by Anne Rainey
“Jay Pickett don’t you dare!”
“Don’t dare what?” he asked innocently, then he swatted her butt. “You mean that?”
“I can’t believe you just did that!”
Jay rubbed his hand over her bottom and growled low. “You have a pretty ass. Now, say you’re very,
very sorry for laughing at me and I’ll let you up.”
“Not a chance,” she shot right back, knowing she pretty much asked for it and loved every second of it.
He swatted her again, this time the other cheek, and Haley yelped. He rubbed the spot immediately.
“Say it, Haley, I can’t stand much more.”
He couldn’t stand much more? She was the one being spanked! Then Haley felt his arousal beneath her.
He was as stiff as iron. She felt a drop of moisture as well and Haley knew what he meant.
“All right, fine. I’m sorry,” she said, totally unrepentant.
“So full of fire, and yet such an obedient little thing. I fucking love that.” Then he let her up. She stood in
front of him and Jay slowly turned her around. His lips grazed her bottom and her body burned from his
touch. Lord, she could really get into a guy like him.
“By the way, just so we’re clear here, the tattoo is a major turn-on, but the thought of some man this
close to your delectable ass sets my blood to boiling.”
Was that jealousy in his tone? That had to mean he cared, at least a little. Haley wanted to say
something, anything. She wanted confirmation, but he was issuing another order and she lost her nerve.
“Now you’d better go before I break my promise and take you right here on this couch.”
“Yes, Jay,” she conceded. She moved away from him, confused, disoriented and excited to have met a
man who could make her feel so alive.
She went into the kitchen, saw her dress wrinkled into a ball and shrugged. Who cared? Haley picked it
up and slipped it down over her shoulders, smoothing out some of the wrinkles as best she could. She
felt Jay’s presence in the room at once. Turning, she found him leaning against the doorway, arms
crossed over his chest, his body still gloriously nude, watching her.
“Two hours, no more,” he growled.
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“Two hours, I promise,” Haley agreed, then her gaze slipped to his groin and his erection. Lordy. She
knew he was heavily muscled—he probably had to stay in shape for his job—but he was just so big all
over. It was a wonder they fit together at all. But they had fit, and very well, too, she thought with delight.
Haley tore herself away from the magnificent sight, bent to put her shoes on, then walked toward him.
She went on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek, then left him standing in the kitchen, scowling.
Chapter Nine
Jeremy was lost. He felt the way he had back in his rookie days, unsure and terrified. A bad
combination for any man, but especially bad for a man always in control of his life, always in control of
his emotions. He felt like a weak puppy and that infuriated him.
Letting her leave was the most difficult thing Jeremy had ever done. Every cell in his body cried out to
keep her near. He had a sick feeling in his gut already, as if by letting her go he’d made a horrible
mistake. But she’d wanted some time. Short of kidnapping her, he couldn’t keep her in the cabin if she
wanted to leave.
It scared him to think how close he’d come to kidnapping her.
Half an hour had gone by and he had yet to leave the damn kitchen. He felt like a fool. Sitting naked,
waiting on a woman. How had he been reduced to a pining, love-sick fool? And so pitifully quick! Then
he remembered Brad. He’d told him he’d call him back later. It was later. He might as well fill some time
talking to his brother. Maybe he’d even stop thinking of how sweet Haley’s ass had looked, pink from
his swats.
Yeah, right.
He left the chair, grabbed the phone and dialed Brad’s number. His brother picked up on the third ring
and Jeremy grumbled, “ This is your fault, dickhead.”
“And hello to you, too, Jay,” Brad said, unperturbed by Jeremy’s rude accusation.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean either, dammit.”
“What’s my fault…this time?”
Jeremy ignored Brad’s sarcastic tone. “Haley Thorne is your fault.”
Brad was quiet a minute, then he chuckled. “You must have finally let her up for air if you’re talking to
me.”
“She wanted a few hours alone,” Jeremy groused. He raked his fingers through his hair and checked the
clock…again.
“So, you two getting along well, then?”
“Christ, Brad. It’s as if she were made for me. I swear I’ve never felt like this before. Damn you!”
“If you could stop cursing me for a minute, maybe you can explain why this is all a bad thing.”
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Jeremy went to the refrigerator and snagged a pitcher of iced tea off the top shelf. “She makes me
laugh,” Jeremy griped, scowling. “And I’ve never known a woman who could be so in control and
independent, yet so willing and agreeable, too.” He pulled a glass from the cupboard. “And she’s so
damned adorable. I swear, it doesn’t matter what we’re doing, she’s always little Miss Manners. Every
friggin’ please and thank you she utters gets me all horny. It’s the damnedest thing.” He poured his tea
and forged on. “But she’s not said a single thing about wanting me. Well, beyond sex, that is.”
“Do you want her? Beyond the sex?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve never wanted to share your life.” Brad was using his calm doctor voice on him, which only
made Jeremy want to strangle him. “You like being your own man, coming and going as you please.”
He understood what Brad was doing, but he also knew the Jeremy who’d left his cluttered apartment on
Friday wasn’t the same man who stood in the kitchen now, watching the clock. “I could give a shit about
independence, Brad. The truth is, if I don’t have Haley in my life when we leave here tomorrow, nothing
is going to matter much,” he said miserably. “It’s that simple and this is your fault. My life was fine before
I came here. Now I’m a fucking mess.”
Brad sighed heavily. “Haley’s been through a lot. Her ex was pretty shitty to her.”
“I know, she told me. What’s your point?” Jeremy hated the reminder of Eric and he was beginning to
see where Brad was going with his big brother lecture.
“You’re the first man who’s been kind to her since the break. It’s bound to make her head swim a little.”
“So she’s infatuated with me? Is that what you’re saying? That she couldn’t possibly be in love with me
because it’s all happening too quickly?” He hated to think it. The truth was, he’d considered the
possibility himself. While Jeremy knew what he felt was the real deal, Haley wouldn’t know the real thing
if it bit her in the ass because she’d nothing but a lousy marriage to compare it to.
His life went from bad to shitty in a matter of seconds.
“Just finish the weekend and come home,” Brad said. “Give her some time to think things through. If
she’s in love with you, a few days apart won’t matter in the least.”
Jeremy took a long swig of his tea and set the glass down hard on the counter as he continued to watch
the clock. “Yeah, you’re right I guess. Still, I don’t think she’s going to understand.” He sighed. “I su
ck
at relationships. Hell, why do you think I’ve avoided them my whole life?”
“Just be gentle with her, Jay. Tell her how you feel, but don’t put words in her mouth. Allow her to tell
you how she feels in her own time.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Jeremy muttered, even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. His every instinct
roared at him to shout his love to Haley. He wanted to make love to her until she cried uncle and
reciprocated. Something occurred to him and he managed a small smile.
“You know, Brad, when a woman knocks you on your calm, doctor’s ass, I’m going to love watching
that easygoing demeanor of yours vanish into thin air.”
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Brad laughed and shot right back, “Never happen, bro, never happen.”
Jeremy had once thought the same thing. “Famous last words.”
They hung up and Jeremy realized he was still naked. He cursed and left the kitchen. After throwing on a
pair of jean shorts and a tank top, he filled the next hour cleaning. He washed the previous night’s dinner
dishes, stripped the sheets off the bed and tossed them into the washer. Once that was done, he went out
to the hot tub and made sure it was clean before putting the cover back on it. Once inside, he felt his
stomach rumble and realized he hadn’t had breakfast. It was almost lunchtime. He was about to make
himself something to eat when he heard Haley’s shy knock on the front door. He practically ran to let her
in. It was sick how much he’d missed her already. How was he supposed to give her a few days?
“Relationships suck,” Jeremy muttered to himself.
As he reached the screen door, Jeremy saw Haley had changed clothes. Instead of the wrinkled white
dress, she wore a sweet little pair of jean shorts and a tiny red belly shirt. Her navel showed and Jeremy
went from zero to sixty in an instant. He wanted her. It was crazy, but there it was. He saw the woman’s
belly and he was ready to jump her bones.
He opened the door to let her in and she went straight into his arms. He pulled her close and held her
tight. His kiss was hard and possessive. Jeremy felt desperate. He was so damn reluctant to let the
weekend slip away from him because he was scared spitless she would slip away with it.
He released her. “I like your outfit, baby, but I think I’d rather have you out of it instead.” He started to
pull up her shirt and she stopped him, placing her hands flat against his.
“We need to talk, Jay.”
Things never turned out well when a woman started the conversation with we need to talk . Still, she was
right. He dropped his hands. “Are you hungry?”
She shook her head. “Not really.”
He stared at her, trying to read her expression. She’d been so easy to read before. Now, he couldn’t tell
what she was thinking or feeling. Already she seemed withdrawn.
“Okay, let’s talk then.” He led her to the couch—the same couch they’d watched the video on. The
same couch he’d made her come on. Jeremy could see her face heat, letting him know she was thinking
of it, too. When she sat down, legs primly crossed, she didn’t touch him. Another bad sign.
“I care about you, Jay. I know I’m supposed to be nonchalant about this and all, but I care about you.”
She looked at him, searching his face, probably trying to get a read on him. He kept his emotions well
hidden and she went on. “If this isn’t what you want, if I’m not what you want, then please say so now
and I’ll go. But I can’t keep going, pretending this is just sex, because for me, it’s much more.”
He reached for her hand, twined his fingers through hers and said softly, “Baby, I care for you, too, but I
don’t think you really know what you’re feeling right now. I’m the first guy to treat you decently and I
think you may be latching onto that. We need to take a few days to think things through.”
Haley paled and Jeremy had a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. Without waiting or saying
another word, she yanked her hand from his and ran for the door.
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“Haley, wait!” He took off after her and caught her just as she reached the screen door. He grabbed her
by the waist and flung her around to face him. “What the hell’s wrong with you?”
“I don’t need you to let me down gently!” she yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks unchecked. “If
you don’t care about me, fine, just say so. I’m a grown woman, I can take it. Believe me, I’ve been
through much worse.”
He was making a huge mess of everything. Jeremy took her face in his hands and wiped her tears away.
“I do care, baby. It’s not that.”
Her voice quivered. “Then why are you sending me away? Because that’s what you’re doing. I can feel
it.”
He pulled her against his chest and held her tight. Her sobs increased and he wanted to make them stop.
Every tear felt like another cut to his heart. “Please, don’t cry, you’re killing me,” Jeremy pleaded,
meaning every word. “And I’m not sending you away, never that. I just think you may need time to think
about how you feel. I don’t want you on the rebound, sweetheart.”
She settled down finally and Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief. Much more of that and he’d be declaring
his love and forcing her to marry him. To hell with Brad’s advice.
“I’m not in love with Eric. Eric went above and beyond the call of duty to prove just what a waste of
space he was. I know what I have for you is different. I know it in my soul.”
“It’s been two days. You don’t know how you feel. Eric charmed you right into marriage, it was love at
first sight and all that, you said so yourself. I want you to think about this with me, because I won’t be as
generous as Eric,” Jeremy promised angrily. “I won’t let you go once I make you mine.”
“How much time?”
“Just a few days, no more. I won’t be able to take much more than that.” He hugged her. “In two days
time I’m coming for you, and you damn well better have an answer for me.”
“Fine. But I won’t change my mind. I love you and that’s that, damn you.”
She pulled out of his arms and left.
Jeremy let her go. It was the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he let her walk away, hoping to God he
hadn’t just made the biggest mistake of his life. And as her words played back in his head, he grinned.
“She cursed,” Jeremy muttered to himself. His sweet little Miss Manners had said damn . “Huh. Go
figure.”
Jeremy swung his now-repaired black truck into his brother’s driveway and shut off the engine. Within
minutes he pounded on Brad’s door and readied himself to do battle. He was prepared to go to great
lengths to get Haley’s address. He didn’t want to bend the rules of his profession as a detective by going
through the precinct’s database to find an unlisted address. Brad would have her address because she
was his patient. And if Brad gave him any of that doctor/patient privilege crap, Jay would knock him
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senseless.
Restless and edgy, Jay shouted, “Come on, Brad, open up, dammit!”
The door swung inward and Jay found himself on the receiving end of one of Brad’s very
uncharacteristic scowls. It happened so rarely that it took Jay by surprise every time.
“What do you want?” Brad ground out.
Ah, now he was beginning to get the picture. Brad
was bare-chested and his jeans were undone. Must
be ladies’ night at Brad’s Place. Jay grinned. “Uh, I need a favor.”
Brad shoved a hand through his already disheveled hair—another anomaly—and sighed. “Fine, you
might as well come in.”
Jay squeezed past his brother and entered the house. A petite red-head popped out of the bedroom,
wearing the tiniest nighty he’d ever seen. Or maybe it just seemed tiny because the little beauty was
so…chesty.
“Brad, sweetie, are you coming back to bed?” In a sing-song voice she teased, “I’m all hot and
anxious.”
“Mara, I’ll be right there, just give me a few minutes, okay, sweetie?”
Jay stared, shocked to the core that his brother had a woman in his house and was about to get busy .
He shouldn’t be shocked, though. Brad was a grown man, six years his senior and clearly not celibate. It
was just that Brad dated very few women. The times he did date, Brad always kept it private. He was a
quiet, secretive person by nature. Being a doctor probably made him even more careful of the women he
chose.
As the red-head bounced her way back into the bedroom, disappearing from sight, Brad turned to him
and grumbled, “Make it quick, will ya?”
Jay couldn’t stop his grin from spreading. “So, where’d you get little Miss Pom-poms?”
Brad rolled his eyes and plopped onto the couch. “First, I didn’t get her anywhere. I met her at the
library. Second, quit staring at her chest, you sick perv.”
Jay cocked his head to the side. “Who said anything about her chest?”
“Pom-poms?” Brad sneered.
“I only meant to say she looked like a cheerleader, that’s all.”
“Whatever,” Brad growled, growing meaner by the second. “What favor did you need?”
Jay sat in the chair across from his brother. He liked his brother’s place, but it wasn’t at all his style. It
was way too modern and sterile looking. “I need Haley’s address,” Jay blurted.
Brad stared at him for a tense few seconds. “I shouldn’t, you know.”
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Jay slumped and rested his head in his hands, feeling very much on the ragged edge. “I know. And I
wouldn’t ask, but damn I miss her. I need to see her. Like, yesterday.”