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He had to keep his hands off her.
He slept with women for mutual pleasure, for kicks, but it could never mean anything deeper than that. He never got involved with anyone who might mean more to him. That was the way he lived; that was the way he had to live. Free and easy. No commitments, no ties.
The way she’d looked at him after the kiss, the shattered horror in her eyes had touched a place inside him he’d never even admitted existed. The woman was bad news all round. He was going to have to keep well clear of her. But how the hell was he going to do that, when he wanted her so damn much?
CHAPTER FIVE
‘JESS?’
‘Over here, Al.’ Jessie poked her head round the kitchen counter as her sister waddled into view.
‘Do you think you could get Emmy for me? I’m so tired.’
Seeing the exhaustion on her sister’s face, Jessie dashed over and took her arm. ‘Sit down, for goodness’ sake.’ She guided Ali towards the sofa. ‘Where is Emmy? I thought she was with Linc.’
‘He’s working today, some crisis at the New York office.’ Ali settled into the cushions and gave a hefty sigh. ‘Emmy’s been camped over at Monroe’s all morning.’
Jessie frowned. ‘But I thought she went over to see him yesterday.’
‘And the day before that.’Ali paused to rub her back. ‘She’s been helping him fix the BMW. You wouldn’t believe the state of her clothes when she got back yesterday. I was worried Monroe might be getting tired of having her hanging around. But I think he was actually pleased to see her this morning.’ She smiled, her eyes warm. ‘Anyway, I thought maybe you could go rescue him, as lunch is nearly ready.’
‘Um.’ Jessie felt trapped.
She’d been avoiding Monroe for over a week. If the humiliating memory of their kiss wasn’t bad enough, the fact that she’d been reliving it in her dreams every night had made it all seem so much worse. She still wasn’t ready to see him again. But Ali looked shattered. She couldn’t very well refuse such a simple request.
Jessie arranged the sandwiches she’d made on the table, tried to steady her breathing. ‘I’ll go get her in a minute, Al.’
‘Why don’t you ask Monroe if he wants to come over for the barbecue tonight?’Ali said from the sofa. ‘I haven’t been able to tempt him with any of my invitations so far, but maybe the promise of a medium-rare steak will do the trick.’
Jessie’s cheeks coloured. She’d rather gnaw off her own foot than ask Monroe over for the family’s evening barbecue. All she needed was his smouldering looks over the charcoal to put her right off her own steak.
She rustled up a sweet smile for Ali as she slipped on her sandals. ‘Will do.’
It was an effort for Jessie not to curse out loud as she marched across the lawn to the garage apartment. She was just pondering how she could get away with not giving him Ali’s dinner invitation when she heard the delighted peal of Emmy’s laughter, followed by a gruff masculine chuckle.
Rounding the side of the garage, she spotted Monroe’s long jeans-clad legs sticking out from under the car. All she could see of Emmy were two pink sneakers wiggling furiously.
Should she be shocked or amazed that he actually had her five-year-old niece doubling as a car mechanic?
There was a loud clanging sound.
‘Hey, hold on there, kid.’
‘Sorry. Did I break it?’ Emmy’s feet went still.
Monroe’s reply wasn’t annoyed, just amused. ‘Nah. It’s tougher than that, but just remember what I said.’
‘Treat the car with respect and it’ll respect you back.’ Emmy said the words as if reciting holy scripture.
‘You got it. You want to finish it?’
‘Can I?’
Jessie frowned at the adoring tone of her niece’s voice. Did every single female within a ten-mile radius have to fall at his feet?
‘Go for it.’ She heard Emmy’s childish grunt before Monroe’s deep voice continued. ‘That’s it, kid. You’re a great mechanic. Why don’t you haul out? I’ll be right behind you.’
Jessie stepped back as Emmy crawled out from under the car.
‘Oh, Aunt Jessie, Aunt Jessie.’ Emmy leapt in the air. Her face, which was smudged with what could only be axle grease, glowed with excitement. ‘I did a lube job. It was way cool. Uncle Roe showed me, he let me do it all by myself.’
‘That’s wonderful, Emmy.’ Jessie tried to sound enthusiastic but couldn’t help wincing at the huge oil stain all over her niece’s favourite Barbie T-shirt. ‘We better go get you washed up before lunch.’
‘Do I have to go?’Emmy’s chin hit her chest. ‘Uncle Roe said I could have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with him today.’
Jessie was just wondering how to deal with that request when the man himself slid out from under the car and got to his feet. Her heart thudded in her chest at the sight of him, tall and lean in ragged denim and faded cotton. She could feel her face getting hot at the long look he gave her and wanted to scream.
‘Hi, Red.’ There was that stupid nickname again. The heat in her face increased.
‘Hello, Monroe.’
Jessie was grateful when Emmy tugged on his jeans, distracting him.
‘Jessie says I’ve got to go now, but I want to have lunch with you.’
He kneeled down, gave the little girl a serious look as she rested her hands on his shoulders. ‘Don’t sweat it. We can do that another time.’
Jessie saw Emmy had left grubby fingerprints all over him, but Monroe didn’t seem to notice as he held onto the little girl and stood up. The shadow of emotion crossed his face. For a moment he seemed lost in thought, but then his eyes focused on Jessie and he gave her a slow smile that made her feel unpleasantly warm.
‘We’ll go clean up,’ he said. ‘You want to come up and grab a drink?’
The statement sounded casual, but they both knew it was an olive branch.
Jessie wanted to stay mad at him; the memory of the kiss they’d shared still loomed large between them. But having seen the tender, thoughtful way he handled Emmy and the beaming grin on her niece’s face as she clung to his neck, she just couldn’t do it.
‘That would be nice, thanks.’
As he turned to heft the little girl up the stairs to his apartment, Jessie wondered at this new, nurturing side of him she never would have expected. She followed them up the steps, trying to stop her eyes from straying to the very nice male butt displayed in front of her in worn denim.
Entering the apartment, Monroe let Emmy scramble down out of his arms. ‘You know where the soap is, kid.’
‘Yes, Uncle Roe.’ She shot him an impish grin and scampered off to the bathroom.
Monroe felt an answering squeeze on his heart. He didn’t have any experience with kids, but Linc’s daughter had really gotten to him in the last few days.
He wasn’t supposed to be making any attachments. He was just passing through. But when the little girl had hugged him round the neck a few minutes ago and settled so easily into his arms, the trust and adoration in her eyes had made his heart hurt in a way that couldn’t be good
Of course, the sight of Emmy’s auntie, looking gorgeous and irritated, hadn’t exactly made the emotional punch any easier to deal with.
Jessie had been avoiding him for the last week or so, ever since that incendiary kiss of theirs in town, and he’d been more than happy to let her.
The woman was a major complication—one he definitely didn’t need. Over the last few days, his mind had strayed to thoughts of her without warning. The minute he’d seen her again, he’d had to admit he’d missed her. The woman looked good enough to eat and, now he knew what she tasted like, it was hard to resist taking another bite.
He heard her step into the apartment and close the door, but concentrated on washing his hands and pouring himself a long, cold glass of water.
If Emmy’s sweet, uncomplicated affection was getting to him, it was nothing compared to the effect the kid’s auntie was having on him. And one thing was for sure, his thoughts in that direction were a lot more dangerous. He turned, appreciating the way her hips moved as she walked into the room.
‘Emmy’s certainly taken a shine to you,’ she murmured.
‘I’ve taken a shine to her, too. She’s a great kid.’ He raised his glass. ‘Do you want a glass of water? It’s all I’ve got.’
‘That would be nice.’
‘No problem.’ He pulled another glass from the cabinet above the sink and filled it. ‘Here you go.’
She took the glass, her hand trembling as their fingers touched.
Her eyes met his and he watched as the heat crept into her cheeks. Yep, it was going to be near on impossible to keep his hands off her now.
Jessie took a hasty gulp of water and spluttered as the cold liquid hit the back of her throat.
‘You okay there, Red?’ His voice was low and intimate.
He put his hand on her back and rubbed. She was positive she could feel the calluses on his fingers through the thin cotton of her dress and she shivered. Get a grip, woman.
‘I’m finished, Uncle Roe.’
The little girl skipped back into the room, unaware of the tension that sizzled between the two adults.
‘All clean?’ Monroe said the words to Emmy but kept his eyes on Jessie.
‘Yes, look.’ Emmy held up her hands for Monroe’s inspection. Jessie released the breath she’d been holding as he turned to look at the little girl.
‘Good job.’
Emmy ran up and grabbed hold of his leg. ‘Can I come back tomorrow? Can I? Can I?’
He ruffled the little girl’s curly brown hair. ‘Sure, if you want to and your mom says it’s okay.’
‘We better be going, Emmy.’ Jessie reached for her niece’s hand, but the little girl continued to cling onto her uncle. ‘Lunch is already on the table.’
‘Okay.’Emmy let go reluctantly and put her hand in Jessie’s.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow, kid.’ Hearing the affection in Monroe’s voice, seeing the warm way he rested his hand on Emmy’s shoulder, Jessie felt a sharp surge of guilt.
She had no right to keep this man from bonding with his family.
So what if she couldn’t stop blushing every time she saw him? So what if she couldn’t seem to forget that kiss? From what she could gather, Linc and Ali and Emmy were the only family Monroe Latimer had. Not giving him Ali’s dinner invitation suddenly seemed both cowardly and selfish.
‘Ali wondered if you’d like to come over for dinner tonight,’ Jessie blurted out. She saw surprise flash in his eyes, but he said nothing. ‘We’re having a barbecue. Linc’s doing steaks…’ Her voice trailed off when Monroe remained silent.
‘Come, come, come.’ Emmy jumped up and down as she sang the words. Jessie was grateful that her niece had picked up the ball, but could see Monroe was still hesitating.
‘I don’t know.’ He sounded oddly unsure of himself.
‘We’d all love to have you there,’ Jessie said, surprised to realise she meant it.
His gaze intensified. ‘You would, huh?’
‘We would, we would, we would,’ Emmy sang again. He gave her a quick grin before he looked back at Jessie.
‘I guess it’d be my pleasure, then. I can’t say no to two pretty ladies.’
Emmy giggled and then shouted, ‘Yippee,’ punching the air with her small fist.
Jessie felt the same leap of joy, despite the ball of heat that seemed to have lodged beneath her breastbone.
‘I’ll tell Ali.’ Jessie gave Monroe a shaky smile as she pulled Emmy towards the door.
‘Bye-bye.’ Emmy waved.
‘See you tonight, kid. You, too, Red.’
Jessie glanced back. He was leaning against the kitchen counter. He looked relaxed again and amused, his thumbs hooked into his jeans and a ridiculously charming smile on his face. Jessie felt the fire blaze inside her. Unable to trust her voice, she gave him a quick nod as she hauled Emmy out the door.
No question about it, Monroe thought wryly as he watched Jessie close the apartment door. The woman was dangerous.
He strolled across the apartment to the French doors and watched as Jessie and Emmy made their way up to the house. Emmy was skipping ahead, while Jessie walked behind, looking lush and unbearably sexy in the tight little polka-dot number.
Dangerous or not, she was becoming damn near irresistible. She looked gorgeous, and he loved the way she blushed so easily. But it wasn’t just her appearance or her obvious reaction to him that made her so appealing.
He also liked her as a person. She was full of spirit and fire and feisty as hell.
Maybe they could have a little fun together after all. She was a grown woman who certainly knew her own mind and didn’t mind speaking it. She was obviously unattached and in need of a little romance or she wouldn’t have kissed him the way she had in front of the grocery store. He’d already made it clear that he was just passing through, so there was no need for her to get the wrong idea.
He leaned against the glass as Emmy and Jessie disappeared from view. Maybe he’d test the waters tonight, see how she responded to the suggestion. His lips curved as he thought about what he and Jessie could do to amuse each other over the next month or so.
CHAPTER SIX
‘GET a grip, woman!’ Jessie stalked over to her wardrobe.
The cerise linen dress she shoved back in was the fourth outfit she’d tried on in less than twenty minutes. Staring into the snarl of colours and fabrics, she resisted the urge to stamp her foot.
What on earth was the matter with her?
Why did she care what Monroe thought of her outfit anyway? Determined not to waste any more time on a decision that should have taken her ten seconds, she grabbed the first thing that came to hand.
You could never go wrong with the old little black dress, she thought as she slipped the slinky Lycra sheath over her head.
