by Gina Conkle
He grunted, biting into another mouthful of sauce-smothered meat. She rested her elbows on the table, her fork dangling in her hand.
“About the martial arts, I’d like to try other disciplines, but I don’t have much time.”
Her brows pinched. “How can you not have time?”
“I just don’t,” he said and bit a mouthful of pasta. He didn’t want her to probe. Maybe he could skirt it, but like any self-respecting, barefoot, well-kissed woman, Jennifer probed.
“What cuts into your free time? Your job’s a forty hours a week deal, isn’t it?” Jennifer opened her mouth to say something else but the phone rang. “I’d better get that.”
Unfolding from the table, she picked up a black phone by her computer. “Hello. Oh, hi, Richard…yes, yes, I’m fine. Just a little car trouble.” Silence. “I should’ve called and told you what happened.” She rubbed her forehead, listening to the voice on the other end. “I know, but I didn’t want to bother you.”
She turned away, hugging an arm across her waist. “Saturday? The opening at Subtext Gallery?” Jennifer shifted from one foot to the other, listening to the voice on the other end.
It was none of his business, but the caller irked him. How quickly could she get off the phone?
Chin to chest, Jennifer pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’ll have to think about it.” Her teeth dug into her bottom lip. “Okay. Yeah. Gotta go. Bye.”
The phone beeped and Jennifer leaned over to touch the leaf of a plant. Her features were tense in the kitchen window.
“Who’s Richard?”
She replaced the phone in its cradle, her gaze elusive. “Someone I know. An associate of my late husband.”
“Been seeing him long?” Shit. He sounded possessive. Her head snapped up, and his mouth tightened.
She rubbed her eyes, smearing mascara. “Not really.” Two simple words yet she sounded worn out by them.
Jennifer found her seat again and rested both elbows on the table. Her eyes flickered with he’s smart enough to figure that one out and something shriveled inside him. Did she assume he was a bone head greaser? It was funny how people could say so much with their eyes.
“Is it serious?”
“No. If it was, would I ask you here with me?”
“Maybe you’re one of those women wants a man from the wrong side of town?” His harsh words were spoken in a quiet voice.
Jennifer gasped in horror. “I’m not like that.” She sat back in her chair as if he’d slapped her. “I get how tonight you might have the wrong impression, but that’s not me.”
The clock ticked on her wall. The hour was late, almost eleven.
“You might not, but others do.” He balled up his napkin.
Silence passed. He needed to get going, but this Richard guy stuck in his craw.
“By the look on your face, he’s a sore point.” He paused to collect himself. “Maybe one of those cross roads that’s bugging you.”
“Richard was always around and people assumed things. They started putting us together in social situations.” She absently hooked hair behind her ear. “He lost his wife in a car accident about two years ago. And he’s a big supporter of the City Museum of Art. I used to work there. Everyone says I should work there again.”
“Do you want to?”
“Work there?” Her brows furrowed. “Some days yes, some days no.” She made swirls in her pasta sauce. “I thought about teaching art, but the only job available is part-time at a small private school.”
“So?”
Her swirls slowed. Jennifer’s fine posture crumpled.
“I’ve never liked people telling me what I should do.” He pushed his plate aside, adding, “Let me guess, Richard’s one of those advice-giving friends.”
Her gaze shot up from her plate.
“Don’t be so surprised,” he said. “I can put two and two together.”
“I know you can.” She stood up slowly, rubbing the back of her neck. “It’s been a long day. I’d better get some sleep.”
He was going to help with the clean-up, but Jennifer shut him out. They walked to the front door, his mind spinning all the possibilities where things went wrong. Jennifer opened the tall front door without so much as one hinge creaking. The place was a mausoleum, nothing like his house. Crickets chirped outside. Up lights flooded dwarf palm trees in her front yard. Someone probably drew up designs for every bush, tree, and blade of grass.
“Your car will ready by noon tomorrow,” he said. “Do you need someone to come get you?”
“My neighbor can give me a ride.” She was careful to keep a wide berth between them. “I’ll see you then.”
His eyes flickered on the purposeful space between them. It spoke volumes. No kissing. No touching.
“See you tomorrow,” he said, passing over the threshold, giving her a last look.
Brown eyes softened. “Thank you AJ. You’re the best surprise I’ve had in a long, long time.”
Her parting smile was a half-hearted effort as she shut the door. He’d seen it before. It was the same one she gave him when they were strangers around town.
CHAPTER THREE
AJ squinted at McMillan’s outside lot. Sun shined so bright his eyes ached. He wasn’t running at full tilt, but the shop was. Cars and trucks in all eight bays, with more scheduled through the week. The only car that concerned him was a certain blue Volvo sitting in the shade of a pepper tree and the woman who owned it.
He braced an arm on a support beam, watching Sean do major surgery on a ten year old Lincoln Towne Car.
“You know what it is?” Sean tossed a wrench into his tool cart, talking over the whine of a pneumatic drill.
“No, what?”
“We’re always chasing them here.” Sean pointed between his own legs. “But really we want in here—” He tapped his head “—and here.” He tapped the left side of his chest. “With the ones who matter.”
They moved in tandem, hoisting a torque converter pieced gingerly together. “You might want the head and heart,” AJ said, helping set the torque in place. “But most guys want one thing and one thing only.”
“But we’re not talking about most guys.” Sean gave his arm a friendly slap. “We’re talking about you.”
Sean had spent most of the morning listening to him go on about last night. Usually it was the other way around. Sean talked and he listened. AJ never cared enough to discuss passing flings, but Jennifer was no passing fling. She was one hot, complicated night.
“All I’m saying is you can’t unwind what happened. Try friendship first. Lust messes with your head.”
“I want to be her friend,” he said defensively. “What makes you think I’m in lust overdrive?”
Sean leaned under the hood, grinning up at him. “The marks on your neck.”
His hand clapped the side of his neck Jennifer had feasted on last night. It’d been years since he let that happen.
“All I’m saying is if you like her, slow down. Keep to public places. That’ll make you keep your hands to yourself.” Sean tinkered with the torque converter. “Ask her out for coffee and scones. Chicks love that shit.”
Public places. That’s what got him into trouble. He was more restrained in the privacy of Jennifer’s kitchen.
“Since when did you become Dear Abby?”
“Since you came in this morning with a fresh shave.” Sean scratched his unshaven chin, smearing grease. “When’s the last time you gave yourself such a close shave?” He teased. “Your sister’s wedding?”
AJ pulled a rag from his pocket to polish the Lincoln’s side panel. “I don’t know why I’m doing this.”
“What? Rubbing the car like it’s her?” Sean laughed, ducking the rag AJ threw at him.
“You like seeing me squirm.”
“I do. Makes me feel better knowing there’s at least one woman out there who can tie you up in knots.”
AJ snorted. “I’m gonna take a break.” He’d flown through his work, getting it finished early. He wanted to turn down the shop radio and give himself some quiet. He needed to think, but the rock music kept the guys going. Grabbing his water bottle, he headed to the office. Sean was right. He liked Jennifer enough…
…to buy pots of herbs at a twenty-four hour hardware store last night...
…to show up at the shop an hour early to take care of her car…
…to shave that morning as Sean glibly noted.
It all amounted to a vague, giant ball of something.
The office door scraped open and Betty, the older woman who ran their office, cupped both hands around her mouth. “AJ. There’s a lady here to see you.”
Shit. The way Betty made a point of calling him everyone would know Jennifer arrived. The guys poked their heads up to check out the woman who had his boxers in a bunch. Sean had broadcasted the news: the lady driver of the blue Volvo had the cool, calm AJ shaken and stirred.
Jennifer walked through doorway, her smile bright. He was warm in his coveralls but his skin notched a few degrees hotter. He coached himself to walk and not trot across the garage.
Mike, one of the mechanics, piped up. “I’d a bought flowers for her, AJ, not those puny weeds you got.”
He cuffed Mike’s shoulder. “Yeah, like I’d take advice on women from you.”
“Tryin’ to give you a hand and share my expertise.”
AJ took one look at the pretty woman waiting for him and scoffed. What did Mike know about a woman like her? What do I know about a woman like her? His insides flip-flopped. Judging by the sparkle in her eyes, she was glad to see him. Really glad. Their awkward good-bye was old news. They had chemistry. It hummed. She knew it. So did he. Whatever happened on that phone call with Richard, it didn’t matter. He was going to win Jennifer.
What was it Sean said? Men needed to get inside a woman’s heart and mind before getting between their legs. He could do that. With Jennifer he could most certainly do that.
“Hi.”
“Hi AJ.” She tilted her face up ever so slightly.
Did she expect a kiss? He wanted badly to touch her again. He was a foot away from her body, streams of awareness flowing.
“I’m covered in grease,” he said apologetically. “If I touch you, I’ll get you dirty.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Pushing up on her toes, she planted a sweet kiss on his mouth.
The kiss startled him. She dropped back on her heels, a flush creeping over her cheeks. Jennifer was getting swept into the same current.
“I wasn’t sure you’d want to kiss me after last night.”
“Our good-bye.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’ll explain when we’re alone.” She cocked her head this way and that. “You look different…you shaved.” One hand went to his chest, the other stroked his jawline. “So smooth,” she cooed.
He relished her touch. Jennifer looked as good as her touch felt. An oiled sheen glinted on tanned legs stretching long from denim shorts. She wore a plain black cotton shirt with flat black sandals. Her toenails were painted a shiny cherry red. He caught her hand, his lips skimming the pink flesh of her palms. Part of him sweated seeing Jennifer again, unsure if she wanted to keep going. Her effect on him defied logic. They just meshed. He didn’t need to figure it out. He’d roll with it.
“Hoo-yah, AJ!” Catcalls echoed through the cinderblock building.
“Ignore that.” He grinned and nudged his head at the parking lot. “Your car’s out here.”
He grabbed her keys off a peg board and they threaded their way out the garage. He took her to a shady spot where her car gleamed inside and out. He’d stacked the old papers in a neat pile in her trunk and got rid of the trash. The blue exterior gleamed from a wash and wax job.
“Wow, AJ, my car looks great.” She peered inside and back at him. “You sure this is my car?”
“It’s yours. Looks good under the hood, too.”
Jennifer’s head dipped lower as she caught sight of two potted plants on the front passenger seat.
“Are those herbs?” Her voice pitched higher.
She opened the car door, rubbing the leaves and sniffing them. “Mint and basil.” Her jaw dropped and she launched herself at him. “That is soooo sweet.” Arms around his neck, she plastered his face with kisses.
He let her rain down quick pecks on his mouth and cheek. She calmed and stirred him, an odd exciting combination. Standing in the shade, he could get lost in Jennifer. Her flowery smell. Her quick, energetic voice. He’d gone light-headed when she’d pushed past Betty in the garage, her smile a beacon, but he was grimy mess.
“Watch out. I’m covered in grease,” he said, trying to disentangle her.
“I know.” Her voice got flirty as she pulled back. “I like you dirty.”
Her dimple showed and plans for getting to know her mind, heart, and body spun in a dizzy array. He planted both feet wider to make sure he stood solid.
“A little grease won’t ruin me,” she said, tracing his jawline, her voice quiet. “That was the sweetest thing getting those herbs, so unexpected and thoughtful.”
He felt like a king for buying two plants. What else could he do to win Jennifer?
Velvet brown eyes glowed up at him with warmth. She was friendly. Appreciative. Nothing uptight. What was it Sean said women liked?
“Want to get a coffee and scone?”
She laughed. “That’s the last thing I’d expect you to want for lunch. Sure you don’t want something more substantial? A sub sandwich maybe?” Her teeth nipped her bottom lip, fighting a smile. “Because I brought two. One for you and one for me. Betty has them with my purse.”
“Any beer?” he teased.
“Not in my purse.” She poked his chest playfully. “I forgot. Conversation must include food and beer, but since you’re working, no beer.”
“Smart thinking.” Grinning, he hooked a thumb at the picnic table by the front office. “A table for two just opened up.”
It was not fine dining, but anywhere with Jennifer was good. Three of the guys drove past, honking their horn, giving him the thumbs up, ogling Jennifer like fools. The shop quieted down. Lunchtime. Sean moseyed over to the picnic table. So much for that private table for two. Whatever Jennifer needed to say would have to be here and now.
“It’s perfect.” Her gaze bounced from the table to him. “I need to get something off my chest first.”
He smiled, eyeing the swells in her black shirt. “I’m all ears.”
“I want to apologize about last night. How it ended.”
“Don’t worry. It’s a new day.”
She shook her head fast. “No. In the interest in friendship, I want complete disclosure.”
His back tensed. The F word. Friendship. Jennifer was a mixed up ball of hotness and complications, different from him in every way. If he was a straight line, she was a wavy curve. He hadn’t learned her last name until he read it on Dell’s paperwork this morning. Jennifer Cantor.
“You were right about Richard. I’ve known it for a long time.” Her mouth pressed a tight line. “He can be…overbearing.”
“He thinks he owns you.”
“I’ve never led him on.” She folded on arm under her bust. “He was Peter’s business partner, and there were estate issues to wind down. But, since then, he’s taken it upon himself to guide me with every little thing whether I want his help or not.”
He scowled at her, a bad mood coming on. “And now?”
“I’ve tried to politely let him know I’m not interested.” She toed a twig on the ground seeming to choose her words with care. “I was headed to a fund raiser last night. At the last minute he told me he wa
s going and he hoped to see me there. So, my car breaking down didn’t bother me in the slightest.” Her eyes glowed. “Because I met you.”
A breeze cooled the snapping frisson inside him. “And last night happened.”
It was easy to go from zero to sexy in seconds with her. Jennifer’s lips parted. The small black space between her lips tempted him, an unspoken invite to kiss her. Their bodies had a way of taking over, not a bad thing. This was a matter of balancing hot appeal with growing affection.
She ducked her head, grinding the twig under foot. “Richard called last night because he was worried when I didn’t show.”
“So? He’ll get over it.”
“I know. That’s the easy part.”
“Good. Now tell me the hard part.”
Her brown eyes hit him. Gentle. Direct. A hint of mystery. “It’s you.”
“Me?” He tried to keep things light, but both arms slammed across his chest. “What are you talking about? I’m your new friend.”
His heart sunk. Was Jennifer looking for a hook-up buddy?
CHAPTER FOUR
Tendons stood out on AJ’s neck. If she read him right, he was flummoxed by their sizzling chemistry. What made this different was liking each other so quickly. It was powerful. Overwhelming and mind-consuming. Conversation flowed naturally. She’d dumped her troubles at his feet last night without a second thought. AJ listened. And when things weren’t hot and heavy, he was fun. She needed fun.
His long legs stretched out under her old table last night did things to her. Her nerves shot to life when predatory blue eyes tracked her movement in the kitchen. AJ was different. Comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. And his thoughtfulness with the herbs? She wanted to kiss every inch of skin on his body.
“No need to glower at me,” she said. “You brought up how different we are last night right after I got into your truck.”
His mouth’s hard line softened. “That’s what’s bugging you?”
“It didn’t bother me. Not at first. Then, after Richard’s call, I wondered if I was making another bad decision.” Her voice faded. “You were a great listener, but it crossed my mind that you were after one thing and one thing only.”