, she’d met and become friends with Angelo. He was fun and she’d enjoyed the times they’d spent at his estate. His father’s reaction to her, as though they were dating, had confused her, though. Angelo had never kissed her other than a chaste peck on the cheek and typically took her out to dinner once a week then dropped her off early. Soon, she’d understood that Angelo hadn’t preferred women and their friendship was more for show to keep his father happy. Regardless, she’d enjoyed her time with them because everything in their lives said ‘family was important,’ something she hadn’t experienced a lot in her life.
Then there’d been Jack. He’d been the Cabrini’s chauffeur, known to her then as Matt Waters. The first time she’d seen him her cheeks had burned, his attractiveness setting her heart racing and making her palms sweaty. Searching inside her purse for some non-existent item had been how she’d kept Angelo from seeing the blush on her face. Jack had smiled and opened the limousine door for her. Each time he’d driven her and Angelo somewhere, her brain turned to mush and she couldn’t concentrate on the conversation.
Then she found the doctored accounts on Angelo’s computer. Her plan was to walk away from the relationship as soon as she informed the police. They convinced her to continue for a short time to see if she could get them any other information. Her contact would be an undercover FBI agent. Jack. They’d kept her involvement limited due to possible leaks. Her feelings for Jack swayed her common sense and she threw caution and sanity to the wind. She agreed to continue seeing Angelo, but only for a short while.
She looked back to the two sitting so happily together, wishing they could stay like this always. Jonathan glanced up and called out to her.
“Mama, see, Dah dee.”
“I see him, sweetheart. Are you enjoying your show?”
