Body Heat

“Really? Hmm.” She stretched and yawned all at the same time and quickly clasped an embarrassed hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m just low on energy. Add to that the tossing and turning I tried to do last night and… well…sorry.” A beautiful blush stained her cheeks. “I’m just tired. And hungry.”

In that instant, Jake decided everything, including being jealous of Norton and keeping his distance, could wait. She appeared more exhausted than he’d remembered seeing her. Then again, he hadn’t had too many up-close- and-personal conversations, something that would change now that they lived under one roof. Looking at her tired face, he had a very strong desire to wrap Brianne in his arms and keep her safe-from the outside world, and from her own life which was so obviously wearing on her.

As a cop, he’d always had an overactive protective instinct, but what he felt now went beyond a professional impulse to protect. “Can I get you anything to drink? A glass of soda or water?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, thanks. Just food. I know we never discussed the details of this living arrangement, but I did some food shopping during my lunch hour and I thought I’d put together a quick dinner. Can I…should I…” Her voice trailed off, professionalism giving way to uncertainty, barriers crumbling in light of awkward reality.

He found her uncertainty endearing and a refreshing change from her consummate forced demeanor. To hell with the cop and his secrets, Jake thought. The man in him wanted to ease her stress. “Actually, I called in for pizza before jumping into the shower. It’s already in the kitchen. You’re welcome to share.”

“Thank you. I love pizza and, to be honest, I’m so exhausted, cooking’s the last thing I want to do.” Her enthusiasm was so tangible he wanted to taste it-and her.

She turned, her ponytail bobbing as she bounded toward the kitchen, Norton hot on her trail. Jake followed a short distance behind. She tossed a canvas bag on the floor by one of Rina’s decorator wrought-iron, ladder-back kitchen chairs, rested her hands on the table, and inhaled deeply.

“Mmm. That smells delicious. I haven’t had a slice in ages.”

“How come?”

She turned to face him. “How come what?”

“If you love pizza so much, why haven’t you had any lately? You work two jobs, long hours, and you said yourself you’re exhausted. Every single New Yorker knows take-out’s easier than cooking.”

“It also gets expensive.”

He debated for a moment, then decided to ask. “Two jobs must bring in a good salary. What does the money go for, if you don’t mind my asking?” Once again, it wasn’t the cop’s need for answers but personal curiosity that drove him now. A need to get to know her better.

She eased herself into a chair, her hands curling around the gleaming chrome handles. “My parents died when I was twenty. My brother was nine, and I’ve raised him ever since.”

Her lonely existence touched the heart he’d closed off after his ex-wife left. “I’m sorry.”

He came up beside her, placing what he meant to be a supportive hand on her shoulder. But when it came to Brianne, no touch was simple. Heat exploded beneath his fingertips, but he left his hand in place, unable and unwilling to break contact.

“It’s been a long time, but thanks. Marc, my brother, he’s special, unbelievably bright, and it would have been a disservice to him and his abilities to keep him in public school. Everything I earn has been split between his education and making ends meet.”

Jake stared, grateful for the insight and amazed at her generous spirit. She’d given and sacrificed everything for her sibling, and, though Jake would do the same for Rina, his heart twisted with the notion that he’d been right- Brianne was an incredible woman. “Your brother’s lucky to have you.”

A blush rose to her cheeks, and she waved away the compliment, as if what she’d done was inconsequential. “I’m lucky to have him. We’re like this-” She crossed her fingers to make her point.

He nodded, an unexpected lump in his throat. “Well, dig in.” He pointed to the white pizza box on the table. “Your days of deprivation are at an end.”

She grinned and did as he asked. For the duration of the short meal, he watched more than he ate, gaining his fill from her satisfied sighs and gratitude. Such a simple thing, and it broke down barriers far more than any come- on ever would. It was progress he hadn’t expected and it touched him more than he would have liked, especially for a man who couldn’t afford any involvement or distractions right now.

She wiped her mouth with a paper napkin and rose to clean the table. Used to fending for himself, Jake helped and, despite the size of the large kitchen, they bumped into one another often, the current between them charged.

Still, by the time she’d disposed of the garbage and turned back to him, she seemed calmer and more composed than he felt at the moment. “Ready to work?” she asked.

Professional, he thought again. But nothing could erase the confidence she’d shared or the heat they generated. Hell, he’d already caught the fragrant strawberry scent he associated with this woman-the one that turned him inside out and made him want more than he could put into words. But she was right. She was here to do a job, and he ought to let her do it.

“Ready to try and convince me?” He grinned. “It’s a gorgeous night out. Want to see the stars?”

“Pathetic pickup line,” she said.

He chuckled. “No joke. The whirlpool’s outside.” He deliberately waited a beat. “Under the stars.”

Although she blushed a furious shade of red, she held her ground and his gaze. He was still hoping to persuade her to get some rest, but if she insisted on working, he figured sexual innuendo would keep her on her guard-and at a distance. He couldn’t trust himself if they got too close, and heaven help him if her hands actually worked on his body. This woman could have him forgetting his own name, never mind Ramirez.

“It’s the whirlpool or the tub in the master bath,” he said lightly, referring to the water therapy she’d mentioned the other day.

She picked up her duffel bag. “I’ll need to see the extent of your injury and mobility before I can even think about the type of exercises you’ll need. Are you going to let me evaluate you?”

“Wouldn’t you rather take it easy? You said yourself you’re exhausted.” Although he had to admit, the food had put color back in her cheeks and she didn’t look as tired as she had earlier. He wondered if the sexual innuendo had anything to do with the flush in her face and the sudden energy.

“Nice stalling tactic, but it won’t work. Give me a chance, okay? First we’ll loosen the area with wet heat wrapped around your shoulder, and then I’ll check your mobility.”

“Wet heat, huh? Sounds interesting.” His gaze dropped to her lips. She’d licked them once and did so again, her nerves clearly showing despite her outward calm. And just thinking about breaching those walls again, this time feeling her melt in his arms, at his touch, did something to him deep inside.

“Moist heating pads,” she explained, “on the affected area.” If she’d been flustered before, the blush and body shifting increased now. “You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do.” He let out a mock long-suffering sigh. “No whirlpool?”

“I said water therapy’s always an option. I didn’t say I’d be using it on you.” She wagged her finger in front of him, scolding him for jumping to conclusions.

“What if I’m a good boy and cooperate? Then do I get the water treatment?” He offered her a pleading look and got a laugh for his effort.

Jake knew one thing for certain. No matter how much of a distraction she’d be, he wanted her in that whirlpool willingly before the summer was through. Not that he planned to give in to the need. Still, he reached for her, wrapping his palm around that finger. Surprised, her gaze met his, and his breath caught in his throat. Those warm, compelling green eyes turned the tables, giving her the control that should have been his.

He’d never been in danger of losing control before. Even when his tumultuous marriage was at its best and most sexually charged, he’d never experienced the chemistry he felt now, had never felt the desire to cede power and see where it took him.

She swallowed hard. “Tell you what. You cooperate, and I’ll consider the whirlpool.”

“Hardly a fair deal.”

“But it does give you something to work toward, doesn’t it? In case returning mobility isn’t enough of a motivator.” She met and held his gaze, assessing him. She took his measure, and, as she studied him, Jake knew he had a formidable adversary. One he wouldn’t be able to con for long.

He let out a slow groan. He couldn’t just walk away, and eventually he’d either be confiding in her and asking