Rude Awakening

by Veronica Chadwick

  “Hey, babe, go for it.” Jaimee laughed. “I’d be willing to bet he’s at the health club every day.”

  “Cool. Let’s go Saturday then, you can wear your new gear.”

  “Saturday?” Jaimee asked warily, nibbling her lower lip.

  “Yeah. It has to be this Saturday. I’m leaving Monday for another business trip. I’ll probably be gone two weeks this time. I can’t wait that long.”

  “Oh no, no way,” Jaimee said sternly. “Saturdays are way too crowded, besides you have no guarantee he’ll be there.”

  “So if he’s not there we’ll still get a good workout. We haven’t gone to the gym together in a while. Hey! Let’s get a massage.”

  Max had that determined tone that said arguing was futile. Jaimee weighed whether getting out of going was worth the fight she’d have to put up. There was a good chance Lucas wouldn’t be there. Even so, the gym would still be crowded. But it would be fun to go with Max, and the pool and the sauna would feel really good. However, she drew a line at the massage. Max just had to deal with it.

  Long after Max and Jaimee had ended their call, Lucas listened to Jaimee talk with the parents of her wayward students. Though faint, there was determination in her voice when the parents tried to give her the brush off. The woman was tenacious and wasn’t easily dismissed. He liked that about her. He liked it a lot.

  He couldn’t help smiling at her description of him. No use denying that women found him desirable. It was funny, he wouldn’t have chosen the nipple rings, they were part of another assignment, but women did seem to like them so he left them in. Plus, they had proven to add a little extra pain/pleasure during sex.

  It was odd to him sometimes how women were so drawn to him. He’d been blessed with good genes. Hell, he wasn’t complaining; he loved women, everything about them. There was no shame in the fact that he enjoyed sex and very rarely turned down an offer. Although there had never been any particular woman who interested him for more than just a few hours of mutually satisfying sex.

  However this woman was not interested in him for merely a quick fuck. And damn if that didn’t intrigue him even more. Okay, maybe that made him a shallow prick but he didn’t care. Nope, this assignment wasn’t boring in the least. He leaned back and plotted out his Saturday.

  Chapter Four

  Lucas slowed his jog to walk purposefully toward Jaimee. He watched intently as she wiped the sweat off her forehead, sat on the steps of her porch and toed off her sneakers. Her cherry-stained lips sliding up and down a drippy popsicle was the most erotic thing he’d ever seen, and God help him he’d seen a lot.

  “Need any help?”

  Jaimee lifted her head to look up at him with wide baby blue innocence at the same time her cheeks hollowed as she sucked on the frozen treat. Holy shit, where his restraint came from he didn’t know. She pulled it from her mouth with a pop and licked her lips. Lucas tensed, fighting the urge to grimace as his cock tented the flowing material of his shorts.

  “With what?” she asked, frowning in confusion.

  With all that bottled-up repressed desire and need? “With the lawn. I didn’t see you when I left for my run or I would have offered sooner.”

  Luscious, there was no other way to describe her. Even in her baggy T-shirt and long denim shorts. Stray locks of wavy hair had escaped her hair clip and clung to her sweat-dampened face. She had sexy knees, well-shaped calves that tapered gracefully to elegant ankles and pretty bare feet.

  Her brows lifted and she shook her head slightly. “No, just finished. Front and back. I was just cooling off before I put the mower away. I know, the yard’s not that big, but it’s really hot today. But then, I suppose you’re used to the heat. It’s still pretty hot in California in September isn’t it?”

  “Not so much up north. Close to the same as it is here.”

  She nodded as the popsicle disappeared between her sensuous lips again then withdrew. Lucas bit back a groan. “I guess I just assumed you’d lived closer to the desert.”

  That’s when she noticed his obvious arousal. It was hard to miss. He was hard as a rock, but hell, it was her fault. Nearly choking, her body went rigid, her eyes widening in surprise or shock or disgust. He couldn’t tell for sure. Quickly, she looked away but couldn’t seem to look back up at him. Her reaction would have been laughable had he not wanted more than anything else at that moment to take her hand, lead her into the house and fuck her blind on the hallway floor.

  He tried not to smile as he cleared his throat and acted as if he didn’t notice her reaction. “Nope, closer to Sacramento. You got another one of those?” He needed cooling off in a way that had nothing to do with the southern heat or his jog around the neighborhood. Though, he doubted very seriously a popsicle would be of any help, but it would give him a little more time with her.

  Without looking at him she nodded again. “Grape, orange or cherry?”

  Lucas shrugged. “Doesn’t matter.”

  “Okay, be right back.” Turning she went back into the house.

  He pushed her mower into the garage and quickly scanned the interior. Nothing much was there. Not even a toolbox. There were hedge clippers, a weed eater in the corner, cans of motor oil and a bottle of windshield cleaner on a small shelf. Didn’t have time to look through her car before she came back. He was just coming around the corner when she hopped down the steps, her breasts bouncing lightly. Sucking in a deep breath he reined in what was left of his self-control. “I put your mower away.”

  “Oh…thanks. Um…” She rolled her lips inward. “I only had orange and grape left, is orange okay?” Evidently she’d thrown her own popsicle away. Damn, he would have liked to watch her finish it off.

  “Sure. Thanks,” he said softly, taking the popsicle as he took a step closer and caught her gaze. With his other hand he brushed a damp curl from her face, tucking it behind her ear. She flinched as his fingers lightly stroked over the rapid pulse at her throat, but she didn’t back away or scowl up at him. It was crazy how much that pleased him. Her lips parted slightly on a soft gasp as his thumb brushed over her lush bottom lip before he let his arm fall to his side. He just couldn’t resist touching her; he had to, and it wasn’t enough. But then, he didn’t expect it to be.

  He tore the paper away from the popsicle he really didn’t want and took a bite. He smiled at her as he chewed, enjoying the view. He liked watching the changing emotions play across her face.

  “Thank you for the outfit.” Her voice was unsteady. She cleared her throat and stood straighter. “It’s gorgeous, perfect actually.” He couldn’t help but smile as she swallowed and lifted her eyes to his before continuing. The fire in her gaze was banked but still sparkled at him, tempting him. “I was totally blown away. You really went overboard. You only owed me a cheap sweatshirt.”

  He shook his head slightly, ridiculously pleased that she was happy with his gift. “I didn’t go overboard at all. I embarrassed you and I honestly didn’t mean to do that.”

  She blinked up at him. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, I’m glad you like it.”

  The short silence that followed wasn’t exactly comfortable but Lucas enjoyed watching her gaze darken with the erotic heat swirling between them.

  “So, what brought you to Tennessee?” Lucas found it endearing that she was trying to defuse the sexual tension between them with an attempt at innocuous conversation. But she wasn’t running away, and that was encouraging.

  “Work.” He licked his dripping popsicle and finished off the last bite. There was a longing in her gaze as she watched him that did nothing to help curb his current aroused state. “I’m a construction safety engineer. I’m working on a new project downtown.”

  “Ah, hard work.” She shifted from one foot to the other.

  “Can be, yeah.” He smiled at her. She was so damn cute. “I like hard work. Anything worth having is worth working hard for.”

  Her brows lifted and she smiled back at him. “Tru
e,” she murmured, crossing her arms over her chest. A little late. He’d long ago noticed her nipples hardening in spite of her sensible bra and blousy T-shirt. “I’m a teacher.” She stumbled through her explanation. “Eighth grade. English. As a matter of fact I have a huge stack of homework to grade. I really should go.”

  Lucas nodded, but noticed she made no move to leave. “Hard work.”

  “Can be.” With a little shrug she smiled. “Do you miss California?”

  He held her gaze. “No, not at all.”

  “It has to be a lot different from Tennessee. Especially Nashville.”

  “Yes, it is and I like that about it.”

  Jaimee smiled up at him. An easy curve of her lips that made him think of sweet juicy peaches. “It’s nice here. Kinda laid back, not too big, not too small.”

  “I never really liked California. Tennessee has better scenery.” He purposely let his gaze travel slowly over her body, his head tilting slightly as he appreciated her long legs, her curvy hips, her ample breasts. “Real, earthy, lush.” He finally met her gaze once again and inhaled deeply. Even hot and sweaty she smelled great, like summer rain. She was flustered, her cheeks were rosy, and her eyes had turned darker and silvery, broadcasting her desire.

  She cleared her throat again and spoke a little too fast. “Yes, that’s true. Tennessee is a beautiful state. It has a lot to offer.”

  Lucas didn’t even try and suppress his grin. “I have no doubt about that. I do have one question though.”

  “What’s that?” Her voice was a little high pitched.

  He lifted a brow, quirked his lips and let her off the hook. “What’s the deal with Old Hickory Boulevard?”

  A relieved smile curved her lips then she laughed. It was music to his ears. “Yeah. Old Hickory Boulevard always seems to throw off the newcomers. It circles the county but with the construction of interstates and lakes it’s been chopped up.”

  “Ah, I was so confused when I first got here.” He had been, too. It was irritating as hell to try and decipher directions.

  “I can imagine. Three interstates go through Nashville and Old Hickory Boulevard intersects all three, twice.” Her eyes actually sparkled like crystal pools.

  “Maybe you can give me a tour sometime, keep me from getting hopelessly lost again.”

  “Maybe. But tonight, work calls.” She grinned, a mischievous look in her gorgeous eyes as she gestured toward the door. “I better get to it. Thanks for putting the mower away for me.” She turned to go in.

  “Listen,” he said, effectively stopping her. “If you ever need…” he emphasized the word, then paused, “…help with anything at all…”

  Her emotion was so clear in her expression that it was a struggle not to follow her into the house. Every cell in his body demanded he quell the aching need she harbored. But then her expression changed.

  “I appreciate the offer but I’m capable of taking care of myself.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted as he tilted his head and silently waited.

  She frowned and paused for a moment. “I mean I’m not a helpless female.”

  “I know you’re not.”

  “So, I’m fine.”

  Lucas nodded again. “Yes, you are. I’m glad I met you, Jaimee. Thank you for the popsicle.” With a wink he turned and forced himself to walk away. As realization slowly permeated his mind, his smile faded. His interest in Jaimee had turned from intrigued and horny to something much, much more. It hadn’t been an act, not one word of their conversation, not one response from him. Shit, things were about to become a lot more complicated.

  Chapter Five

  With a frustrated sigh Jaimee dropped her red pen on top of the stack of graded papers, unfolded herself from the chair and stretched. The conversation with Lucas had been interesting and pleasant even if it was way too sexually charged to be comfortable. The sound of his voice, the way he stood there…obviously aroused…looking at her the way he had was still playing through her mind. All that stimuli made it damn hard to concentrate on the task at hand.

  She tingled all over at the memory of his tongue gliding over the tip of the popsicle. Dammit. Lucas seemed to cause her body to have some kind of hormonal combustion that left her wet and throbbing every time he crossed her path…or mind. Granted, he was outrageously sexy but he also had a really nice smile and the most incredible eyes she’d ever seen. They actually changed colors, darkening some during their conversation.

  The sharp peal of the doorbell broke her train of thought. Having no idea who it could be other than her mother, she was hesitant to open the door and for a moment she considered not answering it at all. The night had started off so nice. The long overdue and inevitable confrontation with her mother would seriously wreck it. Oh well, no need trying to evade the inevitable. She rose, her frown firmly in place, and strode through the hallway. She braced herself as she swung open the door, her defensive wall firmly in place, just in case.

  “I have a proposition to make.”

  That was the last thing she ever expected to come out of the incredibly sexy mouth of a man like Lucas. What sort of proposition did he intend to make? Her normally chaste and irreproachable thoughts nose-dived straight into the gutter. Images of this superior specimen of manhood naked and ready to give her pleasure, his hair loose and trailing over her hot, quivering body played fast and feverishly with her imagination. Every prudent and sensible thought melted, leaving her an overheated nymphomaniac.

  “You have a what?” she stuttered as she stifled a shiver.

  The slow curve of his lips, the intensity of his gaze, clued her in that Lucas knew exactly where her mind had detoured.

  “I offer my help with all that homework you have to grade if you’ll share dinner with me, which…” he hefted the large bags he held in either arm, “I brought, just in case you say yes. I don’t want to have dinner alone…again.”

  Yeah right, he didn’t have to eat alone. Plenty of women would be thrilled to spend some time with him. He wouldn’t even have to buy them dinner. But she was suspicious of the way those smoldering eyes of his held a promise of something not even remotely wholesome, while his expression was that of vulnerable supplication. Did he think she was a dingbat? Evidently her skepticism showed.

  “Aw come on, Jaimee. I brought a great meal and I’m pretty sure I can handle eighth-grade English.”

  Okay, he’d won. There was no way in hell she could resist that affected sulk regardless of his motives. And females were always the ones accused of pouting to get what they wanted. Sheesh. Who was she kidding? She did enjoy talking to Lucas, very much, and what’s more, she was sick and tired of eating dinner alone too.

  Narrowing her eyes, she propped on hand on her hip and played it as cool as she possibly could. Teasingly, she inquired in her most authoritative tone, “Well, I don’t know. Do you know the difference between comparative and superlative degrees in irregular adjectives and adverbs?”

  “Yes, ma’am, good would be positive, better is comparative…” one brow slowly arched, “…and best is superlative. Would you like another example?” Was that a twinkle in his eye?

  “That’s fine, moving on…” Jaimee answered hesitantly. Eyeing him closely, she continued. “Have you read The Pearl by John Steinbeck?”

  “Uh…yeah, I have. When I was about fourteen, but yeah.”

  Nodding, then lifting her chin, she attempted to look down her nose at him, which was no easy task being that he towered over her. “Can you remember enough to discuss the meaning behind the symbolism found therein?”

  The corner of Lucas’s sexy mouth tilted. “Yes, ma’am. Are we discussing the symbolism of the scorpion, the doctor, the priest…?” He shifted the bags he was carrying as he searched his memory for the answer. He was so damn sexy. “…the

  baby—Coyotito, the pearl itself, or… Hell, Jaimee, the whole damn book is symbolism.”

  Jaimee snickered and held up her hand. “Okay, okay, so you qualify.�
� She sighed and paused for a moment in a last ditch effort to try and think of a reason not to accept his offer.

  “Woman, quit being so stubborn. You’ll get done faster if you have help.” The mouth-watering scent of whatever he had in those bags had her traitorous stomach grumbling loudly. Damn bad timing. Lucas cocked a brow. “And you’re hungry.”

  He was right. She had only had a small bag of Doritos for lunch and she hadn’t taken time to eat dinner yet. Why was she pushing him away anyway? She was a grown woman and surely she wasn’t so weak that she would lose control and attack him. Was she? Nah. She stepped back with a tilt of her head and motioned for him to come in. “Okay fine, dinner wins.”

  “Great.” He grinned, kissing her on the nose as he brushed past. The casual, good-natured show of affection caught her off guard and it took a few seconds to shake off the strange rush of emotion and longing before following him into the kitchen.

  “I’ll plate up the food, the dining room is through there.” She motioned around the corner. “Make yourself comfortable.”

  For a moment he didn’t move. Was he just going to stand there and watch her? “All right. Will do.”

  “Iced tea okay with you?” She took the plates and glasses down from the cabinet.

  “Perfect.”

  “It’s sweet,” she warned. He was, after all, from Northern California. She knew from experience that sweet tea was a Southern thing.

  “I like sweet.”

  Now why did the way he said those three little words make her toes curl? Damn, she was either deprived or depraved…or both. He had brought the restaurant, it seemed, and the man evidently liked meat. Grilled chicken breasts smothered in ham, bacon and Monterey Jack cheese. But she had to give him credit for the salads, steamed veggies and baked potatoes. Although there were several containers of potato toppings that he had ordered on the side. That was considerate. He’d also brought hot yeast rolls and a couple of huge, decadent slices of cheesecake for dessert. Man, she was going to have to double up on her workouts.