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"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."
