Pieces of Broken Time (24 page)

Pretty Boy planted an affectionate kiss on Jennifer’s cheek, and Blake’s chest tightened. Unable to stay and watch, he hurried inside, ignoring Drew’s excited barking as he marched out to the backyard and flopped into one of the patio chairs. Removing himself had been the only way to guarantee Mr. Pretty Boy lived a minute longer.

Chapter 20

Jennifer’s excitement upon seeing Matt mixed with worry at Blake’s sudden dark mood. From the corner of her eye, she saw him stalk inside the house.

“Congratulations, girl! I always knew you could do it.” Matt twirled her around.

Jennifer laughed despite the unease that settled in her chest. “Thanks!” She glanced toward the front door, wanting to check on Blake. The way he had avoided her question after his appointment had raised warning bells.

Matt lowered her on the ground. “What’s wrong? You don’t look so happy.”

“You seem to forget that Cinderella’s not one hundred percent yet.” She gestured to her bandaged foot.

“Then why don’t I carry the princess to her castle, then?”

“Put me down.” She landed a playful slap on his shoulder but Matt continued to carry her.

She stopped her giggling once they walked inside the quiet house.

Matt put her down on the sofa, and she heard Drew bark from the other side of the sliding door.

His lips were pulled into a nasty snarl, exposing his long sharp teeth, and his attention was completely focused on Matt.

She heard Blake reprimand him, and the dog sat on his heels right away, his eyes remaining locked on her guest.

Matt chuckled and returned his attention to her. “What’s wrong with the dog’s boss? He seems upset.”

Jennifer shared her friend’s sentiment, but didn’t want to admit it. She glanced toward the patio again, hoping to catch a glimpse of Blake.

Matt narrowed his eyes. “I think it’s best if we go someplace where we can talk, and I can eat without the dog eyeing me like I’m dinner.”

There was no fooling Matt. They’d known each other long enough that things rarely escaped each other’s notice anymore.

“Let me tell Blake real quick,” she said, and hopped her way toward the patio door.

The air was already stifling, and she wondered if it was even advisable for Blake to be outdoors in such punishing heat. It was good that Matt suggested they talk elsewhere so Blake wouldn’t have to feel put out in his own home.

“Blake?”

He threw her a dark glare. “What?”

Okay. So he’s upset.

“I’m going to step out with Matt for a b—”

“You don’t have to ask for my permission,” he said, his expression turning blank.

She had thought informing him was a good idea instead of just slipping away. Then again, she was beginning to realize she apparently never knew the right thing to do as far as Blake was concerned.

“What is it this time, Blake? Is this about me pushing you to go to the doctor? Or are you just in a bad mood for no reason whatsoever? I’m getting sick and tired of your long face and grumpy attitude.”

Their gaze met and only the dog’s heavy panting broke the tension-filled silence.

“I’m sorry for taking my frustrations out on you,” Blake said in a quiet voice filled with remorse.

“Fine. We’ll talk when I get back.”

She watched as Blake opened his mouth, seeming to deliberate on what to say, but closed it instead. He nodded and looked away.

“I have my cell phone if you need anything.” She stepped back inside and found Matt seated on the sofa. “Let’s go.” No doubt, he’d overheard everything he needed to form an opinion she knew she’d hear about later.

Once inside his luxurious car, Matt chuckled. “I never thought I’d see the day when you felt the heat of being in love.”

Jennifer let his words sit while she pondered Blake’s abrupt mood change.

They arrived at a small Mexican bar and grill.

“They claim to have the best fajita in town.” Matt pointed to the sign outside the establishment.

Seated at a table for four and their food order taken, Matt produced a thick wad of papers from his briefcase and spread them across the table. “I’ve gone through them with a fine-tooth comb, but I still want you to look them over just in case. Everything you asked for has been included.”

Jennifer leafed through each page, reading specifics and skimming over the boilerplate details until she came across one condition from the company that wanted her ready-to-wear creations. “What does working closely with their models mean?”

Matt smiled apologetically. “That is the one nonnegotiable condition.”

“In plain English, please.”

Matt hesitated.

From her experience working with him, this meant trouble.

“Well, given that you’re a new designer, they want you to drop by with your samples to try them on their own models as often as possible.”

“Why can’t they send home a model with me?”

How difficult is it to provide me with one of their precious mannequins?

“We’re talking about live ones, darling.” He laughed when her eyebrows shot up.

“I can’t make that daily commute, Matt. That’s seventy miles, one way.” She shook her head. The I-14 was a long stretch of nothing, and enough to drive a daily commuter to tears.

Matt quoted an exorbitant offer and Jennifer gaped.

When she’d entered this trade, her main focus had been to see her work sold in stores. She had never thought that a large compensation would accompany such an endeavor.

“With their fat offer, you can rent a loft or even a one bedroom apartment and still have enough left to go on vacation every other month.”

The possibility left her reeling. This was her dream coming true.

But what about Blake?

Yeah, what about him?

“What are you worried about?” Matt leaned closer. “Don’t bother answering. I’m going to put my money on Captain Hook.”

She landed a good-natured slap on his shoulder. “No name-calling please.”

“It’s that dude, huh?” He leaned back in his seat and clasped his hands together behind his head.

She sighed. “Should I even attempt to lie?”

“Humor me?” He chuckled.

“Well, he’s a big, bad grouch. He snaps when I offer help. He kisses me to shut me up. It’s a weird relationship so far. I’m not even sure it’s a relationship because we can’t seem to agree on even the simplest things.”

Matt leaned on the table and took her hand. “My dear child. That is what we call foreplay. I’m sure you’ve heard of it?”

Unbelievable.

For some insane reason it was easier to talk to Matt, since Coleen tended to be overly cautious. “It’s tough because he’ll let me in, and just when I think we’re gaining ground, he’ll blast me off.”

“And you let that deter you?”

She shook her head, feeling miserable.

“Good. Because the Jennifer Owens I know doesn’t let anything or anyone stop her.”

The food arrived, giving her a chance to focus on business and weigh the conditions surrounding the contract.

Matt ate while she sipped on her iced tea.

She would be a fool to pass this once-in-a-lifetime chance to make a name for herself in the fashion world. And Blake, well, she shouldn’t hold her breath where the man was concerned. She was certain that this thing between her and Blake would sort itself out when the right time came.

“Give me a pen,” she said in a rush.

Matt stopped mid-bite and grinned. “You don’t waste time, do you?” He put down his fajita, wiped his hands on the napkin, and produced a pen from his suit pocket.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity. I don’t think luck will knock on my door twice.” With trembling fingers, she affixed her signature on the document and shoved it back toward Matt. “Put it away before I change my mind.”

Her phone rang, and Jennifer glanced at a number she didn’t recognize. “Jennifer Owens.”

“Ms. Owens, Officer Cortez here.”

“Oh, hi. I hope you have some good news for me,” she said, gesturing at Matt to wait.

“Actually, I do. The fingerprints we have got from your place matched a set of fingerprints from another break-in at a convenience store in Palmdale. We have the guy in custody. I will call you with more information in the next few days. If your window has been replaced, I think it would be safe for you to go back there.”

“That’s fantastic! Thank you so much.”

Now that she could return home, Jennifer wasn’t sure how to approach Blake with the news. Another potential outburst could be expected.

After the meal, she had Matt drive her to her house where work on the broken window had already started, and Mr. Smith was supervising the workers.

Her good neighbor waved once he spotted her.

“I’ll wait here. I need to call and let them know about your acceptance, anyway.” Matt pulled out his shiny cell phone.

Jennifer bobbed her head, still reeling at the idea of packing up and leaving the place she had called home for years. Los Angeles wasn’t a bad place to live—a tad busy for her liking—but a daily commute was out of the question.

“They should be done soon.” Mr. Smith gestured toward the two men from the window company as she approached. “I also had your locks changed.” He jingled several keys on a ring.

“Thank you.” Jennifer surveyed her property and felt an overwhelming desire to renege on the newly signed contract. “I’m going to close this place up during the week, and will be back on weekends.”

Mr. Smith studied her with his sharp gray eyes. “You landed the contract, didn’t you?”

She nodded. “I’m torn about living in the city.”

“You’ll be fine. Call me if you need anything.” He placed a weathered hand on her shoulder and patted.

Jennifer looked around the place and felt another pang of sadness.

She and Mr. Smith chatted for a bit while watching the men at work before she returned to the car to find Matt finishing his phone call.

“Okay, they’re ready for you to start next week. Will you be up to working with that foot of yours?” Matt shifted the car into drive and hit the gas pedal.

“The wound is healing, and as long as I walk in flats, I should be fine.” The problem wasn’t her foot, but a certain man who might not take her news lightly. “Thanks, Matt. I’ll call you tonight.”

Matt stopped in front of Blake’s house, and she climbed out of the car.

“Do you need help moving some of your stuff?” he asked.

She shook her head without looking back. The only thing she needed was additional backup in case Blake went berserk.

Blake stared at nothing in particular, still seated in the patio chair long after he heard Pretty Boy’s car speed away.

The bastard kissed her and held her.

This whole green-eyed monster thing was so unlike him. In the past, this type of situation wouldn’t have affected him, but with Matt all he wanted to do was knock him on his ass for even looking at Jennifer.

The trouble was he wasn’t sure he believed she was interested in him, despite her responses to his kisses. Heat suffused his body when the vision of their twined limbs flashed in his mind. The woman had no idea how she affected him. Sex for him was pleasurable, a way to satiate a man’s need, but with Jennifer everything he knew went out the window. This went beyond physical attraction. He wanted to possess not just her body but her heart and soul as well. This shit with Matt had him trying to come to terms with an overwhelming need to strangle any man who came near her, let alone touched her.

He had made a promise, though. He had to find a way to shove his jealousy aside and keep the monster at bay. He had to keep his end of the bargain.

He decided a cold shower was the answer for not only his hot temper but also the hard-on he’d been sporting more often than not these days.

Blake was grilling the last steak when Drew’s bark alerted him to Jennifer’s arrival. Plastering on a forced smile, he went inside to greet her while trying to hide the uncertainties and insecurities that had his insides tied in a knot.