Page 213 of The Forbidden Note

No, I don’t think that mom would do that intentionally. But I know firsthand how easy it is to make stupid decisions in front of the guy you have feelings for.

You can have me for one night.

My insides twist and I feel sick to my stomach.

This is so freaking messed up.

Jarod Cross takes another step forward and stops in the sliver of moonlight falling through the window. His broad shoulders and lean waist make him look like a star even when he’s just breathing. Just existing. It’s like he was made to be adored, worshipped by millions.

All the Cross brothers have that effect.

Especially Zane.

An otherworldly charisma that drives women wild.

“You’re starting to hurt my feelings.” Jarod Cross leans a hip against the counter, his tone slightly coaxing. “As an educator, shouldn’t you hear the other side before you form an opinion?”

“You’re saying that you have nothing to do with Cadence’s mother dying?”

He laughs. “Those boys.” As if he’s talking about misbehaving toddlers, Jarod says, “I never met the woman. Why would I be involved in a drug addict’s overdose? Wouldn’t the cops have arrested me, at least questioned me, if I were guilty?”

“The rules don’t apply the same to those in power.”

His lips crook into an enigmatic little grin, and it reminds me so much of Zane that I temporarily lose my breath. “I can’t argue with that, but not even Jarod Cross is above the law. Especially right now.”

“Does my mom know you’re running for governor?”

His eyes flash to mine. I watch him twist his wedding ring around. “Of course. I don’t keep secrets from my wife.”

I cringe because I don’t believe that for a second.

“Does your mother know the rumors about you and Zane?”

Finally, he’s showing his true colors and playing dirty.

I get a little more comfortable. For a minute there, when he was defending himself so earnestly, I almost wavered.

“I’ve noticed that you don’t seem bothered by those rumors at all. Given you’re Zane’s father and I’m his teacher, shouldn’t you be asking me a different question?”

His lips curl up, almost as if he didn’t expect that kind of a comeback. When he glances at me again, it’s with a little more respect.

Silence descends as we size each other up.

The rich, powerful rockstar.

The Redwood teacher, born of poverty and grit.

“This is what you wanted, isn’t it?” I speak dryly. Absolutely calm. Devoid of all emotion.

I’ve noticed that Jarod Cross loves it when mom acts on feelings. Snapping at him when she’s angry. Forgiving him when she’s happy. Fawning over him when she’s thankful.

Emotions are his sign posts, akin to an X-ray showing all his opponents’ thoughts. He’s carefully constructed himself to reveal nothing, while taking in everything around him.

I can’t win any of his mind games unless I’m equally in control of my emotions.

Mimicking his posture, I press my elbows on the island. “It didn’t have to be her. It could have been anyone, but you chose mom. You sought her out. You observed her. You seduced her and then you married her, but it wasn’t for love, was it?”

Jarod Cross smiles and a shiver takes over me. I prefer it when he’s frowning or obnoxiously blank. This smile feels too close to his true self and that level of darkness, of evil, goes much deeper than anything I’ve seen out of his sons.