“I’m game if you are,” he said.
“Are you sure you don’t want to give me a lift to the nearest hotel? I mean, practically tripping over each other like this will likely cramp both our styles.”
“It’s a big place. I doubt we’ll trip.”
“We’ll definitely be aware of each other, though. And I, at least, have a fairly active social life.”
“And what makes you think I don’t?”
She shrugged. “I guess it’s just hard to imagine. You’re stuffy, all business. You never knew how to enjoy what was offered.”
He saw the quickly masked distress in her eyes, knew she hadn’t meant to blurt those words, knew that she was referring to that long-ago kiss. He knew he’d hurt her, but until now, hadn’t realized the depth of that pain.
But damn it, she’d been jailbait back then, and he’d hated the pull of attraction he felt for the kid, fought it like crazy. All it had taken was a long look into those intriguing eyes filled with curiosity and mystery—yes, even at that young age, Jessica Coleman had exuded an innocent sensuality that promised bliss. She’d scared the hell out of him. And because of that, he’d mishandled her tender feelings, crushed her spirit.
But she was no longer a girl of thirteen, and the man in him had been goaded just about enough.
Obviously her crushed spirit had only been a temporary setback.
Chapter Two
Jessica’s heart pounded as Nick deliberately stepped toward her, his dark eyes filled with intent. He crowded her, trapped her between his body and the kitchen cabinets, twined a finger around one of her damp curls and toyed with the end where it just brushed the slope of her breast, all the while holding her gaze with his.
“Careful how you taunt, cowgirl. We’re all grownup now.”
Dear heaven, she hadn’t realized how difficult it would be to keep up this act. She could well be out-matched, but she was darned if she’d give it up now.
“So nice of you to notice,” she said, and neatly ducked beneath his arms. “Too bad I’m no longer interested.”
“Is that a dare?”
Jessica tucked her hair behind her ear, fought to get the jolt of awareness under control. She knew she was playing with fire and needed to backtrack in a hurry. Nick Grayson was a worthy opponent, not someone to underestimate. “Of course not.”
“Sounded that way to me. A statement of disinterest is practically an open invitation to prove just the opposite.”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake. Chill out, would you?” Actually, she was the one who needed to chill out. The man oozed seduction and danger from every masculine pore. She was fast finding herself in over her head. And that was not a position she wanted to be in.
She held up her hands to form a T. “Truce, okay? We’ve known each other for years. There’s no reason in the world why we can’t get along just fine as temporary roommates. I’ll contact the insurance people in the morning and see if the contents of the apartment were covered.”
“Since Coleman-Grayson owns the building, I don’t imagine you’ll have any trouble settling.”
“Fine, then. As soon as I can find a new apartment and new furniture and stuff, I’ll be out of your hair. Until then…” She moved forward and held out her hand. “Friends?”
He enveloped her hand in both of his. His palms were wide and warm, and she felt the oddest vibration shimmy up her arm.
“Friends,” he agreed. “As for the house rules, make yourself at home—though I expect you to respect my privacy and go easy on the loud music and wild parties.”
“Likewise.” Why wasn’t he letting go of her hand? And why was he staring into her eyes like that? The word that came to mind was hungry. She licked her lips. “If you have a date or want to bring a lady home, I’ll make myself scarce. Just warn me in advance.”
He took a step closer. “So, I’m not too stuffy to date and have women friends?” His voice was soft and deep and filled with a sensuality she didn’t quite know how to respond to.
What was going on here? Sparks were literally zinging between them. Oh, she’d wanted to make Nick Grayson drool. But she hadn’t counted on this sneak attack he seemed to be waging, setting her off balance.
Instead of answering his question, she said, “Look…uh, I think we’re both tired. I don’t know about you, but being rudely wakened to find your house on fire is enough to…” Her voice hitched and she cleared it. “Enough to…” Oh, Lord, she was going to cry. She could feel it and she was mortified. Her nose and throat burned, and her eyes stung.
She tried to back away, but Nick used their joined hands to pull her right into the comforting width of his chest.
“I wondered when that was going to catch up with you,” he murmured, stroking her hair, her back, soothing her with the sweep of his wide palm. “Shh, you’re safe with me now, kiddo.”
Jessica stiffened. Kiddo. She didn’t want him thinking about her as a kid, but obviously he did.
She stepped back. “I’m fine. Really. I think I’ll just turn in.”
The frown was back on his face. She watched his chest rise and fall with a deep breath, tried not to notice how his black polo shirt clung to the breadth of his physique.
She should have learned her lesson twelve years ago. Nick saw her merely as the daughter of a business partner. She was the one who kept getting mixed up, reading more into a look or touch than was actually there. It wasn’t his fault that he was born with the kind of looks that naturally made a woman fantasize, forget who, what and where she was.
But Jessica needed to remember.
In his eyes, they would never be on an equal footing. She’d be the kid and he’d be the guy her parents had asked to watch over her.
And that simply wasn’t acceptable.
He nodded and turned away from her. “I’ll show you to your room.”
FOR THE FIRST TIME in years, Nick overslept. Shrugging into his suit jacket, he finished knotting his tie as he went down the stairs. He was debating whether to head on out the front door and grab coffee at the office, or take the time to drink it here when he heard voices and laughter coming from the kitchen.
Jessica’s sultry, unrestrained laughter, and the deeper, carefree chortle of his younger brother, Chase.
He’d forgotten that Chase was due home for his annual visit. At twenty-five, his brother had yet to settle on what he wanted to be when he grew up. At present, he fancied himself a carefree playboy, with Europe as his playground of choice.
Well, that wasn’t exactly so, or fair. Chase raced cars and yachts and made a fortune at it. He was the kind of guy who’d wither away if he had to sit behind a desk or preside over meetings all day.
Jealousy speared Nick right in the solar plexus when he stopped in the kitchen doorway. It was a new emotion and it bothered him.
Jessica, still wearing the clothes Nick had given her last night—minus the robe, he noted—was sitting at the kitchen table chatting with Chase. They were both the same age, so easily enjoyed a good laugh. Just watching them made Nick feel sixty-three, instead of thirty-three.
For as long as he could remember, he’d been the responsible one, the sensible one, the driven one. Had he ever let himself laugh the way Chase was doing now?
And what the hell was so funny, anyway? He didn’t like this feeling of being on the outside.
“You’re