He ran a hand through his hair. “We’ve already been over this. I don’t—”
“Want you involved,” she interrupted and finished for him.
“So if you already know, why did you ask?”
“Because you’re a little late. I’m already involved.”
“And whose fault is that?” He rolled up his right shirtsleeve, then switched his jacket to the other hand while he did the left. He sighed. “Look, Jen. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. Thanks for your help today. But I can take it from here.”
He’d underestimated things today. But from here on in, he would channel all his efforts into the fight. The only upside would be that he wouldn’t have any energy left over to think about a luscious brunette with eyes as green as a Texas prairie in springtime. Made no sense to waste time on something he could never have.
But he had to admit, he’d expected the custody question to be decided in his favor by now. He was beginning to wonder if refusing Jen’s help wasn’t the classic cut-off-his-nose-to-spite-his-face scenario.
She folded her arms over her breasts. “Are you going to see me where I am going?”
“And where is that?”
“Across the street to my new office.”
“Okay. I can do that.”
“Good. Because I plan to make a convincing argument to show you why you’re one bullet short of a full clip.”
Chapter Six
Jen walked down the courthouse steps with Grady beside her. When they got to the bottom, he moved around her so that he was closest to the street. The courtly gesture, so automatic to him, stirred a warm, gooey feeling in the pit of her stomach. And that wasn’t all. Even though it was a spectacularly beautiful June day in Texas, she had absolutely no right to be so happy.
They’d just left a court hearing regarding custody of his children, for goodness sake. Billy Bob Adams had touched her hair! Ick! Then things had taken a turn for the better. Grady had showed up and gone macho on her behalf. Now he was walking her to her new office and the world looked pretty wonderful. She couldn’t get rid of the feeling. But, by God, she was going to try.
“Stop protecting me, Grady.”
“Don’t look now, but I’m the sheriff. It’s my job.”
“You’d get no argument from me if I was in danger. But I’m not.”
It took a special kind of stupid to say something like that to a man who looked like him. Especially a man who looked like him and also happened to be the sheriff. She’d never seen him in a suit. A look he wore as well or better than any male model in any magazine or catalog she’d ever seen. But now—with his tie at half-mast, his white long-sleeved shirt rolled to his elbows, jacket slung over one shoulder, and reflective sunglasses that hid his eyes—Hubba, hubba. He made her heart do a double back flip that went into a triple spin. And so what if she mixed her sports metaphors?
But how dumb was it to point-blank tell him to cease and desist protecting her?
“What makes you think I’m protecting you?” he said, his brows pulling together in a frown.
She couldn’t see the expression behind his sunglasses, but she knew it was there. How? Good question. His tone of voice? Did she know him that well? How could she? There was no answer except that she just did.
“You told me so a few minutes ago.”
“Really? What did I say?”
“That you wanted to deck Billy because he touched me.”
He stuck the hand not holding his jacket into his slacks pocket. “That doesn’t mean I’m protecting you.”
“Okay, then what about keeping Zach’s secret from me for ten years?”
“That’s not just about you. There’s no reason the girls need to know.”
“It’s a tough assignment to protect them from all this.”
“I’ll figure out a way.”
She stopped walking and turned toward him. “It’s too sweet for words that you want to. But it may not be in their best interests.”
“How can it not?”
“Take it from me. Secrets have a way of coming out at the worst possible time. It might be better to get the situation out in the open, on your terms. Help them deal with it.”
“How did keeping secrets hurt you?”
By stealing so many years, she thought. By coming out at a time when she seemed to be waking from an extended period of hibernation. By preventing anything from ever happening with Grady—romantically speaking.
“That’s not important,” she said, turning away.
She started walking again and he followed. Finally they stopped in front of her empty office.
“So you’re my new neighbor,” he said.
The space she’d just signed the lease on happened to be right next door to the sheriff’s office and across Main Street from Doc Holloway’s. The proximity to his place of employment had definitely given her pause. But business sense had muscled its way past her doubts and insecurities. The location was too perfect to pass up. Not to mention the price. Besides, when she’d reported all this to her firm, they’d teased her about needing divine intervention to make the decision.
She smiled brightly at him. “Yup. Howdy, neighbor.”
“Aren’t you going to show me around?”
“There’s nothing to see. It’s empty.”
And it was ever so much safer to keep her little flat feet firmly planted out in public on Main Street. What could happen there?
He leaned a hand on the wooden wall just beside her, an in-your-face masculine pose that revved up her pulse. His body was so close she could feel the warmth from his skin, smell the fragrance of his manly no-nonsense soap mixed with the spicy, sexy scent of aftershave. The corners of his mouth turned up, almost as if he sensed her discomfort. As if he was daring her to stand on the street with him and tempt fate.
She and her little flat feet stood corrected. She did need protection. From the sheriff! But in the case of Jensen versus the distraction, he had to take some responsibility. He was the distraction—with a capital D.
“I thought you were going to make a case for why I should put you on my legal team,” he reminded her.
“You’re right. I did say that.”
“Since making a case could take a while, maybe you should invite me inside where it’s cooler. Any man one bullet short of a full clip shouldn’t be left out in the sun too long.”
Should she point out that based on recent experience being alone with him, inside, away from public consumption of any passerby, was probably not going to be cooler? Nah. That whole thing on her sister’s porch had been no more than a fluke. Unlikely to ever happen again.
She pulled a key out of her purse. “Okay. But like I said, there’s no furniture or office equipment yet.”
“What about phones?”
She put the key in the lock and turned it, then opened the door, leading the way inside. “I’m going to get phone service first thing.”
“Good,” he said, taking off his sunglasses and sticking them in the pocket of his white shirt. He hung his suit coat on the knob and looked around. “I’d hate to think of you here alone without any means of communication.”
“I’ve got a cell phone,” she pointed out.
“Still…”
“There you go again. Protecting me.”
“You’re habit-forming,” he answered, a gleam stealing into his eyes.
Words were her life, but she couldn’t think of a single response to his statement. At least, not one that would leave her with even the semblance of dignity.
She swallowed hard. “If I need anything, you’re right next door. I’ll just holler.”
“I’ll come running.”
Her heart pounded frantically as she tried to catch her breath. One minute she’d been breathing, in-out, in-out, normally. An involuntary function. The next minute—acute oxygen deprivation.
“Okay.” She turned away. “I’m sorry there’s nowhere for you to sit while I make my case.”
“No problem. It won’t take long for me to say no.”
She whirled around to face him again. She hadn’t had a chance to arrange utilities. Without artificial lighting, the interior was dim. But sunlight filtered in from the window, outlining his tall, muscular body. He was too everything—handsome, sort of old-fashioned courtly and sexy as all get-out. Not to mention too darn stubborn for his own darn good.
“Grady, you admitted that my strategy today was sound. And that was just off the top of my head. Imagine what I could do with research and planning.”
“I’m sure you would be a force to be reckoned with,” he answered, looking way down at her.
Now was not the time for tongue-in-cheek humor. One didn’t need to have the physical proportions of Stone Cold Steve Austin, the wrestler, to be formidable in court.
“So put me on the team,” she pleaded.
“No.”
“Ooh, you make me so mad, I could just shake you.”
“Not likely.”
She stood right in front of him and tapped his chest. “I am your best hope. I’m right under your nose, so to speak. I’m here. I’m handy. I’m very good at what I do.” She let out a long breath. “How many ways do I have to say it before you get the message? Why won’t you admit it? You need me?”
He looked at her for several moments and his eyes smoldered. Then he moved so quickly she didn’t have a chance to stop him even if she’d wanted to. Grady curved his hands around her upper arms and pressed her to him, trapping her forearms against his chest. The expression in his blue eyes was fire and ice. A muscle in his lean jaw contracted, testament to his internal struggle.
Without a word, he lowered his mouth to hers. Instead of heat she found his lips cool, firm, yet soft, too. She could almost feel waves of intensity moving through him. Strong, powerful hands held her. He could snap her like a twig, yet his touch was achingly tender. The heady sensation coursed through her like expensive brandy, leaving heat in its wake.
Almost of their own accord, her hands slid up and around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist, molding her more firmly to his muscled body. His mouth was magic, cranking up her breathing with soft, hypnotic, nibbling kisses.
She should stop this. It was going to bite her in the backside. But the way her heart skipped and stuttered and soared felt too wonderful. Inside her, rusty feelings stretched, twisted and came to life, giving way to liquid heat. She couldn’t find the will to stop herself from sinking farther into his strong embrace. Her breasts flattened against his chest. Could he feel it? Did he know how much she wished he would curve the warmth of his palms over the sensitive peaks?
More delicious sensations burned to life as his tongue swept into her mouth, caressing her. It was like riding a roller coaster, a hairpin curve that left her stomach behind.
She traced the strong line of his neck with one finger, and just the small touch made him suck in his breath and moan. What power. She’d forgotten. Or had she ever really understood?
He pulled his mouth from hers and rested his cheek on her hair as her heart drummed. His chest rose and fell rapidly, evidence of his own breathing difficulties.
“Jen,” he murmured, his voice husky and low. Desire vibrated in the single syllable of her name.
In that moment sanity returned. With every fiber of her being she wished it hadn’t. But suddenly it was there: he was the legal guardian of children fathered by the man she’d loved.
“Don’t,” she said, pressing her palms against his chest as he started to lower his head again.
He dropped his hands to his sides. “Why?”
She put her palms flat against his chest and gently pushed. “I can’t think with you this close. And I have to think. Because we have to settle things, Grady.”
Unfortunately her words lacked a whole lot of conviction. A sensuous haze coursed through her, intoxicating as it went from head to toe. The last thing she wanted was to sober up. But she had to.
He brushed his knuckles across her cheek, then backed up a step. After taking a deep, shuddering breath, he said, “Okay. Shoot.”
“You can’t ever kiss me again.”
“Bull’s-eye.” His eyes told her he wasn’t surprised—or any too happy, either.
“I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that. But I only know how to be direct. That’s the second time you’ve kissed me.”
“The lady can count.”
She ignored his attempt to lighten her up. “There can’t be a third time.”
“It’s the charm, or so the saying goes.”
“I appreciate your interest, but I have to be honest with you. A relationship is the last thing I want.”
“I thought you said you were being honest.” His hand shook as he shoved his fingers through his hair.
“I am.”
“All evidence to the contrary. The way you kissed me says you’re lying.”
“About what?”
“A relationship.”
“Look, I won’t stand here and say I didn’t like it. You’re a great kisser.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” he said, flashing a grin.
Her knees nearly buckled along with her resolve. “But…”
“I hate that word.”
“But,” she went on, ignoring the interruption, “I had my chance and it didn’t work out.”
“You know what they say about falling off a horse? You need to get right back on.”
“I know where you’re going with that and I have to tell you it’s an awful lot like the pot calling the kettle black. A guy who’s not looking doesn’t kiss like that.”
His eyebrows went up. “I can see why you’re so good at arguing cases in court.”
She wasn’t the only one. He was doing a darn fine imitation of a man making a case for getting together. Well, this was bad. This made her nervous. She wanted to help him retain custody of his girls, but it meant working closely together. How could she do her best if she had to watch her back—as in worrying that he would kiss her again?
“If I’m good at what I do it’s because I pay attention and learn from my mistakes. I learned relationships are a mistake.”
“Look, Jen…”
“No, you look, Grady. In law school they taught us it’s a really bad idea to become emotionally involved with a client.”
“But I’m not a client,” he pointed out way too reasonably.
“You will be.” She folded her arms over her breasts. “I have to be honest with you.”
“I’m not sure my fragile ego can take any more honesty.”
“There’s nothing fragile about you,” she said, gazing up, taking in his height. She had to look so far up at him, she could practically go over backward. An exaggeration. But the strength of his shoulders and chest was not. Their power made her think he could hold the weight of the world. But she could easily shatter into a gazillion pieces. “In all honesty, I have to tell you that I’ll never care for a man that way again. Not because I’m still in love with Zach,” she added hastily.
“Really?”
She nodded. “That ended a long time ago. I found out he wasn’t the person I thought.”
“I didn’t mean to…”
“It wasn’t what you told me. I think I knew even before he died.”
“Not all men are like him.”
“I know. But…” Again she struggled with the words to make him understand. “I’ll never forget how big—how consuming it was. Love is like a drug. And I’ve talked to enough kids’ counselors to know there’s no emotional growth on drugs because they take away all the feelings.”
“But you said it—with Zach—was a mistake.”
She nodded. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him about her husband’s other women, the nights she’d spent alone wondering where he was, the time he’d slapped her. But there was no point. “I probably would have left him eventually. But I never had to make that decision, because he died. And I shut down.”
“Over a
man who wasn’t worth it.”
“Yeah. But at the time I never really faced what he was. Because there was no point. Until now. That means there was no emotional growth.”
“It’s not too late.”
“That’s not the point, Grady. I don’t want or need another lesson. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.”
Who could look better than Grady? He wasn’t hard on the eyes. He was a sheriff. And he’d raised, loved and cared for two little girls as if they were his own flesh and blood. Even though he’d known from the beginning they were fathered by a despicable man who’d forced himself on their mother.
And Jen was that man’s widow. She’d had the bad judgment to fall for a guy like that. Love was based on respect. How could Grady ever respect a woman like her?
“Jen, I can help you.”
“If you truly want to help me, you can add me to your legal team. Let me plan a vigorous defense for your case. You need to let me make sure those two wonderful little girls don’t wind up with a despicable person like Billy Bob Adams.”
“Jen, I don’t know. Why would you put yourself through that?”
“Grady, listen to me. It’s not only for you and the girls. It’s selfish. I need to do this.”
“In law school they probably also touched on the downside of taking a case that hits too close to home. Like this one.”
She stared at him, trying to decide what to say. It wasn’t that she minded obstacles in her path. But why did this obstacle have to be the only man on the planet who actually listened to her? Grady O’Connor was too damn quick for her own good—and don’t even get her started on her peace of mind.
She took a deep breath. “The difference is now I know what he did to you. And Lacey. Who knows how things might have been if I hadn’t run off with Zach?”
“Don’t go there.”
“How can I not?” She laced her fingers together and pressed them against her abdomen. “For me this is redemption. It’s about righting a wrong that snowballed ten years ago. It’s about preventing an even bigger wrong from happening now. Don’t you see?”
He looked at her for several moments without answering, then said, “Wow.”
What If We Fall in Love? Page 7