Agent S5: Jaydan Read online

  “Well, come on.” Penny waved her toward the hall. “We’ll try anything at this point.”

  Without a backward glance, Hope followed Jaydan’s mother down a short corridor. She could hear women talking down the hall, one of them exasperated and weary.

  “Come on Issy, honey. Let us fix your hair. Mommy and Daddy are getting married in just a few minutes. Don’t you want to look pretty when you walk down the aisle?”

  Poking her head around the corner, Hope saw a beautiful bride and several bridesmaids surrounding a little girl of three or four. She sat in a chair, her patent leather feet kicking nonchalantly, her peach ruffled dress gathered around her and trailing down both sides of the chair.

  Hope remembered what used to work with her when she wouldn’t cooperate with her mother. She hoped it worked today.

  Her mother. A woman she’d loved and admired but obviously hadn’t known at all. When she returned home, she had to talk to Riordan before she talked to her father. Could Luke have been involved, too?

  She stepped into the doorway. “Hi.”

  All eyes turned her way. Nothing like walking into a room of women in formal gowns while her hair was dirty, her face free of makeup and her leggings ripped like it was intentional.

  “I heard you have a princess in here. I came all the way from Hawaii just to see her.”

  The little girl’s arm shot out to point at her mother. Hope acted like she didn’t see it.

  Walking around the room, she said, “It’s not you, or you…” Turning, she stopped short when she faced little Issy. “It’s you. I knew you were here.” Curtsying low, she said, “Your Highness.”

  Above her bowed head the little girl giggled. “Mommy, what is she doing? I’m not a princess.”

  Raising her head, Hope straightened to full height, her hands clasped in front of her. “You must be. Look at your shoes. They’re of the finest leather.”

  The girl straightened her legs in front of her and studied her shoes. She waved her feet from side to side.

  Hope pointed at her dress. “And look. Your dress is of the finest satin and chiffon in all the world.”

  With both hands, the girl spread out the ruffles on her dress, studying them. Glancing up at Hope, she giggled.

  “And your pearls,” Hope continued. “They are the rarest of the sea. You must be -”

  Gasping, Hope covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh no. Your hair.”

  Losing her smile, the little girl patted at her hair before stretching out one curl to study it.

  “What happened?” Hope said, feigning shock. “Why, no princess can be seen without her hair done.” Bowing low, Hope spoke in a voice filled with reverence. “I would be honored to make it so...” She looked at the little girl and smiled. “For you, Princess Issy.”

  This was the point where Hope would tell her mother, “Yes, please do. My prince awaits.” And, they would giggle and laugh while her mother fixed her hair for school.

  She missed her so much.

  Issy held out the vines of flowers that had once occupied her hair. “I have these. Are they for princess hair?”

  Hope took them from her hand. “Why, yes. They are the finest of flowers. They will make you a grand princess.”

  Walking behind Issy’s chair, Hope grabbed a brush and began to work. Sitting stock still, the little girl jabbered on about her imaginary castle and its residents. Penny and Ella, Gunner’s bride-to-be, beamed at her in gratitude.

  Thanks to her mother, hair and fashion were her forte. She enjoyed helping out and talking with the girl. Ten minutes later, Hope looked to the bride for approval, Issy’s hair adorned in a crown of abundant curls and flowers. Ella’s eyes shone with appreciation. She nodded with a smile.

  “I’m all done, Princess Issy.” Hope walked around to the front of her chair and held out her hand. “May I escort you to the royal wedding?”

  The little girl gave an exaggerated nod. “Yes, you may.”

  Following the bridesmaids to French doors that led to the back of the house, Hope let go of Issy’s hand.

  Leaning down, she told her, “You are the fairest of them all, Princess Issy. Remember to smile at your Daddy when you walk down the aisle, okay?”

  Penny handed Issy her basket of rose petals. “Let’s go, honey.” Moving Issy in front of her, Penny leaned back to Hope. “I’ll save you a seat.”

  Hope walked back inside the suddenly still house. This wasn’t her family. All of the celebration, the love, the laughs belonged to Jaydan. She had no place here.

  But, she wanted this. For so long, it had only been her and her father. When Riordan appeared, he brought along Natalie. Her family had doubled in the last several months and she wanted it to continue to grow. Keegan was another step forward.

  Grabbing her tote from the floor, she found a guest bath. She had to shower or she’d go stark-raving mad. Maybe, once she changed into the only clean clothes she had left, she could find a quiet place far away from the festivities, to think.

  Rushing through a shower, she blow-dried her long hair and pulled it into a low ponytail on the side of her head. Donning her denim capris and pink abstract tunic, she put on a light coat of makeup and slipped into her sandals.

  Stepping out the front door, she couldn’t help but be drawn to the beautiful wedding taking place under the tree. Walking to the corner of the house, she watched the bride and groom exchange vows, Issy between them. The minister asked for the rings…

  Hope caught a breath.

  She’d forgotten how handsome Jaydan looked in a tuxedo. It was the reason she’d made a fool of herself the night they met. He wore it to perfection, his strong shoulders unbelievably wide in the fitted jacket, his hips ridiculously narrow. He wore his long hair combed back from his face to flip up on the ends, his face clean-shaven and smooth.

  Her body exploded with unfulfilled longing, just like that first night in the hotel hallway. When he stood no more than a foot away from her, she’d blurted the first thing that came to her mind.

  Come home with me.

  The same words that had sealed her image as the spoiled, dumb blonde that had to sleep her way through college to pass. The same words that had caused her to live a life of celibacy ever since.

  The same words that had caused Jaydan to chuckle and tell her he was busy.

  Hope squeezed her eyes shut. She’d felt like such a fool. Using that line on her young, parapsychology professor, and having him accept, had been the biggest mistake of her life. Her father spent a great deal of time and money trying to fix her reputation.

  The stigma remained.

  Jaydan’s eyes met hers across the sea of people. In that moment, she realized she’d do the episode in the SUV again. Forget the respect, forget the reasons why or why not it was a good idea.

  She wanted Jaydan Rose.

  Once the ceremony ended, he made his way over to her. He looked even hotter up close.

  “Mom, saved you a seat. Where were you?”

  She glanced down at her linked hands. “I didn’t want to intrude after what I did.” Meeting his curious gaze, she said, “I’m sorry.”

  He gave her a lopsided grin. “Hell, I was impressed. I’ve never seen anyone talk to Booker like that.”

  Laughter sputtered from her throat as she straightened the flower on his lapel. “You look ridiculously hot, by the way.”

  His eyes darkened as he closed the distance between them. “That’s totally unprofessional, Hope.” He placed a hand at her hip.

  Laughing, she linked her fingers with his at his side. “If you’re going to file a sexual harassment claim, let me know. I want to make it worth my while.”

  His gaze raked over her like molten chocolate. “I have a bedroom inside.”

  She skimmed her palm across his hard belly, just above his waist. His muscles contracted beneath her touch.

  “Who needs a bed?”

  With a low moan, he lowered his mouth toward hers.

  “I
s this how co-workers act where you work?”

  With a groan, Jaydan backed away from her.

  Austin sauntered up to them, his arms out wide. “If it is, I’m going to apply.”

  Jaydan hooked him around the shoulders. “You’re still a pain in the ass, you know it?”

  Austin laughed before he spoke to Hope out of the side of his mouth. “It took me years to perfect busting into a room when Jaydan was making out with a girl.” He pointed over his shoulder. “Speaking of, we need you for pictures. Sarah Jane wants one of you two together.”

  Hope glanced back and forth between them. “Who’s Sarah Jane?”

  A guilty blush stole over Jaydan’s face. Dread dropped to Hope’s stomach like a load of bricks. When Austin wouldn’t look her way, she knew.

  Sarah Jane was an old girlfriend. Hope’s presence had put a monkey wrench in his plans.

  Jaydan looked straight at her. “Sarah Jane is Ella’s older sister.”

  Clenching her hands to keep from pounding a fist against her forehead, Hope mentally admonished herself. She would’ve made a fool of herself with him again. He hadn’t intended to bring anyone because he’d already had plans to hook up with his ex.

  She had to get out of there before she really did something foolish – like drag him to his bedroom.

  With determined steps, she headed for the reception in the barn.

  “Hope…” Jaydan called after her.

  Holding up a hand in the air, she didn’t turn around. “I got it.”

  Jaydan told her cowboys knew how to treat a lady. What better place to find one than Texas?

  Chapter 12

  Gunner and Ella had really done up the barn right.

  Jaydan stood in the middle of the room with them, admiring the wedding décor. Ella’s father had spared no expense in insulating and installing central air conditioning so the crowd would be cool throughout the event. Nothing but the best for his girls.

  “I wish we would’ve put the ice sculpture on that table over there.” Ella pointed toward the band stage. “Now, it’s going to mess up the serving lines.”

  Jaydan handed Gunner his beer. “I can move it.”

  “That thing is heavy and awkward,” his brother said. “Don’t worry about it, Jay.”

  “I got this.” He grinned at them, wanting their day to be all they wanted and more. If anyone deserved it, Gunner did.

  Lifting the sculpture of two swans in the shape of a heart, Jaydan knew he wouldn’t break it. Melting it, though, was another thing. Hope had him so mad his system ran on overload, his body still hard after she’d come onto him outside. His system heat could very well reduce the ice to water.

  A gasp fell over the room as he carried it to the table. Once he situated it where Ella preferred, he took his beer from Gunner. Ella thanked him before a guest pulled her away.

  “Damn, thanks for making me look bad in front of my new wife.” Gunner grinned at him.

  Jaydan clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s what brothers are for. Just doing my job.”

  Rubbing his chin between his thumb and forefinger, Gunner said, “Speaking of your job, how did you end up rescuing a kidnapped woman?”

  His family had no idea what he did for a living. Explaining the D.I.R.E. Agency to someone outside of his world was… delicate. “I work for a private security agency. I can do anything, anywhere in the world, on any given day.”

  Gunner stared at him with renewed admiration. “Are you saying you’re some kind of mercenary?”

  Jaydan gave a one-shouldered shrug.“I don’t hire out on my own. The agency is the best of the best, run by a former SEAL. All contracts go through him.” He grinned. “But yeah, it pays well.”

  Gunner nodded toward Hope standing across the barn, talking with his mother. “And she works with you?”

  “Oh, hell no.” He’d never allow her near people like Cyrus Matheson again. “She had a personal stake in the rescue. She’s Luke Powers’ daughter.”

  His brother’s eyes bugged out. “The Luke Powers? As in Powers Technology?”

  Jaydan laughed at his brother’s reaction. “Yeah. Her brother’s an old friend. He works for the agency.”

  “So, how’d you end up bringing her today if you’re not sleeping with her?” He pointed at Jaydan. “Which, by the way, makes you the dumbest sonovabitch on the planet.”

  He laughed aloud. God, he loved being around his brothers again. He could take their good-natured teasing all day long.

  “She invented an application that we tested on the op. It worked like a charm. Things got a little sticky though. That’s why we were late.”

  Glancing over at her, his gut churned when his mother introduced her to one of Gunner’s groomsmen. “As for sleeping with her, I learned my lesson with Sarah Jane. High-maintenance women and I don’t mix.”

  Gunner tilted his head to study her. “She doesn’t seem high-maintenance to me. She’s among strangers, completely out of her element and seems fine with it. She works for a living – hell, it sounds like she’s smarter than the two of us combined.” Looking around he lowered his voice. “Sarah Jane, I get. She’s just waiting for the next sugar daddy to come along.” He nodded at Hope. “But that one? She – aw, hell. I think you’ve already lost her.“

  Whipping around, Jaydan spotted Hope over at the bar, sipping a glass of wine. Surrounded by, not two, but four men, she laughed as though she were the Texas native and not he.

  I may have to go to Texas and find me one.

  She’d uttered those words just days ago after he’d told her cowboys knew how to treat a lady. Obviously, she was taking advantage of the opportunity. Not only was she flirting with flare, he knew she was in the mood today after she’d come onto him outside.

  I’d have a hell of a good time finding out.

  When he thought about Hope sleeping with anyone else the way they’d gone at it in the SUV the other night, he wanted to rip down the barn with his bare hands. No way in freaking hell he’d let her sleep with someone else.

  His stomach swirling, he headed toward the bar, his boots echoing off the hollow, wooden floor.

  Sarah Jane popped up in front of him, blocking his path. Still beautiful in her own right, she smiled up at him, her whiskey gold eyes sparkling with interest.

  “Hi, Handsome.” She laid a hand against his chest. “What do you have under that shirt?”

  He pulled her hand off his chest. She stuck out her bottom lip.

  “Have you become an old fuddy-duddy, Jaydan? You used to be so much fun.”

  He harrumphed. “Yeah well, setting me up to get caught sneaking out of your room really pissed me off, Sarah Jane.”

  Her hand played with the fingers of his left hand. “I was just trying to get you to propose, Jaydan.”

  “We were in high school, Sarah Jane. And, there was no way in hell your father would’ve forced me to marry you.”

  She looked up at him from under heavy-lidded eyes. “Can’t we start over? Maybe see if we can find what we had before?” Lowering her voice, she said, “You used to be so damned hot in bed, Jay.”

  Did it mean he was getting old if he found this entire conversation boring? He could have Sarah Jane tonight, but the idea left him indifferent.

  Not to mention that she would freak out when she found his microchip. Someone like her would never understand his job or the reasons why he did it.

  Hope didn’t like it, but she understood it.

  Understood him.

  Glancing past her shoulder, his eyes met Hope’s smoldering gaze. He hoped his eyes conveyed the burning thought in his head. What the hell are you doing?

  Lifting her nose in the air, she turned away from him and smiled at a cowboy on her right. Curse words zinged through his head like gunshots.

  A part of him couldn’t believe she’d sleep with someone else. Although they’d known each other for months, they’d formed a bond this week, pulling together to rescue Keegan.

  Maybe he
only felt it. Maybe she had used the time as an opportunity to further the DNA tracker and her potential position as a liaison to D.I.R.E.

  He let out a breath. Hell, trying to figure out Hope Powers was a fulltime job. A job that wore him out.

  A job he just didn’t have the strength to fight anymore.

  Let her have her fun. He’d vowed no high-maintenance women for exactly this reason. They were too damned much trouble.

  He didn’t have anywhere to go tonight but to his bed a few feet away. He’d dance with his mother, get to know his niece, and avoid Booker. He’d pick on his brothers and just take-in the idea of being home again.

  He’d missed it.

  ***

  Gunner pulled Ella into his arms and stared down at her with so much love it brought tears to Hope’s eyes. She wanted to be loved that way, with complete and unequivocal adoration. She wanted to be loved and respected for who she was, not for her father’s money. To be accepted despite her foul temper, her past mistakes and her outspoken nature.

  “They’re so in love, Penny.”

  Jaydan’s mother gave a soft laugh as she cuddled a sleepy Issy in her lap. “They’ve been crazy about each other since high school. When they conceived this one, Gunner refused to marry her unless she absolutely loved him. It took them this long to take the leap. But, we all knew it would happen sooner or later.”

  “How did you know? Was their love that evident?”

  Penny stared at her like she’d grown a third eye on her forehead. “Haven’t you ever been in love, honey?”

  Hope frowned at the bad memories that danced in her head. She’d thought she was in love with Professor Darius Ramos. He’d consumed her thoughts, challenged her mind in ways that pushed her to excel at her visionary gifts. He’d believed in her – and her father’s money.

  And obviously, adultery.

  With a melancholy smile, Hope shook her head. “No. My brother and his fiancée are the only people I’ve been around that are completely and obviously crazy about each other.”

  Penny gave her a knowing smile. “You’ll know it when you see it.”

  Propping her chin in her hand, Hope stared at Jaydan standing on the edge of the dance floor. Earlier, Austin had set a black cowboy hat on his brother’s head, lending to Jaydan’s already irresistible air. He looked so handsome tonight it made her want to cry even more.