Chapter 20
Jarrod and Katelyn headed to his bedroom to dress for dinner. They were going to the Crystal Swan again.
As always, Jarrod grabbed his change of clothes and moved into the bathroom - his "changing room". Then he pointed to a box sitting on the bed.
"You can wear that tonight if you want," he said apprehensively and quickly left. She had never known him to act the least bit nervous before.
Katelyn opened the box and lifted out a beautiful off-white silk dress. Clearly, this was no off-the-rack garment. She wondered whose it was but dared not ask, lest she burst her fairy-tale bubble. She held the dress up to herself and gazed at it in the mirror. It looked to be a perfect fit.
"Jarrod, why don't you go and hurry your wife up," Carol said. Everyone was ready and waiting on Katelyn.
Jarrod leaned casually against the corner of the wall. "From my experience, rushing a woman is more trouble than it's worth. She'll be down soon." He hoped she was aware of the time, but more than that he longed to see her in the dress if she chose to wear it. He had bought it last week in a compelling moment and wasn't sure if he should give it to her.
"Would you look at that!"
At Nick's breathless exclamation, Jarrod turned toward the stairs. His breath caught at the sight of Katelyn. He pushed away from the wall slowly. She looked like an angel, better than in any of his dreams.
He strode over to her. "You look lovely." He leaned closer and kissed her cheek, then whispered in her ear, "And well worth the wait."
She looked up at him, eyes wide, a touch of pink on those smooth cheeks, no doubt wondering why he didn't make his second compliment public.
Because, my dear Miss Mahoney, I love you and plan to win your heart.
As soon as they had given the waiter their orders, Jarrod escorted Katelyn onto the dance floor. She stared up into his face as their bodies swayed to the music. The clock would strike midnight soon enough, and she would have to go back to her ho-hum average life. After living in the palace with the attention of the prince, normal life would seem dull...plain...colorless.
Her heart ached just thinking about Jarrod going on with his life without her, of him once again being out of her reach. Would working for him be enough? Assuming, of course, he would even want her back. The thought of losing all contact with him was too painful, so she pushed it away.
But if she did continue to work for him, could she be that close to him knowing he was never to be hers? No. She didn't think she could. It was clear to her that she would have to quit her job and make a clean break. She would leave Jarrod behind. It was the price she must pay for lying, but she would enjoy this moment while it lasted.
His eyes were telling her something, but what? Or were they probing deep inside her?
She met his gaze, willing him to read what was in her heart. I love you, Jarrod Barkley. Can you read my mind tonight? Do you know how I feel? Would you kiss me if I thought about it hard enough? There are, after all, plenty of people around to see.
He did indeed lean forward but not to kiss her. He rested his cheek against the side of her head as they continued to sway together. His telepathy definitely was not working tonight. Either that or he was purposefully ignoring the messages she sent because he too, knew it would all be over soon.
His arms tightened slightly around her.
"May I-"Nick began.
"No." Jarrod kept them moving to the music.
"They want you back at the table," Nick said. "The food-"
"No."
"Okay." Nick held his hands up and moved away, a slight grin on his handsome face.
A thrilling tingle raced through her. She wanted to kiss Jarrod for not wanting to give her up, even if it was for show. She wanted to stay in his arms.
Not until the music faded out after the orchestra's final note did Jarrod walk her back to the table.
Jarrod needed to work late in order to make up for some of the time he had taken off during the month to be with Katelyn. He hated the fact that he might not see her, but he had to get these things done. There was a knock at his office door, and for one fleeting second, he wondered if Katelyn had come to see him.
"Come," he called out, and looked up in time to see Amanda saunter in like a cat on the prowl.
"Jarrod, I've been looking all over for you."
Jarrod pressed his lips together tightly. She was the last person he expected to see today. In fact, he could quite happily go the rest of his life without laying eyes on this particular woman again.
He knew she'd been wanting to talk to him. She had left at least twelve messages with his secretary while he'd been out. He'd said all he had to say to her. History had proven no good came of talking with her. Whoever said ignore a person and they will go away, never met Amanda Altman. But leave it to her to take matters into her own hands.
Why couldn't she just leave him alone? Having a face to face with Amanda was definitely not something he wanted taking up his time.
"Amanda." He nodded his head at her, reaching out to straighten his papers and close his file. Maybe she'd get the point that he was busy. Then an even better idea came to him: he'd just go home where she couldn't bother him.
Scooping up the file, he stood. "Sorry I can't stick around to chat. I'm in a hurry." In a hurry to get away from her. He did his best to keep the impatience from his voice, but even he could hear that he wasn't succeeding.
"Hurrying home to your little wife?" Her tone was so sweet. Too sweet. "Oh, but then again, she's not really your wife."
Jarrod froze, his hands tensing on the file he held. How in the world had she found out about that? He met her smug gaze. "What is that supposed to mean?" He kept his tone level. The last thing he wanted to do was reveal his jumbled emotions.
"Quite simple, my dear. The courthouse has no record of your marriage."
So the cat thinks she's cornered this mouse. Not if I can help it. "And you assumed we married here?"
"Not at all. I never make assumptions. My man did a thorough check of the surrounding areas. You know what he found?"
Yeah, he knew exactly what he found...or didn't find.
"Nothing." She stepped up close to him and ran her finger down his tie. "But I can keep your little tryst a secret." Her voice dropped to a low, sultry tone.
He held his breath and clenched his jaw. Having this information in Amanda's hands was bad. Very bad. She could and would ruin everything, given the chance. He needed time to think...to decide what to do about this new development.
Lifting his chin, he did the only thing he could: bluff. "I hope you get a discount for your man's incompetence. Maybe you should have him try again." A new search would keep her occupied and off his back for a few days. This mouse was escaping, one way or another.
He walked away, leaving her standing there speechless, such a blessed sound.
Unfortunately, it didn't last for long. "I'll get to the bottom of this," she called from behind him. "I promise you that."
He turned, putting on the most nonchalant expression he could muster. "There is nothing to get to the bottom of, so don't waste your time." With a sigh, he stepped toward her. "Amanda, please, I have tried to be polite, to be civil to you, but you just have to accept that what we had is over. It has been for a very long time. And I'd appreciate it if you'd leave me-" he gave her a pointed look - "and my wife in peace."
She didn't flinch. Instead she closed the gap between them, stroking his tie again. "I could make you happy if you would only give me the chance," she purred.
As calmly as he could, he removed her hand from his tie. "No, Amanda. Not now, not ever. Now, please, I need to go."
She sniffled and looked away. "You don't have to be mean about it."
"Your false tears aren't going to work on me."
Her head came up with a snap; anger burned in her eyes. "You can't fool me, Jarrod. I know you too well."
"No, Amanda, you don't. You don't know me at all."
She blinked, staring at him. "Maybe we should test that assertion." Before he could react, she slid her arms around his neck and pressed herself close to him.
Repulsion swept through Jarrod and he reached up to take hold of her arms, then stopped. He looked down at her for a moment, eyes narrowed. Maybe this was the best way to convince her she was wasting her time. Show her she didn't affect him, not even a little, no matter how close she got.
He dropped his hands to his sides, arching his brows, letting her see in his expression how tedious her display was. "Amanda, I'm sorry, but I don't have time for your games." He slid his hands in to his pants pockets. "Or interest, for that matter."
Anger flickered in her beautiful eyes at that, and Jarrod felt a surge of triumph. Thank heaven he was getting through. He'd had to go to ridiculous lengths to do it, but if it ended this woman's assault on him and Kate, it would be worth it.
Katelyn had decided she was going to take some dinner to Jarrod. She wasn't sure if he would have already eaten or not, but she wanted to see him at least a little today. She opened the door to his outer office and walked on to the inner office. She came to an abrupt halt. What Kate saw as she stared, dumbfounded, almost stopped her heart.
Jarrod was holding Amanda in his arms. He didn't see Kate, but Amanda did. And a triumphant smile oiled the woman's face as she nestled her cheek on Jarrod's chest.
As though sensing her presence, Jarrod turned and saw her. His expression was one of utter horror. Evidently he was stunned he had gotten caught. Caught red-handed! Literally!
Her head spinning, Kate put her hands on her warm cheeks then spun and dashed from the scene. She couldn't bear to see them together. Her shock gave way to hurt then to anger. Rage burned in her at the thought of Jarrod using her to make that woman jealous. That was what he must have been doing all along.
How could she have been so stupid as to let herself be manipulated like that? She was a first rate fool
She had believed him when he said there was nothing between him and Amanda anymore. She guessed that was accurate; from what she'd seen, there wasn't even room for air to separate them! How could she have been so foolish as to think he could possibly have harbored feelings for her when that woman was so obviously available?
She rubbed her eyes, trying to erase the sight of them in each other's arms. But she knew that image - and the picture of Amanda's victorious grin - would haunt her for the rest of her life.