Who’s the Boss?

his life he could have had a shot at a future with someone and he’d chosen not to. It was too late for him now, far too late. He wanted to be alone.

And maybe if he kept repeating it to himself, he’d believe it. He’d believe he didn’t want this woman in his life, really in his life. “Caitlin.”

She held up a hand. “I need to be alone,” she said quietly, dignity humming. “I want to be alone.”

“I can’t leave you. Not like this.” He moved close, but at the last minute, stopped short. What right did he have to hold her? To offer comfort? He wasn’t a long-term bet, and she deserved no less. Clasping his hands behind his back to keep them off her, he drew a deep breath. “Have you eaten?”

She gaped at him. Then laughed. “That sounded suspiciously like a question from a man who cared. But that couldn’t be, because you would never let yourself do something as foolish as that, would you, Joe?”

“I’m trying to help you.” He refused to rise to the bait, though his temper stirred. “I’m trying to offer support”

“Why?”

“Because we’re friends.”

“No.” Sadly, she shook her head. “Friends trust one another, Joe. And you have a real problem with that. You can’t let go enough to trust me.”

“I care about you,” he stated gruffly. “And I’m tired of you throwing it back in my face.”

She looked at him, startled. “I’m sorry for that,” she said softly. “I know it’s not easy for you to care, and I have no right to make you feel as if it’s not welcome. It is.” She took the few remaining steps between them. Gently, she touched his chest, resting one hand lightly over his steadily beating heart. Watching her fingers, she whispered, “I care about you also, Joe. Far too much.”

Beneath her hand, his heart beat faster. “I don’t want you to,” he said so low she nearly missed it.

For a moment, she stood there, head bowed. Then she raised a wet gaze to his. “I know. But that’s just the way it is.” Reaching behind him, she opened the front door, inviting him to leave her alone.

10

HE WAS TOUCHING HER, finally touching her. He ran his fingers down the length of her body, making her shiver with delight, anticipation. When he kissed her, slow, deep, lazy kisses that made her weak with pleasure and dizzy with desire, she moaned and begged him for more.

He pushed the blanket down, away from her, and the moonlight glowed over their bodies. His was perfect, hard and rippled and pulsing with life. She’d always felt hers was too soft, too…much, but he whispered how beautiful she was, how good she tasted, and at the needy heat in his eyes, she believed him.

For the first time in her life, she felt truly beautiful. Desirable.

As he kissed her again, he touched her-her face, her throat, her back, her legs, then back up again, stopping at the part of her burning for him.

As he lifted his head, Joseph’s light eyes held hers. “I want you,” he whispered thickly. “So much.” His fingers skimmed over her, lightly, teasing, until she arched up against his hand.

“I want you, too.” She clasped her hands around him, holding him close. “I love you, Joe. So much.”

He stilled. “No,” his low, shaky voice came. “You don’t know me.”

“I know enough.”

His eyes burned brightly. “I’m…not an easy man.” His voice was strangled with emotion. “And God knows I don’t deserve you, but Caitlin, don’t leave me. Don’t ever give up on me.”

She started to shake her head, but his fingers worked their magic, and her entire body started to shake. “Joe!” she called out, on the very edge and teetering crazily…

SHE WOKE UP, twisted in her sheets, damp with perspiration and breathing as if she’d just run a marathon.

A dream. Just a dream. The most real, most perfect dream she’d ever had.

She was alone in her moonlit bed, which was scattered with moving boxes. On an empty shelf sat a porcelain kitty, filled with rose petals. It had been her first purchase for this place, and she hadn’t wanted to pack it because then it would be real.

She was leaving.

She lay in her bed, by herself, breathless, shaking, alone. Alone and…hot. Very hot.

She had fallen in love with Joe.

She hadn’t meant to, but it had happened and now she was really in trouble because he’d never allow himself to love her back. She could give and give until she was exhausted, and still, Joe would never give it back.

Trembling in unfulfilled passion, Caitlin did the only thing she could. She dropped her face to her pillow and burst into tears.

SATURDAY MORNING DAWNED bright and early. Too early, Caitlin thought with a moan and flipped over, burrowing under the covers.

Her body still tingled, still felt a little neglected, a little needy. That dream had really shaken her, and if she’d had the energy, she might have drowned her sorrows in an ice-cold shower.

When the knock came at the door, she jerked upright with panic as she remembered. It was her moving day. A day of fresh beginnings.

Yeah, right. More like the day she stepped down in the world, from beachfront condo to seedy apartment. Well, it could be worse. She could be pushing a shopping cart and muttering to herself at Venice Beach.

She had to remain positive. She was on her own, supporting herself, a first for her. Unmistakable pride boosted her spirits, as did a healthy amount of fear. Life in the real world, complete with real worries and doubts and insecurities about survival.

A day of change.

The knock came again, not so patiently this time, and with a little laugh, Caitlin leaped out of bed. Vince had kept his promise to come help, to bring the twins and Amy. The thought of having friends around cheered her considerably.

And if a little part of her wished it were Joe, she shoved that thought from her mind as she pulled on a denim miniskirt and a tank top. Joe had no place in her life.

No place at all, she thought as she wrenched open the front door a minute later and faced…the man of her dreams.

He wore his black jeans with a black polo shirt that was actually tucked in today. His scowl matched the clothing, forcibly reminding her of that modern-day pirate again. And now that she knew he even kissed like a renegade, her knees went a little weak at the sight of him. He seemed so big, so tall. She wished she’d put on her platform sandals for some desperately needed height and confidence.

“Joe.” Was that her voice, all breathless and excited? She cleared her throat and tried again. “What are you doing here?”

Joe wished to hell he knew. What he did know was that he’d never felt so lonely as he had last night. For the first time in his life, he’d felt a deep, burning need to be with someone who cared about him.

To allay that need, he’d looked elsewhere, but had found no one. There’d only been one other person he’d let into his life, but Edmund was gone now. In an attempt to bring the man back fresh into his head, Joe had finally gone through his thick copy of the will. What he’d discovered at the back of the file had stunned him-a personal note from the dead. From Edmund, the note was in his pocket right now.