Chapter 2
Jensen sat at his desk in his office, trying to get through the tasks he needed to accomplish by the day’s end, but his mind kept going back to Megan. He was happier that she was back in his life, but he was pissed that she was having trouble making it on her own. He needed to protect her and the fact that she wouldn’t allow him into her life enough to do that, was driving him crazy. He thought back at the night in the club, trying to remember anyone who might have looked suspicious. He leaned over and grabbed his phone, dialing Elle’s number.
“Jensen, hello. I was just thinking about you.”
“All good thoughts, I hope.”
“Yes, of course. Nothing less.”
“Listen, I have been thinking about the incident at the club with Megan.”
“Yes, I have been going over and over the tapes we have.” Her voice sounded frustrated.
“What have you discovered? Anything?”
“Unfortunately, no. We still haven’t found anything. All of the footage that does show the guy in the hoodie, none of them show his face.”
“I am convinced that Kristina has got something to do with this. I think she might have paid someone to drug her and possibly rape her.”
“How are you going to prove that? It’s not like you can come right out and ask her.”
“I know,” he said, hesitating. “I have been going through her emails and texts looking for some sort of connection, but all I have are threats and promises.”
“I’m sure those promises are about as empty as her heart is.”
“You got that right.”
“Maybe you can get her close to you again. See if you can get her to talk.”
“No way. I finally got Megan back into my life. I am not going to do anything to jeopardize our relationship. It is still very fragile. Besides, I have worked too hard to keep Kristina as far away from me as I can, which isn’t really very far, and she is smarter than that.”
“I completely understand that. Maybe we will find something. I hired a private investigator in hopes of getting further with this thing.”
“A private investigator?” he asked, surprised. “Really?”
“Yes. He mentioned a few things I didn’t think of. He says there are cameras all over the grounds outside. He is working on getting those tapes and we will go over them. That hoodie guy has to have a car, right?”
“Unless he rode with someone.”
“We will find out.”
“Hey, I really appreciate everything you are doing for me.”
“Of course. You helped me get this business off the ground. I owe you big time.”
“Hopefully they will find something. Keep me informed.”
“You got it, sweetie.”
He hung up the phone and sat back. The more he thought about what was happening, the more it angered him. He leaned toward his phone again and hit his PA’s button.
“Yes, Mr. Dean?”
“Can you get Tristan Crawford on the phone for me, please?”
“Of course.”
He leaned back in his chair and pressed his fingertips together until his phone beeped.
“Mr. Crawford on line one for you.”
He leaned up and pressed her button. “Thank you.” He pressed another button and clenched his jaw. “Crawford?”
“Well, hello Jensen. It has been… not long enough. And to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“I don’t know what you are up to, but I suggest you watch your back,” he said calmly.
“Is that a threat, Dean?”
“It is a fucking promise.”
“What’s got you all fired up?”
“I don’t like how you have manipulated Megan into working for you but I will find out what you are up to.”
“I simply offered her what you… couldn’t.”
Jensen wanted to reach through the phone and grab a hold of him until he couldn’t breathe any longer.
“I know the way your mind works and I know you would love nothing more than to see me fall. But I am warning you. If you hurt her in any way, I will bring you down, hard. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”
“Perfectly.” Tristan’s words dripped with sarcasm and Jensen could almost see the maniacal grin on his rival’s face. “Don’t you worry about Megan. I will take very good care of her. She should be coming around to give me the rest of what I want from her, soon,” he laughed. “All women are easily manipulated if you dangle the right things in front of them. Isn’t that right, Dean?”
“I am warning you!” he spat. “Fuck up, Crawford! Just once. You will never have the chance to do it again.” He snapped, slamming the phone down.
Megan was working hard in the kitchen to put on a good dinner for Jensen and Lorena. Her roast was almost done in the oven and the aroma from her garlic potatoes made her mouth water.
“It smells so good in here,” said Lorena coming in from the store. “What is that?”
“Hopefully, a good dinner.”
“Here is everything you asked for,” she said, putting the bags on the counter. “except for the vanilla. They only had imitation and I know you said you wanted the real stuff.”
“That’s okay. Thank you.” She pulled everything out and continued with putting ingredients together.
“What do you want me to do now?”
“I think I am all set. Just keep me company if you want to.”
“Awe, come on. I want to help with something.”
Megan cringed, knowing how horrible of a cook her roommate always was. She looked around to try and find something Lorena could not screw up.
“Okay, um….” She looked at her list. “Why don’t you put the vegetables together and get them ready to be steamed?”
“Great!” she said, putting her two thumbs up. She ran around to the other side of the counter and took over a space next to Megan. As much as she tried to help, Megan kept her eye on Lorena to make sure she washed the vegetables before cutting them up, she made sure she cut the ends off the carrots and seasoned them right. She watched closely as Lorena blended the avocados properly and crushed the tomatoes enough. When she felt it was impossible to do any damage, she left Lorena to finish her task and she tended to her tasks of separating egg whites from the yolks. As they plopped into her metal pan, Lorena looked over at her.
“What is that?”
“It is going to be whipped cream for my pavlova.”
“Want me to do that? It looks fun.” she asked as she watched Megan whisk the egg whites, adding sugar as she needed it.
“No, that’s okay. It is a delicate process. If it isn’t done right, it could curdle or get too stiff. It has to be perfect.”
“You make it look so easy. I wish I was good in the kitchen.”
“I have had a lot of practice.”
The doorbell chimed and Megan smiled.
“I’ll get it.” Lorena bounced out of the kitchen and toward the door. Megan quickly pulled the pavlova out of the refrigerator and grabbed her spatula when she heard Lorena shriek. Megan dropped the spatula and quickly ran around the counter top into the living room. Lorena spun around and looked at Megan with stars in her eyes.
Jensen was standing in the doorway with a small bouquet of white roses and pink lilies.
“He’s cute!” she mouthed to Megan. Megan smiled and walked up to him, taking her apron off as she walked.
“You are early,” she said with a smile.
“I hope that is okay. I was hoping to get a glimpse at you working in the kitchen.” He leaned down as she approached him. “Hello,” he whispered, kissing her lips. He lingered there for a couple of stolen moments before turning to Lorena. “This must be your beautiful roommate you have told me so much about.”
Lorena’s eyes were glued to the way he dominated a situation with his voice and his sex appeal. “Mmm, gorgeous and suave. I like him already.”
He handed the flowers and wine to Lorena. “These are for you.”
“Thank you! Awe, they are so beautiful,” she swooned.
“Just a small thank you for taking Megan in and keeping an eye on her when I couldn’t.” He glanced at Megan, his glance blaming her for the reason.
“This is too much. You are so sweet.” She takes her gifts into the kitchen, stunned that he brought them for her. “I think I love him already,” she said as she walked by Megan, sniffing the flowers. “If you ever throw him back, hand me the fishing pole will ya?” she called out as she disappeared into the kitchen. They both laughed at her giddy school-girl-like flirting.
“Seems as though you already won her over. I hear you are pretty good at that,” she said with a hint of sarcasm.
He put his arms around her, ignoring her jab and pulled her into him, covering her mouth with his and deepening his kiss. “God, I could eat you up.”
“Well, let’s start with dinner,” she said, smiling up at him. “Come on.” She took his hand and led him into the kitchen.
“Smells amazing.”
“Thanks,” she said, walking around to the other side of the counter top. She pulled the roast from the oven and set it on the stove.
Jensen and Lorena were sitting in the dining room as Megan put the last of the dishes on the table. She sat next to Jensen and looked over everything.
“I believe that is all. Did I forget anything? Dessert is in the refrigerator.”
“By the looks of things, I would say you out did yourself.”
They all dove in, making small talk and drinking the wine Jensen gave to Lorena.
“This is amazing,” she said, picking up the bottle.
“It isn’t the best pick to go with beef, but it is a very good Riesling,” said Jensen.
“Well, I love it. I will have to get some of this when I go out next time. It isn’t too expensive is it?”
“It isn’t bad. This particular bottle is about £60.”
“Oh.” Lorena said with a flat tone. She set her glass down and crinkled her nose, making Jensen laugh out loud.
“I have had it in my stock for some time now. I wasn’t sure what you would like. They do have equally good wines for much less if you are interested. Try the Graacher Riesling Kees-Kieren. A very good apple and peach but much less expensive and just as good in my opinion.”
“Thank you,” she said, her eyes brightening, impressed with his intellect. Megan smiled at her. She was such a flirt.
When Megan brought out the pavlova, they both marveled at the sight of it.
“You definitely out did yourself,” Jensen said, repeating himself.
“This was a favorite of mine when I worked at the restaurant. I loved making it and watching it sell quickly.”
Megan set it down in the middle of the table and stepped back, watching their faces. Lorena was the first to stick her finger in and taste the whipped cream. She rolled her eyes and made an o face. “Megan, this is incredible.”
“Now, the wine will go very well with this dessert. What is this a pavlova?”
“It is.” She cut a few pieces and put them on small plates, only taking a few bites of her own after sitting down at her place. Not much was said until Lorena pushed her plate back and took another sip of her wine. “That was unbelievable. And because I am so impressed, I will take care of the dishes, while you too do whatever it is you want to do,” she said in a slinky voice. She stood up and started clearing the table. Megan and Jensen helped, leaving the dishes for Lorena to do after she insisted again. They walked into the dining room, Jensen filled their wine glasses and they proceeded into the living room.
“Make yourself comfortable,” said Megan. She waited for him to sit on the couch, then chose a seat next to him when he got comfortable.
“Your roommate is adorable.”
“She sure is,” she said, smiling. “She makes me laugh.”
“How is that?”
“She is so carefree, so flirty and fun. I sometimes wish I was more like her.”
“Nonsense. I love you just the way you are.” He leaned over and kissed her nose, making her blush. “It gives you this innocence that is very difficult to evade.”
“Oh, so you are trying to avoid me now are you?”
“If you think that,” he said, raising his eyebrows “then you have serious relationship issues.” He meant it as a joke, but when he saw her face, he knew she didn’t take it that way. “I would have done anything to get closer to you.” His face softened. “I’m just glad you finally changed your way of thinking and I could call off the National Guard and the sky-writers.”
Megan laughed and it made him feel better.
He looked over on the coffee table and noticed a familiar magazine. He leaned forward and picked it up, looking at the cover.
“Vanity Fair?” A couple of other magazines were behind it that fell onto his lap. Megan pulled one and looked at it. She showed Jensen the cover of Vogue with a picture of a very beautiful and scantily dressed woman. “Is that…”
“Rhianna, yes. I think she is gorgeous.”
“She is. Who is the fashion buff?” he asked, sifting through the different magazines.
“Lorena. She is obsessed.”
“Is she now? How much? Does she do the fashion shows?”
“The local ones I think. But she doesn’t have the cash to go to the Paris shows. I think she watches them on her computer when they are aired.”
“I see.”
“So, have you heard anything on that guy? The one who might have drugged me that night?”
“They are working on it. I called Elle just today actually. She has hired a private investigator. We should be hearing something very soon.” He looked at her a little deeper. “Are you okay? You aren’t worried about it are you?”
“Honestly, I am. It has been bugging me, especially lately for some reason.”
He slid the back of his fingers against her jawline and smiled. “No need to worry yourself, love. I have my best guys on it.” He noticed that it didn’t do any good. She looked just as worried as she did when she asked about it. He leaned back. “Do you know what we need?” he asked in a much lighter tone.
Megan took a small breath. “What is that?”
“A holiday.”
“A holi… when?”
“How about this weekend coming up?” he asked, bouncing himself to the edge of the couch. He turned toward her and took her hands. “I will make all of the arrangements. We will take off early on Friday and make a long weekend out of it. How about it? It will be a blast.”
“I don’t know.”
“Come on. My birthday is coming up and I could use it. I know you could too.”
“Your birthday?” Her eyes brightened up. “When?”
“The first of November.”
“Is it really? How old are you going to be?”
“I will be 29.”
“Then we should definitely plan a holiday. I just hope I can take the time off. I haven’t been working there that long.”
Jensen’s mood soured at the thought but Megan tried to ignore it. She knew Jensen didn’t care for Tristan. She knew they were rivals in the business. She also knew it stemmed from way back in their college days, but she wasn’t sure of the whole story.
“I will ask him. Offer to work late to get ahead if I need to.”
“Sure.”