by Jean Adams
Disappointment slammed through her when she walked in to the clubrooms to find Lucas wasn’t there. She’d half expected to see him at Bill’s table nursing his whiskey and soda.
A hundred pound boulder dropped into her stomach. This was stupid. Why did she look for him everywhere she went? Look for excuses to talk to him?
Over the past week she’d called Lucas several times to thank him about the car, but his phone was always engaged. Or it was off the hook. Obviously, he was busy with his assignments and had no intention of letting anything, or anyone, disturb him.
Neither had she expected to hear from Lucas. Last weekend she’d probably driven a wedge between them that could never be repaired. It didn’t matter that she kept telling herself to let it go. She couldn’t do that either. She mustn’t let a romantic relationship develop. She didn’t want it and neither did he.
Besides, Lucas was probably avoiding her deliberately.
Jenna bit her lip. What was happening to her? She had let him get under her skin. Obsessing about him. She had to stop looking for him everywhere she went, or someone would get very hurt. It could be Lucas. She had to pull back now.
Well, despite his obvious aversion to gratitude, at least she still had to thank him for taking care of her car.
No! He’d made it quite clear he didn’t want that.
Oh, help! This was getting too much. It had to stop. Tonight. Right now. She’d put him from her mind and enjoy herself despite his not being there.
As the evening progressed, Claude, who’d been dancing with his wife, joined her at the table.
“Jenna, sweetheart, sorry to ruin your evening, but I have to take Maddie home.”
Concerned, she could see her boss’ wife was unwell. “What’s wrong? Are you all right, Maddie?”
“No, I’m coming down with a migraine.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
She shook her head. “I just need to get home and get into bed.”
“Take care, Maddie.”
“I can take you home if you want,” Claude said, “or I can—”
“No, don’t worry about me. I’ll grab a taxi. Just take care of Maddie.”
“Thanks, Jenna. See you Monday.”
As soon as Claude and Maddie disappeared through the crowd, Sleazy Steve, who’d begun pestering Jenna again for a date, zeroed in on her.
“Hey, Jenna. I’ll take you home now that those two are out of your hair.”
Hoping she wouldn’t have to ward off more of his annoying inveigling, she sighed. Obviously. “They’re my friends. They’re never in my hair.”
He gave her a sly grin. “Cramped your style somewhat though, huh?”
Her annoyance at his rudeness threatened to rise to the surface. “My friends could never cramp my style. They were kind enough to bring me tonight.”
He shrugged off her annoyance with a smirk. “Whatever. Just know I’m taking you home tonight. Can’t let that other guy steal you away from me again.”
“What other guy?”
“Nelson.”
Her body came to life. Was Lucas here after all?
Her hand trembled when she picked up her glass and took a drink as she allowed her gaze to roam surreptitiously around the dance floor for any sign of Lucas. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m taking a taxi.”
“Come on, Jenna. Be nice.”
“No, you be nice, Steve, and leave me alone.”
“Aw, you don’t mean that.”
How on earth did she get away from him? Jenna had an idea and threw herself to her feet. “Excuse me. I have to use the bathroom.”
“Don’t be too long.”
She hurried across the room. Heaven help her. How did she manage to get into Steve’s clutches? He must’ve been watching her. How else would he have known so quickly Claude and Maddie had gone? That was scary.
And if Lucas was here, as Steve implied, where the devil was he?
In need of fresh air, but mostly to get away from Steve, when she saw him turn to talk to someone, Jenna slipped out of the room and onto the patio balcony. If she hurried down the back steps, she could grab a cab and be on her way home before Steve even realized she’d gone.
But was Lucas here? As tempted as she was, she could hardly wander round the room searching for him. He’d help her, she was certain.
Although the air outside was chill, it was a welcome relief from the heat, and the pest, inside the clubhouse. She drew in a deep, calming breath, then shivered.
“Cold?”
Lucas!
Immediately, she recognized the deep timbre of his voice that came from near some tall plants growing by the far wall. No one else had a voice that deep, that sexy. Immediately, it soothed her ruffled nerves like a velvet glove.
She spun, relieved to know he was there. “Oh, hi.”
He was leaning on the rail at the edge of the veranda, a glass in his hand.
Her heart raced. Her nerves were jittery. Why couldn’t she just forget his kisses? Those deliciously, warm kisses that had invaded her very soul? Easier said than done.
All she knew was he was a man who gave freely of his time and of himself, and who sought nothing in return. A generous man who’d been hurt very badly, and had simply shut down with no sign of recovery. He must’ve loved those women once and they’d betrayed him. It was about time someone gave something back.
She wished it could be her, but it could never be. Yet, although her mind told her one thing, her heart, in conflict, told her something else.
She smiled even as her heart jumped. “How long have you been here?”
He took a drink from his glass. “About a half hour.”
Then why didn’t you come and say hello? “Oh, you missed dinner.”
“I ate before I came.”
“I didn’t see you come in.” Heavens, do I sound as childish and jumpy as I feel?
“You were busy. Talking to Steve.”
Trust her to be talking to the pest when Lucas walked in. “Not about anything important.”
He looked past her, into the clubhouse. “Steve not out here with you?”
“No, and I don’t want him out here with me,” she murmured through gritted teeth, trying not to let his air of indifference irritate her. “It took me all my time to escape him.” If she didn’t nip that little idea in the bud, Lucas would totally get the wrong idea.
His nonchalance matched his tone. It didn’t help.
Not for the first time, she felt awkward with him. “I, um, I just felt the need of a little fresh air. It’s very hot inside.” She shivered again. “Chilly out here though.”
“Here, take my jacket.”
“Oh, no, it’s all right. I didn’t mean—”
Without another word he took the jacket off and slipped it around her shoulders. It was warm from his body and she hugged it to herself. Inside this warm place she could pretend his arms were around her, just as they had been once before.
“Better?”
She managed a smile. “Yes, and I didn’t thank you for paying to get my car fixed. And taking it for a test run.”
“No need.”
“Yes, there was. I tried calling, but your phone was always busy. I suppose I’d messed up your work schedule enough as it was.”
Ignoring her attempt at an apology, he merely said, “Speaking of cars, I didn’t see yours outside. Is it okay?”
Well, at least he’d noticed. “I came with Claude and Madeleine tonight, but I’m getting a taxi home.”
“How come?” He took another slow drink from his glass.
“Maddie had a migraine so Claude took her home. I wasn’t ready to go.” She didn’t say she’d stayed hoping he’d turn up.
“I can take you home if you want, but I have to leave here by ten.” He said it in such a matter-of-fact tone she wasn’t sure if it was a genuine offer, or if he’d offered because he felt obligated.
Whatever. She wasn’t about to refuse the chance to spend more time
alone with him. Maybe make up for the big mistake she’d made last week. If he could only stay till ten, then ten it’d be for her, too. No point in staying if Lucas wouldn’t be here. “That will suit me nicely. It’s very kind of you to offer.”
“Welcome.”
She tried to laugh. “One way or another, I keep saying thank you to you, don’t I?”
“Then don’t bother.”
“How can I not when you’re always so kind to me?”
“That’s what friends are for. So,” he continued before she had a chance to respond, “what are you doing out here all on your own?”
“I’m not on my own.” He smiled at that. Jenna sighed, heavy-hearted. “Much the same as you, I suppose. Taking the air.”
This pussyfooting around was driving her crazy. She lifted her chin and turned to look him square in the face. “Can I ask you a question? A very personal question?”
“Sure. I don’t guarantee I’ll answer, but shoot.”
“You’re always very kind to me. Always civil, always polite, sometimes too damned polite. You took care of me when I got a drenching, but you’ve never once made a move on me. Even last weekend it was me who made the move.” She paused before her stupid tongue took her too far. “You treat me like I’m your sister.”
“You got a problem with that?”
Careful, Jenna. You know how prickly he can be. “No, of course I don’t have problem with it, but—”
“So what’s your question?”
Before she could answer, the voice of the pest broke into the conversation. “Ah, Jenna. There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Damn! No prizes for guessing what Steve wanted.
From the corner of her eye she saw Lucas’ body tense.
She sighed. Obviously. “What do you want, Steve?”
“I told you. I’m taking you home.” Steve gave Lucas a smug look then edged toward her. “This is my perfect chance to get you alone. You can invite me in for a nightcap and—”
“Thank you,” she began as politely as she could, “but Lucas is taking me home.”
“I said I’d take you.”
Angrily, she turned to face Steve. “I don’t think you heard what I said.”
“Surely you’d prefer me to take you home rather than—”
“No.”
He took another step toward her and rested his hands on her shoulders. “You don’t mean that. Surely you’d like me to—”
“Steve!” Jenna shrugged his hands away. “What part of ‘no’ don’t you understand?”
A small group had wandered outside and Steve’s smug grin dissolved. He backed away from her a pace and turned to go back inside. “See you later.”
“No, you won’t.”
As Steve slunk away, Jenna turned back to Lucas. “Thanks for the support,” she bit out sarcastically, unable to keep annoyance out of her voice.
“Your decision.” He drew in a deep breath. “So, what was your question?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ve got my answer.”
He nodded non-committally. “See you at ten, then?”
She checked her watch. It read 9:15p.m. “That’s fine by me.”
“I’ll come look for you.”
Just like that he’d reverted to the man he’d been before she got caught in that damned shower. That could mean only one thing: he regretted what almost happened. Whereas she—
She slipped his jacket from her shoulders and handed it back to him. “Thanks for the loan.”
“No problem.” He shrugged back into the jacket and went inside without any further communication.
A few moments later Jenna followed him in, and even though other people spoke to her, her gaze was never far from Lucas. Damn the man. Had he burrowed so far under her skin she followed him around like a trained puppy?
At a few minutes after ten, Lucas sought her out. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, thanks for coming for me.” She smiled at him, but true to form, he didn’t return it.
Steve appeared as if from nowhere, obviously bent on causing more mischief. “I said I’d take you home,” he insisted, and grabbed her arm.
She wrenched free of him. “And I told you Lucas is taking me home.”
“Why are you going with laughing boy?”
“Because I like to make my own choices. And because he asked me nicely.”
“I asked you nicely.”
Jenna finally lost control of the anger she’d been trying to keep suppressed. “No, you didn’t. You made it clear you took it as a chance to hit on me. And if you really want the truth, I prefer his company.”
“Is that a fact? Well, you should know, Miss High and Mighty, he knocked up my friend’s sister.”
Jenna lifted her chin. “Oh, did he? That’s not the way I heard the story.”
Steve’s face visibly darkened. “Stuck up bitch.”
Lucas stepped forward. “Don’t talk to Jenna that way.” His voice rose an octave as he sprang to her defense.
Temper flaring, Steve spun. “What did you say?”
Lucas merely remained calm, staring him down, a quiet edge to his demeanor. But Jenna could see the tension in his body. He was ready to take a swing at Steve if necessary.
They were like two opposing warriors, staring each other down. One on the defensive, ready to launch an attack to get what he wanted. The other staunchly defending his territory with no intention of letting the marauder win.
“I think you owe Jenna an apology,” Lucas said.
Steve laughed, even though his throat sounded tight, but he said nothing.
“Leave it, Lucas.” Jenna had noticed the small crowd gathering around them. “Let’s go.”
But Lucas was adamant. “Not until he apologizes to you.”
Steve lifted his chin. “She can sing for it.”
Lucas moved in on him. “I can make you apologize if you like.” He edged another step nearer to Steve, seemingly oblivious of the small crowd.
Steve, however, was far from oblivious. He took his eyes off Lucas, noticed the people gathering around them, and folded. “Sorry.”
“Louder,” Lucas said. “I don’t think Jenna heard you.”
Steve growled. “I’m sorry I called you a bitch.”
“There, wasn’t so bad, was it?” Lucas gave him a curt nod and cupped Jenna’s elbow. “Now, we can get out of here.” He guided her outside, toward his car.
“That was very kind of you.”
“Not at all. But I’m curious to know why you turned Steve down.”
“I don’t particularly like him. I don’t trust him.”
He turned the key in the ignition. “And you trust me?”
Was that amusement his voice? She couldn’t waste the opportunity, and grinned at him. “I didn’t say I trusted you. After last weekend, how can you ask that?”
“Jenna, before you beat yourself up any more about that, there’s something about last weekend you should know. If I’d believed you wanted it, really wanted it, nothing would’ve gotten in the way. But you didn’t. Not really.I’m not going to let anything come between you and you getting what you want, not even my hormones. I called a halt only because I couldn’t protect you.”
“But you did call a halt.”
Briefly his eyes met hers and he turned the car onto the road. “Yeah.” He half smiled. “You came to me for sanctuary and protection. I gave it. You might not be so lucky another time.”
Heat rose up her neck and over her face. Her heart beat double time. Her hand trembled as she pushed an errant hair behind her ear. “Then we’re still good friends?”
“Of course. And that’s all there is to it.”
He was right. It had to be that way, but she couldn’t help the tightening of her throat.
As soon as they parked outside her condo, Lucas switched off the engine. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
“There’s no need.” Good thing her throat was working again. “I’l
l be fine.”
“After that creep followed you. I wouldn’t hear of it.” He took her arm to cross the street and they paused outside her door.
“Would you like to come in for a coffee? Or a nightcap?” Go easy, Jenna.
He checked his watch. “Thanks, but I don’t have time. I have to get to the airport. Pick up my sister. She’s due in just before midnight.”
“Oh, is she staying long?”
“She has a five-day layover.”
Five days. Was that a little pang of jealousy?
Jenna smiled, despite her wobbly lips. “I’ll bet you get on well together.”
“We have a lot of laughs, yeah.”
“Wish I had a brother as fantastic as you.”
He laughed. “Don’t tell her that. She might take advantage.”
“And woe betide any woman who tries to take advantage of you.”
His eyes narrowed. “Two already have, remember. A third won’t get the chance.”
Damn! “Sorry, Lucas. That was a meant as a joke. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I know. Best go in now. I have to go.”
He waited while she took her key out of her purse. “Thanks for walking me in.” She wanted to reach out to touch his arm, but he was a little too far out of reach.
What was she doing anyway? She had no right. She’d be leaving here soon. She’d only hurt him the way those other women had, and that was the last thing she wanted to do to this beautiful, caring man.
She stayed at the open door for a few moments and watched him cross the street as he headed back to his car. She couldn’t let him go like this.
“Lucas?”
He stopped and turned. “Yes?”
“Have a good time with your sister.”
He turned away again, waving over his shoulder as he went.
Chapter Eleven
The next seven days went by just as slowly as had the past week, with Jenna having neither sight nor sound of Lucas. It didn’t surprise her given his sister was staying over.
Neither did he show up at the club on Saturday. All evening she found herself looking for a glimpse of him, listening for the sound of his deep voice.