She Does Know Jack (23 page)

Her heart
lurched at the fatigue she saw behind his eyes. She needed to solve this case
so the only fatigue he’d feel would be from a hot all-nighter. But with
fingerprints that could be explained away, dropped notes everyone had
opportunity to place and cameras being mysteriously turned off—that was easier
said than done. Her fingers sank around the arm of the chair and dug in. Once
again, the damn variables she’d warned her uncle about stood in her way.

Danni rose to
her feet with a sigh. “I think I’d better use the powder room before it’s my
turn.”

Matthew nodded,
moving from the door to allow the woman to pass, along with Rodriguez.
Brielle’s brows rose. Seriously?

“Jack’s new
rules. No one is to be alone.” Matthew ambled down the four steps into the room
and headed toward her. “I’m glad we have a few minutes. I wanted to ask you
something.”

“Go ahead.” She
rose to her feet, rubbing the stiffness from her backside. “Sorry, the boat
accident reaffirmed my horse allergy.”

He smiled. “Then
I’ll make this quick and try not to neigh.”

She returned his
smile. “Well, I wouldn’t want to see you bust a blood vessel.” He was such a
kidder. She sobered and stared into his eyes, “What can I do for you? Have they
found something else in the limo?”

“No. Your uncle’s
men and Jack’s are still running tests. What I wanted to ask has nothing to do
with that.” He focused on his painting, hanging behind her and sighed. “I
wanted to ask you if you’d mind going out on tomorrow’s one-on-one date?”

Her brows rose,
again. That was the last thing she expected.

Matthew laughed.
“Before you say anything, hear me out. I know you have a thing for my
brother—which is great by the way—but I have a gallery commitment I can’t get
out of, and the showing is tomorrow. So,” he ran a hand through his hair, then
gave her a lop-sided grin, “Since you’re the only one who knows my true
identity, I’d really appreciate it if you’d accompany me to the gallery
tomorrow night. The producers have already
okayed
it.”

She touched his
arm and smiled. “Of course I would. I understand you can’t reveal that part of
you to the others just yet.”

“You’re right. I
can’t. Thanks, Brielle.” He patted her hand. “I’ll explain things to Jack, when
he’s not so preoccupied, but, I’m supposed to announce my choice before you all
leave tonight. Producer’s orders.”

Before she could
reply, the study door opened, and Mandy re-entered the room, her face flushed.
Oh boy. Apparently, Jack asked her about more than her brand of toothpaste.

He glanced
around the room and frowned. “Where’s Danni?”

“She went to the
bathroom.” Matthew held up his hand as Jack’s mouth opened and brows knit
together. “Hold on, don’t worry, Rodriguez went with her.”

“Eew. I hope you
don’t expect me to—”

“No, it’s all
right, Mandy,” Matthew rushed to reassure the blonde. “He’s staying outside the
bathroom. It’s for everyone’s safety.”

“Oh.”

Jack nodded to
Brielle and motioned toward the study, his face a mask of cool, he gave nothing
away. “I guess that makes you next.”

Doing her best
not to give into the urge to run so she could be alone with him again, to try
to smooth the trouble from his brow, Brielle crossed the room at a normal pace.
She was feeling far from normal. This man made her scalp sweat. She was falling
for him. Big time. A fact that scared the heck out of her and excited her at
the same time. Pulse leaping as the door shut behind her, she turned and melted
into him.

He cupped her
face and searched her eyes. “You’re sure you’re not hurt?” When she shook her
head, his hands dropped to glide over her arms while he inspected her up and
down.

“I’m fine.
Better than fine. You know that. Just a bruise on my knee.” She said, pointing
to her leg. “Why?”

He expelled a
breath and pressed his forehead to hers. “We got the feed from the park. It
didn’t show who did it, but it captured the accident. When I think about what
could’ve happened…” His voice trailed off as his grip tightened on her arms.

Her throat grew
hot. The intensity of Jack’s emotions touched her deeply, but the tenderness of
his kiss as his lips caressed hers took her breath away. She’d never felt more
cherished in her life. Hell, she’d never even felt cherished before. Nobody
ever made her feel the way Jack did. Yeah, she was definitely falling for this
man. Hard.

“I want you to
be safe, Brielle.” His mouth lingered a moment before trailing kisses to her
temple and back again.

Desire shot
through her, sparking a need only Jack could assuage. She rose up on tiptoe,
asking him—inviting him—hell, begging him to fill the void between their
bodies.

But, he didn’t.
Much to her disappointment.

He drew back
slowly, his breath washing over her in a final caress. “We need to talk.”

Uh oh. She
blinked, an unseen weight slamming down on her shoulders so fast her knees
nearly buckled. “Okay.”

Grabbing her
hand, he led her to the couch. Her pulse quickened.
What did he want?
Knees touching, he studied their clasped fingers a moment before he spoke.
“Brielle, I have something to ask you.”

They both jumped
as the cameraman knocked over the garbage can in his haste to move in closer.

Jack scowled at
the man, then squeezed her fingers and gazed into her eyes. “I like you,
Brielle. A lot. You’re different from any woman I’ve ever met…or ever likely to
meet.”

Velvety blue
eyes radiated the same genuine emotion as his smile. Her heart tripped over
itself, silently urging him to continue.

“Not counting The
Limelight, I know it’s only been nine days since we’ve met, but this connection
between us is strong, and unless I’m badly mistaken, you feel it, too.” His
eyes searched hers in silent question.

“Yes, very much
so.” Her reassurance brought his smile back. “So, what did you want to ask?”

His joy faded
along with her heartbeats. “I want you to voluntarily leave the show.”

Holy hell
. Her heart
slammed hard in her chest. Never in a million years had she expected… “Wh-what?”

He squeezed her
hands again. “I know my parents wanted you on here, and that Matthew has kept
you because of it, but, you have to understand, your presence is keeping me
from doing my job. As I’ve already told you, you’re distracting me, and with my
brother’s life at stake, I can’t have that.”

Her pulse
hammered out of control. What should she do? They were both caught between a
rock and a hard place. And right now, she wanted nothing more than to be caught
against a rock-hard Jack. She hated, really hated she was causing him problems.

“Please,
Brielle, leave the show for me. For my sake.” His eyes begged. “Whoever’s
making these threats is getting more aggressive and I want you safe. I can’t
protect you and Matthew at the same time, and I don’t want to be forced to make
a choice.”

Oh God. Closing
her eyes, she pulled in a breath, then exhaled. “Jack, please,” she opened her
eyes and swallowed hard. “Please don’t ask this of me.”

“I’m sorry. I
know it’s a lot to ask, pulling out on national television.” He brought her
fingers to his lips and kissed them. “But I really need you to do this for me.”

Her heart
constricted. This wasn’t happening. God, this can’t be happening. How did she
get out of this without hurting him? The weight increased on her shoulders,
crushing her lungs, making it hard to breathe. “Jack, I would do anything for
you, but…I can’t leave.”

In the blink of
an eye, all the warmth disappeared from his gaze. “I see.” He dropped her hands
and stood.

She shivered and
reached for him, but he moved away. Dammit… This wasn’t happening. How could
this be happening? Her whole body cringed at his dismissal. Jumping to her
feet, she followed. “Jack, hear me out, please.”

He turned around
and leaned against the desk. There was no heat, no warmth, no nothing in his
expression. Folding his arms across his chest, he nodded. “Go ahead.”

Not exactly
encouraging, but she’d take it nonetheless. “You already know I like you. A
whole hell of a lot. You know this.” His gaze narrowed but he said nothing so
she continued. “My word is important to me, and when I give it, I have to
follow things through. No matter what.”

Understanding
flashed briefly through his eyes before disappearing behind an aloof façade.
“Who have you given your word to? Matthew?”

“Yes.” Hope
quickened the beat of her heart. Please let him understand. “Just before I came
in here, he asked me to be his date tomorrow night for a one-on-one.”

He jerked back
as if slapped. “Forgive me, but didn’t you just tell me I was the one you
liked? That you had a connection with me?” Anger tightening his jaw, he cocked
his head and stared down at her.

“You know I did.
It
is
you I like, Jack.” She touched his arm, willing him to just please
listen.

“Then why would
you accept a date with Matthew, huh? What the hell kind of game are you
playing?” He brushed her hand away and moved past her.

She twisted
around to watch him, pain constricting in bands across her chest. “I’m not
playing any games, Jack. Matthew asked me to go with him to the gallery because
I already know his true identity.”

He swung around
and regarded her closely. “You do?”

“Yes. I know
he’s Andy Matthews. So, you see? I can’t leave because I already agreed to go
with him tomorrow night.” She stared at Jack, hoping her flimsy excuse would
hold.

It didn’t.

His unfriendly
gaze narrowed. “Yes, I do see, Brielle. You couldn’t pass up the chance to
accompany the famous artist to a public showing.” The bitterness in his voice
hollowed her stomach.

“No, it’s not
like that.” Despite his demeanor, she went to him. “How could you even think
that?”

“Very easy,
really.” He smiled without mirth. “Tell me, how long have you known my
brother’s true identity?”

Her heart sank.
He wasn’t going to like her answer. “I figured it out that first night.”

His cold glare
chilled her spine. Yep. He didn’t understand. Now he thought she was a
gold-digger. Could she really blame him?

A scowl quivered
across his face. “So, you thought you’d dally with his brother while you waited
for him to pick you.”

“No! That’s not
true. Surely you don’t believe that?” She reached out to caress his cheek, but
he knocked her hand aside.

“But I do. It's
the logical conclusion,” he said, pushing past her again, reaching his desk in
three, hard strides.  He yank out his chair and sat down.

She strived not
to get angry at him.
He’s right.
Her response to him could seem like a
put on. After all, she was a contestant on a show to find his brother a mate.
He didn’t know her real reason for being there.

He’s not like
Grant. Tell him.

Her chest
tightened under the already crushing unseen weight. She had to break her
promise to his parents. Keeping him in the dark, now that their feelings were
on the line, was a big mistake. If she had to choose between Jack and her job,
she was going to choose Jack. She just hoped breaking her word yielded better
results than the only other time she’d compromised an assignment. Exhaling, she
approached the desk.

“Jack, I have
something to te—”

“It’s all right,
Ms.
Bennett. Save it,” he cut her off, hand in the air. “My mistake.”

The hateful look
in his eyes closed her mouth.

“I knew you were
hiding something, but I assumed it was your Ariel job. Guess it’s true what
they say about assuming.” His bitter laugh filled the room. “I think we’re
through, but before you go, I need you to rewrite this note.” Face set as if
stone, he thrust a red marker at her.

Noticing, for
the first time, a pile of yellow notes, the top one with Mandy’s name written
in ink near the bottom corner, Brielle blinked her vision clear. Barely able to
breath, heart hurting far more than she ever thought possible, she took the
marker from his hand and did as requested. Her mind told her Jack was being a
thorough investigator, but her heart screamed he should’ve trusted her.

“You do realize
anyone could deliberately change their style of writing?” She placed the marker
down and pushed her note toward him.

“Yes, that’s why
these will be going to a handwriting analyst.” He scribbled her name on the
bottom, then placed it on top of the pile. “Don’t try to be an investigator,
honey. Stick with dancing. It’s what you do best.”

Gut quivering as
if punched, she sucked in a breath. Where had Dodger gone? Where was the man
who, not two hours ago had her crying out his name while he took her to heights
she’d never known? The man who’d kissed her with a tenderness that had stolen
her breath? The man who was filled with so much worry over the boat accident he
couldn’t keep his hands off her? She swallowed past her tight throat and stared
into his steely gaze. This wasn’t him. He wasn’t here. Perhaps she’d just
imagined all those things with him because she wanted to.