"Yes, but only after you learn about them. We're going to practice picking them up and taking care of them. And we're only going to be working with the ones that aren't poisonous."
Thank God for that. At least the man had some sense.
"Now, what I want you to think about," he continued, "is what kind of animal you like best. Do you like snakes? Turtles? Lizards? Frogs?" He heard a chorus of "yes" with each animal that he named. "You decide and be ready to tell me on Monday, okay?"
"Okay, everyone, let's thank Dr. Jake for talking to us today. And thanks to you too, Moe, for being so nice," Susan led them in a practiced refrain of "Thanks" before asking them to line up so they could get ready for their arts and crafts.
Jake smiled as he watched the group return to their arts and crafts area. The younger kids were with Paul today at the alligator habitat and the next group was riding the zoo's train. It only took a second for him to bring his thoughts back to Josie who was sending him icy stares from across the pavilion.
He replaced Moe, letting the snake slide out of his hand and back into the cage. Carefully, he put the lid back on and locked it down. He felt Josie's eyes on him the whole time, probably wondering if he was putting the lid on properly. He took his time ambling over to her side of the pavilion.
"You don't look too happy," he smiled, hoping it would be contagious. It wasn't.
"I'm not," she met his eyes evenly, a tough chore considering her warring emotions.
"Did I do something to offend you?" he lowered his voice, knowing that he was probably the source of her ire.
"I didn't give you permission to take the kids back into the habitat. Or to touch the animals."
"You told me you trusted me," he shoved his hands into his pockets. If he didn't do something with them, he was likely to reach out and touch that curl that had escaped from her hairclip. It was dangling over one eye just begging to be stroked.
"That was before...."
"Before what?" he interrupted. "Before I made you mad or before I kissed you?"
"Before you let the snake get out."
"Oh, so that's my fault again. Okay," he held his hands out in surrender, "I'll take the blame. My fault for not watching them close enough."
"I bet you had your eyes on something else," she mocked.
"Such as?"
"You know what such as. I've seen those looks between you and some of my workers. I don't want you messing with them on my time," she forced the words out through clenched teeth.
He leaned forward and let his words carry over to her, "Would you rather I messed with you then?"
"I would rather you do what you're getting paid to do."
He laughed. "Then I would be over at the exhibit or with Lucy because nobody's paying me to be here with you."
Josie clenched her eyes shut as he walked away. The words had been spoken so softly, but she could see the heat in his eyes. It was better this way. At least maybe she wouldn't spend every waking minute thinking about him.
"Everything okay?" Susan had wandered up after leaving the kids to do their sand paintings.
"Everything's fine," Josie forced a smile. "I just have a headache is all."
"Oh. I think I have some aspirin in my bag," she offered, her cheerful smile glowing straight up to her eyes.
"That's okay. I'll be fine."
"Just let me know if you change your mind," she shrugged.
Josie could tell that she wanted something by the way she was shifting from one foot to the other. "Did you need something?"
Susan blushed a little, but recovered quickly. "Yeah, I guess I do."
"Okay?"
"I was wondering, uh, about Dr. Jake. Is he single?"
Josie swore her heart dropped. The petite blonde could probably have her pick of men. And she had zeroed in on Jake. A classic combination of innocence and seduction, Susan was the kind of woman men went to war over in the old days. She had Jake's attention, Josie was sure. As much as she wanted to lie to her, she found herself admitting what she hoped would end this fascination with Jake once and for all. "As far as I know, he's single."
Susan's face lit up, "Do you think he'd go out with me?"
"I don't know," Josie admitted. Probably. "You'll have to ask."
"I don't think I could ask. Do you think you could...."
No, no, NO! She wouldn't set Jake up with Susan. She couldn't with that knot in her throat threatening to cut off her air supply at any moment. Panic seized her as she stared into Susan's anxious eyes. "Sure," she managed, choking the word out. "Sure."
That headache was getting worse.
* * * *
"Get a grip, Josie." She splashed cold water on her face and then looked at her reflection in the mirror. She couldn't compete with a twenty-year-old siren. She shouldn't even try. She patted her face dry with the paper towels, cringing at their rough texture against her sunburned face. Of all the days to forget her sunblock, today would be it. Everything else had gone her way today, she thought, sarcastically.
She should be thankful that Susan was interested in Jake. She had hated the idea this morning when she thought Jake had been watching Susan, but now, it seemed like the answer to all of her problems. She kept reminding herself how it was the only way to get Jake out of her system. He had to be unavailable.
That in mind, she decided to go over to the lab now and talk to him about Susan. She stared at her reflection again. She couldn't go in there with the snakes. She had barely made it through his presentation today, and then had only done so from way across the pavilion. She had been grateful that they'd moved the seminars from the small confines of the reptile exhibit into the open air. Only half of it was to keep her distance from the snakes.
"You can do this," she said steadily. Still, the thought of going in there almost paralyzed her. She had seen Lucy eat. She knew the snake was harmless. And she knew those in there were less likely to get out than the ones in the exhibit.
She wouldn't even have to go inside, she decided when she was halfway there. She could just go to the door, open it, deliver the message and leave. It would be that simple. She had no reason to have to set foot inside. She slowed her pace as she neared the lab, trying to decide what she was going to say.
She tightened her fingers into a fist. All she had to do was knock. She loosened the fist, flexed her fingers and tried again. This was the easy part. Just knock on the door. She raised her hand to the wooden door one last time. She hadn't even made contact when the door swung open and she practically fell against that warm wall of maleness.
Her heart stopped in her throat as she struggled to right herself. She only made matters worse, practically pushing him back into the lab. In her struggle, he managed to lose his balance and fall backward, catching himself on the edge of the desk and closing the door in the process.
"If you wanted me, all you had to do was ask," he teased, looking down at their tangled bodies. Lucy and Killer had nothing on this mating dance.
"Get your hands off of me," she demanded, pushing against his hard chest.
"You started it." He kept his arms firmly wrapped around her waist, still struggling against the wood of the desk.
"No, I didn't. Now let go." This time she managed to haul herself off of him. She self-consciously straightened her tank top and tugged on the hem of her shorts, not that they were too short.
"Whatever you say," he laughed, raising himself to his full height. "Did you, uh, need something?" he raked a hand through his hair, not sure of what else to do with his hand. He knew what he wanted to do. Her hair had practically fallen out of its restraints in their struggle and his fingers were itching to feel it.
"Yes, but not here." She realized for the first time that the door had closed and not only had she entered the lab, but she was now confined here. She immediately started backing away toward the door, her hand out behind her feeling for the knob.
Jake's smile teased her as he leaned back against his stool, half sitting on it.
He folded his arms, wondering what could have possessed Josie to come into his lab. "I'm not going anywhere," he argued.
She narrowed her eyes at him, "Fine. Have it your way."
"Promise?" he teased.
"What is wrong with you? Hitting on one woman isn't enough for you?"
"What are you talking about?" he met her gaze and then rolled his eyes. "Is this about that flirtation thing again?"
"You're full of yourself," she pushed against him, causing him to almost fall over backwards. She stifled a laugh as he struggled to gain his footing again.
"I bet you won't come over here and do that again," he warned.
"No, I won't."
"Unless I tell you that you're crazy. Yeah, that's it. Insane in love with me," he clicked his tongue.
"Only in your dreams," she rolled her eyes.
"I got your dreams right here." Something about that low growl made her stomach do a little flip-flop.
"I'm not touching you again," she promised.
"No?" he took a step toward her. "Then how 'bout I touch you?"
Josie wanted to move but found herself frozen as he moved toward her. She hugged her arms around her chest and shifted her eyes to avoid looking at him. "Don't you dare." She knew it was an idle threat. Had she been serious, she would have faced him instead of looking away like a coward.
"You ever play truth or dare?" He was so close now he could feel the heat coming from her body.
"I'm not doing this. I'm not playing this game with you." She met his eyes and then wished that she hadn't. Why was it that impossible men had the most beautiful eyes?
"You started it." He reached for her hairclip, freeing the masses that it held back and then inhaling sharply as they tumbled down around her shoulders. "Truth or dare, Josie," he crooned.
She captured her lower lip with her teeth. This wasn't how this was supposed to go. "Truth," she licked her lower lip. God, it had become awfully dry in a matter of two seconds.
"You want me." It was a statement, punctuated by those smoldering eyes.
"No, I don't," she raised her chin, hoping he wouldn't reach out and touch it. He didn't. Instead, he reached for her hair, gently tugging at the curls beside her face.
"I dare you to prove that."
"I chose truth," she argued.
"And I choose dare." He pulled her to him, using her hair as his leverage. Ever since he had seen her this morning with it piled on top of her head, he had wanted to free it and wrap his hands in it. Using it against her only heightened the sensation. He watched her eyes widen as her face came so close to his.
He saw a flicker of desire just before he brought his lips to hers. She muffled a cry of protest just before she opened up for him. After that, all protests ended as she clung to him. She arched herself into him, pressing her firm body up against his. He swore he heard a moan as her thigh came into contact with the proof of his arousal. God, this woman was driving him crazy.
Her hair spilled all across his hands, winding itself around his fingers, holding him captive. He hadn't hoped to escape. Still, he felt himself becoming sucked in by her sweetness. She opened and parted for him, allowing his tongue to probe and search. To taste. To take. And to want. This wasn't enough. The realization slammed into him. It would never be enough.
He pulled her with him as he leaned back against the stool. Using it for leverage, he lifted her, cupping her bottom in his hands. He squeezed and felt her body begin to quake beneath his touch. All this from a simple touch, a tiny kiss. He could only wonder what she would be like writhing beneath him. He had to know.
He pulled them fully onto the stool, her in his lap, his hardness pressed into her so tightly he could feel her heat. Just like snakes, he thought. His body was fine-tuned to react to the heat of her body. He had sought her out, had found the warmest part of her.
He loosened his hand from her hair and let it trail down her arm, her side. He traced her ribcage back up to her breast. He could feel her nipples straining against the flimsy fabric of her tank top and bra. They ached to be touched. And he would grant them their wish.
He flattened one palm against her breast, lightly squeezing the mound of flesh. His lips continued a slow, deadly assault on hers. Still, he waited for her moan, her arched back before he continued to explore. "I want to see you," he groaned against her lips. In response, she slid his hand down to where her shirt met her shorts. She helped him raise the tail of the shirt up, exposing the skin of her stomach.
In one quick motion, barely breaking their kiss, he pulled the shirt over her head. He inhaled sharply as he imagined how beautiful her breasts would look once he freed them from their restraints. His expert hands found the clasp of her bra between her breasts. With one hand, he unsnapped the clasp and felt her spill out onto him.
"Josie, you're beautiful," he whispered against her cheek, letting his gaze fall onto her chest. Each tiny rose bud was waiting for his mouth, puckered, teasing. When he took the first one, he felt her cling to him, pulling his mouth tighter around her breast. He flicked his tongue before sucking gently. She moaned, shifting in his lap, causing an instant reaction. "Grind yourself against me," he moaned.
She shifted again, rubbing herself into his crotch. She threw her head back in sweet abandon as she felt the fabric of her shorts tease her delicate skin. She was ready for him. He could take her here and now and she wouldn't have a complaint. Gently, she rode him. Then with a frenzy. A thousand shivers wracked through her body.
"That's it, Josie, let yourself go," he coaxed before continuing his assault on her other breast.
She felt herself come and then collapsed in his arms. This is not what she had wanted. This isn't what she came here for. Her senses came back to her at once. She could hear the lazy rhythm of the lab instruments monitoring the temperature. She could hear the slow movements of Lucy in her cage. She could smell the mice who were scurrying around in their cage. Oh, God. She hadn't just done that in a lab surrounded by mice and snakes.
She snatched her shirt off of the desk with one hand and used the other to close her bra. She practically sprang from Jake's lap, ignoring that lazy smile of satisfaction that lit up his eyes. Before he could move to take her into his arms again, she had put her shirt back on and was moving for the door.
"Where are you going?" He wasn't through with her yet.
"I, this is not, I didn't come here for this," she stammered.
"Well, you shouldn't come here for it again. Any time you want," his eyes twinkled.
"Really. I didn't," she was reaching behind her again for the doorknob.
He folded his arms, "Then what'd you come here for?"
"To ask you about a date," she managed, not realizing that she was still panting, trying to catch her breath.
"You name the time and place," he grinned.
"No. Not for me. For," God she was such an idiot. "For Susan."
"Susan?" he raised an eyebrow. "She send you in here to get me ready or something?"
"You are a jerk."
He shrugged, "I've been called worse. Now, what does Susan want with me? And why'd you have to come check out the goods first?"
Josie winced at his emphasis on the word come. "It's not like that."
"Then how is it? I know women talk."
"Not like that, we don't."
"Truth or dare, Josie?"
"Go to hell, Jake." She narrowed her eyes at him. "I came here because Susan wants to ask you out on a date. I told her I'd pass along the message. End of story."
"Consider me asked, then." The smile disappeared from his face. In its place was a mask that she couldn't read.
"Go to hell," she said again for emphasis. She had wanted to slam the door harder, but her fingers were having trouble grasping the knob. What had she just done?
Josie's fingers trembled, almost dropping her keys as she attempted to unlock her car door. After three tries, she hit the keyless entry button on her key chain, thankful that she had let Brian tal
k her into having that installed. Brian. Her thoughts certainly hadn't been on him just a few seconds ago.
She sank into the fabric seat of her car and flipped down her vanity mirror. The evidence of what had just taken place was all over her face. Her eyes still looked hazy; her lips were swollen and red. Tiny marks from Jake's stubble played around the edges of her mouth and down to her neck. She leaned the visor forward a little to view her chest. They were there, too. God, she felt like he had touched every part of her.
Annoyed, she flipped the mirror back up and turned the key. The blast from the music she had been listening to on her way to work this morning instantly assaulted her. She hadn't been thinking when she had popped in the old Def Leppard CD, but as Joe Elliot crooned out, "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad," a thousand emotions played through her. Her first instinct was to hit the eject button on the CD player. She even had her finger on it, threatening to put an end to the serenade. But something had stopped her. Need. That's all this was. She needed someone. It had nothing to do with Jake personally.
She latched her seatbelt into place, adjusting it between her breasts. They still felt heavy from the love play, causing her to groan. She needed someone. Jake would do, right? Jake would do perfectly. He had amazing lips. They looked pretty darn good, but they felt even better. And those eyes. She could imagine looking up into them when she.... Hell, why was she feeling so shy now? The guy had her shirt off less than five minutes ago and had practically felt everything she had to offer.
"Thanks, Joe," she mumbled to the radio, a plan forming in her wild imagination.
It had been too long. No one would hold it against her if she moved on with her life, would they? No, she knew they wouldn't. They had all encouraged her enough, especially during the past year. And the beauty of a plan like this was that no one would ever have to know. All she needed was one night to get these urges--which had nothing to do with Jake--out of her system. Then she could go back to being herself. No guilt. No explanations.
Chapter Ten
Jake dropped his keys at the front door, ignoring the blinking light on the answering machine. He stalked to the kitchen to grab a beer, hoping it would drown some of the thoughts he had been having about Josie. What was with him anyway?
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