Absolute Love: A Hot, Romantic Suspense Series, Book 3 (The Carlisle Sisters) (10 page)

"I don't have all of the answers," he said.
 
"But I'm confident that they will strike again once they know that I am not backing down.
 
And we have to be ready when they do."

"What if we set a trap?"
 
Jennifer asked.
 
"It would give us the upper hand."

"What kind of a trap?" he asked, intrigued.

"One where we use me as bait," she suggested.

"Absolutely not!
 
Not on your life," he responded.
 

"Why not?
 
They've already come after me once.
 
It's likely that they'll do so again if you don't back down, which you are
not
.
 
The next time we will be waiting for them," Jennifer said logically.

"Waiting for who?
 
Us
?"

Jennifer's head snapped around at the sound of the familiar voice.

"Beth!
 
Grey!"

Jennifer rose from her seat and propelled herself into Beth's surprised arms.
 
Beth returned her sister's bear hug with utter shock.
 
She couldn't remember the last time she had received a hug from Jen.
 
Or even a "hello" for that matter.

When Jennifer released Beth she moved on to a baffled Grey, chuckling at his bemused expression as she embraced him.

"Wow!
 
That was some greeting," Beth smiled warily.
 

She couldn't help wondering if Jennifer had an ulterior motive behind her effusive greeting.
 
Either that or she was drunk.
 
Her behavior was just so out of character for her.

"It was, huh?"
 
Jennifer giggled.
 
"Well, you better get used to it.
 
Because I've turned over a new leaf."

"More like an entire book," Beth countered.

Jennifer laughed.

"It probably seems that way but I'll explain later.
 
I have a lot of that to do, along with apologizing," Jennifer said ruefully.
 
"First, tell me why you're here!
 
I'm thrilled to see you, of course, but what brings you?"

"Tracy and I were worried about you.
 
I can't really explain why; it really just started with a feeling Tracy had.
 
But when we couldn't reach you by phone, we kind of panicked.
 
Obviously, we overreacted," Beth said.

"I wouldn't say that," interrupted London, squeezing Jennifer's hand gently.

"Oh! I haven't introduced you," Jennifer said in a rush.
 
"Beth.
 
Grey.
 
This is London Fairchild.
 
London, this is my sister, Beth, and her husband, Greyson Merrick.
 
Or, Lemaire.
 
I'm sorry, it's Greyson
Lemaire
."

Jennifer turned to London.

"His last name is a long story," she chuckled.

London extended his hand to Beth and then Grey.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," London smiled.

"Same here," Grey said as he shook London's hand.

"So, Tracy is here, too?"
 
Jennifer asked.
 
"Where is she?"

"She's not here, Jen, but she will be in a few days," Beth clarified.
 
"Just as we were about to leave she got a call from the curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art asking to see her.
 
He wanted to discuss the possibility of showing her work there."

"How fabulous for her," Jennifer said genuinely, surprising Beth once again.

"Obviously she couldn't decline to go, especially since I already had Grey coming along with me.
 
She'll be coming straight here when she's finished there," Beth said.
 

"What did you mean when you said we hadn't overreacted by coming here?"
 
Grey asked London.

"Please sit and we'll get you up to speed," London said, a grave look taking over his face.

"We are dealing with a difficult situation here," Jennifer started as the others took their place at the table.
 
"Maybe you can unearth a solution since London has already dismissed my suggestion."

"Something about you being bait?"
 
Grey asked.

"Yes," Jennifer confirmed.

"That's a horrible idea!" Beth exclaimed.
 
"And I don't even know what you're talking about."

"It's not going to happen, Jennifer," Grey said emphatically.
 
"I don't know the details of what's been happening, either, but the notion of putting yourself in danger is not an option."

"It seems I have support," London said smugly.
 
"Greyson, take a walk with me and I will fill you in."

"Sure," Grey agreed.
 
"And call me Grey."

The two men moved into the house, leaving Beth and Jennifer alone on the terrace.

"I'm really glad you're here, Beth," Jennifer said.
 
"It must come as a total surprise to hear me say that but I've done quite a lot of soul searching and I have faced, and accepted, some hard truths about myself.
 
I am ashamed of the way I've treated you.
 
Tracy, too, but especially you.
 
There is no excuse for my actions other than I've been a selfish, arrogant, spiteful bitch.
 
I walked out on you when you needed me most and then persuaded Tracy to leave you as well.
 
You were just a kid and I left you alone to deal with a hateful dad whose cruel treatment to you and mom was beyond imaginable.
 
For years I was so focused on myself that I forgot your very existence.
 
And when we were united again I couldn't see past my own problems and jealousy to establish a real relationship with you.
 
I've been an appalling sister and I don't deserve your forgiveness but I'm going to ask for it anyway.
 
And if you can forgive me and allow us to start anew I will do my best to treat you the way you deserve to be treated."

Beth was so stunned that she was speechless.
 
Never had she imagined that Jennifer would acknowledge her actions and apologize for them.
 
And, while she knew that she had every right to be angry, resentful and unforgiving to Jennifer, she just didn't feel like it anymore.
 
She was happier than she'd ever been and had no room for intolerant and heartless sentiments in her life.
 
It was time to bury the past and focus on a flourishing future.

"Yes, Jen.
 
Of course I forgive you.
 
There's nothing I'd rather do," Beth smiled warmly.

"Oh, Beth!"
 
Jennifer squealed, jumping out of her chair and hugging Beth.
 
"Thank you!
 
I really do love you, sis.
 
I really do.
 
I just didn't know how to show it.
 
But I'm working on that and I promise to be the sister that you deserve."

"We can work on it together, Jen," Beth murmured softly.
 

There were tears in Beth's eyes and she brushed them away hastily.
 
It was a joyful occasion and not the time for weeping.
 
She could do that at night with Grey at her side in bed.

She pulled out of Jennifer's embrace.
 

"So tell me, Jen, what's been going on?"

Jennifer sat back down and began telling Beth about her time in Tahiti.

Chapter 5

Jennifer lay in bed and thought about her talk with Beth.
 
It had been difficult to admit fault.
 
She'd never been good at acknowledging her wrongdoing.
 
But she was glad about having done so and she felt like a new person.

Even when she'd commit an offense as a child she would blame one of her sisters.
 
She was good at talking her way out of a jam and allowing someone else to take the punishment.
 
But it seemed that she was finally maturing and it felt good to assume the responsibility for her actions.
 

It had been challenging to open up like she had but it was also such a relief to purge herself of all of the guilt she'd harbored over the years.
 
It helped that Beth had been so merciful and compassionate.
 
She'd wanted to cry at her sister's kind words and felt fortunate to have a second chance with her.
 
She hoped Tracy would be as understanding.
 

Jennifer's behavior toward Blaze and Grey had also been despicable and she needed to apologize to both of them privately.
 
Thankfully, they had never revealed her duplicity to her sisters; they were too kind to do that.
 
And that was the one aspect of her previous self from which she was going to spare her sisters.

Writing this new book of her life was proving to be a daunting task but she was determined to finish the manuscript.

"Jen.
 
Are you asleep?"

She turned her head and smiled at London.

"I'm wide awake.
 
Come in, London," she answered.

"Only if I can stay," he said meaningfully.

Jennifer knew what he meant and she held out her hand.
 
Despite being through so much together so quickly, she was still trying to take it slow.
 
She wanted to make sure that what she was feeling was real.
 
And that it was real for London.
 
But she wanted him so badly.

"Come," she whispered.

London stepped into the room and quietly closed the door.
 
He untied the belt of his black silk robe and let it fall from his muscular shoulders.
 
He wore no pajama shirt and his feet were bare.

He threw the robe onto the chaise and climbed into bed.
 
Slipping under the pale blue sheets, he drew Jennifer into his arms.
 
She placed her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly.

"Any headaches?"
 
he asked.

She shook her head negatively.

"Not since this afternoon.
 
I took a pill then but haven't needed one since," she said.

"Good.
 
I would hate to make love to you when your head is screaming in pain," he chuckled.

"Oh, is
that
why you're here?" she queried innocently.

He squeezed her gently.

"You know damn well that's one of the reasons why I'm here," he returned.

"One of the reasons?"
 
she parried.
 
"Why else are you in my bed?"

"I just want to be near you.
 
Suddenly it's been lonely sleeping by myself.
 
It's never bothered me before but it does now," he said quietly.

Jennifer smiled softly.
 
She liked the idea that he missed her company.
 
Truth be told, she missed him as well.
 
It was true that they hardly knew each other and their time together this far had been far from ideal, to say the least, but there was something between them that she just couldn't deny.
 
Nor did she want to.

"I like being with you as well," she whispered.
 
"I was not looking forward to being alone last night after I left you.
 
I'm so glad you came after me."

"Then let's make this arrangement a habit, shall we?
 
It seems the only way either of us will get any sleep," he smiled.

"Deal," she smiled.
 
"What did you think of Beth and Grey?"

"They are very nice.
 
And Grey is definitely my kind of guy.
 
He speaks his mind and seems like he doesn't stand for any nonsense." he replied.
 
"How are you feeling about your talk with Beth?"

"Well, I did most of the talking, but I needed to.
 
I've needed to apologize to her for many years," she murmured.
 
"I've treated her abominably and had refused to admit it.
 
But the guilt I bore nearly paralyzed me.
 
I had to tell her how sorry I am for what I did to her."

"Did she accept your apology?"
 
London asked.

"Yes.
 
She willing to start over.
 
I have a second chance with her and I'm so grateful," Jennifer said.
 
"She didn't have to forgive me.
 
Honestly, I don't know if I would have.
 
But she did."

"I'm proud of you, Jen.
 
It took courage to be accountable for your actions.
 
That was no easy task," he said quietly.