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Chapter 17
Jana woke up to the warmth of Thaddeus. She’d slept in his bed all night. The previous day had taken a turn for the better when she’d seduced him into more romance. He hadn’t resisted, and had been willing to block out the rest of the world to be with her.
Thaddeus was asleep, so she took the opportunity to look at him. His long hair was loose, which she found sexy. His short beard was neatly trimmed, and his chest was dusted with the same sandy-blond hair. She was tempted to reach out and touch his firm jaw or his soft lips.
The sheet covered his lower body, but Jana had the chance to ogle his muscled arms, those of a warrior. He was honed, a well-developed fighter. The virility turned her on, and his masculine visage made her weak. Thaddeus was every bit a Viking, in form, spirit, and loyalty.
He was a family man, one who’d fought for his people. He was suited to his role as protector, proud that he could fight for the safety of others. He’d talked more about his parents and his relatives in Iceland. From the way he spoke, his love of family was clear.
Yet Thaddeus didn’t have a wife or children of his own. Jana stared at him, adoring him, wanting him—wishing she was his wife and that they could have a family together. Yet being good in bed didn’t mean that marriage would work.
For all the reasons Jana already knew, she had to brush aside such thoughts. It was going to be painful to separate, but Thaddeus wasn’t open to a long-term relationship. And Jana had failed at that before. The odds were against them. It was probably better to remember the joy they shared and not ruin it by trying to make it into more than it was.
The curtains were open, and Jana looked out to see that it was snowing. She snuggled closer to Thaddeus, and he opened his eyes. He pulled her into his arms and held her close. Jana shut her eyes, breathing in his masculine scent—pretending the intimacy would last. And she wouldn’t have to leave the strength of his embrace or the heat of his skin.
But she did.
Jana pulled back then kissed Thaddeus on the lips. “You…are wonderful,” she said. “I’d delay in bed with you for a few more hours, but…”
“Time to get up and face the day.” Thaddeus threw back the sheet, exposing all his maleness, and Jana nearly changed her mind. “I’ll shower and meet you in the kitchen.” Before leaving, he put his palms on her cheeks and kissed her tenderly.
When Thaddeus disappeared into the bathroom, Jana went down the hall to her own room. Her gut twisted; she was going to lose the man she loved.
Jana showered and dressed, pondering her situation. Any thoughts of Thaddeus would have to wait. She had to deal with an urgent matter first. She gathered her strength. Whoever was harassing and threatening would not get the best of her.
She was of Icelandic spirit to the core. She couldn’t think of a time when she’d let a bully win, and this wouldn’t be the first. Fun and games was over. When the enemy surfaced, the creep was going down; she’d see to that. It boosted her confidence to know that Thaddeus was with her.
Jana dressed in a wool sweater and pants. By the look of the weather, it was bitterly cold out. She went to the kitchen, but Thaddeus wasn’t there yet. Her grandmother was at the stove, stirring a skillet of eggs. She went over and put her arms around her. “Good morning.”
“Jana dear, you’re up in time for breakfast.” Eva looked fresh and vibrant. Her green eyes were clear, her blond hair styled, and her skin rosy. Jana hoped she’d look that good in her seventies and beyond. “I’ve been really busy lately. I hope you and your bodyguard haven’t starved.”
Jana laughed and made a motion over her toned body. “I seem to be surviving quite well.”
Thaddeus entered the kitchen, which got a grin from Eva. “And good morning to you too. I need another good appetite to help with all this food I’ve made.” She waved a hand toward the table, already laden with plates. There were stacks of pancakes, a row of sausage, and bowls of fruit.
“Trying to make enough to feed the Olympic team?” Thaddeus said, then sat in a chair next to Jana.
Eva dished the eggs into a ceramic bowl and put them on the table. “There’s not enough for that,” she said. “But I can try to fill you up.”
Thaddeus slid some pancakes onto Jana’s plate, then his own. “I’ll do my best to do justice to this delicious meal.”
Eva’s eyes sparkled. “So polite.” She winked at Jana.
“Mmm, you make the best eggs,” Jana said, trying not to look at Thaddeus. With him so near, it was difficult to hide her feelings. And she likely wasn’t doing a great job of faking it.
Eva sipped her tea. She glanced at Thaddeus and back at Jana, then suppressed a tiny smile. That was one thing about Jana’s grandmother: she didn’t miss much. And no doubt the electricity radiating between her granddaughter and her bodyguard hadn’t gone unnoticed.
“Are you two getting along okay?” Eva said.
“Yes, fine,” Jana said. For the past few days, she hadn’t bickered or argued with Thaddeus.
Then Thaddeus spoke up. He’d discussed it with Jana and had offered to be the one to tell Eva the recent news. He assumed it would be less distressing than hearing it from her granddaughter. “There was an incident yesterday, Eva.”
“What happened?”
Thaddeus told her about the deal with Jana’s skis. He spoke in an unemotional tone, relaying only the key facts. That did little to mitigate Eva’s reaction.
“I am very disheartened to hear that.” Eva shook her head. “I just don’t know why such things are happening.”
