Page 13 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)

Chapter

Seven

D arby thanked the event center general manager for his time.

The contracts had already been signed well over a year ago when she had previously toured the venue and recommend Dallas be the city where Cheer USA’s national competition would unfold.

This visit was merely to firm up all the details and agree upon the timeline for the event.

“If you have any more questions, Darby, I’m happy to answer them,” Dean Baker said.

“I need to let you know that this is my last official outing on Cheer USA’s behalf,” she shared. “I’m leaving the organization soon.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. You’re a real asset to them.”

Though Uncle Joe and Blanche had told Darby not to share with anyone about landing the job at Hawthorne High School, she said, “You may see me in February at the competition. I might just be bringing a squad of cheerleaders to compete.”

“You’re kidding!”

“That’s all I can say right now, Dean. Thanks for your time.

I’ll copy you on the email I send my boss regarding everything we’ve discussed.

Peggy Mortimer is a perfectionist, but she has a good heart.

I’ll be passing along all my notes and our previous emails to Peggy and whoever takes my place. Thanks again for your time.”

Darby left the arena and returned to her rental car, driving to her hotel a few miles away. A bellman removed her luggage from the trunk as she left her key with the valet, telling him that she was checking in.

Fortunately, she only had to wait in line briefly before speaking to a reservations clerk.

Within ten minutes, she was in her room, which had a beautiful view of downtown Dallas.

She peeled off her work clothes and took a quick shower, wanting to freshen up before seeing Jace Tanner.

The shower revived her after a long day on her feet, and Darby decided to dress in the sundress she’d worn to Autumn’s wedding.

Jace had already seen it, but that shouldn’t matter. This wasn’t a date.

Looking into the mirror, she voiced that sentiment aloud. “This isn’t a date.”

As she applied a fresh coat of lipstick, she told herself this was merely two new friends meeting up for dinner.

It didn’t’ seem to make any difference, though.

Her heart still beat more quickly than usual.

She had thought about Jace off and on all day, eager to see him again.

He was a slick, different version of Eli.

A man like Eli was more to her taste. Though Eli had lived in Houston for many years, he had taken to life in a small town with ease.

Darby had a feeling that Autumn and Eli would start a family fairly quickly, and she was happy she would soon be living in Hawthorne and could play auntie to their baby.

Kelby had also confided to her that she and West were also in baby making mode, so there would be two little ones to spoil, hopefully, by this time next year.

Though Darby had never been someone who thought about having children, the idea of living in Hawthorne and raising a family greatly appealed to her now.

She was just happy she would have the chance to move back to her hometown and start a different kind of life.

If she found someone to share it with, that would simply be icing on her cake.

She spritzed her usual floral scent on her wrists, rubbing them together. It was getting close to seven, so she slipped into her dress sandals and left the room, heading down to the lobby.

When she emerged from the elevators, she saw Jace sitting in an oversized chair, scrolling through his phone.

The man seemed to do nothing but work. Then again, she was also a workaholic, so she understood.

She couldn’t imagine the pressures he faced in his hectic job and was glad he had been able to take time out of his schedule to have dinner with her while she was in Dallas.

As she moved toward him, he must have sensed her approaching. Jace looked up, a slow smile spreading across his handsome face.

He rose and clasped her elbow, brushing his lips against her cheek. Immediately, Darby was aware of two things. One was the tingles which ran through her. The other was that he smelled divine. A woodsy, masculine scent that made her think of hiking.

Jace pulled away, releasing her elbow, and she fought the urge to step closer to him again.

“You look beautiful,” he said huskily. “And smell even better.”

She chuckled. “You’ve seen this dress before, Tanner,” she teased. “I wore it to the wedding. As for my perfume, I always wear my signature floral scent. I like something light and airy.”

“I like it on you,” he said, his gaze intense, causing new tingles to ripple along her spine.

She swallowed, sensing the charged air between them. More than anything, she wanted to take him by the hand and lead him back to the bank of elevators. Back to her room. And have hot sex the rest of the night.

What was she thinking?

“We should get going,” she said brightly, pushing the racy thoughts away. “I’m starving. Sour cream enchiladas are calling my name.”

“I’m parked right outside,” he said, his hand going to the small of her back, guiding her across the lobby and out the front doors of the hotel.

All she could think of was the heat emanating from him, especially from the fingers that seemed to scald her back.

Even when they reached outside, he kept his hand there.

And she liked it more than she should.

She liked him more than she should.

He waited until the valet had closed the driver’s door and the car pulled away before greeting the employee.

“Ah, Mr. Tanner. Got you taken care of. You’re car’s right over here.”

Jace finally removed his hand, reaching into his pocket. He handed a bill to the valet and then led Darby to a Porsche.

Opening the door for her, she got in, saying, “You would drive a Porsche Boxter.”

He gazed down at her, looking impressed. “You know cars.”

“My dad did. It was something he was interested in, and I was a daddy’s girl, so I learned all I could about cars.”

“Then we’ll have a lot to talk about tonight,” Jace said, closing her door and coming around to climb behind the wheel.

He pulled away from the hotel’s circular drive, turning onto the street.

“I have to admit that I’d never heard of the restaurant you named, but my assistant lit up when I told her that’s where we were having dinner.”

“I told you I liked Elena. You should’ve had her join us. I think she and I would have a lot in common.”

He stopped at red light and looked to her. “I’m selfish, Darby. I wanted you all to myself tonight.”

His words caused her mouth to go dry. Usually, she had some snappy comeback, but Jace Tanner left her tongue-tied.

“What else did your dad teach you about?” he asked.

“Everything about sports. He was a huge football fan. A diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. And he also worshipped his Texas Aggies.”

“Your dad was an Aggie?” he asked eagerly. “Me, too.” Jace held up his fisted right hand, where a prominent A&M class ring rested on his ring finger. “I need to meet your dad. I’m surprised he wasn’t at the wedding.”

“I lost Mom and Dad when I was in college,” she said quietly.

“They were struck by a drunk driver head on after they were driving home from my college graduation in Austin. They were both killed instantly. The driver walked away with a slight concussion and a broken wrist. He’s serving time now in prison. ”

His fingers found hers, squeezing them. The comforting gesture caused her eyes to mist with tears.

“I know what that’s like,” he said. “I lost my parents the summer before my senior year in college. They were in a small plane crash.”

She looked at him, sensing distress. “I’m so sorry, Jace. Were you close to them?”

His face flushed. “Not really.”

He pulled into a parking lot across the street from Adelina’s and slid the Porsche into an open spot before turning it off. His gaze met hers.

“Sometimes, I feel guilty. Because I didn’t feel anything when I received the news of their deaths. I’ve never told anyone that. I’m afraid others would judge me pretty harshly if I did.”

“Do you think you were simply numb when you heard?” she asked. “Or did you never bond with them after your adoption?”

“It’s more that. My adopted parents had a son named Jason.

He drowned. Mother couldn’t have more children, so she and Father decided to adopt.

They looked for a little boy who favored their Jason.

Even named me after him. I think they figured out pretty quickly that I wasn’t a replacement for their Jason.

That I never could be—and that caused them to pull away.

They distanced themselves almost from the time they brought me home.

They were academics. Professors of archaeology and ancient history.

I don’t think they knew how to show affection, much less relate to a little boy who’d lost everything he knew. ”

Darby ached for the little boy Jace had been, stripped of his family, sent to strangers who hadn’t known how to care for him, much less love him.

“If they could have given me back to CPS, I think they would have. Then again, that would have looked bad to their friends, and the Tanners were all about appearances. I pretty much raised myself because they were too busy to be bothered with anything. I wound up learning to cook and prepared all my own meals because they were gone or would work through dinner. They went on digs during the summer months, and I wasn’t allowed to go.

When I got old enough to do so, they asked me once if I wanted to accompany them.

I told them I had no interest in anything buried in the ground for thousands of years. ” He paused. “They never asked again.”

She placed her free hand over their joined ones, wanting to lessen his hurt. “That must have been terrible. To have been adopted and yet not feel as if you were a part of a family.”

He shook his head. “I don’t mean to have a pity party.

I had it way better than Eli ever did. I had a nice home.

Decent clothes. I was given educational opportunities.

I may not have received love, but I had the material things I needed.

The Tanners lack of interest in me instilled a drive, one which I still possess today.

I push myself, wanting to prove to me and everyone around me that I’m worthy of attention.

Notice. That I can produce results. My clients know how devoted I am to them.

I always come through for them. I’m merciless when negotiating on their behalf. ”

“Do you have many friends, Jace?” she asked softly.

He looked away. “Not really. I don’t like to ask for help. I don’t want anyone thinking I’m weak. I guess I’m what you’d call a lone wolf.”

Darby realized Jace Tanner was giving her insight to him that he had never allowed anyone to access before. She didn’t know why he had chosen to open up to her. They barely knew one another.

Yet somehow, it felt as if they had always known each other. Forever.

“You didn’t have to share any of this with me, Jace. But I’m glad you did.”

He finally turned to meet her gaze. “I don’t think Eli is the broken one,” he said, his voice raw and hoarse. “I think ... that’s me.”

Her hand cupped his cheek. His eyes closed a moment, and he leaned into it, seeming to savor the touch as much as she herself did.

This smart, confident, sexy man had bared his soul to her.

Darby wanted to help him in some small way.

Her thumb caressed his cheek for a moment, then she slid her hand to his nape.

And pulled him toward her.