Trusting Jack (4 page)

             
“You look happy,” Norah told her as they sipped their second round of drinks.

             
“I am.  I want to dance,” Emma decided.  “I’m going to ask someone to dance.”

             
Norah raised an eyebrow.  “Feeling better about ourselves, are we?  That’s great.  Who do you have in mind?”

             
Emma gazed around the club and shrugged.  “I’m not sure yet.”

             
“Look over there,” Norah subtly pointed at a tall blond man lounging against the wall by the door.  “That’s a fine specimen of manhood.  Ask him.”

             
“Hmmm.”  She thought for a second, and then nodded. “OK, wish me luck.”  Emma stood and walked purposely toward him.  As she drew closer his bold green eyes looked her up and down and he smiled.

             
“Looking for me, darling?”  His low voice sounded amused.

“Would you like to dance?” Emma asked as she stopped in front of him.

              “Sweetheart, I would be stupid to turn down a beautiful woman.  James Wyley,” he introduced himself as he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

             
“Emma Payne.”  She laughed as he spun her

around before settling her in his arms.  The song was fast paced and Emma grinned as she looked up at James.  “You’re a terrific dancer.”

              “So are you.  Lovely Emma, you’re from the states.  What brings you to London town?”

             
“A movie,” she told him as the song ended and a slow ballad took its place.

             
“Ah, so you’re an actress then.  My best mate acts as well.”  James drew her closer as they slowed their pace to match the music.  His green eyes smiled into hers.

             
Emma shook her head.  “No, I’m not an actress, just an assistant to one.  Norah Jackson.”

             
“Brilliant!  Ms. Jackson is starring in the film he’ll be working on.  Jack Brandon,” James explained. His eyes scanned the club.  “He’s here somewhere.”

             
“What a coincidence.  I’d like to meet him.”

             
“I can arrange that,” he returned.  “After a couple more dances with you.”

             
True to his word, James walked Emma back to the booth where Norah was waiting and left to find his friend.  Norah scooted closer to Emma and whispered, “Well?”

             
“He’s nice,” Emma shrugged, “and handsome.  But he doesn’t make me think about sex.”

             
Norah laughed and toasted Emma with her wine.  “Then we keep trying.”  She looked up and smiled as James returned with another man in tow.

             
“Here we are,” James said.  “I’ve brought Jack Brandon for introductions.”

             
Emma caught her breath as she looked.  He was

easily the most attractive man she’d ever seen.  His hair

was black as coal and curled just a bit over the collar of

his black shirt.  Steel blue eyes met hers and when he smiled she felt her stomach muscles tighten.  Good
God
, she thought
, now I’m definitely thinking about sex.  The man
is
sex
.  She reddened slightly and swallowed.

             
“Pleasure to meet you,” he said as he held out his hand.

             
“Same here,” Emma responded as she placed her hand in his.  Instead of the handshake she expected, Jack raised her hand and kissed it.  Emma’s blush deepened as he released her and turned to Norah, who was watching Emma with a small smile.

             
“I doubted James when he told me he had the two prettiest women in the place waiting on us,” he told Norah as he kissed her hand.  “I see now he was being truthful.”

             
Norah laughed.  “Please join us. I’m so glad to see you again before we start work.”

             
Jack and James squeezed into the booth.  “I’m terribly excited to begin filming,” Jack said.  “I’ve done some reading on Edward II, beyond what we learn in school.  It’s interesting.”

             
“Emma thinks so, too.  She’s knows all about those kings and princes and such,” Norah smiled and waved her hand.  “I know I can count on her to keep the facts straight.”

             
Jack looked at Emma.  “I hope we can spend some time discussing it, then.”

             
“That sounds fun.  Norah’s eyes glaze over if I talk about history too long.”

             
“You’re from the American south, yes?” Jack asked.

             
“Mississippi,” Emma confirmed.  “Born and raised.”

             
“I love hearing you speak.  Your accent is

delightful.  American, yes, but with a slow twist.”    Jack

smiled into Emma’s eyes and the warmth in them caused her to blush yet again.

             
“Thank you,” she murmured and turned to James.  “Are you in the business?” she asked him.

“I’m afraid not.  I’m just a dull, dreary accountant.”  A waiter came by and he ordered them another round.  Emma laughed.

“I’ve got an accounting degree,” she confessed.  “After graduation I went to New York and that’s when I met Norah.  My career had a change of plans.”

“I’m glad it did, otherwise you wouldn’t be here now.  And that, lovely Emma, would be a shame.”  He ran a hand down her arm, and smiled at her.  “You feel it too, don’t you?”

She frowned, afraid of what was coming.  “Feel what?” she asked warily.

“That feeling you get here,” he touched her chest lightly, just above the swell of her breast, “that says ‘I like this person immensely and I know we’ll be great friends… but nothing more’.”  He grinned when Emma’s laugh rolled out.

“I do,” she admitted.  “I hope you’re ok with that.”

“I am.  You’re beautiful, but much too smart for me.  I’m ashamed to say I like a more simple female in my bed.  Less complicated.”

“I do like you,” Emma declared with another laugh.  “And I’m relieved I won’t have to crush you with a rejection.” 

“What’s so funny?” Norah wanted to know.  She and Jack had been discussing mutual friends, and had lost track of the other conversation. 

“James was telling me what he likes in a woman.”

“Is that so?” Norah sipped her wine.

“Yes, and I have to say she meets more than a few of the requirements.”  James felt Jack scowl at him and his grin widened.  He’d noticed the glances Jack had given Emma.  “She and I may have to discuss it further.”

Norah grinned back at him; she’d noticed the glances, too.  Their conversation flowed easily from movies, to New York, to what type of pet was best for an actor.  Emma would catch Jack looking at her from time to time, and the unmistakable interest in his eyes made her nervous.  She would stutter her words and look away.  Jack Brandon unsettled her and she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to know why.

              It was almost two in the morning when Norah and Emma stood to leave.  “I have to get some rest,” Norah explained, “since we’re playing tourist the next few days.”

             
“Thank you for a wonderful evening,” Emma said as she held out her hand to James first.

             
“It’s been our pleasure,” he replied as he drew her closer for a casual hug.  James saw Jack frown and grinned wickedly.  He kissed her lightly on the lips.  “Lovely Emma, I enjoyed meeting you.  And you, Norah.”

“I hope to see you often,” Norah told him with another smile of her own.  Jack and Emma’s response to each other was apparent. 

“Make Jack bring you to the set now and again.  Jack,” she said, turning to him.  “I can’t wait to begin working with you.”

             
“I have a feeling we’ll have fun,” he replied.  “Emma, I hope to see more of you, as well.”  She looked at him. 

He had unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. She could glimpse the muscular chest underneath, and his jeans rode low on his hips. 

She took the hand he offered, and those long fingers curled around her wrist.  They both noticed how her pulse jumped. 

“Same here,” she managed and quickly took back her hand.

              The men watched as Emma and Norah left the club, then James turned to Jack.  “Emma’s lovely, isn’t she?  I wonder if that tight little body I felt under the dress is as pretty as her face.”

             
“Jesus, James.” 

             
James laughed at Jack’s pained expression.  “I caught you looking at her several times, mate.  If you’re interested, say the word and I’ll back off.”

             
Jack ran his fingers through his hair and sighed.  “I’m interested,” he admitted.  “There’s something about her that draws me.”  They made their way to the door. 

             
“Why, that’s brilliant then.”  James clapped him on the back.  “I’m glad; you haven’t looked at a woman that way since the bloody mess with Sarah.”

             
Jack stiffened a bit, but then relaxed.  That was over and done with.  “We were together almost three years.  I’ll admit it was rough going at times trying to forget what happened.”

             
“She’s a royal bitch,” James said cheerfully as they got into a cab, “and you’re well rid of her.  Lovely Emma is like a breath of fresh air.  She’s beautiful and sweet.”

             
Yes, Jack thought, she was.  He smiled as he realized just how drawn he was to her.

Chapter 4

             
“This is fabulous!  Oh, yes, we can be happy here.”  Emma laughed as she looked around the house.  “Did you see the upstairs?  I got dibs on the bedroom closest to the stairs.”

             
Norah smiled.  “It’s yours.  I want the one with the huge bed and closet to match.  Have you checked out the bathrooms yet?”

             
“Yep.  Big, deep tubs.  Steam showers.  And the kitchen?  I can cook some good meals in there.”

             
“When I heard small house, I was thinking something really small,” Norah admitted with a little laugh.  “But this is perfect.  Two bedrooms with walk in closets and a bathroom each upstairs.  Kitchen, living room, bathroom and laundry down here.  And enough luxury to satisfy even me.”

             
Emma went back upstairs to unpack.  She looked around and grinned.  The king size bed was covered with mounds of pillows, deep blue sheets and a thick white comforter.  Her closet had built in shelves and drawers lined with pale gray velvet and scented with lavender.

The bathroom made her sigh with happiness.  The deep marble tub was simply gorgeous; she couldn’t wait to wallow in it.  And the shower, with its rainfall shower head, begged to be used. 

              “It’s a shame we’re going to Devon so soon,” she called down the hall to Norah.

             
“I know,” she called back.  “I’m not looking forward to that half as much as I’m looking forward to jumping in this tub.”

             
“Want me to cook tonight?”

             
Norah came to join Emma in the hallway.  “You just want to get your hands on that kitchen.”

             
“You got me.  All that stainless steel, the butcher block counters.  I am my mother’s daughter.”

             
“How about we grab some lunch, go to the last meeting with Thomas, and stop at the market on the way home.  You can make me some of your famous drunken chicken.”

             
“Deal.”

***

Emma watched as Norah and Richard Solomon—portraying Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer—plotted to overthrow Edward II.  She smiled, thrilled at how the two managed to bring the scene to life on the open field.

             
“They’re brilliant together.”  A pert blond with green eyes and a pregnant belly came to stand beside Emma.