Jaye rested her chin on her hand. “So, you let her believe you weren’t interested in dating anyone right now.”
“No. I let her believe I was punishing myself for hurting someone a few years ago, because it’s the truth.” He tilted back his head to stare at the ceiling. “I destroyed a relationship by saying things I shouldn’t have said. Cruel things. Been alone ever since.”
Jaye had a flash of insight. “You’ve punished yourself by withdrawing from every close relationship you have.”
He shook his head. “You make me sound more noble than I deserve.”
His admission troubled her. “Are we talking about your ex fiancée, or someone else?”
“Both. My ex wasn’t the only woman I hurt.” His gaze landed on the scrape on Jaye’s face. “Now you’re hurt, too.”
The grim look on his face compelled Jaye to state the obvious. “This cut isn’t your fault. Tara is the one who pushed me, not you.”
“I should’ve known she’d try something stupid.” The muscles along his brow bunched. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop her in time.”
The poignant regret in his voice loosened the tension coiled around her waist. “You said Tara was unpredictable. I didn’t realize how right you were.”
He took a deep breath. “Do you believe her? Did she plant any doubt in your mind I’d choose her over you?”
She thought of the naked waitress she’d found with David. “Every woman has doubts. I’m no different.”
“As far as I’m concerned, I think you’re entirely different. No one else would be so kind to Tara.” His Adam’s apple rose and fell in a deep swallow. “Or me.”
The last muscle clenching her ribcage loosened, allowing Jaye to take a deep breath. “If Tara has any sense, she’d find the tools in your garage more fascinating than your bank account.” She pointed to the decorative wood along the top of her bedroom walls. “Few women can find a guy who can put up crown molding.”
He didn’t crack a smile. “Try finding a pretty woman who likes snowball fights and football.”
The hoarse warmth in his voice melted her misgivings, tempting her to believe he wanted her and no one else. “Will your ex fiancée show up when she hears about me?”
“No. She’ll leave us alone.”
Jaye plucked at a loose thread on the blue bedspread. “What about the other woman you hurt? Will she come back?”
“No, but meeting her would answer a lot of your questions.” He paused for a moment. “She’s my mother.”
He stared at her like a man waiting for his prison sentence, but Jaye couldn’t hand down a conviction. “I imagine whatever you said was fueled by frustration and hurt because your mother stopped talking to you.” Jaye felt a sudden flare of anger. His mother’s selfish actions had condemned Mitch to years of isolation and guilt. “You’re a good man. You deserve to be happy.”
He closed his eyes, leaning his head against the headboard. “You’re the only one who makes me happy.”
Damn. There it was.
Proof.
Mitchell Blake would keep talking—and keep hounding her to talk—until he got into her bed. Yet here he was, taking up most of the mattress even though he’d taken care to position himself along the edge, and he made no move to seduce her. No, his only goal seemed to be one simple thing.
To say she made him happy.
Shock clamped around her chest, immobilizing her lungs. She caught her breath with a joke. “Think of how happy you’ll be when I stop hitting you in the groin.”
His handsome mouth tilted into a grin. “You’ll never hear me complain about the way you touch my groin, even if it’s with your knee. Or flashlight.”
She laughed and reached for his hand.
He brushed his thumb over her knuckles and met her gaze. “You scared the hell outta me a few minutes ago. Are you okay, pixie?”
“Yes. I, um, had a little trouble processing what happened. I’ve never been the other woman before.”
“You’re not the other woman. You’re the only woman.” He pulled away his hand, slanting her a rueful grin. “I promised not to touch you when we were in this part of the house. Keeping that vow while I’m in your bed is damned difficult.”
“Good thing I never promised the same thing.” Jaye hugged him tight, loving the rich burst of heat coming off his chest. He exhaled against her neck, the hot rush of air a poignant testimony he’d been holding his breath.
He gave her a slow kiss, his mouth soft and tender, and rested the bridge of his nose against hers. “I’ve got to ask. Why did you move the bed into the middle of the room?”
“There was a draft from the window. I was cold.”
“I know how to fix that.” He kissed her again, lowering her to the mattress. Pulling a blanket over them, he spooned his body behind hers and tucked her close to his chest. “Don’t worry. I remember the rules. No sex while we’re working together…but if you’ll let me stay, I’ll keep you warm.”
Warmth radiated into her back from where his torso pressed against her spine. Relaxing under the comforting heat, she snuggled into his arms. His determination to behave like a gentleman beguiled her as much as his ardent passion. Jaye had the feeling her heart would have been in much finer shape had she met him instead of David, who always gave into his baser impulses. She spent a few blissful moments musing what her life would’ve been like if she’d met Mitch first.
The warm bridge of his nose nuzzled the back of her neck. “You said yes.”
“Hm?”
“I asked if you were jealous, and you said
