"If there's such a thing as love, Emma, and I'm not saying there is, I trapped you into loving me."
She burst out laughing, threw her arms around him and hugged him tight, lifting her mouth to his and kissing him in a long, leisurely kiss.
As he held her to him, his heart did that curious melting thing that always alarmed him. He couldn't have this. He couldn't be like this with her. She was taking him over and making him so vulnerable he could barely breathe with the way he felt about her. He had to find a way to establish his dominance and take the control back.
He set her firmly aside, trying not to show his breathing was ragged and forced. "No prenuptial, Emma. Let's just get the thing done."
"The thing? Meaning our wedding? You're such a romantic, Jake. Go away. You're annoying me again and I was just feeling all loving toward you."
It was obvious to her that Jake, along with having the doctor check her, had scrubbed her skin in an effort to remove the scent of the other man. She couldn't blame him; as a leopard he was highly sensitive to what he would regard as the stench of another male. But now her skin felt raw in a few places.
Of course he didn't leave because she'd told him to do so. He watched her dress, heaving a sigh when she put on a bra.
"Why do you have to wear that?"
"Because I don't want my body to break down as I get older. And I'm not a sex object for you to drool over all day. I've got work to do."
"What's wrong with being both? I like the idea of you being a sex object while you work." His voice held sensual speculation and a little too much interest.
Emma frowned at him and hastily finished, clipping her hair up out of the way.
"You know I like your hair down."
"Which is why I don't cut it. Be happy with that. You try having hair down to your butt, getting in your way while you're taking care of children." She scooted past him. "I'm giving you an assignment today, Jake. Look up the meaning of the word romance."
"I'm romantic." He followed her down the stairs. "Ask Susan. She'll tell you."
Emma paused by the window in the small breakfast nook where she'd left her day watch. She'd taken it off when she was dressing for the party the night before. "Susan is sixteen and her hormones are running amok. She thinks you're hot."
"I am hot. You should listen to her more."
The window was open and the faint smell of skunk made her wrinkle her nose. "Isn't this the wrong time of year for skunks to be hanging around under the house? It smells like one sprayed outside." She closed the window to shut out the odor. "I think I'll put some potpourri in here."
"Too much information for me," Jake said with a small laugh. "It's your house, honey. Do whatever you want to do with it. I'm going to be working all day in my office, hopefully without the smell of skunk or potpourri, but I might need you later." Jake gave her a wicked smile, his golden eyes sensual as he patted her on the butt.
"Anytime," Emma agreed, her body growing hot at the thought as she slapped at his hand. There was something about him that could turn up her temperature in a matter of minutes.
"Susan." Jake beckoned the teen to follow him as the girl came around the corner. "I wanted to show you the library."
"I didn't know you had a library," Susan said, fascinated. She followed him down the long hall, past the closed doors that led to the wing of his private offices. "I've never even come into this part of the house. I stay upstairs or in the rooms with Emma."
Jake opened the double doors to the huge room. Behind him, Susan gasped as she took in the floor-to-ceiling book-cases, and the ladder on rollers that ran along all four walls on a track. "You're welcome to use this anytime. You're extremely intelligent and you can be anything you choose to be. It doesn't matter if your father is home a lot or not. You're welcome here. I've got a tutor coming for you and a self-defense instructor. If you need anything else, let me know. But this . . ." His hand swept around in a semicircle to encompass the entire room. "This is my sanctuary. This is where I learned to survive."
"I love books," Susan said.
"I keep the library up-to-date. If you need anything on any subject and you can't find it in here, don't hesitate to ask me. Everything is cataloged. And there are computers for you to use as well. I have a library of videos as well."
"Jake. I can't believe this. Thank you." Susan stepped inside and did a little hop and skip, rushing to one side of the room to examine the book titles in the history section.
"Don't neglect any subject. It's amazing what knowledge can do for you."
She pulled out a large book and opened it, her gaze scanning the pages. "I love books," she repeated. "I had no idea you had this library."
"Susan." Jake went back to the door and paused until she looked up at him. "Never let anyone make you think you're less than you are. Very few people have your gift for languages. You have a quick mind and a sweet nature. People may want to make you feel small or put you down to build themselves up. That's their problem, not yours."
Susan nodded her head, clasping the book to her chest.
"And I want you to learn self-defense. Emma can join you for the lessons. You may need them someday."
Susan nodded again, her eyes sparkling. "Thanks, Jake."
"I'm heading for my office. If you need anything, use the intercom."
Susan waited until he had disappeared before running down the hall to find Emma to tell her everything.
"Self-defense lessons? A tutor? Does he think he gets to keep you?"
Susan hugged herself. "He made me feel like part of the family." She blinked rapidly to keep back tears. "I haven't felt like that since my mother died. Dad is always gone and I am so lonely. I don't go to a regular school and I don't really have anyone at home. Dad hires different people, but it isn't the same."
Emma hugged her. "Well, you know Jake. If he claims you, he watches over you. You won't be so grateful when you want to start dating."
"Maybe I could date some of your bodyguards. I really like them."
"Maybe you could just forget about that," Emma said. "I promised the kids they could play on the swings. You want to go with us?" She activated the small radio transmitter she had set into her watch so that she could alert Drake that she was leaving the house with the children.
"If you really don't mind, I want to look ar
ound the library. It's enormous," Susan said.
Emma didn't blame her. Pushing two demanding children on the swings wasn't a teenager's idea of a dream afternoon. She called Kyle and Andraya to her and they hurried out to follow the path to the side of the house where the elaborate play yard Jake had built for them was located.
The air was cool, the wind blowing, but the play yard was protected and Emma had them bundled in their sweaters. Kyle ran to the slide and Andraya reached up her arms to be put into the baby swing. Emma carefully snapped the safety belt around her and pushed her while she squealed with delight. Kyle called out to her over and over, making certain he was getting his share of attention.
Emma was surprised their constant bodyguard didn't show up immediately. They were usually very prompt, but both children were being good so she didn't radio a second time, not wanting anyone to get into trouble for not moving fast enough.
"Mommy, look!" Kyle pointed to the corner of the house where the gardener had planted tall, grassy plants. She especially liked the varieties there and Kyle and Andraya loved to play in the mini-jungle.
"What, baby?" she asked, not seeing anything but the waves of grass as the wind played through the plants.
Kyle gave her a stern look. "I not a baby. I'm Kyle," he announced firmly.
Emma looked contrite. "Yes, of course you're Kyle." His identity meant a lot to him.
He went down the slide again, watching the grass intently. Emma did her best to see what interested him, but it was impossible to tell whether it was the play of the wind, the tall variegated grasses of various colors or some shiny rock on the ground.
Andraya kicked her feet and yelled again. "More. More."
Emma pushed her higher. Andraya wiggled around in her seat, laughing out loud. Emma looked back over at Kyle to find he had slipped off the slide and was just entering the tall field of grasses.
"Wait, Kyle," she called and pushed the radio button again. She hurried after him.
Of course he didn't wait, disappearing into the thick, tall plants. Emma glanced back at Andraya and ran after Kyle, calling his name as she hurried after him. She caught a glimpse of his shirt as he wove his way through the grass. Kyle crouched low, following something.