Gift of Gold

successfully drunk and prove to you that I have what it takes to reach a worthy goal.” He tipped the vodka bottle over his glass and replenished his drink. “Emerson, being the good buddy that he is, has promised to help and encourage me in my endeavor.”
    “Least I could do,” Emerson said with a modest shrug. “You being the guy who saved my ass and all.”
    “To the fine art of saving asses.” Jonas raised his glass in another salute. “A potential career path for me.”
    Verity smiled wryly at him. “I think you’ve had enough, Jonas.” Her tone was gentle.
    He glared at her. “What makes you any kind of judge? I’ll bet you’ve never been thoroughly drunk in your entire prudish life. I’ll bet it sickens and disgusts you to see a man drinking like this, doesn’t it? I’ll bet you just can’t wait to slam that door on this whole nauseating scene and scurry back to your own little bed where I’ll bet no man has ever spent an entire night. Hell, I
know
no man has ever spent an entire night there. I’m the world’s leading authority on your sex life, aren’t I.”
    “If you say so.” Verity walked across the room to stand in front of him. A smile flirted at the edges of her mouth. “I really do think you’ve had enough, Jonas.”
    “Yeah?” He gave her a belligerent look. “Shows how much you know. I haven’t even started.”
    She reached down and took the glass from him. She’d expected a struggle and was surprised when he released it at once. Without a word she set the glass down on the table and took hold of his hand.
    “Come with me,” Verity said softly.
    Jonas blinked owlishly and obediently got to his feet. He was remarkably steady, considering the amount of vodka he had imbibed. “Where are we going, boss?”
    “Home to my place.” She kissed her father’s cheek. “Good night, Dad. I’ll see you in the morning. Be sure to lock the front door tonight.”
    “I’ll do that. Make sure Slick, there, has his key. I don’t want to have to get out of bed at three in the morning to let him into the cabin.” Emerson’s eyes twinkled.
    “Don’t worry,” Verity said. “He won’t be needing his key tonight.”
    “I won’t?” A slow, remarkably cheerful grin curved Jonas’s hard mouth.
    “No,” Verity confirmed steadily. “You won’t. You’re undoubtedly going to pass out when I get you home and you probably won’t wake up until morning.”
    “Your faith in my ability to hold my liquor does wonders for my ego,” Jonas managed dryly.
    “If you don’t like what I do to your ego, you’re free to stay here. I can always go home alone.”
    His fingers, which had been lying docilely within hers, abruptly moved to clamp around her wrist like a manacle. “I’m ready to go when you are. Night, Emerson.”
    Emerson raised his glass. “Good night, Jonas. Been a pleasure drinking with you.”
    Verity wasn’t quite certain who led whom back to her cabin. There was no doubt, however, that Jonas was more than willing. When she got him inside the warm cottage and closed the door, he exhaled in deep satisfaction and began unbuttoning his shirt.
    “Let’s go to bed, honey,” he said, starting down the hall.
    “I’ll be right there,” Verity promised as she moved around the room turning out lights.
    When she finally went down the hall to her room she was not altogether surprised to find Jonas naked under the quilt. He was sound asleep.
    He stirred slightly when she slipped into bed beside him but he didn’t awaken. His arm went around her in a possessive manner and his breath was slow and steady in her hair.
    Verity thought she would be awake for a long while thinking about Jonas and herself and their unresolved relationship. It was certainly a subject that provided a good basis for insomnia.
    But instead she fell asleep within minutes.
     
    Jonas awoke around three in the morning with the vague notion that he was supposed to get up and go somewhere. He had gotten into the habit lately of going someplace at three in the morning. It took him a minute to remember where that place was.
    Then he felt Verity stir beside him and recalled that tonight he could stay right where he was. Verity had brought him home and Jonas distinctly remembered her telling her father that he would be passed out for the night.
    Jonas was not fool enough to wake Verity in order to find out if she’d meant what she’d implied. He had learned long ago not to question the bits and pieces of