by Lori Foster
Deadpan, trying to hide her sizzling awareness of him as an ultrahot man, she said, “Yay. Just what I wanted to know.”
His mouth quirked, and he thankfully dropped his hand, allowing her to breathe again. “What time do you need to be at work?”
An innocuous enough question, especially after those light, bone-melting touches. “Twenty minutes ago.” Then, because she never could be short, she explained, “I have clients coming in first thing, but the salon is only ten minutes away and I had time built in to store my lunch, go over my schedule, get my supplies ready, spruce up my area and...” She trailed off at his slight frown. “Sorry.”
“Sounds like you have a lot to do.”
“The salon where I work is small. Every stylist is responsible for her own area.”
“Small, as in lacking business?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Small, as in superexclusive.”
“So you have a lot of clients?”
Was he skeptical? Or just interested? She couldn’t tell. “Don’t judge my own sloppy appearance.” Forgoing modesty, she admitted, “I’m in high demand.”
He murmured, “I bet you are,” while looking at her mouth again.
A rush of heat hit her and it had nothing to do with the humidity rising off the wet ground in waves. At this rate, she’d be mush by the time she got to work.
After clearing her throat, she said, “So...”
“You were out late last night.”
Totally not what she’d expected from him. “How do you...?”
“My bedroom is closest to your house. I hear you coming and going.”
“Oh.” Well, that was embarrassing. Now she’d never be able to sleep for thinking about him that close...maybe listening to her. She didn’t have time to explain, not that she’d know what to say anyway. Lexie’s general explanation, that she was keeper of the zoo, didn’t feel appropriate. “I’m really sorry. About waking you and—” she gestured at the yard “—about the mess.”
“I’ll keep an eye on things until the garbage truck comes by and picks it up in another hour. But you should get a lid for your can. That’ll take care of it.”
“I will.” She searched the yard and spotted Colt. “Thank you,” she called out to him.
Dropping a few things back into her can, he waved her off with a friendly smile.
Honor sighed. “He is such a great kid.”
“Yeah, he is.” Smiling, Jason added, “But he doesn’t much like being called a kid.”
He had the most gorgeous smile that put sexy little dents in his whisker-rough cheeks and crinkled the corners of his dark-as-sin eyes. That smile had the effect of making Honor smile, too. “I’ll try to remember that.” She back-stepped toward her car. “And the lid to the can.”
Jason nodded.
And she’d especially remember to close her car door quietly from now on. Very, very quietly.
3
PROUD OF HERSELF for coming up with such a great scheme, Lexie arrived a few minutes before Honor should be there. As soon as she pulled up, she spotted Jason in the garage, hammering away on something that looked like a small house.
Perfect.
Honor deserved a nice but hunky guy, someone to pay attention to her, lighten her load a little and make her feel as special as Lexie knew her to be. Jason, with his simmering gaze and hot bod, seemed like a great candidate. From what Lexie had seen so far, the chemistry was strong. Enough sparks had bounced between them to start a forest fire.
With the top up on her convertible, she circled to the back passenger door. When she opened it, the stems of the large bird-of-paradise plant flopped out. Getting the thing in there had taken two men from the garden center and some creative stuffing.
Pushing her sunglasses to the top of her head, Lexie put on her best helpless face, glanced around, then zeroed in on Jason—willing him to look up.
“Excuse me.”
Startled, she followed the sound of that smooth, deep voice and found herself staring into incredible cobalt-blue eyes...
...in a stop-your-heart handsome face.
...with an oh-my-God physique.
Done with her up, down and sideways analysis of his fine self, she smiled. “Hi there.”
Dressed in loose athletic pants, running shoes and a snug-fitting T-shirt, he asked, “Did you need some help?”
She needed all kinds of things...
He nodded to the plant.
Forgetting all about Jason and her plan, Lexie quickly agreed. “Yes. Please. Thank you.”
His polite expression never faltered—unlike her pulse.
Inhaling, Lexie looked him over again. Straight black hair, neatly trimmed but not overly styled. A firm mouth, strong jaw and those incendiary eyes. A lean, tall, finely honed body. “Where did you come from?”
“I live across the street.”
He could’ve said heaven and she would have believed him.
Wearing a quizzical frown, he glanced at Honor’s house. “I take it you’re my new neighbor?”
Oh, she wished. It’d be worth giving up her very nice downtown apartment overlooking the river. The views around Honor’s house were definitely better.
“My best friend is, actually.” Belatedly she held out a hand. “I’m Lexie Perkins.”
“Sullivan Dean.” He carefully took her hand, his touch gentle and somehow more familiar because of it. “It’s nice to meet you, Lexie.”
Liking the sound of her name on his lips, she tried to hold on to him, but other than a long look, he didn’t play along. Bummer.
From behind her, Jason said, “Hey, Lexie.”
She turned—and couldn’t help looking Jason over, too. Honor had struck gold with her location.
And to think she’d once considered the neighborhood old and stuffy.
“Jason, just the guy I was hoping to see.”
Wearing his intense, enigmatic expression and not wearing a shirt, Jason shifted his gaze to Sullivan.
Oh, crap. Lexie definitely didn’t want Sullivan—please let him be available—to get the wrong idea. She had zero carnal interest in Jason...especially since Honor had already staked a claim, even if Honor didn’t realize it and would never admit it.
To clear up any misconceptions, she explained, “I was going to ask you to carry in the plant I got for Honor. It’s a housewarming gift. But it’s a monster. No way can I get it up to her porch and in the house on my own.”
Once she got Jason inside, maybe she could convince him to stay. If he got to know Honor, if he understood why she forced the issue of independence, Lexie felt sure he’d adore her as much as she did.
Things didn’t go quite right when Sullivan stepped forward. “I’ve got it.” In a beautiful display of muscles and fluid strength, he lifted the plant as if it were a bag of sugar. “Where to?”
Oh, those glorious biceps...
While Lexie quickly considered the twist to her plans, Honor pulled up. Exhaustion gave way to confusion as she hurriedly left her car and trotted toward them. “Lexie? What did you do? What’s going on?”
Sullivan stared at Honor, smiled slightly and said, “I see. Now it makes more sense.”
Jason shot him a look but quickly returned his attention to Honor.
Lexie had no idea what that odd exchange meant, and with so much accusation in Honor’s tone, she couldn’t figure it out right now. Given half a chance, Honor would send them all packing.
Her friend didn’t like gifts any more than she liked help.
“Surprise!” Unwilling to let Honor put a damper on things, Lexie grabbed her hand and started hauling her toward the house. “Come on. Sullivan’s carrying your housewarming plant for me and I don’t want to test his goodwill. It weighs a ton.”
“Sullivan?” Honor asked.
“Your smoking-hot neighbor from across the street.”
Honor glanced back at him. So did Lexie.
Amused by the praise, Sullivan smiled at them both. “Hello.”
/>
Honor swallowed. “Hi.”
Jason said nothing. He just watched Honor with near-predatory intent.
Lexie understood his expression, though it clearly went straight over Honor’s head.
Pleased with things so far, Lexie continued to rush Honor until she got the door unlocked. Lexie stood back to hold the door open and Sullivan carried in the plant, bending his knees as he went over the threshold to keep from damaging the top leaves.
Jason still stood in the driveway.
Cocking out a hip, Lexie shook her head and said, “Come on, slowpoke. We might need your help. And even if we don’t, you’re the reason I’m here, so—”
“Lexie.”
As Honor’s fretful voice emerged from the house, Jason grinned and ambled up the drive to join them. Sweat gleamed on his naked shoulders, and muscles flexed in his thighs.
She understood exactly how he so easily flustered Honor. Most women would react the same.
Until he came in, Lexie hadn’t yet looked around, but as soon as he cleared the doorway she did, and it blew her away. Honor had arranged everything so that the small room felt more spacious. Fresh paint on the walls brightened things and even her makeshift sheet curtains looked smooth and crisp and coordinated.
Lexie turned a complete circle before saying, “Wow. You’ve been a busy girl, Honor. It looks great.”
Jason nodded his agreement. “The colors are really nice.”
“Thank you.” The praise took some of the tension from Honor’s shoulders. “I like a lot of color, so I researched what would be right for this type of home. I wanted to stay true to the Cape Cod style.”
“Perfect choices. It looks terrific.”
She smiled with relief, then touched one leaf of the plant. “You shouldn’t have, Lex.”
Knowing it wasn’t the problem, Lexie said, “If you don’t like it, I can take it back and pick you out another.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“It fits okay? Not too big?”
“It’s perfect.” She turned to Sullivan. “Thank you for carrying it in.”
“Carrying in a plant was as good an excuse as any to meet you.” He held out his hand. “Sullivan Dean. I live across the street from you.”
Smiling, Honor indulged the requisite handshake. “Honor Brown. It’s very nice to meet you.”
He enclosed her hand in both of his. “I’ll admit I was curious. We were all at Screwy Louie’s the other night when Jason mentioned we had a new neighbor. With all the rain, I hadn’t yet seen you.”
She tipped her head. “Screwy Louie’s? Is that a local place?”
“It’s a bar and grill a few blocks down in the commercial area. You haven’t been?”
“No.”
“We’ll definitely have to remedy that. Anytime you need a bump up from fast food, go to Screwy Louie’s. Best food around.”
“They have takeout?”
“Sure.”
Still holding hands? “Sounds fun,” Lexie said, making sure she wouldn’t get left out. “Maybe we could all meet up there sometime.”
“Since we go every week,” Jason rumbled in a low voice, “I’m sure we could make it happen.”
“Definitely.” Sullivan finally let her go.
“So...” Honor shot a glance at Jason, then turned back to Sullivan. “You said Jason mentioned me?”
“With the trouble still in the area, he wanted to make sure we were aware of you.”
“We?” Lexie asked.
“Nathan and me.”
Honor wrinkled her nose. “Because I’m a woman alone?”
“A block or so down, there are a few older widowed women who’ve been in the area for twenty years or more. But yeah, a woman like you...”
“Like me?”
“Younger, single and attractive.” He hitched a brow. “I think you’re the first. If you ever need anything, feel free to give me a yell.”
Lexie didn’t miss a thing, including the territorial way Jason moved closer to the pair. She shivered. Alpha guys were so hot. It also struck her that Honor was again her usual bubbly, friendly self.
But when around Jason, she was very different.
“Why, thank you. I appreciate that,” Honor said to Sullivan. “So far, so good, though. I think I’ve got it covered. And honestly I’m enjoying figuring out everything on my own.”
Keeping her plan in mind, Lexie said, “I brought some snacks and drinks. Why don’t you both stay and visit for a bit?”
Sullivan checked a thick black watch on his wrist. “I have thirty minutes before I need to take off.”
Before she thought better of it, Lexie asked, “Hot date?”
His slow smile sent a spike of heat through her core. “Actually, no.”
Lexie noted that her boldness didn’t throw him, but it did turn his gaze speculative.
“I have an evening class and won’t be back until late.”
“So we’ll make do with thirty.” She’d find out about the class stuff later. “What about you, Jason? Got a little free time?”
Honor made a point of studiously examining the leaves on the plant, so she missed the way Jason checked her out—specifically her behind in her snug jeans.
When he realized Lexie was watching him, he drew his attention away to ask, “What?”
Around a laugh, Lexie said, “I’m going to take that as a yes.”
His gaze went right back to Honor. “Yeah, do that.”
“Perfect. I’ll run out and grab the stuff from my trunk.”
“Need a hand?” Sullivan asked.
“I’ll take both, please.” Lexie hooked her arm through his, taking him with her while saying over her shoulder, “You two behave, now. We’ll be right back.”
Jason’s chuckles followed her out the door, but Honor just groaned.
Snickering, Lexie said, “She is so funny.”
Without making a big deal of it, Sullivan freed his arm but put his palm at the small of her back. “Your friend Honor?”
“Yes.” He had big hands. Even through her shirt she felt the heat of his palm. She wasn’t Honor; a single touch didn’t usually make her giddy.
But damn it, this time it did.
She looked up at his profile. “When Honor first showed up, you said ‘I see,’ as if you just understood something.”
He shrugged strong shoulders. “At first I thought you were her and it didn’t make sense.”
“What didn’t?”
“Jason’s interest.”
At her car, Lexie stopped and turned to face him. Hand on her hip, she pretended a show of attitude. “You can’t see him being interested in me?”
With his smile going cocky, Sullivan shook his head. “Not really, no.”
Why that disgruntled her, Lexie wasn’t sure. “Why ever not?”
He pinched her chin. “Let’s just say she’s better suited to Jason.”
“No, let’s don’t.” Lexie made a “bring it” gesture in the air. “Let’s hear it. Why am I so unsuitable?”
“Unsuitable for Jason,” he clarified, still all cocky and amused. “See, he’s the home-and-hearth type and I figure you for a one-and-done kind of girl. You party, you have fun, you get what you need and then you move on.”
Her jaw loosened. Wow. “You nailed me.”
“Not yet.” That hot blue gaze turned seductive. “But I’m not opposed to the idea.”
Lexie started to speak, realized she had no idea what to say and sighed instead. “We need to table this discussion for now, at least until I get my bearings.”
“All right. How about we get into it more next week? I can get out early one day.”
“Early from what?”
She could tell he thought twice about sharing, then gave a mental shrug.
“I have a studio where I teach martial arts.”
“That’s pretty cool.” And explained his shredded physique. Her thoughts jumped ahead and she asked, “Who can sign up? I mean, do you need
previous training?”
“I do the training, so no. I have beginner classes up to pros.”
Yeah, she was starting to like this idea. “You could teach me to kick butt?”
More serious than her, he gave one nod. “Sure. But I also teach how to avoid being in situations where you need to physically engage. My school is as much about motivation and quiet confidence as it is life skills.”
Lexie daringly looked him over. “Bet you have a lot of ladies in your classes.”
He deliberately misunderstood that. “I train plenty of adults, but what I really enjoy is working with kids.” Changing the subject, Sullivan glanced back at the house. “I know Jason’s glad the place was bought, but your friend has a hell of a job ahead of her.”
“Honor is strong.” Too strong, in Lexie’s opinion, because she’d always had to be. “She’ll figure it out.”
“She looked a little overwhelmed to me.”
Lexie popped the trunk. “I think that was because of Jason. Honor’s not really shy, but around him...well, it’s like seeing her in high school again.”
“You’ve known each other that long?”
She lifted out the big bag of mixed munchies and left the cooler for Sullivan. “Since middle school. She was always superconscientious about things, but these days she spends all her time working and sorting out problems for her family. She never has time to date.” Thinking he’d appreciate her cleverness, Lexie leaned closer to him. “I’m trying to lend a hand.”
He lifted out the heavy cooler one-handed, then closed her trunk. “How’s that?”
“The plant I brought over? I deliberately got one big enough that we’d need to ask for Jason’s help.”
Wearing a slight frown, his midnight eyes unreadable, Sullivan looked down at her. “So you manipulated things, but then I stepped in and ruined your plans?”
She didn’t like the way he worded that. “It’s okay. I think this will work out even better.”
“How so?” He made no move to leave the curb.
The evening sun cast long shadows in the yard. Birds sang overhead. A fly buzzed near her ear.
And Sullivan stood there—more or less calling her manipulative.
Which, okay, was mostly true.
A little bemused, Lexie readjusted the bag in her arms. “A small group is less intimate, and that takes the pressure off her.”