“What?” She blinked and played dumb. If nothing else, she was going to make Max Grayson finally see her for the woman she was.
He bumped out his chin. “Don’t try using those baby blues on me. It won’t work. I’ve watched you work your wiles to get your way too many times. What’s going on?”
She sat up straight. He’d watched her? That was news. From her perspective, he did his best to ignore her most of the time, but he was wrong about her getting her way. If she did, she wouldn’t be here. Okay, that wasn’t quite true. If not today, she would have worked up the nerve to approach him eventually. Whether he knew it or not, Max held her heart in his hand, and he was either going to hold it properly, as he did in her dreams, or give it back once and for all.
Bold truth was called for, or at least as much truth as she could afford without tipping him off to the personal side of her agenda. If he agreed to help her, there would be time enough later to ease him into the concept of exploring a real relationship between them.
“I’m here because I need your help.”
“With what?”
“With getting my family off my back.”
“How am I supposed to do that?” He shook his head and pulled a long sip of water from the bottle.
She fidgeted with the hem of her blouse and had to take a deep breath before she could force the words out. “By pretending to be my boyfriend.”
He coughed, spewing water over the counter between them. His thick forearm dragged over his mouth as he stared at her, his eyes full of wary horror. “That’s not funny.”
“It’s not supposed to be. I’m completely serious.”
“What you are is certifiable.”
She frowned. “No, I’m desperate. The Country Times Awards are in a few days. I need a date.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “But what I really need is a man in my life, and you’re the only one I know who my family won’t be able to run off.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but even if I wasn’t old enough to be your—”
“Brother?” She offered him an innocent smile.
His dark brows dropped into a scowling V. “I was going to say uncle, and—”
“Women date older men all the time.” And the nine-year difference in their ages was no big deal. Not to her, anyway. Hoping to head off his obvious refusal, she let her gaze slide over his solid body and welcomed the surge of excitement in her belly. “Not that you’re ancient or anything.”
His nostrils flared with his scoffing snort, and her smile slid into a grin.
“My advanced age is beside the point. Your father would rip me a new one if he found out I got anywhere near you.” He snatched a paper towel from the holder on the counter and swiped at the wet island.
“I’m sure he’ll try.” Her smile faded. “But he respects you, and I need a guy my dad can’t intimidate, which makes you perfect.”
He tossed the towel in the trash and a half smile tipped one corner of his mouth. “Who says he doesn’t intimidate me?”
She squinted her eyes in dismissal. “Oh, please. You’re not afraid of him or you wouldn’t have sacked him last Thanksgiving on the beach.”
A smug smile tugged at his lips before he dipped his chin. “The score was tied with time running out, but that’s football. You’re talking a whole different ballgame here. Ryan’s got a dark side when it comes to his little girl.”
Frustration cranked the band of desperation squeezing her chest. She jammed the fingers of both hands through her loose curls. Failure loomed like a taunting specter, but she couldn’t give in. Not without a fight. For close to a year, an uneasy longing had been building in her, stealing the joy she’d always found in her singing. Something was missing. Something vital. If she didn’t find it soon, she was going to explode. Or have a breakdown. Either scenario was unacceptable.
“You think I don’t know that? I get he’s concerned for my safety. I’m not stupid. There are a lot of nuts out there, but he’s driving me insane.” She swung out her arm. “They all are. I’m twenty-five years old for heaven’s sake, yet the family treats me like a teenager without a brain in my head. I can’t take it anymore. I won’t.”
“And you think hooking up with some guy is going to convince them to back off?” He crossed his arms and hiked a doubtful brow.
“I think when they see I’m serious about living my own life, they will. And I’m not hooking up with some guy. I’m hooking up with you.” The finger she aimed at his nose emphasized her point. “Think about it. He trusts you, and who better to keep his little girl safe from the crazies he sees behind every curtain than a cage fighting champ?”
A frown tightened his features and his posture stiffened. “What kind of crazies?”
“It’s nothing.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Weirdo fan mail is part of the business. Dad’s just paranoid. The point is, he knows I’d be safe with you around, so he’ll back off and give me some space.”
“Not likely.” He leaned his palms on the counter, holding her gaze. “I’m sorry, but it’s not gonna happen. Even if I was willing to go along with your screwy plan, neither your father nor Tuck would stand by while you get involved with a man like me.”
Confused by the excuse and more than a little disappointed, she went on the offense. “What do you mean, a man like you? What’s wrong with you?”
His eyebrows popped to his hairline as if her question surprised him. “Hell, Squirt, I’m a street brawler from the wrong side of the tracks…among other things.”
She rolled her eyes. “Like anyone cares how or where you grew up. Dad likes you and Tuck is your friend.”
“Yes, and because we are friends, your cousin has a vast understanding of my reputation with women. I’m not stupid, or suicidal enough, to say yes to what would end up a friendship-killing cluster fuck.”
With her plan dying a quick death right before her eyes, frustration and hurt made her voice sharp. “You haven’t even given me a chance to explain what I have in mind.”
He shoved off the counter and crossed to the couch to pick up her coat and scarf. Turning, he held them out. “And I don’t intend to.”
Chapter 2
Grumbling beneath her breath, Jessi stomped down the stairs and jammed an arm into one sleeve of her coat. As if to pile on to Max’s sound rejection, the second sleeve evaded her free hand. She twisted her shoulders and upper body, stabbing blindly at the dangling material. Her three-inch heels wobbled slightly as she stopped short. Reaching back, she punched her hand into the silk-lined sleeve, then flung out her arms in an angry shrug. With a rough tug on the hem, the houndstooth slipped onto her shoulders and settled into place.
The urge to turn around, march back up the stairs, and give Max a piece of her mind burned low in her belly. She tossed a glare back toward the second floor landing and settled for sticking out her tongue. The childish gesture didn’t help, but it would have to do. She’d swear off manicures for a year before she gave Max the satisfaction of knowing how much his rebuff hurt.
She’d reached the bottom step before she spotted Dan chatting up Tina at the front counter. Her long-time driver glanced her way and, even from a distance, the disapproval on his normally jovial face was unmistakable.
A growl rumbled in her throat as she crossed the fight center. Thanking Tina, she pushed open the door to the sidewalk. Knowing Dan followed, she headed straight for the town car and slid into the back seat. He shut the door and rounded the hood before sliding behind the wheel.
“For crying out loud, I was gone less than ten minutes.” She stared out the window, but in the corner of her eye, caught the dark blue of his suit coat sleeve as he shifted to look back at her.
“I’d be looking at a pink slip if your father learned I’d let you go into a place like that on your own.”
“It’s Max’s place. I was perfectly safe and you know it.” She crossed her arms and shot him a smirk. “And Dad woul
d never fire his number one spy.”
Straight, white teeth flashed in his unapologetic smile, and she turned back to the window. After nine years, she considered the fifty-something retired marine more family than employee, especially since he and his wife, Aurora, had taken up residence on the bottom floor of the three-story condo she’d purchased earlier in the year. A homebody by nature, Aurora was content in her position as live-in housekeeper, and did her best to give Jessi her space. Dan, on the other hand, took his responsibility as driver-slash-watchdog seriously.
“What are you up to, Jess?”
She cut her gaze to his. With her father jazzed up over a couple of letters from a nutty fan, Dan was on full alert. She latched on to Tina’s offer of classes as the perfect explanation for today’s visit and lied without qualm. “I’m thinking of taking some self-defense classes.”
The glitter in his pale green eyes said he didn’t buy her answer for a second, but he shrugged and turned away to start the car. “That’s not a bad idea, but if you want to learn how to defend yourself, I could teach you.”
“I’d rather have Max.”
Though she hadn’t meant the comment the way it sounded, especially after the reception she’d just received, the rear-view mirror displayed Dan’s quirked lips and knowing eyes. “Now, there’s a surprise.”
She squirmed in her seat and angled her chin defiantly.
He shook his head. “Where to next?”
* * * *
Jessi tugged the floppy brim of her woolen hat low on her forehead and stepped inside Louisa’s Bistro. The chattering buzz of conversation from dozens of patrons competed with the soft bite of pop music drifting from invisible speakers. With her eyes concealed behind dark sunglasses, she scanned the popular restaurant, busy with the lunch hour crowd. An inward sigh shuddered in her chest as she spotted Kris, already seated in a secluded alcove near the back.
Dipping her head, Jessi skirted the crowded tables, looking neither left nor right. Considering her mood, an encounter with a well-meaning fan was the last thing she needed.
The expectant smile froze on Kris’s lips as Jessi flopped into the open chair and jammed her oversized purse onto the floor at her feet. She tugged the hat from her head. “I hate men.”
“All men or one in particular.” Her best friend laughed, leaned her elbows on the table, and arched an auburn brow.
Jessi snatched Kris’s untouched glass of water. The chilled liquid did little to douse the flames of embarrassed anger flaring inside. She set down the glass with a decisive thunk. “At this point, all of them.” First her father and cousins do their best to lock her up like a child and then Max tosses her out on her ass. Add Dan’s annoying smirk and the certainty he would submit a full report to her father before the day was out, and she was ready to write off the entire male population.
“Is Spence still pissed you nixed his songs?”
Jessi flipped opened her menu. How could she have neglected to include her partner’s recent nasty attitude in her list of guy grievances?
She rolled her eyes. “You know Spence. He’ll bitch and complain, but then he’ll get back to work. Once he comes up with a couple of number one hits, he’ll calm down.” She tossed the menu aside without reading it and dredged up a smile for their usual waitress as she stopped at the table. “Hi, Crystal. I’ll have a garden salad and a glass of whatever Kris is drinking.” She jerked her chin toward the wineglass in front of her friend.
“Make that two salads.” As Crystal headed for the bar, Kris sat back. “If it’s not Spence, then it must be your father. What’d he do now?”
Renewed frustration tightened her jaw. “He hired a new bodyguard.”
A low hum purred in the redhead’s throat, and she picked up her wine. “Is he hot?”
Jessi bit back a laugh. “I’m serious.”
“So am I.” Mischief sparkled in Kris’s hazel eyes. “I know your dad’s obsession with security drives you nuts, but do you know how many women would kill to have a muscle-bound hottie following them around wherever they go?”
“I’d sign up for that.” Crystal placed Jessi’s wine in front of her.
“You’d have to get in line behind me.” Kris shared a grin with the waitress.
Jessi fought a smile as Crystal left them alone to answer a hail from three tables over. She shook her head. “I already have enough people sticking their noses in my life, thank you very much.”
Sipping at the golden vintage, she savored the dry chardonnay on her tongue while choosing her words. Kris had been pestering her to act on her feelings for Max for years, without success. Well, she’d acted this morning. Talk about an epic failure.
She gulped a large swallow and heaved a frustrated breath. “Besides, the only hot muscles I want around me belong to Max.” She scowled at her friend’s grin. “But he isn’t willing to share them.”
“How do you know?” Kris lifted the glass to her lips. “Have you asked him?”
Shifting nervously in her seat, Jessi avoided her gaze. “As a matter of fact, I have.”
Wine sloshed over her fingers as Kris froze. “Oh my God. When?”
“About fifteen minutes ago.” Jessi squeezed her eyes shut in an embarrassed grimace.
“Well, it’s about time. Did you knock on his door naked and offer to be his new sparring partner like I suggested?”
Jessi’s eyes popped open on a choked laugh. “Like I’d do that.”
“Why not? I would have.”
“Of course you would. You’re a skanky ho.”
“Damn straight.” Kris’s eyes sparkled with silent laughter as she wiped her fingers with a paper napkin. “Better than a virgin princess.”
They shared a grin at the familiar jest, and Jessi smirked. “I might be a princess, but the virgin title doesn’t apply.”
“Might as well. You’ve slept with one guy, and that sexy roadie didn’t even rate a follow-up.”
Jessi winced at the memory of her singular sexual experience. After a disappointing night spent together after a concert in Dallas, Wiley Cotes had been more interested in how she could help his budding singing career than in getting her naked again. As far as she was concerned, he lacked the skill for the former, and as she later discovered lacked the desire for the latter.
She shrugged a shoulder. “Turns out, he’s gay. I heard he’s in the chorus for a drag show in Vegas.”
Kris’s mouth dropped open and she huffed out a breath. “I knew he was too pretty to be straight.” She shook her head and leaned forward. “Well? I’m dying here. What happened with Max?”
“Nothing good. I wish to hell I hadn’t gone to see him.”
“What? Why?” A frown wrinkled her friend’s brow. Suddenly, her eyes widened in horror. “Oh, Jessi. Don’t tell me you went to him with your fake boyfriend idea.”
She set aside her wineglass and cocked her chin at a stubborn angle. “Okay, I won’t.”
Kris groaned.
“It’s a good plan,” she argued in a low voice.
A wry smirk twisted Kris’s lips. “Did Max think so?”
Jessi glanced around, relieved to find their conversation remained private. She pinned Kris with a glare. “That’s what I love about you. You’re always so supportive.” The flash of hurt in her friend’s eyes pierced her heart with a spear of regret, and she sighed. “Sorry. That was a bitchy thing to say. No, he didn’t, but as I’ve recently discovered, Max is a jerk.”
She curled her fingers around the stem of her glass as Crystal arrived to deliver their salads. Damn Max, anyway. Even if he had no interest in her personally, couldn’t he at least have helped her out as a friend?
When they were alone once more, Kris shook her head. “Bitchy is fine as long as you remember I’m on your side. What happened?”
Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “He turned me down flat. You should have seen him. He looked as if I’d asked him to give me a kidney or somet
hing. He refused to even listen to my plan and couldn’t get me out of his place fast enough.” Renewed anger flared in her belly. “What’s wrong with me, Kris? Why is he so distant with me when he’s always so open and friendly with everyone else? Do I smell? Have bad breath? What?”
“I’ve never noticed any foul orders coming from you.” Kris picked up her fork. “You’re beautiful and talented and you know it. The problem is, Max is a guy. They’re idiots.”
“And jerks.” Jessi dug into her salad.
Kris cocked her head as she chewed. “And jerks, but it’s not their fault. They can’t help the way they think.”
Jessi’s fork stilled and she stared at her friend. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Dark auburn curls shifted on Kris’s shoulders with the emphatic shake of her head. “I know you don’t believe me, but I’ve seen him watching you. He’s attracted.”
“Max watches everyone. That’s just the way he is.”
“Maybe, but he doesn’t watch the rest of us like he’s a starving wolf staring at a juicy steak.” Kris bared her teeth in a sly smile. “He wants you, girlfriend, even if he won’t admit it.”
Jessi speared a slice of tomato and her laugh was derisive. “Yeah, I could see how much he wanted me, right before he kicked me out of his condo.”
“CC agrees with me.”
Her fork clattered against her plate. “You talked to CC about this?”
“Duh.” Kris slipped another bite of salad into her mouth.
Jessi shouldn’t be surprised. Cousins as well as friends, Kris and CC had grown up together and shared everything. That hadn’t changed since CC married Tuck and the three women had become friends. Still, having her love life, or lack thereof, discussed, even amongst the two women she’d grown to love like sisters, made Jessi uncomfortable. “Thanks a lot.”
“Oh, please.” Kris waved off her grumbled complaint. “It’s not as if your feelings for Max are a secret. Not to those of us who know you, anyway. CC just wants to see you happy.”
To Win Her Heart (Players) Page 2