Authors: Susan Fox
Body Heat (38 page)
She walked past him, into the kitchen. Uninvited, just the way the two cops had done earlier.
He hadn’t expected her to come, but now that she was here, she could clear up some of his confusion. Keeping his distance, he leaned his hip against the counter. “You told the cops I was with you. Gave me an alibi. Why?”
Her shoulders straightened, like it took effort, and she stared across the room into his eyes. “Because it was the right thing to do. Because I finally stopped being a coward.”
“Well, uh, thanks.”
She shook her head impatiently. “You don’t owe me any thanks. You’ve every right to be furious with me.”
Furious. Last night, he had been. This morning, he’d been hurt and disappointed. Now, he didn’t know how he felt. It had been easier when she wasn’t there, but he couldn’t be sorry she’d come. Man, he was one mixed-up dude. What was he hoping for from her?
“What happened about your job?” he asked. “That promotion you wanted?”
“I withdrew my application.” She shrugged. “I only wanted it to make my parents proud. I’m happy being an accountant. I’ve been so mixed up about so many things. I don’t even know who I am anymore.”
Mixed up. That made two of them. “Uh . . . I guess I don’t know who you are, either. I thought you were one person, then last night I found out I was wrong.”
“You thought I was nice, and found out I’m a bitch.”
Wow. That was pretty plain talk, not to mention language he’d never heard from Maura. “I found out that you think I’m good enough to fuck, good enough to play do-gooder with, but not good enough to take you to that reunion.” And yeah, that did make her a bitch.
She nodded, not looking surprised or hurt. “Actually, I didn’t think that. But I worried what my classmates, and especially my parents, would think. Which is just as bad. Maybe worse.”
He nodded. Either way, she was a bitch. But why was she here?
She glanced at the beer in his hand. “D’you have another of those?”
Startled—Maura was full of surprises tonight—he got one from the fridge, cranked off the top, and handed her the bottle.
She took a sip, grimaced slightly, then had a healthy slug of it. “My drink of choice is Ehrenfelser. Yours is beer.”
Yeah, they were different. He got that. “You like champagne, fancy food, dancing. I like beer and pizza.”
“I never go dancing, and I like pizza, too. And beer’s not so bad. And I like old movies. We’re not so different.” Then she shook her head, took a breath. “No, there’s one big difference. You’re a good person. And I’m not good enough for you.”
Well, huh. That stunned him enough that he sank down in a chair.
She stood, staring down at him with huge ocean eyes. “But I want to be. I want to be the kind of woman who deserves a man like you.”
He wasn’t all that sure what she meant, but she seemed sincere. And his heart, which she’d pretty much trashed, was insane enough to start hoping again. “You can be any kind of woman you want to be.”
A smile flashed, lighting her face. “Yes, that’s what I finally figured out. I’m responsible for who I am. Not my parents, not Sally—”
“Sally?” he broke in, lost again. “Who’s Sally?”
“A high school friend. She got me to loosen up, and got me in trouble. Or at least that’s how I saw it—how my parents saw it—at the time. But she wasn’t responsible. I was. It’s up to me if I let down my hair, drink too much, watch TV. It’s up to me what kind of career I want, and what kind of man I date.”
“Well, yeah.”
She gave a wry laugh, took another slug of beer. “You’d think it would be obvious, right? To anyone with half a brain? That just goes to show how stupid I’ve been.” She swayed slightly and grabbed the back of a chair. “Wow, this stuff packs a punch.”
She’d had two whole swallows of beer. “Have you eaten today?”
“I guess not.”
“Sit down before you fall down.”
Obediently, she slid into a chair.
Trying to process what she’d said, Jesse rose to take an open package of cheddar from the fridge and a box of crackers from the counter. He tossed them on the table along with a knife. “Eat.”
For a few minutes, they were both silent as she sliced cheese and ate a few crackers.
As usual with Maura, he was confused as hell. Why had she come? What did she want?
Finally, she said, “I’m sorry. Sorry for everything. For not telling the police the truth right away this morning and for being so horrible last night.”
He thought about that. It was an honest apology. It was childish to hold a grudge. “Okay.”
Her eyes widened. “Okay?”
He shrugged. “You did something you feel bad about. You apologized. Okay.”
“Does that mean you forgive me?”
He reflected. “You did fix things with the police.”
“Is there any way I can fix things with you?”
He felt that tickle of hope again. But she’d hurt him before, so did he want to lay himself open to that again? “Fix things? How do you mean?”
“We were friends, and I didn’t deserve your friendship. I want to try again.” She reached out as if she wanted to grab his hands, then stopped herself. “Jesse, I truly do like you and respect you. I don’t care what job you work at, I don’t care how much schooling you’ve had or whether you read or not. You’re the finest man I’ve ever known, and I want that man as my friend. Is there any hope of that?”
He wanted that, too. He wanted a lot more than that. But how about Maura? He still wasn’t clear exactly what she had in mind. “Friends.” His voice rasped on the word. “Guess we could try that.”
Her face lit up. “And our nonprofit society? It’s such a great idea. But it’s up to you. I can’t see it working with anyone else but you.”
He had really liked the idea. Been excited about it, started imagining the possibilities. “We could talk about that.”
“You can stay at Cherry Lane to do your community service, if you still want to. Fred and Virginia talked to the Chair of the Board and went to bat for both of us.”
“Nice of them,” he said gruffly, touched by their kindness.
She lifted the bottle to her lips and took a long swallow. When she put it down, she looked scared, but determined. “There’s one more thing.”
“What?” he asked warily.
“I’d like to invite you to my high school reunion.”
Just what did that mean? Had she decided that going with him was better than getting appendicitis? “As your friend?”
She shook her head. When she spoke, her voice trembled with nerves. “No, as my d-date. My b-boyfriend.” Her voice speeded up as she went on. “Jesse, I would be so proud if you’d go with me as my date. I know you’re not into serious relationships, but even if it’s just a short-term thing—”
“What? What d’you mean I’m not into serious relationships?” The way he felt about Maura was pretty damned serious.
“You’ve never been with a woman for more than a few months.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Which is fine,” she said quickly. “I know you see bike rides and sex as pretty much the same thing and—”
“What?” he hollered. Sometimes this woman made so much sense, and sometimes she made no sense at all. “What are you talking about?”
She frowned. “When I said it was my personal business if I went for a bike ride with you, but sex was different, you said they’re the same.”
“Oh, yeah, right.” He remembered that conversation.
“And for me, sex is something special. But that doesn’t mean I’m asking for anything you’re not willing to give.”
Light was beginning to dawn. And this time, hope was more than a flicker; it was a steadily growing flame. “You thought I meant that sex with you was no more significant than a bike ride?”
She nodded.
He chuckled. “Jesus, Maura. I meant it was the same principle. If one thing is no one else’s business, then I figured the other wouldn’t be, either.”
“That’s what you were talking about?”
“Yeah. And yeah, I’ve never had a relationship that was serious. But things were different. The women were different.”
“Different than what?”
Wasn’t it obvious? “You,” he said with exasperation. “You’re special, Maura. Sex with you is special, talking to you is special, everything about you is special. I’ve never felt this way before, damn it.”
Her lips twitched. “Damn it?”
“Well, hell, you’ve turned my world upside down. I’m trying to get my bearings.”
This time, she did take his hands. Her grip was warm and firm. “Oh, Jesse, me, too. I’ve never met anyone like you and I’ve never felt anything like this before. I’ve messed up so badly, I’m such a terrible person, I can’t believe you still think I’m special.”
“Had my doubts for a while,” he said gruffly, “but everybody makes mistakes.”
“So you’ll do it?” She squeezed his hands. “You’ll be my reunion date?”
“On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You’ll stop talking about short term. I’ve got a lot more than that in mind for you, Maura Mahoney.”
“Oh, Jesse, I’ll accept that condition with pleasure.” Her face, her eyes, even her voice glowed.
Finally, he let himself smile. Really, really smile. It felt like his heart was opening up to her. Opening up in a way it had never dared do before. “Figure we ought to seal the deal with a kiss.”
She let go of his hands and came around the small table to sit in his lap, her arms going around his neck. “You’re one smart man, Jesse Blue.”
Then her lips were on his and, as they kissed, he imagined a whole new, wonderful fantasy. Maura, as his woman, sexy and smart and sensitive, challenging him and loving him. With the two of them together, who knew what fantasies they could make come true?
Chapter 21
W
hen Maura opened her door to Jesse in his tux, with tousled hair, carrying his bike helmet, he took her breath away.
hen Maura opened her door to Jesse in his tux, with tousled hair, carrying his bike helmet, he took her breath away.
The gay clerk at the tuxedo rental store had oohed and aahed and thoroughly embarrassed poor Jesse, but the result was a designer tux that looked like it had been made for his broad shoulders, slim waist, and long legs. The white shirt was crisp and the bow tie and cummerbund were a golden-brown that matched his tawny eyes.
“I feel like a teenager going to the prom with the most handsome boy in school.” She winced. “No, bad analogy.
Tonight will
not
end the way my prom did.” Or at least she sure hoped it wouldn’t.
not
end the way my prom did.” Or at least she sure hoped it wouldn’t.
His eyes gleamed as he took her in from head to toe: hair worn loose and free, scarlet dress—because fantasies could come true—and high-heeled red shoes. “You sure don’t look like a teenager. You’re all woman, Maura. A beautiful, sexy woman.” He touched his lips to hers, careful not to mess up her red lipstick. “My woman,” he added smugly.
“I love how that sounds.”
“You and me both. Now, I want to hear that prom story. You started to say something that first day, after talking to Cindy, but you wouldn’t finish.”
“It’s embarrassing.”
“Tell me.” His eyes were warm and sympathetic.
And so she did.
When she finished, he said, “If that guy Troy’s here tonight, I’m gonna punch him out.”
“You are not!”
He chuckled. “It’s fun pushing your buttons. No, I figure Troy’s already got his punishment. He missed out on being with the sweetest, sexiest girl in the class.”
She melted into his arms. “You’re the best. Have I told you that?”
He kissed her nose. “Tell me later, when we’re in bed, Ms. Warm Honey. Now, you done stalling? Ready to face the music?”
The music. Cindy, all her former classmates, not to mention Agnes and Timothy. Maura’d told her parents she was bringing a date. She wouldn’t ask them to accept him; she’d tell them he was her guy, and he was the smartest, nicest man she’d ever met. No way would she give up Jesse to please her parents.
“I’m ready.” She slipped her arm through his.
They’d decided, for the sake of her dress and hair, to arrive by car rather than blaze into the gym on his Harley as per her fantasy.
When they walked in, their arrival had an impact even without the bike. Conversations stopped, and she heard people whisper, “Is that Maura Mahoney?” as she and Jesse strolled arm in arm toward the bar.
But then she heard, “Jesse Blue?”
She saw a man waving from across the gym. Was that . . . yes, it was Ernie Blair, from her high school class, just a few pounds heavier. But how did he know Jesse?
“Jesus.” Jesse’s hand tightened on her arm. “Maura, hell, it’s the lawyer who prosecuted me. Christ, you’re not going to impress anyone if they find out you’re dating a . . . criminal.”
She gripped his arm tighter and told the truth. “I’m proud to be with you and I don’t care what people think. In fact”—she clung even harder and her voice trembled—“I l-love you, Jesse Blue.”
He swallowed hard. “Maura, there’s a place in my heart that’s always been empty. That’s always wanted a home, but doubted I’d find one. And that place . . . well, you’ve filled it. I love you, too.”
Moisture glazed her vision. How could she possibly be so lucky?
Before she could respond, Ernie Blair came up to them, beaming. “Wow, look at you, Maura. I hardly recognized you. Jesse, I had no idea you knew one of my old classmates.”
“Guess it didn’t come up in conversation,” Jesse said wryly.
Maura kept her hand tight on his arm, offering silent support.
Jesse stuck out his hand. “I want to thank you for agreeing to the deal Barry Adamson proposed.”
Ernie took his hand and shook firmly, but shot a questioning glance at Maura.
“It’s all right,” she said. “I know all about it.”
He nodded and turned back to Jesse. “No problem. Far as I’m concerned, you saved that young woman’s life.”
A pretty Asian woman came up to them and tucked her hand in Ernie’s. “Going to introduce me, sweetheart?”
“Of course. Folks, this is my wife, Lisa. Lisa, this is Maura, a classmate, and Jesse, uh, a business acquaintance.”
Maura glanced at Jesse. The lines of tension in his face were relaxing. Then she turned to Ernie, who gave them both a reassuring wink. She smiled gratefully.
A familiar voice squealed, “Why Maura Mahoney, is that really you?”
Resignedly, she turned around. “Cindy, how good to see you.”
Jesse’s body shook briefly and she elbowed him in the ribs. Cindy looked as glamorous as always, though Maura didn’t remember her hair being quite that shade of blond.
Cindy was busy ogling Jesse and fluttering her eyelashes. “Well, hello stranger. Now where did Maura find you?”
“In her bedroom,” Jesse said calmly.
Ernie and Lisa gave delighted chuckles, Cindy’s mouth gaped open unattractively, and Maura began to smile for real. “Cindy Johnson, meet Jesse Blue.”
Cindy bared her teeth in a forced smile. “So, what do you do, Jesse?”
“Jack of all trades,” he said.
“Not to mention, director of a charitable organization,” Maura added.
“That’s interesting,” Ernie said. “That’s new since we last met. What’s the charity?”
Maura opened her mouth but Jesse pressed her arm, silencing her. “It’s called House Keepers,” he said. “We assist seniors who don’t have the money to keep their homes in decent repair but aren’t ready to move to a residential or care facility. We provide the labor and materials free of charge.”
“That sounds like a worthwhile cause,” Ernie said. “My firm sponsors several organizations, and I’d be interested in looking into this further.”
“Let me give you my card,” Jesse said, patting his pocket.
Maura gaped. They didn’t have cards yet. It was on her list.
Jesse shook his head. “Sorry, guess I forgot to bring them. How about I give you a call on Monday, Ernie?”
Maura smothered a chuckle. Not only did he clean up just fine, he was darned smooth.
Ernie and Lisa departed to greet a new arrival, and Cindy said she needed a drink.
Alone again, Maura told Jesse, “You were brilliant. Not only beauty, but brains.” And this man loved her.
He threw back his head and laughed, and the female heads in the vicinity turned their way. He leaned close to her ear. “Did I tell you about this fantasy I’ve got? It’s about you in those shoes and your glasses and nothing else.”
A sexy shiver rippled down her spine. “I do believe that could be arranged.”
Then she gave a completely different kind of shiver, catching sight of Agnes and Timothy standing on the other side of the room staring their way. Agnes raised her hand in a “come here” gesture.
“Jesse, we should introduce you to my parents. They’re—”
A female voice interrupted, squealing Maura’s name. She spun on a high heel. “Sally!”
A pint-size dynamo with a mass of curly black hair flung herself at Maura and wrapped surprisingly strong arms around her.
Perfectly aware that Agnes and Timothy were watching, waiting for her to come over to them, Maura deliberately hugged Sally back. Then they stepped apart to stare at each other. “I didn’t know you’d be here,” Maura said. “I heard you moved out of town.”
“Just moved back last month. I was hoping I’d see you.” Sally grinned impishly. “So how are your folks?”
Maura laughed. “Not running my life anymore.” No need to tell Sally that it had taken her until she was thirty to grow up.
“Looks like you’re doing a fine job all by yourself. You look fabulous, girlfriend. Now who is this utterly gorgeous man?”
Maura made the introductions, then Jesse said, “Just bet you gals are dying to talk about me. How about I get us some drinks?” With a twinkle in his eye, he said to Maura, “Champagne sound about right?”
“Perfect,” Maura said. Champagne, and later they’d dance together, and who cared if neither one of them knew how to waltz? As long as they had their arms around each other, she’d be in heaven.
The two women watched him walk away. Sally fanned herself. “Now there’s a hot man. Tell me, does he have a brother?”
“Sorry, he’s one of a kind. And he’s mine.”
Sally laughed. “Maura, darlin’, the way he looks at you leaves no doubt. But I swear, your Jesse’s the kind of man who’ll be giving me wicked thoughts all night long.”
“He’ll be giving
me
a lot more than wicked
thoughts
!”
me
a lot more than wicked
thoughts
!”
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