“This isn’t funny,” Belle whispered at his side and he looked down at her.
“Poppet, you’re wrong,” Jack whispered back, a grin on his face and it didn’t leave even when he bent his head to touch his grinning lips to her pursed ones.
Introductions were made including Jack meeting Angus and Cassandra. Then they moved, everyone settled in the morning room and Joy ran out to see to refreshments.
“How you getting on, lass?” Angus boomed gently when they were all seated.
His question was for Belle but strangely his eyes were on Jack.
As were Cassandra’s.
“I’m okay, Angus,” Belle answered, busy with pressing the hem of her skirt over her knees, her head bent and she didn’t notice Angus wasn’t looking at her.
“You?” Angus barked at Jack and Jack inclined his head.
Angus was studying him intently and Jack didn’t like it.
Jack had no way of saying anything, not in company, so he held the Scotsman stare and he didn’t laugh when Jensen declared, “It’s all going to be okay now ‘cause I’m here.”
Belle’s head came up and she smiled at her father.
“Oh lordy,” Rachel muttered. She was cuddling so closely with Jensen in the corner of the couch opposite Jack and Belle that she was nearly in his lap. Then her eyes came to Jack and she said, “I hope this place is fortified. Jensen can be a bit wild.”
Jack opened his mouth to speak but Jensen beat him to it.
“That gives me an idea! Let’s have a party!”
“Jenny, we’re not having a party,” Lila decreed.
“Woman, we’re havin’ a party.” His gaze swung to Jack and he attempted to enlist reinforcements. “Jack, my man, you agree we could use a party, doncha?”
“I’m not sure we’re ready for a party,” Jack replied and Jensen’s brows drew together.
Then he informed Jack, “Dude, when things get heavy, a party’s the only way to go.”
“Daddy,” Belle said quietly, “I’m not really in the mood for a party.”
Jensen’s gaze went to his daughter, his brow unfurrowed, his eyes went soft and he gave in immediately, “All right, baby. No party.”
At that moment, Jack decided he liked Jensen Abbot.
Rachel popped out of her chair and pulled Jensen up with her then she wrapped her arms around his waist and suggested, “How about a one-on-one party, you and me, right now?”
“Oh my goodness gracious,” Belle whispered.
“Now you’re talkin’!” Jensen shouted.
“Holy heck,” Belle breathed.
“We’ll be back in an hour,” Rachel told the congregation with no embarrassment whatsoever and she led Jensen out of the room.
“More like twelve,” Lila muttered under her breath then called after the departing pair, “See you at breakfast!”
They heard Rachel’s giggle and Jensen’s laugh as Joy rushed back in.
“What’d I miss?” Jack’s mother asked excitedly.
“Well, we’re not having a party and, apparently, Jensen and Rachel are off for a twelve hour sex-a-thon,” Yasmin answered. “Other than that, you didn’t miss much.”