“Thank you. Although you sound very surprised that I’d do anything admirable.”
“I suppose I
“Has he ever remarried?”
She smiled. “Yes. In fact, as we speak, Dad and Yvonne are on a two-week European cruise to celebrate their tenth anniversary.”
“So happy endings
“In some cases, yes. Is that why you’re reading
She’d asked in a slightly teasing voice, but when he answered, his gaze remained serious. “After Rob’s death and my reevaluation of my own life, I realized I want to find what my sister had with Rob. What my parents have shared all these years. That special connection with one person. I’m tired of games and drama and the singles scene. After my last relationship ended, I sort of went into hibernation, and frankly, between the new job and helping out my sister, I haven’t had much free time. Nor have I met anyone who interested me enough to make the effort.” He drained the rest of his beer. “And I’m sure that’s more than you ever wanted to know.”
As recently as two hours ago, she would have sworn she knew all she wanted to know about him. But that was based on her own incorrect assumptions and wrong conclusions about him. Now she felt as if she didn’t know nearly enough. As if she could sit here and talk to him for hours.
She cleared her throat. “You said that I surprised you, but I have to say… you’ve surprised me.”
“Because you thought I was an arrogant, heartless prick.” He said the words without rancor. Indeed, he appeared amused.
“An arrogant pain in the ass,” she corrected. “Which, as far as work goes, I still think you are. But in keeping with our apparent detente, I also think you’re intelligent and an excellent and fair boss to your staff.”
“Thank you. As far as work goes, I think you’re a nit-picking, uptight micromanager. But in keeping with our apparent detente, I also think you’re intelligent and a good organizer. And that you look pretty damn amazing in that dress.”
His words surprised her, but then he utterly shocked her by reaching out and brushing his fingers over the back of her hand. It felt as if a lightning bolt zoomed up her arm and spread all the way down to her toes.
“I told you all about me and the mysterious contents of
She hiked up a brow. “Nice girls can’t have one-night stands?”
“Sure they can.” He studied her for several seconds, and she would have given a lot to know what he was thinking. “But I somehow don’t think it’s your usual style.”
“Obviously because of the ‘be brave, don’t chicken out’ note.”
“Only partly. Even without benefit of the note, it just doesn’t seem like you.”
“It’s not.” The words slipped out before she could even think, followed by a nervous laugh. “Would you believe me if I told you I’m actually sort of shy?”
He nodded slowly then said, “Yes, I would. Not in your job, in things that you’re sure of. There your confidence shows. But outside the business realm… yes, I can image you’re often shy.”
His answer surprised her. “No one believes me when I tell them I’m shy,” she found herself saying. “That social situations make me nervous. That I’ve had to train myself not to just stand in the corner and remain silent. Force myself to talk to people I don’t know. Ever since my mother’s funeral, with all those people crowding around me, talking to me…” A shudder ran through her, one she turned into a shrug. “I was
“But the year after my mom died, my dad gave me a camera for my birthday. It was the greatest present he could have given a shy girl because it gave me a way to communicate with people without having to make conversation. I could hide behind the lens, but still be sociable. It enabled me to fit in at school, where I joined the yearbook and newspaper staffs and photography club.”
“A camera… that’s a great idea. One I never would have thought of. Sophie isn’t shy with people she knows, but she doesn’t like crowds. It took her a long time to adjust to preschool. I’m going to look into a kid version of a camera for her. You didn’t want to make photography your career?”
She shook her head. “I’m too practical to contemplate being a starving artist. Photography’s a passion, but it’s just my hobby.”
His gaze skimmed over her with such unmistakable male appreciation it was all she could do not to fan herself with a cocktail napkin. “And your collection of sexy lingerie… is that a passion as well?”
“More of a weakness.”
He shifted closer and her knee brushed against his hard thigh. “Any other weaknesses?”
He chuckled. “That’s a relief. That combo wouldn’t be good for the arteries or the soul.”
“Or the stomach.”
He casually took her hand and lightly played with her fingers. Soft strokes of his fingers over hers that made her catch her breath. “You never answered my question,” he said softly.
“Question?” If he was going to keep touching her like that, he’d never get an answer. Especially since she couldn’t even recall what he’d asked her.
“Why are you looking for a one-nighter? No boyfriend to take the edge off?”
Pride made her ease her hand away, and she immediately missed the sensation of his fingers on hers. “If I had a boyfriend, I wouldn’t be here,” she said stiffly. “You might think me a nit-picking micromanager-an assessment I disagree with by the way-but I don’t cheat. I’ve had an unfaithful boyfriend and it’s not a pain or humiliation I would subject anyone else to.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you were stepping out on someone.” He cleared his throat. “Your Honor, I’d like my last remark stricken from the record and I’d like to rephrase my poorly worded question.”
She relaxed and gave a solemn nod. “Permission granted.”
He nodded his thanks. “So why don’t you have a boyfriend?”
“My last few relationships were with men who proved to be lacking in either morals, integrity, honesty, or all three. My last few first dates proved to be awkward or boring. A few months ago, I got disgusted with the games and grind of dating and basically threw in the towel.”
Understanding and unmistakable interest flared in his eyes. “I see. After a few months alone, you’re feeling… lonely. Not enough to take on a relationship with another man who’ll probably just disappoint you, but enough to want a one-nighter to take the edge off the sexual frustration.”
She could try to deny it, but doubted if she’d be convincing, especially when he’d nailed it so exactly. “Do you read minds?”
“No. I just guessed that’s how you’d feel because it’s exactly how I feel. How many months has it been for you?”
She debated lying, but in the end told the truth. “Six months. Six months, seventeen days, fourteen hours, and”-she consulted her watch-“nine minutes. Not that I’m counting.”
“Well, it’s been eight months, five days, twelve hours, and…” He lightly clasped her wrist, sending her pulse into overdrive. After checking her watch, he added, “And four minutes for me. Not that I’m counting.”
Maddie opened her mouth to dispute his claim, but one look at his face, at the intensity in his eyes and the words died on her lips. Unless Jack was giving an Academy Award-caliber performance, he was telling the truth. His sexual drought was even longer than hers. Considering the fact that she felt as if her skin were too small, she had to wonder how he was faring. She moistened her suddenly dry lips. “That’s a long time.”
“A damn long time.” He clasped her hand and lifted it to his mouth. With his gaze steady on hers, he pressed his lips against her palm. She pulled in a quick breath. His mouth looked and felt positively sinful against her skin, and oh, God, was that his tongue that just brushed over the pad of her thumb?
