God, she hated when the boys weren’t here. But every year her reaction was the same: lonely, depressed, and counting the days until they returned. She’d hoped this year would be different. With Jake right next door, she wouldn’t feel so alone.
So much for hoping.
Seeing him at the café with Donna, only a day after her and Jake’s searing kiss, produced such a deep sense of loss it scared her. Although she’d overheard him tell Gladys earlier today they weren’t a couple, she still couldn’t shake the feeling. And his actions today had made it worse.
They weren’t friends, not anymore, or so it would seem.
All because of one stupid kiss.
That had rocked her world.
Sighing, she tossed the pillow back onto the bed then continued to the kitchen. The contents of the refrigerator did nothing to encourage her to prepare a meal. She didn’t feel like cooking just for herself. Hell, she didn’t want to be by herself.
Calling her other siblings was out. Valerie was off somewhere entertaining the kids, and Logan had gone sailing.
Maybe Roxanne was available to come over for dinner, but the last thing Kate wanted was to talk about William, a subject that was sure to come up while dining with his younger sister.
Dianna was on a date with a new guy, Bert or something, and Trisha and Josh had some celebrating to do.
Resting her elbows on the center island, she stared into the backyard. The crystal clear water in her pool promised a relaxing reprieve from her dismal thoughts.
After changing into her swimsuit and grabbing a towel, she rushed back downstairs, eager to release some of the stress. On her way out, she turned on the broiler, anticipating her need for food when she was done.
Out to the patio, she tossed the towel onto the lounge and dove into the deep end, refusing to think about anything other than getting from one end of the pool to the other.
When her arms and legs couldn’t take anymore, she floated on her back, facing the cloudless summer sky, and closed her eyes. The cool water lapped against her skin, easing the tension of the day from her muscles.
She was going to miss this. The likelihood of being able to afford another house with an in-ground pool was scarce, and certainly not one with this much property. Not on Long Island, anyway. She’d have to make do. She couldn’t take her sons away from William’s family. It tore her apart that one day they might forget their dad.
That she might.
Enough!
Kate swam over to the steps.
Without much enthusiasm, she dried off before entering the kitchen. She tossed a hamburger onto the broiler pan and slid it under the fire. Setting the timer for five minutes, she returned outside, leaving the door open just a crack to hear the oven alarm when it went off.
Flopping down onto the lounge chair, she breathed in the scent of the sweet summer air. Birds chirped. Bees hovered and off in the distance the giggles of children floated toward her. For now, this was still hers.
No thanks to William.
Shouts of commotion pierced the otherwise peaceful yard. Kate sat up, listening closely. That was odd. The neighborhood kids didn’t usually play at her end of the block unless Alex and Drew were with them.
Unexpectedly, Jake sprinted into her backyard but skidded to a halt when he saw her. A drenched shirt and shorts molded themselves to his solid form. His eyes traveled over her body, making her modest swimsuit feel more like two Band-Aids and a fig leaf.
“Oh boy.” He gulped, then opened his mouth as if to say more. Instead, a whoop of laughter made him swing his gaze between her and the front yard. Then he sprang into action, pulling her out of the lounge before turning it on its side, and shoving her down behind it.
“They found me.”
Kate didn’t get the chance to respond as a deluge of water smashed against her patio. A few seconds ticked by before she registered they were water balloons.
“Jake, what the hell?”
He gave an impish smile. “I kinda started a fight with the kids up the block.”
“You can’t be—” She shrieked and ducked when a missile sailed past her head. “He almost hit me!”
His smile turned sinister. “I’ll sneak over and surprise them. You set the mood. Hum the theme to Mission Impossible.”
“You cannot be serious!”
“You’re no fun.”
Despite all her efforts, that very theme played in her head as he peeked over the top of the chair before tip-toeing toward the hose hookup. He flattened his body against the stucco façade, peering around the corner of her house.
His stare never left the front yard as he stretched his arm until it reached the faucet. He turned it on then grabbed the nozzle. With a maniacal, “Ha, ha!” he jumped into the side yard, aimed, and squirted.
“Retreat! He has a hose!” one of the kids yelled. Shrieks and laughter followed.
“This’ll teach you guys to mess with a pediatrician who just ran out of his favorite lollipops!” Jake jogged after them as far as the hose would allow.
When he returned to the yard, he enjoyed a little victory dance until his eyes met hers.
She glared.
“Uh oh, someone’s mad.” He hid the nozzle behind his back and sidestepped over to the faucet to turn it off.
“Jake, it’s bad enough I have to—” Her tirade stopped when a steady beeping leaked from the house. “Oh, no.”
Kate raced into the kitchen, Jake right behind her. When she opened the oven, a plume of smoke rolled into her face. She pulled out the broiler pan and slammed it down on a trivet, the smell of burnt meat making her cough. Her dinner looked more like a hockey puck than a burger.
Jake poked at it. “Well, that’s not very appetizing.”
“No kidding!” Kate yanked off the oven mitts and threw them at him, hitting him in the chest. “Thanks so much for ruining my dinner, Dr. Harris.”
“Oh boy, you must be really mad if you’re calling me Dr. Harris.” He pulled on one of the oven mitts and picked up the burnt burger, banging it against the counter. “I could hammer a nail with this thing.”
With a growl of anger, Kate snatched it away from him and tossed it in the trash.
“I think I owe you dinner.”
She pulled in a deep breath. Then another. “Never mind. I wasn’t that hungry anyway.”
“I promise you’ll enjoy it.” He offered a knowing grin. “It’s filet mignon.”
“Really?” She stood up straighter, her hunger suddenly a raging animal in her stomach. “Well, okay. Let me clean this up first.”
“Awesome.” Jake backed his way from the kitchen. His eyes ran over her, making her tingle and her nipples harden. Shocking even herself, she didn’t try to hide them.
As if suddenly registering he was gawking, he spun and rammed into the glass door.
Kate grimaced. “Are you okay?”
With pink oozing up his neck, he nodded, slid the door open, and rushed out.
Despite her outward anger, she’d been thrilled to see him. And now they were having dinner together. Maybe they could be friends again after all.
Kate watched him scale their fence with a sense of hope.
Chapter Twenty-Two
WITH THE KITCHEN CLEANING done, Kate changed into a pair of loose white shorts and a tan halter-top, trying to convince herself she’d chosen the revealing shirt for comfort and not for the way it clung to her breasts. Or that it didn’t need a bra. Or if you squinted hard enough you could see—
Okay, enough of that.
She headed out the door and across the yard.
“C’mon in,” Jake offered when he opened his door.
Kate smiled her thanks and stepped over the threshold, stamping down the nerves--or was it anticipation?—that made her body quake. Jake’s close proximity and that damn masculine scent of his didn’t help, so she focused on her surroundings instead.
Having already been in the house when the Goldbergs lived there, she wasn’t
surprised by the grandeur of it, but she was surprised by the renovations he’d accomplished in such a short time. The entryway now gleamed with marble floors, and an elaborate crystal chandelier hung over the sweeping oak staircase. Cursory glances in the downstairs rooms provided glimpses of Jake everywhere.
The rooms were large yet cozy, mostly decorated in earth tones. Greenery inhabited every windowsill, an indoor tree in each corner. She liked that they shared a love of flowers and plants, although she wondered what would keep him occupied once winter arrived. Knowing him, he eagerly awaited the first winter storm so he could build a snow fort.
“Are you ready for the best steak of your life?” Jake asked.
“Oh, hell yeah. Is it ready?” Sniffing the air, she only encountered the scent of the lilacs sitting on the nearby side table.
“I just put them on the grill, so it’ll be a few minutes.”
Kate followed him into the kitchen. “With work and your landscaping, when did you ever find time to renovate?”
“I stay up late.”
Kate caught herself just before saying, “I know.” Instead, she walked past the family room, which, like hers, was adjacent to the kitchen. This was obviously the focal point of the house, the most noticeable items being the pool table and massive flat screen TV. A comfortable-looking leather sofa and matching chair sat in front of a large entertainment center.
“Wow.” She scanned the contents of the shelves. “No wonder Drew likes to come here. You have everything.”
“He’s a great kid.” Jake headed out on the deck. “How do you like your steak?”
She shrugged. “Cooked. Can I help with anything?”
“Sure. Whatever tickles your fancy.”
Oh, boy, the things she could’ve said to that.
Instead, Kate searched her way through the cabinets for dinnerware, smiling at the stock of sugary treats he had in his cupboard. His kitchen wasn’t as immense as hers, but a nice size and easy to navigate.
Reaching for two wine glasses, she sneaked a peak through the French doors at Jake as he turned the steaks on the grill. He held the tongs firmly in his hand, his thumb stroking the rubber handle. His unconscious gesture shot a jolt of sexual awareness directly between her thighs. He’d stroked her hardened nipples in much the same way after the tornado. Oh yes, those hands felt amazing.
With a shake of her head, Kate turned away and focused on finding wine. Alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol was what she needed to calm her. Or make her more aroused.
Surprisingly, she didn’t care which.
After dinner was on the table and they said grace, Kate cut into the meat and took a bite. The mixture of rosemary and garlic burst on her tongue. “Oh. My. God.”
“What?”
She almost laughed at his startled expression. “Can’t talk. Eating.” The steak, smothered in sautéed mushrooms and onions, melted in her mouth. The sides of cauliflower and wild rice were cooked to perfection.
Thinking she’d crossed the line into being rude as she shoveled the amazing meal into her mouth, she slowed it down and made small talk. Most of which centered on their patients and the office staff. But the easy banter they shared earlier in her kitchen was non-existent.
Damn it!
Kate pushed her plate away, hoping to steer their chat into a more personal area. “That was amazing.” She sipped her wine, savoring the robust flavor of the cabernet sauvignon.
Jake focused on his plate. “Thanks.” He slipped a piece of cauliflower into his mouth and chewed slowly, but that didn’t hide his grin.
“You really have the most charming smile, you know.”
Lurching into a coughing fit, he grabbed his water glass and drank it down.
She grimaced as he choked on his water. Okay, sure, she wanted to ease the tension between them, but complimenting him to his death wasn’t the way to go. “Are you okay?”
He gave her a thumbs up, but the coughing continued.
Great, he probably thought she was flirting with him, and after the way she’d behaved after the storm, she didn’t blame him. Time to switch gears.
“Hey, I was thinking. Dianna Sheldon lives across the street. She’s a wonderful person. Want me to introduce you? Maybe you could ask her out?”
He spoke into his water goblet. “I already did. Well, kinda.”
A fierce stab hit her heart. “Oh?”
“Yeah, she went with us to the Mets game.”
“So what happened?” All this time she’d been trying to keep their relationship a platonic one, and he was asking out her friends. Why did that bug her so much? And it did, if the fingernail-shaped grooves in her palms were anything to go by.
“Apparently, I wasn’t her type.”
Well, that made sense. Jake wasn’t Sean. The relief that washed through Kate was more worrisome than her injured palms. She should be helping Jake, not hoping he failed in his attempt to find a sweetheart.
“My sisters and I could put out heads together and hook you up with someone else.”
His mouth tightened seconds before he covered it with his napkin. Then he shook his head and picked up his plate. “I don’t know. Maybe.” He stood and headed for the sink.
She followed with her own plate in hand. “It would be stupid to give up and spend your life alone.”
“Isn’t that what you plan to do?”
“We’re not talking about me.”
“No, hold on. I’m curious.” He paused and looked at her with his hand on the faucet. “I want to know why you’re so sure you’ll never get married again. Most people accept that eventually they have to move on.”
“I found the love of my life, and now I have his children to raise.” Kate placed her dish gently on the granite surface. “You still have a soul mate out there waiting for you.”
Jake turned on the water and began to rinse the plates. “Let’s hope she doesn’t mind damaged goods.”
“What?” Anger roared in her ears at his harshly spoken words. “That is such bullshit! You are not damaged goods.”
He flipped the faucet off, his eyes boring into hers. “You really mean that?”
“Of course I do! Good Lord, is that the way you see yourself?”
He gripped the edge of the counter, his head lowered. “Sometimes.”
Gripping his chin, she forced him to look at her. “If you ever say something like that about yourself again, I will find new and creative ways to hurt you.”
He chuckled at her semi-empty threat, but his smile faded quickly. “Would you have married William if he’d told you he might not be able to have children?”
She studied him for a minute and dropped her hand. “Yes, I would have.”
“Because you loved him.” He walked into the family room, his hands clenched in fists.
“Very much so.” His body language screamed back off, so Kate walked over to the TV. This was not going the way she’d hoped. She studied the cartridge in the ancient game system and pulled it out. “What’s this?”
Jake’s shoulders seemed to relax, his fists unclenched at her change in subject. He joined her and peered over her shoulder. “Oh, that’s an old fantasy game. You have to fight off the bad guys and collect items...”
She blocked out the rest of his description as she watched his lips move. Those lips did such wonderful things to her after the storm. Her eyes traveled over his handsome profile to the column of his neck. She sucked in her breath when the image of her kissing the tender spot behind his ear popped into her mind.
“...and the knight in shining armor saves the damsel in distress.”
Just like he always did.
“That’s very sexy,” she said, her voice a husky whisper. Then realizing what she just said spouted out, “I mean sexist. That’s very sexist.”
“That’s how it was in the Middle Ages.”
“Can you show me how to play?”
His face lit up. “Sure!”
He set up the game with the enthusiasm
of a kid, yet he oozed masculinity. Something she found so freaking hot.
After showing her the controls, he handed over the remote. Within minutes, she was deeply embroiled in the game, navigating through the first level with ease.
Until she came upon dungeon master.
“You’re never going to beat the dragon that way.”
She glared at him, wanting to prove him wrong, but in the end, the evil beast won. “Damn, how the hell do you defeat this guy?”
Jake stood and paced behind the couch, leaving her missing his warmth.
“You have to use the upper thrust.”
“How do I do that?” She entered the dragon’s lair again, determined to be victorious this time.
“Press the ‘A’ button and up at the same time.”
She tried to follow his directions but only succeeded in spinning her knight in circles.
“No, no, you have to thrust up.”
Jake leaned over the back of the couch, snaked his arms around her, his hands over hers. Kate sucked in her breath as he demonstrated.
Trying not to focus on her suddenly dry mouth, she did as instructed, suppressing the urge to turn her head and brush her lips over his cheek. “Like that?”
The music from the game filled the room, along with the clicking of the controller, as the characters duked it out on screen.
Jake didn’t answer right away. Instead, he fought like a bastard not to lean in and kiss her neck. He tightened his arms around her for only a moment before he yanked away and backed up. “Yeah, perfect.”
He headed over to the French doors and stared out at his lighted waterfall trickling into his pool, wishing he could hear its tranquil song right now.
God, why had he invited her to dinner? His nerves, his hormones, and his body were in a constant state of awareness when she was around.
Maybe he should make up some lame excuse for needing her to leave. Otherwise, he was going to lose it tonight, he just knew it.
“Hey, Jake, I need you a second.”
If only…
He walked over, focusing on the bold knight with his trusty sword. “What’s up?”
Crazy Little Thing Called Matchmaking Page 18