Chapter Seventeen

The offensive buzz of Jewell"s alarm clock shot her from the fringe of her unproductive sleep. She flung her arm out and hit the clock with deadly aim. All went silent. Jewell pushed her hair out of her eyes and tossed back the quilt, taking out her annoyance on the hapless covering.

Last night was one of the worst nights of sleep she"d had in her entire life, just barely beating out the night before that. She hadn"t had any type of real rest in the past two weeks. Her nights were spent tossing and turning, seeking whatever it was that would gift her with refreshing sleep. It was never a good sign to wake up with a headache when drinking the night before wasn"t involved. It wasn"t natural. Jewell sat up and drew her knees to her chest where she could rest her elbows.

She knew the reason sound sleep escaped her. After only a few nights of sharing a bed, Jewell was addicted to sleeping in Benjamin"s arms. They"d barely had time alone together, unless the time between meetings counted, in the last two weeks. He"d spend the weekends in Hartford, leaving mid-afternoon on Friday and coming home late on Sunday. He was exhausted from the travel and from struggling to catch up and keep up after being away. They were both tired and needed some time to decompress.

Thankfully, it was Wednesday and tomorrow was Thanksgiving. Benjamin didn"t plan on leaving for Hartford until Friday afternoon, so they might have a solid day and a half to spend together.

With that encouraging thought in mind, Jewell forced herself from the hollow warmth of her bed and stumbled down the hall to the kitchen. Within minutes, the reviving aroma of hazelnut coffee filled the small apartment. She inhaled the heavenly scent as she stepped out of the bathroom, her wet hair bundled in a towel.

Ruby"s door opened and Jewell called a morning greeting to her sister. The response was a grumpy grumble as the bathroom door closed with a hard thud. Jewell smiled. Despite the lack of sleep and the feeling of something missing in her bed, a good mood stirred.

Victoria"s condition improved every day, and with each affirmation from her physicians that she was getting better, Jewell saw some of the tension ease from Benjamin"s face. He"d gone back to Connecticut twice and Jewell had stayed in Boston.

By the time she reached Bulwark, Jewell"s bad mood was completely gone and she hummed as she pushed through the giant glass doors. She greeted everyone she met in the lobby, the elevator, and on the walk to her office. Cheerfully, she set April"s cup of coffee on her desk. April looked up and smiled.

"Someone took a happy pill this morning," April joked.

"It"s a beautiful fall day, it"s the last day before a long weekend, and—and—isn't that enough?" Jewell answered with a shrug.

April shook her head and sipped from the cup of coffee. "Whatever you say, Jewell."

The door to Benjamin"s office opened and he stuck his head out. "April, has Ms. Kincaid come in yet?"

April nodded and pointed, unable to speak around the hot liquid in her mouth. Benjamin turned and met Jewell"s gaze. A sweet, warm rush flowed into Jewell"s limbs like hot buttered rum. She knew she grinned like a fool but was unable to control the reaction. His lips spread in the signature grin that set Jewell"s nerves to sparking.

"Good morning, Ms. Kincaid. I"m glad you"re here. I need your assistance with something." She nodded and stepped towards his door. "We"re not to be disturbed for the next hour."

April mumbled something under her breath as they went through the door. Jewell cast a glance over her shoulder to see April grinning from ear to ear.

"Behave yourself," Jewell said in a theatrical whisper.

April flattened her palm against her chest and feigned shock. "Me? I can behave perfectly well. It"s you I"m worried about."

Jewell chuckled and shook her head as she entered Benjamin"s office. April hadn"t come out and asked, and Jewell certainly hadn"t outright confirmed anything, but she was pretty sure April wasn"t blind or dumb to what might or might not be happening between her two superiors. She slipped off her light coat as he shut the door. The discernible click of the lock brought her attention back around, and Benjamin met her with a wicked grin. A small giggle escaped her throat before he pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth in a deliciously decadent morning kiss.

Jewell stepped back enough to sign, although his hands stayed at her waist. "I thought you said you needed my assistance with something?"

He went back to her throat without pause. "I do," Benjamin said against her skin. His baritone voice vibrated against the sensitive flesh. Jewell"s eyelids fluttered and she fought to breathe. "I"ve got this terrible ache and I need your assistance in relieving it." He shifted again and his hips settled seductively against hers.

Jewell"s nerves sparked with electricity. Every hair, every cell, every inch of her body was immediately attuned to each move and each touch. But just as dozens of times before, they both knew now was not the time and the office was never the place. The kisses slowed until the initial fire eased to glowing embers.

* * *

"So, Roth, how is your executive assistant working out for you?" Travis Traynor asked as he matched Benjamin"s step down the hallway.

Several comments came immediately to mind, but Benjamin suppressed his inner amusement behind a wide smile. "Just great, Travis. I"m glad I convinced you to let me have her."

"Good. I"m glad she"s working out. I had a nagging feeling when I interviewed her she had too much background to be in administration. I wish you"d mentioned your difficulty with Carol"s shortcomings before you did. We could have dealt with it sooner."

More illicit thoughts he had to keep to himself. "Timing is everything. Carol is far better suited where she is now."

"Well, Jewell must be good because you certainly seem more relaxed."

Benjamin did his best to hide his lurid grin. He wasn"t sure what he felt around Jewell constituted as relaxed, but he knew he was happier.

Not happier.

Happy. Something he wasn"t sure he"d ever been.

He just shrugged and nodded and let the comment lie between them without expounding on it and possibly losing his composure altogether.

They continued down the hall together to the door of Benjamin"s office. Once there, Mr. Traynor extended his hand in a hearty shake.

"We were all very sorry to hear about your sister. How is she doing?"

Benjamin nodded. "Her recovery will be slow, but she"ll be just fine. I wanted to thank you for the flowers you sent. They were thoughtful."

Traynor nodded. "It was the least we could do. If you need to take more personal time just say the word. You"ve certainly earned it."

"I appreciate that, Travis. But we"re coming to the end of the year. Things get crazy for us the last quarter with tax reporting and earnings calculations. I"ve been going on the weekends, and if I need the time, I"ll let you know."

Travis nodded his understanding and patted Benjamin"s shoulder before he walked away. Benjamin turned on his heels and smiled down at April. Unlike the first several months she worked for him, she greeted him with a smile back instead of a panicked expression.

"Has Ms. Kincaid returned from her meeting yet?"

April shook her head and tapped the end of her pencil against her cheek. Benjamin recognized the devious twinkle in the young woman"s eyes and wondered what put it there.

"No. I heard the meeting is running long. Might be another hour. Do you want me to let her know you"re looking for her when she gets back?"

"I"m sure she"ll stop by my office."

He turned, but a motion of April"s hand brought his attention back.

"A gentleman is waiting to see you in your office, Mr. Roth. He said he was your godfather and wanted to wait until you got back."

Benjamin arched his eyebrow. "Thank you," he said before opening the door.

* * *

"Do you want a drink?" Jewell asked as she let Benjamin into the apartment shortly after seven that evening. By the look on his face, she thought he needed it.

Benjamin nodded his head and draped his coat on a chair in the living room, dropping heavily into the cushions of the couch. His fingers flicked across his lips and he stared at some indiscernible point on the floor. With a sharp tug, he loosened his tie and yanked it out of his shirt collar.

He had been gone when she returned to the office after her meeting. April filled her in with sparse details only. Ben Prescott had been there, and after he left Benjamin said he"d be gone the rest of the day. It was mid-afternoon, and he never returned. By the looks of it, he had a hell of a day.

Jewell came out of the kitchen and joined him, carrying a chilled glass of wine in each hand. She sat beside him and slipped into the circle of his arm. He drank nearly the entire glass before setting it on the coffee table. Jewell waited patiently for him to explain. When the lack of clarification continued on for several more minutes, Jewell pressed her hand against his chest and drummed her fingers to draw his attention. Benjamin turned a slow gaze her way.

"What happened today?"she asked.

He stared at her for several long moments, his brown eyes skimming over her face. Benjamin"s fingertips brushed her cheek and smoothed over her mouth. She enjoyed his gentle touch and parted her lips slightly. Jewell looked up into his face, and her stomach tumbled with a sweet, aroused sensation. She curled her fingers into the fabric of his shirt.

Benjamin shook his head, and Jewell struggled to remember the original question. "Not tonight. Don"t worry about it."

"Are you sure?"

A storm stirred behind his eyes. "Not now, Jewell," he snapped.

His was not a mood to be trifled with this evening. The fire in his gaze caught her off guard, and Jewell"s jaw fell open as she struggled for an appropriate answer. Before she could speak, the smoldering challenge in his eyes died and he looked away. Benjamin sighed heavily.

"I"m sorry," he said in a deep baritone. "I didn"t mean that. Bad day."

Jewell touched his temple and smoothed back a light caramel-hued wave of hair. Several strands fell over her fingers and she pushed her nails further into the luxurious softness. When she thought of men"s hair, she never thought "soft" or "silky." Women spent hundreds of dollars to pamper, coddle, and moisturize their hair and give it that "touchable" feel. He probably didn"t even know the name of the shampoo he used. The thought made Jewell smile.

"We all have bad days. Let"s just forget about it."

He shook his head and pressed one of her hands between his, rubbing both the palm and back in a slow caress. "I keep forgetting there is someone who cares."

She curled her fingers around his hand. "And I do care. Very much."

Benjamin lifted her hand and kissed her fingertips, a wry smile on his lips. "I"m learning." He sighed deeply before continuing. "Prescott came to the office today to tell me my father was arrested last night."

"Oh," Jewell said softly. "I thought the investigating officers didn"t want to move on arresting him until Victoria came out of the coma. She hasn"t, has she?"

A pained expression pinched around Benjamin"s eyes, and he nodded his head. "They planned on bringing her out on Friday, but the doctors felt she was regressing because of the heavy sedatives and stopped the IV during the night. My mother told Prescott, who made sure an officer was present when she came around. She confirmed to the officer that my father drew the weapon and threatened them." He continued the massage of her hand between his. "How do you feel about going to Hartford with me tomorrow night? We can still have dinner with your family, but I want to see her as soon as?—"

She leaned over and kissed him, stopping his explanation. When she leaned back, his gaze remained on her lips. "Of course. How is she doing? Have you heard?"

"Prescott said she"s uncomfortable, but the pain is manageable." His lips pulled tight over his teeth, and his voice caught. He focused on their hands.

Jewell touched his chin to get him to look at her. "She"s going to be okay, Benjamin."

He kissed her, but the contact felt more despondent than sensual. Jewell stroked his cheek and ran her thumb along his lower lip. "Does that mean they"ve ruled out Dillon as a suspect?"

Benjamin nodded, folding her hand between his again. He seemed fascinated with smoothing his palms over hers, turning their hands over and back. "Their focus now is on my father, and he is furious by what Prescott told me. He"s claiming Victoria is incompetent and her judgment is compromised. He found out at the booking that I hired a lawyer for Dillon and I was the one who paid his bail."

"Is your father still in jail?"

Benjamin"s nod was slow and tired, and he lifted one hand to rub the back of his neck. Jewell shifted to take over the massage, kneading her fingers into the tight muscles of his shoulder. A moan rumbled in his chest as she worked her thumbs along his spine.

"Bail won"t be set until Friday because of the holiday. So, he"s got at least a good thirty-six hours to stew in his juices."

She took her hands away from the massage just long enough to sign. "Where did you go after Prescott left?"

He twirled his finger in the air. "Here and there. I drove mostly. Trying to think."

Jewell shifted again on the couch to kneel beside him, resting her elbow on the back and her cheek against her fist. "Well, you"re here now."

Benjamin nodded, his eyelids lowering over his dark brown eyes, and pressed his lips against hers. His fingertips applied a slight pressure to urge her closer to him. A sweet commotion immediately flooded her veins and Jewell rested her head in the bend of his elbow as he kissed her deeply and soundly.

"Get a room, huh?" Ruby called from the hallway.

Jewell pulled back and scowled at her younger sister. Benjamin turned to look towards the hall. His arm tightened around her and pulled her closer to his side. For his benefit, Jewell signed Ruby"s comment. He smiled.

"Hello, Ruby," he said. There was no indication of awkwardness in his face or voice at "being caught" by the younger girl.

She waved her hand and smacked her gum. Tonight she"d chosen one of her more subdued outfits—torn jeans over black leggings, a wide leather belt hanging off her hip, and a black and red oversized sweater over a black turtleneck. She"d changed the stud in her nose for a tiny turkey. At least she was in the holiday spirit. "Hey, Benji. How"s it hangin"?"

"Ruby," Jewell said with shock. "Good Lord, have some manners."

"Whatever. Mom told me you"re coming to the house for dinner tomorrow." She indicated the statement was for Benjamin with a forward jut of her dainty chin.

Benjamin nodded. "I can"t wait. If your mother"s cooking tastes as good as it smelled I"m going to eat myself into a coma."

"Speaking of which, do you want to help me make Watergate Salad?" Jewell asked him, spelling out the recipe name.

Amusement twinkled in his eyes. He chuckled softly. "What is Watergate Salad?"

Jewell stood up and held her hand out to him. Ruby mumbled something about seeing them the next day. Since Benjamin had accepted their mother"s invitation to dinner, they planned on driving up together, so Ruby was taking Jewell"s car to Manchester that night. She also said something about leaving them alone so they could make out all they wanted. With relief that Benjamin couldn"t hear Ruby"s comments, Jewell told her sister to wear a warm jacket and let her go.

"Yes, Mother," Ruby said with a warm smile as she headed for the door. Jewell grinned and blew her little sister a kiss before she disappeared.

Benjamin followed her into the kitchen and Jewell tossed a bag of mini marshmallows at him, which he caught against his chest as she opened the refrigerator to retrieve a container of whipped topping. Setting the tub beside the marshmallows where he"d set them, she bounced up on the counter, crossing her ankles. From her perch, she took a large glass bowl from a cabinet and added it to the growing pile of ingredients. Without getting down, she opened a cabinet door and retrieved canned pineapple, walnuts, maraschino cherries, and pistachio pudding mix. Under her instruction, Benjamin strained, dumped, and poured the individual items into the bowl.

Jewell found it surprisingly amusing to watch him make such a mundane dessert as Watergate Salad. She"d watched him work in the kitchen, but that was creating succulent meals with elaborate preparations. There was nothing fancy or posh about the simple dish, but it was a staple at every holiday meal in the Kincaid house. There he stood, in his Giorgio Armani suit pants and Calvin Klein dress shirt, plopping non-dairy whipped topping into a mixing bowl. Never had a man looked so sexy. Benjamin Prescott Roth was the white-collar version of small apartment domestication.

She snatched a cherry from the jar before he had a chance to empty it into the bowl. Benjamin tapped her hand in mock punishment. "You"re as bad as Victoria," he teased and scooped the pale green mixture on his finger and smeared it on the end of her nose.

"Don"t be fresh," she ordered and snagged a dish towel to clean her face.

Jewell fully enjoyed her position of power. With her ankles crossed and her feet swinging in the air, she pointed to the drawer where she kept the plastic wrap. Benjamin obediently tore off a sheet and smoothed it over the bowl. She laughed when it took three attempts to get the clingy cover in place properly. Benjamin and plastic cling wrap were not well acquainted. He opened the refrigerator and set the salad on an empty shelf.

"You just made Watergate Salad. Aren"t you proud of yourself?"

Benjamin smiled widely and genuinely. "Exceptionally proud. Do I get the credit with your mother for making it?"

"Oh, no, I think this was a team effort."

"Yes, you gave orders and I followed them."

Jewell snapped the corner of the towel at him. "Precisely."

He grabbed the dishtowel out of her hand. Before he could return the favor, Jewell grabbed his open collar and pulled him to her. He didn"t argue but tossed the towel aside, his gaze never leaving her face. With a sexy leer, he nudged her ankles apart and stepped between her knees so they bracketed his hips. He set his hands at her knees and slid his palms up her thighs, nudging her skirt hem a little higher. Jewell slid her hand inside his open collar to the back of his neck, teasing the edges of his soft hair at the nape of his neck.

Benjamin drew in a long breath and gripped her hips, shifting her a little closer, before skimming his fingertips up her side, eliciting a shiver from her at the touch. "How did I get here?" he asked, holding her jaw in his warm hands.

Jewell smiled and hooked her feet behind his legs. "Define here. I"m pretty sure you drove across town…"

He chuckled, stroking her lower lip with his thumb as she spoke. "I mean…here." He kissed her. "How did I earn you?"

Jewell didn"t make the actual decision to release the buttons of his shirt and didn"t realize she was doing it until she"d opened four of them and ran her hands over his chest. His heart pounded hard against her palm. "I"m pretty sure you stole me out from under the nose of Kevin Burke. A fact for which I"ve never properly thanked you."

Benjamin used the edge of his thumbs to urge her lips apart before he covered her mouth in an open kiss, his tongue sliding past her teeth to steal her breath. The pitch of the kiss went from sensual to intense in one breath, and Jewell let herself fall into it. He held her head captive, kissing her with such need it made her ache.

When she thought she might either faint from the lightheadedness his deep kisses caused, or spontaneously combust from the simmering heat beneath her skin, he moved from her lips to her jaw and further to her throat. Strong, long fingers curled into the bunched fabric of her skirt at her hip and he yanked her toward him, holding her hard against his waist. She ached, needed, and wanted all at the same time. So much so that she couldn"t think beyond his touch and kiss.

Benjamin pulled back, his rapid breath bathing her face. "Jewell…" He punctuated her name with another brief but firm kiss. "I want to be with you."

A cold flush hit her in the center of her body, and flashed outward, making her breath catch. She set her hands at the edge of the counter, curling her fingers underneath to balance herself, and leveraged herself off the edge, her body pressing against his as she slid down to her feet. He pressed his lips together, heavy eyelids sliding over his brown eyes as a low rumble shifted through his chest. Waiting until he opened his eyes again and looked down at her, Jewell slid her hands into his, lacing her fingers between his, and stepped out of the space between them toward the kitchen door.