"It's almost lunch time," he said, barely resisting the urge to wipe the smudge away, which would just be an excuse to touch her.
"You're kidding, right?" She frowned at him. "Is it really that late?"
The man standing beside Jessie chuckled. "Jessie loses track of time when she's engrossed in her work. She gets in the zone." He snatched a rag from his pocket and handed it to her. "Here, you have grease on your nose."
"Oh great." She blushed and quickly wiped off the smudge.
Cameron clenched his teeth and raised an eyebrow at the man. "And you are?"
The stranger took his time wiping his hands, then extended one in greeting. "Sam Garza," he said. "I work for Jessie. Fantastic car. We've never had a Jag in here before."
Cameron shook Garza's hand. He didn't like the idea of Jessie in such close contact to the man. He didn't like the feelings bombarding him, either. "I thought a fan belt broke last night. Have you found something else?" He glared at the engine parts on the floor.
Sam glanced quickly at Jessie. Cameron was surprised when her cheeks flushed crimson, as if she were embarrassed.
"We didn't think you'd be here so early," she said, wiping her hands on the grease rag.
"Is there a problem?" he asked, hoping it was nothing serious. He didn't have time for serious. "The car's brand new. There shouldn't be a problem."
Jessie shook her head. "No problem. Not really."
Cameron waited. She avoided eye contact and he had the distinct impression she was stalling for time. What the hell was going on?
He glanced over at Garza. He was looking decidedly uncomfortable, too.
"All right," Cameron said. "If something is wrong with my car, I need to know."
Sam stepped between him and Jessie. Like it was his right to protect her. Cameron shoved the feeling of irritation aside.
"Nothing's wrong with your car," Sam said. "I wanted to take the engine apart. I've never had the chance to work on a Jag before."
"What?" Cameron shouted.
Jessie stepped from behind Sam. "It was me, Cameron. Not Sam. I was the one who wanted to examine the engine. Sam tried to talk me out of it, but I insisted. It only took five minutes to change the fan belt. You know how much I like engines. I had to have more. I couldn't help myself."
Cameron stared at her and tried to remember his anger, but failed when desire slammed him in the gut.
With chin held high, Jessie's emerald eyes sparkled in defiance. The tails of her shirt were tied beneath her breasts. Every breath she drew, every rise and fall of her chest, hinted of nipple straining against thin cloth.
Her Levi's molded her slim figure, so tight Cameron felt himself harden. He wanted to trace the seams with his finger, or better yet, his tongue, starting from the slender waist, down the flat belly, to the apex between Jessie's thighs.
Hold on, McCade. Slow down.
Jessie watched Cameron boldly inspect her from head to toe. Her nipples tightened as his gaze lingered on her breasts. Her breath hitched when it stalled below her waist. Why in the world hadn't she worn her coveralls today? A shimmering wave of heat spread downward as those blue eyes made sweet love to her.
She felt a rush of dampness on her panties as her body reacted instinctively. Jessie glanced at the hard bulge behind the zipper of Cameron's jeans. Her throat went dry and her stomach lurched uncontrollably.
Why in heaven's name was she so attracted to this man? She had been married and knew all about sex. Her loins ached as a familiar warmth blossomed inside. It had been a long time since TR had died. A long time since she had lain beneath a man. The unbidden picture formed in her mind of Cameron rising above her. Good lord, what was she thinking?
Cameron jammed his hands in his pockets and surveyed the engine parts strewn across the floor. "Can you put it back together?"
Jessie lifted her chin higher at the taunt. "Of course, I can put it back together," she said. "And don't worry, there's no extra charge." She turned to pick up a wrench and felt strong fingers clamp around her upper arm. Cameron pulled her to face him. Was he angry at her sarcasm? He was the one who had started it. He knew damn well she could put an engine together blindfolded.
Sam stepped closer and tension flared between the two men with Jessie caught in the middle. She wriggled free from Cameron's hold and turned to Sam. "Let's take a break. It's almost noon. We'll finish after we eat. Unless you're in a hurry?" she said to Cameron over her shoulder. Not waiting for a response, she raced toward the office.
Would Cameron follow her? Did she want him to?
Damn, Jess. Get it together, girl.
Once inside the office, she barricaded herself behind the desk and watched Cameron's approach through the glass door. The bell jingled when it closed behind him. He didn't say anything for a minute, just stood there looking at her. Jessie straightened a stack of papers on her desk. The sensual current flowing between them disturbed her in more ways than the obvious. She had never felt anything like it before. Okay, she was lying. She'd felt it before, but only with Cameron.
Clearing her throat, she kept her focus on the desktop. "I'm sorry about the Jaguar. That was very unprofessional of me. I'll have it ready later this afternoon. No charge."
Cameron walked closer to the desk. "That's not very professional, either. You have to make a living."
Jessie shrugged. "Yes, well . . ."
"I'll pay for the fan belt." He looked around the office. "Nothing's changed much since the last time I was in here. Do you remember?" His voice sounded like melted chocolate, seeping into every pore of her body.
"The night of the prom," she said softly. He'd looked so handsome in his black tux and baby-blue shirt. They had been kids, but the attraction had been strong. It was stronger now, more irresistible, and much more dangerous.
Cameron nodded. "I remember you pinning my boutonniere on my tux. It took several tries before you got it right."
"Because my hands were trembling."
"You were very young--"
"And scared."
"I didn't mean to scare you, Jess. I remember how nice you looked in that dress."
"Quite a change from the coveralls." She'd been so proud of that beautiful dress and so nervous wearing it.
"Oh yeah, quite a change." He smiled and his eyes lasered in on her. "Have lunch with me, Jess."
That jerked her away from the faraway memories. "What?"
"Let me take you to lunch. For old time's sake."
Jessie shook her head. Not a good idea. "I always go home for lunch."
Cameron stepped around the desk and into her space. "Then how about dinner, tonight?"
She backed away, stopping only when the tall metal file cabinet bit into her shoulder blade. "I don't think so."
Cameron moved closer and stood directly in front of her. His musky male scent invaded her senses. She couldn't stop herself from inhaling deeply, filling her lungs with him.
"Come on, Jess. For old time's sake, let me take you to dinner," Cameron said. "Does the cafe still serve its famous chicken-fried steak?" He grinned boyishly and Jessie's heart turned over.
She smiled back. "Of course, and Sarah Sue still makes the best chocolate cake in the whole state of Texas."
He closed his eyes and sighed. "Oh yeah, Sarah Sue's homemade cakes. Makes my mouth water just thinking about them." Opening his eyes, he put his hands on her shoulders, grasping them lightly. "Let me take you tonight, Jess. Please?"
She swallowed again, wondering if the subtle nuance was deliberate. The frightening thing was that Jessie wanted him to take her and not just to dinner.
Why not go with him? She was a grown woman, a widow, for crying out loud. She could handle the attraction and the temptation. She'd have to be careful, that's all. Besides, a chance to go out with Cameron might never come again.
"All right," she said. "I'll meet you at the cafe around six."
"I'll pick you up."
"No, I'd rather meet you there." Jessie knew
she was throwing caution to the winds. She also knew she wasn't ready to be alone with him at her house. Or anywhere, for that matter.
Her tummy dropped to her toes when he leaned down to look her square in the eye. "Okay, I'll meet you at the cafe. But next time, I'm picking you up."
Next time?
His breath whispered against her lips. A liquid warmth spread through her veins as his hands slowly moved over her shoulders and neck. He traced her jaw with a gentle finger, rubbed her lips with his thumb. His touch was magic, sending thrills and chills along her nerve endings.
Was he going to kiss her? Did she want him to?
The loud ringing of the telephone shattered the moment. Jessie couldn't decide whether to answer it or jerk the old contraption from the wall. Cameron stepped away, and she had no choice but to pick up the receiver.
"Kincaid's Garage." Her voice quivered. Cameron may have backed off, but his eyes were slowly devouring her. Jessie felt a warm blush spread the entire length of her body.
"Hello, Mrs. Perkins." She concentrated on the little old woman on the other end of the line. "Yes, this afternoon will be fine. Go ahead and bring your car in. It shouldn't take long to fix. Bye, now." She hung up and jotted a note for Sam.
Cameron slipped the pencil from her fingers and dropped it on the desk. He pulled her into his arms, flush against his hard body. Jessie's breasts tingled from the contact of his muscled chest. He removed her baseball cap and smoothed her hair back from her temple. "Remember Lover's Point, Jess?"
The rugged intimacy of his voice almost made her heart stop. She searched the hard planes of his face. "I remember. I didn't think you did though."
"Oh yeah, I remember. I want to kiss you again," he said softly. "Do you want me to kiss you?"
Jessie licked her lips and nodded.
With both hands tenderly cradling her head, Cameron tilted her face up and lowered his mouth until his lips hovered over hers.
Jessie closed her eyes. Yes, she wanted him to kiss her; she needed him to kiss her. Would her memories live up to the reality? When the office door opened and the bell jingled, she swallowed a groan of frustration and pushed out of the embrace.
Sam stood on the threshold. "I thought you had already gone to lunch."
"I was just about to leave." She grabbed her cap and jammed it on her head, striving to get hold of her emotions. "I'll see you tonight, Cameron. Six o'clock."
He exchanged a territorial-male-kind-of-look with Sam, then stared down at her. The passion in his gaze left Jessie breathless. He brushed the back of his hand gently against her cheek. "Don't be late. I hate to be kept waiting."
Cameron pushed past Sam and stalked out the door. Goosebumps flittered across the surface of Jessie's skin. What in the world had she gotten herself into?
****
The afternoon passed quickly. Jessie put the engine back in the Jaguar while Sam worked on Mrs. Perkins' sedan. When she finished with the Jag, she sat in her office in front of her computer for a couple of hours and crunched the numbers again for the thousandth time.
Soon, she'd have to make a tough decision that would probably cost her friendship with Ruth McCade.
Jessie had promised her friend she'd never lease the mineral rights on the portion of the Diamondback Ranch she'd inherited from TR. But where else could she get the money she so desperately needed? It was either break her promise or lose the garage. What choice did she have?
At a quarter to five, she left the garage and rushed home to get ready for her "date." In the two years since TR's death, she could count the times she'd been out with a man on one hand with fingers left over. Not much experience in that department, even when she was younger. Especially when she was younger.
She pulled the truck around back of the house and parked. Gazing at the home she and TR had shared together, Jessie drew in a deep breath. It couldn't compare to the magnificence of the Diamondback ranch house, but it had a charm all its own. She loved this place; she loved living in a real house. Before marrying TR, she had lived with her father in the tiny rooms behind the garage. If only she could have loved TR like he deserved.
Loud barks greeted her when she climbed out of the pickup. "Down, Sherlock! Down, boy." The German shepherd followed her to the door where a large orange tabby waited, meowing impatiently. "I know, Katnip, I know. Life's tough for an old tomcat."
Jessie opened the door and switched on the lights. The animals bounded past her into the kitchen. After feeding them, she stood at the sink and thoroughly washed her hands with a degreaser until all traces of black disappeared.
She enjoyed working at the garage. Really, she did. But seeing Cameron again had resurrected the dreams of her youth. Her life was satisfying, she reminded herself. Comfortable. Rewarding. Only sometimes a little lonely.
Jessie quickly showered and changed into a cream-colored sweater and dark brown slacks. Sitting at her vanity, she applied mascara and a dab of lipstick, then frowned at her reflection in the mirror.
She really shouldn't be going out with Cameron McCade. TR had hated the McCades with a passion. There'd been a feud of some sort between his grandfather and theirs. Jessie had never found out what it was all about. But she did know it had something to do with the mineral rights. The same ones she was going to be forced to lease in order to raise money to save the garage.
She hadn't allowed TR's feelings to interfere with her friendship with Ruth McCade. And she wouldn't let her husband's animosity toward the McCades stop her from going out just this once with Cameron. She had many regrets concerning her marriage to TR Devine. One more added to the pile wouldn't matter that much.
Jessie grabbed her purse and let herself out of the house. She'd always had a weakness for Cameron McCade. That had never changed and probably never would.
Chapter Three
Inside Sarah Sue's Cafe, almost all the tables and booths were occupied. It seemed everyone in town was here tonight. Delicious scents of fried chicken, meatloaf and fresh-baked bread wafted in the air. Cameron looked around, spotted an empty booth and made his way across the crowded room. Old friends and neighbors greeted him from all sides. He stopped several times to exchange howdy-dos and good-to-see-yous. So much for the quiet intimate dinner he'd planned.
As soon as he sat down, the door opened and in walked Jessie. Damn, she looked good. The sweater she wore hugged her pretty breasts and her feminine curves filled the tight slacks. Desire riveted through his body. He was starving for a taste of her. Later, he promised himself. Dinner first, kisses later.
She didn't see him at first as she scanned the room, so he stood and waved. She smiled and nodded and started weaving her way around the tables. Of course, she had to pause every few feet and say hello to people. When he couldn't stand the wait any longer, Cameron moved toward her. Ignoring the raised eyebrows and knowing smiles, he grasped Jessie's elbow and practically dragged her from the Johnson's table, where she stood conversing.
"What do you think you're doing?" she said in a furious whisper.
Cameron helped her into the booth and slid in on the opposite side. "You're having dinner with me, not half the town."
Jessie narrowed her eyes and sat back, crossing her arms over her chest. "I've known these people all my life. And so have you, if you bothered to look around."
"I already looked around and said my hellos, while I was waiting for you."
"So you haven't completely forgotten the friendship and fellowship of living in a small town," she said.
"No, I haven't forgotten--"
He fell silent when a tall woman with gray hair rushed up to the table, carrying menus and two glasses of ice water.
"Evenin', Jessie. I'm running late. Just got here and we're short staffed tonight." Sarah Sue handed her a menu then turned to Cameron and nearly spilled the water when recognition dawned. "Good lord! If it isn't Cameron McCade! How you doing, darlin'?"
She set his water and menu on the table and bent down to hug him. "It's right
nice to see you again. You haven't been in my café in a coon's age."
"It has been a while. I'm very glad to be back." He shot a challenging look at Jessie. She just smiled at him over her menu.
Sarah Sue patted his cheek, just as if he were fifteen years old, instead of thirty-five. "You always were a handsome boy. Broke all the girls' hearts when you left Salt Fork. You here for Ruth's birthday?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Well, I'm sure Ruth is mighty glad you're home. Y'all ready to order, or do you need a minute?"
"I think we're ready. Here, I don't need the menu." Cameron handed it back to Sarah Sue. "I know exactly what we want . . . give us two orders of chicken-fried steak and two pieces of chocolate cake. That okay with you, Jess?"
Jessie nodded and closed her menu.
Sarah Sue grabbed a yellow pencil from behind her ear and jotted down the order. She stood a moment, looking from Jessie to Cameron, then winked before heading to the kitchen.
Shaking her head, Jessie's cheeks turned pink as she squeezed the lemon slice into her water, then took a sip.
"You're beautiful when you blush," Cameron said. "I want to kiss you again. I want to do a lot more than just kiss you."
Jessie nearly choked on her ice water. With a trembling hand, she set the glass down, sloshing water onto the table. Grabbing a napkin, she dabbed haphazardly at the droplets, her face rosier than ever.
"Here, let me help." He reached over and used his napkin to sop up the puddle. His hand brushed against hers, and he frowned when Jessie jerked back as if she'd touched a live coal.
Cameron folded his napkin. Had he shocked her? It wasn't like when they were kids and she'd been untouched. He gripped the napkin tightly in his hand, wishing he could have been the one to touch her first. Jessie had always been special. He had wanted her that night on Lovers' Point. He ached from wanting her now.
"Relax, Jess. I'm not going to do anything you're not comfortable with. But I won't lie to you, either. There's something between you and me. It was there the night of the prom. It's here between us now."
"I know," she said. "But you're moving too fast for me. Let's take it slow and easy." She tried to smile.
The Doctor Wears A Stetson (Contemporary Western Romance) Page 4