Jarvis had just elevated the standards of perfection for her. He was sculpted from hard work and the demands of an active ranch. His muscles had purpose from those wide, ripped shoulders down to his strong forearms and calloused hands. Hands that had stirred up cravings she’d convinced herself she could live without. At least, she’d planned to forgo those physical needs until she found someone willing to stick around and be her partner through this thing called life.
Right this minute, she didn’t care how temporary Jarvis might be. She wanted him.
“You really shouldn’t be here,” he said.
There was something akin to guilt in his eyes. Her presence rattled him. She shouldn’t take any delight in that, but she did. She glanced toward the bathroom and saw the light through the bottom of the door. Did he have company? The bed was neatly made, but maybe they hadn’t gotten that far yet. “You, um. Oh, crap. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“What? No. No.?
? He shoved a hand through his damp hair. “I’m alone. Check if you want.”
She shook her head. “I trust you.” Even if she didn’t, it would be petty to check. They didn’t have any kind of understanding. Not to mention how foolish it would be to expose herself to someone who might know Regina.
He cocked an eyebrow and as if he’d read her mind, he went over and shoved the bathroom door open. “Alone,” he repeated. “The party was...” He spread his arms wide. If he didn’t dress soon, her self-control would spontaneously combust.
“Pants.” Her voice was as rough as sandpaper. “Please.”
She focused on her sleeping son. There was the perspective she needed. When he grew up, she wouldn’t want women marching into his room to ogle him.
“Right. Just a sec.” A drawer opened and closed behind her, followed by the rustling of more movement. “Dressed,” he said. “Sorry about that.”
“I’m the one who should apologize,” she began. Her thoughts vaporized. His version of dressed didn’t do anything to quash her desire. He was in a soft T-shirt and loose gym shorts that were just as enticing as the towel had been.
“Mia, sit down.” He pulled out a chair for her and sat in one across from her. “I was planning to come out first thing tomorrow to tell you everything.”
That had been the agreement and she’d been too impatient to stick to the plan. “I expected you to be out late, but no one is up at this hour.” And she’d wanted to see him.
“Asher was.”
True. “I saw him walk back toward the house. He didn’t see me.”
Jarvis scowled, clearly unhappy with her decision. “And if Silas had cried?” He closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose. “Forget it. Mia, your dad looks healthy. I wouldn’t call him happy, but he doesn’t look weak or sick. He’s upset about your disappearance and he misses you and Silas, but there’s no sign that Regina is causing him any physical harm.”
To her amazement, the surge of relief still ran second to her sizzling attraction for the man sitting across from her. He was helping her because being kind was part of his nature. Whether they indulged in hot kisses or not, he didn’t change his stance on being involved with her and Silas beyond this crisis.
“My mind has been reeling all night, playing through worst-case scenarios,” she confessed. “I know you didn’t dare send a message while you were there.”
“I reached out to you as soon as I could.”
“I know. I knew you would.” She rubbed at her temples, wishing she’d had the courage to kiss him when he’d been standing there in that towel, fresh from the shower. This was all on her, her fears and issues. She was a hypocrite, caving to fear and worry after everything she’d said to him about loss and grief and moving on to live again. “Call me paranoid. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Regina had gotten to you.” It had consumed her, pushed her to be reckless. If she’d lost Jarvis to her stepmother’s games, she’d truly be alone in this mess. “And then you didn’t act very excited about me dropping in.”
“I’m not. Under normal circumstances it would be great, but taking this kind of chance, when Regina is actively searching for you, makes me worry. You were right that she’s dangerous. I saw that tonight. The woman lies as easily as she breathes.”
Mia closed her eyes. Jarvis had seen through the woman who consistently fooled everyone else. “What did she say?”
“Nothing that matters.” His lip curled and he squinted one eye in an expression of extreme distaste. “The worst was watching her kiss your dad.” He groaned. “Like they were alone. It was...”
“Awkward?”
He nodded. “And gross. I wanted to bleach my eyes.” He blinked as if he could erase the images from his mind. “She is spreading rumors about you and how you left. I’m not sure who believes her.”
Only one person mattered. “Dad believes her.” She could see it in Jarvis’s dark eyes. “Love is blind,” she muttered. “I really should be used to this by now. I’ve been an idiot thinking anything would change.”
“Has your dad sent any more texts?” Jarvis asked.
“No. He made some crack about being disappointed in me, didn’t he?”
She could tell by the furrow between his eyebrows that she was right about that, too. “You don’t have to protect me. He’s been disappointed with me pretty much from the moment he met Regina.”