Gage turned his head and stifled a laugh. Miss Jeffries elbowed him in the side.
Jess grinned. “When this estate was built, Mr. Jefferson was known to be rather mischievous. I’m sure he’d love to tell the story.” Walking toward the second golf cart, she got in. “See you in a bit!”
They watched the staff disappear down the trail toward the house and Nina asked, “What’s going on?”
With a heavy sigh, Miss Jeffries said, “If I had to guess, I’d say Bennett is preparin’ for his death. Bringin’ us fully back into Rowan’s life so we can help her when he’s gone. After seein’ them together, she’s gonna hurtrealbad.” Shaking her head, she added, “One thing’s for sure...it’s hot as blazes out and I’m gonna soak up some A/C before I shrivel like a raisin.”
Gage escorted her to the front door and she closed it behind her. He returned to the golf cart and leaned against it with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Nina?”
“Yes, Gage?”
“I get why you’re here. I get why Miss Jeffries is here.” He inhaled deeply. “I still don’t understand what the hell I’m doin’ here. There’s no sense in it…”
“Of course there is.” Nina met his eyes. “You’re Rowan’sfirstlove and when she loses hersecond, I think he’s hoping you’ll step in and help ease her through it.”
He frowned. “No…”
“Absolutely yes. I’ve never met anyone like him but...there’s no doubt he has a plan.” She shrugged one shoulder. “Keep your chin up and your mind right.” She stared at him intently for a long moment. “When she was seventeen, you were crawling out of your own skin within six months. This could be a situation that drags on foryears, Gage. Are you...prepared for that?”
Lifting his hazel eyes, his voice was strong. “I’m not twenty-two anymore. I know life without her, life in a lot of other women’s beds. If there’s even the slightest…” His voice trailed away and he straightened. “I can wait for her as long as I need to.”
“She’s even more beautiful now.”
He closed his eyes. “She fuckin’radiatesjoy.” Opening them, he held her gaze. “Even if I can’t touch her, the chance to be close...I’ll take it. I’ve earned the hell it’ll be.” With a small wave, he walked rapidly to the bungalow assigned to him.
Nina soaked up the heat, the sun, for a few more minutes before heading to her own accommodations. Jess had described them perfectly.
Snug but luxurious.
She took some ibuprofen and laid down to rid herself of the last cobwebs from her drinking binge.
Before she closed her eyes, she checked the time on the clock beside the bed and whispered, “You’re to wake in an hour.”
Nina slept deeply and opened her eyes at one minute shy of an hour. Glancing at the clock, she smiled sadly.
Control tookmanyforms.
Getting up, she opened her suitcase and selected an outfit she’d questioned herself for packing. The flowing cream mini-dress would highlight her long legs and firm breasts with a short hem, low neckline, and spaghetti straps. Placing high-heeled sandals beside it, she chose diaphanous panties that consisted of little fabric and skipped a bra.
It was an outfit designed to hunt, to bring down her desired prey, to advertise what she offered.
One of many such ensembles she possessed and had worn to her advantage over the years.
Grabbing her toiletry bag, she showered and washed her long hair. A towel wrapped around her, she blow-dried her tresses until they were straight and loose down her back.
Dabbing a light layer of edible lip gloss over her lips, a delicate perfume in all the right places, she removed the towel and took in the image of her body in the mirror above the sink.
“The only arsenal you’ve ever possessed to protect yourself.”
Walking naked to the bedroom, she dressed and removed a small clutch purse from her suitcase. Dropping the phone Jess gave her inside, she added half a dozen condoms from the economy pack she took with her wherever she went.
Outside on the adorable front porch, she sat to wait for Gage and Miss Jeffries to be ready. Legs crossed, she stared at the woods and allowed her mind to zone out on the green of the trees.
“Whoa,” a voice said from beyond the rail. She glanced up to look at Gage. “Uh, you have plans?” Nina arched her brow. “Let me guess...the bodyguard?”
“A lady never tells, Gage.” Snorting, she stood. “Not that I’m a lady by any stretch of the imagination.”