“I’m going to knock your socks off,” he said.
Dr. Robbins laughed. “Good! Harmony promised as much just yesterday.”
Jake felt his face flush. “My sister-in-law might be biased but she’s one of my biggest fans.”
“I’m sure it’s well-deserved. Harmony doesn’t take these matters lightly. If she says your plans will only help Cypress, I’m inclined to believe her.”
Jake’s chest swelled a little at the man’s words. Here was the family support he’d missed. First for those months away in Aspen and then stuck up at Chapman in Boston.
“Then I have a lot to live up to.”
The director nodded. “Why don’t you go set up and I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
He felt buoyed by their short interchange. In a few words the director conveyed his trust and Jake was going to prove he was worth it.
***
Claire sat at her desk as the morning wore on, touching the tip of her tongue ever so lightly on the center of her upper lip. Darn, but her lip hurt. She’d burned it again, and in front of Jake Chapman. At least she hadn’t spilled any on her new blouse. She glanced down at her pretty blue top. Jake had liked what she was wearing today. She’d seen that. He’d even teased her but he couldn’t know she’d bought her new clothes with what she’d gotten shooting pool Wednesday night. They were earned through her skill and it was always fun to show up slightly smug guys like Mark. Hmm. Jake fit that category, too. Maybe she’d challenge him to a game or two.
“I’m going to grab takeout for lunch,” Tammy said as she breezed by her doorway. “Heading out to the beach again and I want to get an early start.” She stopped. “Do you want anything?”
Claire shook her head. “No, thanks. I brought something.”
Tammy blew out a breath. “You always bring something. Then you eat it while you sit at your desk working. You can take your lunch break, you know.”
“I know.”
She didn’t say more, so Tammy just shrugged and continued on. She certainly couldn’t tell Tammy that she budgeted everything to the penny and couldn’t swing take-out more than once in a blue moon. Claire knew how much Tammy made with her sales commissions and it was about the same as Claire. So the other woman had to know what Claire made or could hazard a good guess.
How could she explain that a big portion of her salary went to Cally’s care or straight into savings? As for her pool-shooting money? That was earmarked for fun, as sad as it was that buying clothes for work could be considered fun. Once again she thought about Jake’s eyes on her. She’d flushed hot then. Hotter than the darn coffee in her cup.
He had a way of tilting his head slightly to one side as his blue eyes sparkled wickedly. He had to be aware of it but it never looked practiced. Who tries so hard to hit on a woman at nine in the morning anyway? And besides, who tries so hard to hit on her ever? Mark flirted but he flirted with the servers at the End Zone just as easily. She was nothing special despite Jake’s appreciative glances this morning.
As she closed one spreadsheet on her computer and opened a new one, she felt a tingle of awareness. Right between her shoulder blades. A little tickle followed by a whiff of freshness.
“Hey, Claire,” Jake called from behind her.
Her heart tripped so she took a second before spinning in her chair. He leaned into her office, a wide smile wreathing his face. His eyes were bright and his face lit with excitement.
“I take it your presentation went well,” she said with a grin.
“It couldn’t have gone better.” He stepped inside, his hands held up in front of him. “God, what a rush. I was nervous but I forged ahead and I had them eating out of my hands.”
“The director loves the outdoors, so that doesn’t surprise me. But the board can be a little stuffy.”
“Yeah.” He laughed and settled in the small chair beside her desk. “I think I convinced even them to give the courses a try when they’re complete.”
She blinked. “Really? I’d come see that for sure.”
He stretched out his long legs and ran his palms over his thighs. “Right? But hey, that hurdle is passed.”
“That’s terrific. I’m happy for you, Jake.”
He loosened his tie a bit and she found herself studying his strong throat. Clearing her own, she leaned one elbow on her desk and folded her hands.
“Join me for lunch,” he said.
“Oh no, I can’t.”
“Why not?”
She opened her mouth, but really had no reason to refuse him. His mood was high and his appeal intoxicating.
“Okay.”
He rose to his feet. “Good. Let’s head to the Clubhouse.”
Alarm trilled through her. She couldn’t go through another meal totaling his purchases as she choked down a meal she shouldn’t indulge in. Something must have shown on her face, because his brow furrowed. Then he smiled.
“The tavern side, Claire. They do a hell of a burger for lunch.”
Relief swamped her. “Sounds great.”
She slipped her shoes on and they went out onto the sidewalk. Jake was obviously still high from his meeting. His step was light and he was still grinning.
“Claire, it was amazing. I’ve never had such a positive response to a presentation.”
“You must have made your vision clear. How could they resist?”
He stilled her with a hand on her elbow. His eyes were intent on her face. “Do you mean that?”
She pulled back a little. “Of course. You’re very persuasive, Jake.”
He laughed softly, then turned her toward the tavern. “Persuasive, huh?”
“You know you are,” she said softly.
He leaned close and she experienced that pull she’d felt the night he’d taken her to dinner. His expression was serious now. Compelling.
“Can I persuade you, Claire?”
She gazed up into his eyes. He looked like he was going to kiss her. Right there outside the Clubhouse. And to her surprise she wanted him to. To feel those wide teasing lips of his on hers.
“To what?” she managed to say.
His lips tilted. “To just let go?”
Her mouth dropped open. “Jake…”
He breathed in, then straightened. “Let’s go eat some meat.”
She mentally shook off the spell he’d cast and let him lead her to the tavern.
Chapter 6
To just let go. Jake’s words echoed in her mind all afternoon. Their lunch together garnered some attention from some Cypress folks, and she’d tried to ignore the surprised expression on Mr. Forbes’ face and the speculative one on Harmony’s husband Rick’s. He’d even stopped by the table and she had a lot of trouble ignoring the silent communication passing between the brothers. What was Rick thinking? What had Jake told him about the awkward end to their first date? Or worse, was Harmony going to start throwing her and Jake together? She just didn’t want to think about that. Jake wasn’t for her, no matter how attracted to him she was.
Right now she was looking down the business end of another weekend spent like she usually did. Saturday with Cally and Sunday sitting out on her porch or maybe, if she was adventurous, taking a book and sitting out by the lake.
“I’m off,” Tammy called as she did just about every Friday afternoon. “I guess you’re doing the same old same old this weekend?”
Claire nodded as she closed down the open programs on her computer. “Nothing much, really.”
Tammy crossed her arms and leaned against her doorjamb. “Yet you had lunch with Jake Chapman this afternoon.”
Her cheeks heated. Yes, there were no secrets in Cypress. Luckily, the only one she kept now was her father’s addiction and that he was tucked safely away in St. Cloud away from the temptation of the dog track and off-track horse betting.
“He wanted to celebrate his successful presentation.”
Tammy brightened. “I heard! I can’t
wait to get the mock-ups for the promotional material so I can add them to my pitch.” She winked. “And maybe you can convince him to spend some more time here at the Sales Center to talk up the courses to potential residents?”
Claire laughed that off. “I have no sway with Jake, Tammy.”
One thin dark brow arched. “Don’t you?”
Claire said nothing to that and only hoped that her fair skin didn’t get more pink.
“Have a good weekend, Claire,” Tammy said at last.
“You too.”
As her face cooled a little, Claire focused on clearing her desk for the weekend. She didn’t doubt Tammy would make good use of Jake’s additions to Cypress. As for herself, she had to admit that she’d like to see him working in the Sales Center now and then. His excitement was infectious and who wouldn’t want to be around that? And he sure was easy on the eyes. That handsome face, those pirate eyes. That fit body.
“Go home, Claire,” Mr. Forbes said as he passed her office. “Enjoy yourself this weekend.”
She managed not to jump. He couldn’t have any idea she was thinking about Jake’s very nice physique.
“Have a good weekend, Mr. Forbes,” she said back.
It was what they often said to each other, but today she was bothered a little by it. First Tammy teasing her about doing the “same old same old” and now Mr. Forbes urging her to get out of the office in that commanding tone he always seemed to have. Taken with Jake’s dare to “just let go?” Darn it, even she was bored with herself.
“Maybe I’ll order a pizza from the tavern,” she murmured as she shut down her computer and turned off her light. “That’s…a little bit different.”
Locking the door behind her, she stepped outside and headed home. After a half hour spent flipping through the TV channels and finding nothing to really catch her attention, she called in her pizza order and changed into her official weekend-at-home clothes. Her favorites, actually. Gray pajama pants with Mickey Mouse on them and a red tank top. Thick cotton socks that she sometimes used to slide across her pretty hardwood floors. She scrubbed her face of her minimal makeup and pulled her hair up into a high ponytail. She smirked at herself.
“Friday-night Claire is ready for a rollicking evening,” she said.
Her doorbell rang about ten minutes later and she padded over to the front door. Through the small frosted windows set on one side of the door she could see there was a tall shadow out on her porch. Single girl living alone, she peered out the peephole. And gasped.
It was Jake. What was he doing here? She look a furtive glance in the mirror to the right of the door, still seeing plain-Jane Claire staring back. Her shoulders slumped and she pulled open the door.
He was just looking at her. Expectant. She took a few seconds to take in his appearance. He wore jeans now, with those boot/sneaker shoe things. Faded jeans that showed off his long legs. His shirt was one of those soft-looking Henley ones, buttery yellow with the top two buttons undone and the sleeves pushed up toward his elbows. He looked so yummy. She gave herself a shake and forced herself to look him in the eye.
“Jake, what are you doing here?”
He grinned and held aloft a pizza box. “Dinner is served.”
“You’re a stalker.” She placed her hands on her hips. “And why do you have my pizza?”
“Your pizza and a bottle of wine.”
She saw he held a bottle in his other hand but just shook her head. “A pizza stalker.”
“What, no tip?” he asked.
She tried to hide her smile. “Why are you here?” she tried again.
He shrugged. “I was at the tavern, thinking about picking up my own take-out to bring to the tent-cabin when I heard your order come in. I thought I’d be a gentleman and bring it to your door.”
“They have golf-cart kids to do that,” she said, referring to the delivery staff who provide door-to-door room service to residents.
“I was there, Claire.”
When he didn’t say anything more, she let out a breath. If she were being honest with herself, she didn’t want to eat alone. She wanted to share her pizza with yummy-looking Jake Chapman.
“Come in.”
He stepped inside and she shut the door. His fresh scent struck her, followed closely by delicious pizza aroma. Her stomach growled but she didn’t know quite what she was hungry for.
“What do I owe you?” she asked, forcing herself to back away from him and the pizza.
He waved a hand. “You can make it up to me.”
She couldn’t rouse an ounce of outrage at that statement and crossed through into the kitchen. “Okay, but you’re not getting a tip.”
He laughed and followed her. “On the counter all right?”
“Sure.”
He put the pizza box and wine bottle on the tall counter set between her kitchen and the living room. “Plates?”
“In the cabinet to the left of the sink.” She grabbed two wine glasses and set them on the counter. “You can’t keep doing this.”
“What? Feeding you?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re exasperating, you know that?”
His eyes sparkled. “I’ve been called worse.”
She snorted. “No doubt.”
He opened the box and peered down at the pizza. “Olives?”
“I like olives.”
“But there’s no meat.”
“After the burger you inhaled at lunch I would think your arteries might appreciate the reprieve.”
He arched a brow and sat on one of the barstools. “You ordered extra cheese, Claire. Don’t talk to me about arteries.”
She sat beside him and inhaled the hot scent of garlic and the earthy tones from the olives. “Just give me a piece.”
He served her and himself each a slice, then poured the wine. “So what were you up to before I crashed your Friday night?”
She gestured from her ponytail to her pajama pants. “Nothing special. Can’t you tell?”
His eyes lingered on her chest and she was suddenly very aware that she wasn’t wearing a bra. The tank top wasn’t thin but she guessed there was no disguising her reaction when her nipples tightened. Crossing an arm in front of her breasts, she reached for her slice and brought it up to her mouth.
The pizza was a treat she didn’t usually allow herself. It was gooey and spicy and the tomato sauce was just right.
Thankfully, Jake took her cue and dug into his own pizza. They ate and drank for a while.
“This wine is delicious.” She held up the glass and the liquid caught the light. “Blush. Very pretty.”
He nodded. “I find a blush very pretty, too.”
He was staring at her face when he said it, so she accommodated him with a flush on her cheeks. She couldn’t stop it if she tried.
“So what are you doing this weekend?” he asked.
She demurred for a second, then shrugged. “I have errands to run tomorrow.”
“Damn, I’d hoped to get you out on the lake.”
“The lake?”
“Out in a canoe. I wanted to show you a few spots where the trail takes to water.”
“What about alligators? Water moccasins?”
He laughed a little. “The gators, we’ll check for. As for the snakes? It’s best not to think about it.”
Horror must have shown on her face, because he shook his head. “I’m teasing. As long as you stay away from the edges and the tall grasses, snakes aren’t too big a problem. But don’t worry. The animal control guys will check for them, too. Often.”
She shivered. “Still.”
He chewed for a bit, then swallowed. “Just a hint of danger, Claire. It adds to the experience.”
“I don’t like taking chances.”
“I know.”
She blinked and studied him. He looked very serious right now.
“What are you talking about?”
“The other night.” One brow arched. “After dinner at the Clubhouse?
”
Oh, she’d known it would only be a matter of time before he brought that up.
“We’d had a wonderful meal, Jake. You’re a terrific date.”
“Thanks, and yes we did. But later, when we were talking and you…closed up on me. You always do that.”
Anger tickled at the edges of her mind. He was right of course, but he was certainly a jerk to say it.
“What did you expect me to do, Jake? Throw myself at you after one date?”
He pulled back. “No. I didn’t mean that. I meant our conversation.” His eyes ran over her again, interest stamped on his features. “But if you had thrown yourself at me I would have had a lot of fun catching you.”
His words that afternoon struck her again. Just let go. Why was that so hard for her? Why was it so difficult to admit that she wanted to let things go now and then? To skip her Saturday visit with Cally and go to the beach with Tammy? To throw herself at a hot guy who’d just dropped big bucks on dinner? Hell, to go to bed with dishes in the sink?
She knew why. It was how she was made and that realization just made her sad.
Chapter 7
Jake watched as the emotions flitted over Claire’s face. She’d been pissed there for a second, but now she just looked deflated. What the hell had he said?
“More wine?” he asked, holding the bottle to her glass.
“Yes.” Her answer was quick.
They ate quietly after that. As unaccustomed as he was to silence, he was grateful that he wouldn’t have the opportunity to put his foot in his mouth as they finished their pizza. He had no idea what was going through her mind and he wouldn’t push her. Instead, he looked around her pretty little house.
It wasn’t in the same neighborhood as Rick and Harmony’s house and the yards were narrower but it was still situated across the street from one of the many parks scattered throughout the development. It was a one-story with an open floor plan and soaring ceilings highlighted by dark beams across the roofline. The kitchen was very clean, with white cabinets and sparkly gray counters. The glass-front cabinets bracketing the sink showed glasses arranged by height and dishes stacked neatly. Everything was clear or white with the occasional touch of blue.
Cypress Corners Boxed Set (Books 1-3) Page 21