Sexually, the man frustrated her. She wanted him, no matter how much her heart still hurt. He’d given her space, he’d not touched her since that slight kiss when she’d first agreed to stay, and damn if that wasn’t driving her out of her ever-loving mind.
He’d never even mentioned Damon coming by the other day. Was he keeping that to himself, as well?
As Lily came down the steps, she realized she’d slept much longer than she’d meant to. The antique grandfather clock in the corner of the living room chimed four times, echoing into the empty space.
Lily glanced around, noting the photos along the mantel of Jake with his arm around a beautiful older woman, more than likely his mother, photos of him with jockeys and horses at various winners’ circles. In every photo he was smiling.
She’d thought that smile was devastating with the beard, but without it, she could fully appreciate the intrigue, the devilish attitude and the power behind the man.
Laughter and squeals sounded from the front yard and Lily moved to the wide windows, shifting the simple linen curtains aside.
The tire swing swayed back and forth, Tyler held on, his legs dangling out of the hole. And Jake was pushing him.
Lily couldn’t deny how the scene clenched her heart. Jake wrapped his arms around the boy’s shoulders and pulled back, pausing for a moment before giving another big send-off. The wide grin across Jake’s face spoke volumes for how much the lazy evening activity delighted him.
He was going to be an amazing dad. No matter what had happened between them, Lily knew that Jake would always put his child first and be hands-on. But, she couldn’t help but wonder about this unique relationship he seemed to have with his maid and her son. Another layer he’d kept from her.
The fact he’d never let her fully in was the main point in that sharp blade that had pierced her heart.
Liz suddenly appeared beside Lily. “Tyler adores him.”
“The feeling seems mutual,” Lily replied, watching Jake’s face light up each time Tyler laughed.
“Jake has been a good influence for Tyler since my husband passed away.”
Stunned, Lily turned to Liz. “I’m so sorry.”
A soft grin spread across Liz’s face, but she kept her gaze on her son. “It’s been hard, I won’t lie. My husband was a groom here for several years. When he was killed four years ago, Jake asked if I’d like to work for him. I didn’t know much about horses, so he asked if I could cook and clean. I know he was just looking out for us, and I could never find a way to repay him because he didn’t have to take on a widow and a young child.”
Swallowing the lump of remorse, Lily turned her attention back to the front yard. So many facets made up this man. Some were bad: the lies, the betrayal. But the others were so good, so...noble, that Lily hated that he’d damaged his image just to get ahead in the horse industry. Had the breeding, the prospect of winning and generating more money been that important?
“I know it’s not my business,” Liz went on, shifting to face Lily. “I have no idea what’s going on with the two of you, but if it matters, Jake has never brought a woman here before. I can see how much he cares for you.”
“He does.” She couldn’t deny that, but that also didn’t mean they were meant to be. “He went about showing me the wrong way, though.”
Liz nodded and offered a genuine smile. “Just don’t shut him down, yet. Okay? Give him a chance. He’s all work and traveling to see his mom. But with you, I see a different side to him and he’d hate me if he heard me say this, but he’s vulnerable where you’re concerned.”
Lily closed her eyes, trying to block out the honest words coming from a virtual stranger. “You care for him.”
“Not in the same way you do,” Liz corrected. “He and my husband were good friends and had a strong working relationship. But my husband was killed during a robbery. He’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jake didn’t hesitate to see to all of my and Tyler’s needs. I think of Jake as a friend and a hero when I needed one.”
A hero. Lily opened her eyes, her focus shifting instantly to the man serving as a little boy’s hero. A man who had faults and had hurt her so deeply she didn’t know how to forgive him.
“I need to get back to cooking dinner.” Liz started to walk away, but laid her hand on Lily’s arm. “I just wanted to make sure you knew where I stood with Jake because he loves you. He’s a powerful man, but you’ve brought him to his knees. You’re in control here.”
Liz’s footsteps echoed through the room until there was nothing but silence once again, other than the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner.