Loving You (The Jade Series #3) Read online

  CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Chapter One - 1

  Chapter Two - 2

  Chapter Three - 3

  Chapter Four - 4

  Chapter Five - 5

  Chapter Six - 6

  Chapter Seven - 7

  Chapter Eight - 8

  Chapter Nine - 9

  Chapter Ten - 10

  Chapter Eleven - 11

  Chapter Twelve - 12

  Chapter Thirteen - 13

  Chapter Fourteen - 14

  Chapter Fifteen - 15

  Chapter Sixteen - 16

  Chapter Seventeen - 17

  Chapter Eighteen - 18

  Chapter Nineteen - 19

  Chapter Twenty - 20

  Chapter Twenty-One - 21

  Chapter Twenty-Two - 22

  Chapter Twenty-Three - 23

  Chapter Twenty-Four - 24

  Chapter Twenty-Five - 25

  Chapter Twenty-Six - 26

  Chapter Twenty-Seven - 27

  Chapter Twenty-Eight - 28

  Loving You

  By Allie Everhart

  Loving You

  By Allie Everhart

  Copyright © 2013 Allie Everhart

  All rights reserved.

  Published by Waltham Publishing, LLC

  Cover Design by Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, things, and events are fictitious, and any similarities to real persons (live or dead), things, or events are coincidental and not intended by the author. Brand names of products mentioned in this book are used for reference only and the author acknowledges that any trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.

  The author holds exclusive rights to this work and unauthorized duplication is prohibited. No part of this book is to be reproduced in any form without written permission from the author.

  CHAPTER ONE

  1

  “I should go back to my room,” I whisper to Garret as I push myself up, supporting myself with my hands. He reaches behind my neck and brings me back to him and kisses me.

  “It’s the middle of the night, Jade. You don’t need to go back to your room. Nobody’s checking to see if you’re there.”

  “Your family will be awake in a few hours. I can’t fall asleep here.”

  His lips brush mine as he smiles. “Then don’t fall asleep.”

  I hover over him, our breath mingling. “We just did this, like an hour ago.”

  “Yeah? What’s your point?”

  He kisses me again, harder this time. Then deeper, as he cradles the back of my head with his hand, his fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me even closer.

  I never get around to answering him. I’m too distracted. Garret has a way of doing that. Distracting me from all rational thought as I get lost in how good it feels to be with him.

  Hours later I wake up in the guest room to the sound of tiny footsteps sneaking up to my bed. Then I feel a little hand tapping my shoulder and open my eyes to find Garret’s sister, Lilly, standing there.

  “Jade, will you watch cartoons in my room with me?”

  I sit up, wiping the sleep from my eyes. The private Christmas party Garret and I had in his room earlier has left me exhausted. Not that I’m complaining. It was definitely worth losing sleep over.

  “Lilly, what time is it?”

  She shakes her head and her long blond hair flings back and forth across her face. “I don’t know. Will you come to my room?”

  How can I possibly say no to those bright blue eyes and that sweet smile? It’s impossible.

  “Okay. Let’s go.” I get out of bed and slip on my robe—a white, fluffy robe left for me in the bathroom. In the Kensington household, it’s not proper to walk around wearing only your pajamas, not that I would given that I’m braless, wearing a thin t-shirt and pajama shorts.

  Lilly holds my hand and leads me to her bedroom. In the short time I’ve known her, Lilly has decided to make me her big sister. I really don’t mind the role. I’ve never been anyone’s sister and it’s nice to have someone look up to me that way.

  “You sit here.” She pats her hand on one side of her twin canopy bed. The bed is all pink. Pink sheets, pink blankets, pink comforter, and pink pillows.

  I sit where she tells me to and lean back against the pillows. Cartoon bears are playing on the big, flat-screen TV hanging on the wall. Lilly climbs up next to me, holding two dolls. “This one’s yours. Her name is Katy.”

  She forces the doll into my arms. I feel like an idiot holding it. I never had dolls growing up and I have no idea what you’re supposed to do with them.

  “Let’s fix their hair.” She hands me a small, plastic brush. “You do braids on yours.”

  The door to her room opens. “Lilly, are you—” It’s Katherine, Lilly’s mom and Garret’s stepmother. “Oh. Jade, I didn’t know you were in here.”

  Hearing her tone, I get the feeling that she doesn’t want me in here. I set the doll down and swing my legs off the bed.

  Lilly grabs hold of my robe. “No. Don’t go. We’re playing.”

  “Lilly, you need to go eat breakfast. You have ballet class soon.”

  “Can Jade go to ballet, too?”

  “No. Jade’s staying here. Now go downstairs. Charles has breakfast waiting.”

  Lilly gets down off the bed and slowly walks out, dragging her doll behind her.

  “I’m sorry she’s bothering you like that,” Katherine says once Lilly is gone.

  “It’s no problem. I don’t mind playing with her.”

  “Yes, well, she’s used to playing by herself, so don’t feel like you have to entertain her.”

  “Really, it’s no problem. I like—”

  “Hey, there you are.” Garret walks past Katherine into Lilly’s room. “Did Lilly wake you up?”

  Before I can answer, Katherine does. “Yes, she did. I’ll have a talk with her. It won’t happen again.”

  “It’s okay,” Garret says. “I’m sure Jade didn’t mind.”

  “No. Not at all,” I say, going over to stand next to Garret.

  “Still, Lilly knows better than to go into someone’s room like that,” Katherine says as she glares at the two of us. She hates seeing Garret and me together.

  In the past, Garret’s girlfriends were chosen for him based on how the girl would benefit the family and the family name. Then I came along and changed all that which infuriates Katherine.

  Garret’s dad seems to have accepted the fact that I’m dating his son. Or at least he acts like he does, especially now, after the scene that happened downstairs almost a week ago. A scene witnessed only by Garret, his dad, and me. A scene that might have changed the future of the United States.

  Garret’s dad shot and killed Royce Sinclair, the frontrunner nominee for the next presidential election. I’d just learned that Sinclair was my father—the man who raped my mother years ago, resulting in me.

  Last week, Sinclair showed up here with a gun, planning to kill me to wipe away the evidence of the horrible crime he committed years ago. He also tried to kill Garret, which I’m sure is the real reason Mr. Kensington shot Sinclair dead.

  The incident took place in the study, a room just off the foyer. After it happened, a crew of people came in and cleaned up the scene. The story that came out in the media said that Sinclair committed suicide back at his estate in Virginia.

  Mr. Kensington ordered me to never speak of the incident again. After that, he welcomed me to the family. Normally that would sound like a good thing. After all, the guy tried to break Garret and me apart for most of last semester, so I should’ve been thr
illed when he welcomed me to the family. But the tone he used when he said it was eerie. It was like it had some hidden meaning. Like I’d been initiated into some secret club. A club I’m sure I don’t want to be part of. And there was a finality to the way he said it. As if I would be forever tied to this family after witnessing the scene in the study.

  “So what are you two doing today?” Katherine asks as she nervously smooths her long blond hair with her hand. The woman always seems on edge.

  “I don’t know yet,” Garret says. “Maybe we’ll do something with Lilly. Jade and I could take her sledding.”

  “You know that’s not a good idea.” Katherine’s tone is harsh, almost like she’s scolding Garret for even offering up the idea.

  “I didn’t mean we’d go somewhere. I just meant here on the property.”

  She considers it. “I suppose that would be okay. I’m taking her to ballet soon, but we’ll be back in the afternoon.” Katherine turns and walks out.

  “What’s with her?” I whisper to Garret. “She acts like Lilly can’t even leave the house.”

  Garret checks the door to make sure Katherine is gone, then leads me over to Lilly’s bed to sit down. “I told you my dad has a lot of enemies, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “So because of that, Lilly is a target. If they want to get back at him, they’ll go after Lilly.”

  “Are you serious? Like they’d try to kidnap her or what?”

  “Kidnap her. Hurt her. Bad shit. We basically can’t let her out of our sight.”

  “That’s horrible. Has anything ever happened?”

  “When Lilly was a baby, they had a nanny taking care of her. One day the nanny said she was taking Lilly to the park, but the woman never came back. She took her. My dad had to use his connections and pay a shitload of ransom money to get Lilly back. After that, they never hired another nanny.”

  “What about friends? Can she have friends over to play?”

  “After what happened with the nanny, Katherine doesn’t trust anyone to be around Lilly. So she doesn’t really have any friends. She doesn’t even go to regular school. She has a private tutor who comes to the house.”

  “No wonder Lilly’s so desperate for a playmate. That’s so sad. I should play with her more.”

  Garret puts his arm around me. “She’s okay. She’s used to playing alone. But that’s sweet of you to offer. And she would love it if you played with her. I try to play with her but she says boys are no fun to play with.”

  I lean in and kiss the side of his freshly shaven face. “That depends on what you’re playing.”

  He kisses me back on the lips. “Are you saying you want to play with me, Jade?”

  “Definitely. But not right now.” I get up off the bed. “Go have breakfast. I’ll get ready and be right down.”

  Garret is already showered and dressed, looking freaking hot as usual in jeans and a super-soft, light blue t-shirt. All of his clothes fit him perfectly. It’s like they’re specially made for him. He’s a swimmer so has broad shoulders, a muscular chest, and a narrow waist. I don’t think clothes off the rack would fit him right. He’d have to have them tailored to look that good.

  “Before you go, I have a surprise for you.” He pulls me down to sit on his lap and I notice a sudden spark of excitement in his gorgeous blue eyes.

  “What is it?”

  “I’m taking you to New York for New Year’s Eve. I thought we’d leave next Tuesday and stay until Friday. That way we won’t have to rush to see all the sights. What do you think?”

  “It sounds great, but I’m a little freaked out about being there on New Year’s with all those people and all that noise.”

  Garret knows about my noise phobia. Growing up, my drunk, pill-addicted mother used to scream and throw things and bang pans together knowing how it scared me. I hated it, and to this day I try to avoid loud noises. I know I need to get over it, but I’m not there yet.

  “I already considered the noise issue,” he says. “And that’s why I got us a hotel right above Times Square. We’ll watch the ball drop from our room. You won’t have to be anywhere near the crowds.”

  “But that had to have cost a fortune.” I don’t like Garret spending money on me. He knows this and sometimes we fight about it. But I hate fighting with him, so I’ve been trying to let it go. Still, the topic tends to sneak up now and then.

  “Jade, don’t start with the money thing. It’s New Year’s Eve and I told you I wanted to make every holiday special for you since you never celebrated any of them. Just let me do this.” He smiles, and I have a really hard time saying no to that smile.

  “Okay, but I swear I’m keeping track of all this money you’re spending and I’m going to pay you back someday.”

  “As long as we’re on this topic, I might as well tell you that I’m getting you a plane ticket to go see Frank and Ryan before school starts again. I know you didn’t get enough time with them when we were there and now that it’s safe to go home, I want you to go.”

  Again, I don’t want Garret paying for my plane ticket, but I really want to see Frank and Ryan and I don’t want to wait until May when school’s out.

  “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

  He stares at me, confused. “You’re not going to yell at me about the money?”

  I shrug. “I’ll just add it to my tab.”

  “There is no tab. I told you, we’ll be married by the time you have the money to pay me back. And then it won’t matter because what’s mine is yours.” He smiles smugly.

  “Okay, enough with the marriage talk. And besides, it’s entirely possible I’ll pay you back long before I’d even consider marrying you. Maybe I’ll win the lottery or some long lost relative will leave me an inheritance or I’ll get a really good job after college or—”

  “Damn. You’re not even considering it? I really need to up my game.”

  “Why are you so anxious to get married?”

  “I’m not. I’m just tossing the idea out there. Trying to see if you’re even open to it.”

  “I’m open to it. But not at 19.”

  “My dad got married when he was 22.”

  “You said he was forced to by his parents. It’s not like he wanted to. And look how that ended. Divorce. He was older when he married your mom.”

  “Relax. I’m not proposing anytime soon.” He kisses my cheek. “And given your attitude, maybe I never will.” He says it kiddingly, but for some stupid reason I feel disappointed.

  “Hey! I don’t have an attitude. Take that back.”

  “So now you want me to propose?” He shakes his head. “I’m so confused.”

  “Well, yes. I mean, no.” I’m completely flustered. “I don’t know. Just stop talking about it.”

  “You should at least consider it, Jade. You’re already part of my family. You had Thanksgiving here. You’ve experienced the Kensington family Christmas. And Lilly’s made you her big sister.”

  Already part of my family. His words send a shiver down me. They remind me of his dad’s words, welcoming me to the family. This crazy family that I don’t at all understand.

  I kiss him quick as I stand up. “I need to shower. I’ll see you at breakfast.”

  He catches my wrist. “Do you need some help in the shower? Because I’m more than happy to help.”

  Given how hot he looks and how great he smells, it’s a tempting offer but not with his family home.

  “I can handle it. But thanks.”

  I go back to my room and get ready, then head downstairs to the dining room where Garret, Katherine, and Lilly are having breakfast. I take a seat next to Garret. Charles, the family cook, has set out a warming tray filled with eggs and sausage. There’s also a platter of fruit and pastries. I serve myself some eggs and take a pastry.

  Nobody is talking. Katherine is reading the newspaper. Lilly is sitting across from me, bobbing up and down in her chair as she eats.

  Mr. Kensington walks in, wea
ring a suit, which is odd given that it’s Saturday and the day after Christmas. Lilly bursts out of her chair and runs over to him.

  “Daddy! I’m going sledding! I’m going sledding!”

  He picks her up and she plants a kiss on his cheek. “Yes, I heard that. That should be fun for you.” He looks at Garret. “Do we even have a sled?”

  Garret nods as he sets his juice glass down. “Jade and I bought one over Thanksgiving break. We went sledding at Bryant Park.”

  “You’re not going there today, are you?” Mr. Kensington uses the same disapproving tone that his wife used earlier.

  “No, we’re staying here,” Garret says.

  “Good. Have a good time, Lilly.” He kisses her, then sets her down. “I have to go to the office, but I’ll see everyone at dinner.”

  “Bye, Daddy.” Lilly runs back to her seat.

  “See ya, Dad,” Garret says.

  I smile at Mr. Kensington, not sure what to say. Even though he seems to tolerate me now, I still find him very intimidating.

  Mr. Kensington looks at Katherine. She keeps her head buried in her newspaper, not even acknowledging him. They’re definitely fighting about something. I hope it’s not me. But I get the feeling that it is.

  CHAPTER TWO

  2

  Once Mr. Kensington is gone, Katherine closes her newspaper and folds it back up, setting it on the table. “Lilly, we need to get going. Finish up.” She turns to me. “Does she need anything for this sledding activity?”

  I’m not sure what Katherine means. Has the woman never gone sledding? Was she never a child? I basically had no childhood and I still went sledding.

  “Does she have snow pants?” I ask Katherine.

  “No. She doesn’t. I’ll stop and get her some after dance class.”

  “Can I have pink ones?” Lilly asks.

  “That’s the only color you wear,” Garret says to her.

  She shakes her head back and forth. “Nope. I wear purple, too.”

  Garret looks at Katherine to confirm. “It’s true. She recently expanded her wardrobe to include purple.” Katherine gets up from the table. “Let’s go, Lilly.”