Jasmine elevated one eyebrow. “I don’t like you very much at all.”
His smile and laughter disappeared and she felt like a bully, but if she admitted how much she did like him, this would never work.
“Go shower. I’ll make some breakfast for us.”
Instead of huffing off like she’d hoped, Kaleb purposely walked closer and closer to her. Jasmine found herself unconsciously easing backward. He kept coming. He was in her space and it was either knock him to the lovely distressed wood floor or stay out of his reach. Jasmine bumped into a leather sofa. Kaleb stopped in front of her. His gaze held her captive and for the first time she could remember, she didn’t want to prove anything to a man. She wanted him to keep looking at her like he valued her. Why would he do that when she’d just told him she didn’t like him? She didn’t like herself very much right now. That was nothing new for her though, so she didn’t overthink it.
“You act tough, but there’s a softness under that beautiful face.” He said the words so tenderly, so softly, she could hardly support her own body weight.
Leaning heavily into the couch, she found herself short of oxygen. She had to stay strong and aloof or she’d fall so hard for this dream man of hers she’d never recover. Especially when he found out that under her beautiful face there was nothing soft or attractive. She was ugly, hard, and mean; she had no intentions or even ideas of how to change that.
She forced a sarcastic smile. “You have no idea what you’re talking about and if you don’t put a shirt on, I’m going to give you a new scar to add to that one.” She tilted her chin toward a long, white scar on his shoulder. Though it should’ve marred his tanned perfection, it only added to his appeal for her. She wanted to know how he’d gotten the scar. She wanted to touch it with her fingertips, press her lips to it. Closing her eyes, she would’ve prayed for strength from above, if the angels in heaven didn’t hate her.
“The act is impressive,” Kaleb said in that same soft tone. “Especially since I’ve seen you take down a man. But I hope someday soon you’ll let me see behind the mask.”
Jasmine’s eyes flew open. She let herself focus on those deep blue eyes. She could hardly catch a breath as emotion and desire to let him see behind the mask rolled through her. Slowly, unintentionally, she found herself leaning closer to him, going up on tiptoes. His eyes were full of her as he leaned in as well. What would those beautifully-formed lips feel like on hers? Would they be a good match? Would the tremors racing through her body explode if she touched him?
No! Jasmine needed to show him who she really was—now. He couldn’t be doing his soft, lovey-dovey business on her. Any other woman at his concert the other night would be melting. Jasmine was stronger and smarter than that. She’d told Sutton she’d try to play nice. At the moment the nicest move she could think of was to save them both from this nonsense.
She slid quickly to the side and hooked her leg around his while clotheslining his chest with her forearm. He went down hard, hitting the wood floor with his back and bouncing once before he settled. His eyes were wide and filled with shock.
Jasmine was tempted to pounce on top of him, show him exactly how hard she could hit, but she couldn’t allow herself to be that close to this man. She squatted down and said, “I’m going to say this clearly and slowly. Do you remember the first time we met?”
Kaleb blinked up at her, obviously still stunned and probably embarrassed as well. Tough guys didn’t like a girl taking them down so easily. She felt badly about that because he was a nice guy, but if he kept up all this sweetness she’d be sunk.
“When you threatened to kill me in my sleep?” he muttered.
“Yes, sir.” She pumped her eyebrows. “The threat’s still good, pretty boy. So stop trying to get in my head and work a little harder to avoid ticking me off.” She stood and strode toward the kitchen, throwing back over her shoulder. “Go shower. I promise not to put any poison in the eggs.”
She heard him stand and his footsteps approached her quickly from behind. She whirled around and came face to chest with him. Oh, what a chest it was. She tilted her head back and muttered, “You are thick, Mr. Famous Singer. You want me to actually hurt you this time?”
Kaleb simply smiled at her. “I don’t think you know how to play nice, but I think you like me.”
She wanted to gasp in protest but that would only feed his nervy statement. How could he know? She was a master at hiding any emotion. “What makes you think that?” She folded her arms across her chest, unfortunately brushing the muscles in his abdomen with one of her hands in the process. Awareness and warmth shot through her from the point of contact. Not good.
“I rile you up. You wouldn’t get upset if you didn’t like me.” He turned away and sauntered from the kitchen.
“I don’t like you,” she yelled at his back.
Kaleb grinned at her over his shoulder before disappearing through the living area into a set of double doors on the far side. His master suite? After she married him it would be her master suite too. No! That was no way to be thinking. This was a farce of a marriage.
Jasmine wilted into a barstool. How had she become completely transparent? This job had better be over tonight or she’d be sunk.
Chapter Six
Kaleb let the hot water pound his back. Ow. Jasmine had taken him down so quickly he hadn’t even seen it coming. Sadly, the pain in his upper back was nothing compared to the pain of her telling him she didn’t like him. He’d acted tough and grinned like he had her number, but dang, she could rip a man apart and spit him out without blinking. His mama would adore her.
Sutton had said his parents were on their way as well as Ryder and Bree. What would they all think of this craziness? Would Sutton really catch the woman or man responsible tonight and Jasmine would disappear from his life again? Kaleb felt a desperation to impress her, somehow get her to want to stay around. That was insane. She was tougher than his older sister, Navy, and that was really saying something. She was tougher than his mama, who had kept five rowdy boys in line without breaking a sweat. What chance did Kaleb have with a woman like that? His mama had always had a soft spot for him, but she’d told him many a time that he was a lily-livered wuss, that he needed to stop thinking about lovey-dovey nonsense and singing and focus on how to be a man and get a real job. He’d proven her wrong, not that that had been his goal, but he had succeeded with his song-writing skills, his voice, and his guitar, and nobody had ever questioned his manhood. He touched his back. Jasmine had just insulted it pretty well.
He forced himself to shut off the water, towel off, and get dressed. As he pulled on his shirt he smiled to himself. Jasmine had been affected by him without a shirt on, that at least had been obvious. He wanted to act like a teenager and call Griff and ask him if he thought Jasmine liked him. He rolled his eyes. The next seven hours would be crucial. He had to somehow get his fake fiancée to fall for him before she became his fake wife and then disappeared from his life again. Could he talk her into a honeymoon? Heat rolled through him, even as he realized that she’d never go for it and he had a concert schedule to keep.
He walked out of his master suite and across the main living area. As he entered the kitchen he had to stop and lean against the nearest countertop. Jasmine had tied her long, dark hair into a knot at the base of her neck. Her smooth neck and shoulders were revealed in the silky sleeveless blouse she wore. She was humming something as she flipped an omelet in one pan, and then flipped a few pancakes in another. Why did this woman have to be more appealing to him than any woman he’d ever met? Especially when it was obvious she didn’t like him and wasn’t keen to change her mind.
“Do you want to get out some syrup and drinks for us?” Jasmine asked without turning around.
“S-sure,” Kaleb stuttered out. He hurried to pull juice and milk from the fridge and then get maple and coconut syrup, Nutella, butter, and strawberry and blackberry jam out.
“How’s your kitchen so well-s
tocked when you’re never here?” she asked, still not turning around. He’d really like to look at her beautiful face as she talked.
“How do you know I’m never here?” he asked.
She finally glanced over her shoulder. Her deep brown eyes sparkled at him. “Any idiot knows you’re in the middle of a tour.”
Kaleb got a shot of confidence and adrenaline. He strode across the kitchen until he was right by her side. He got so close he brushed her arm with his and it was all he could do to not pull her into his arms, and probably get knocked on his butt again.
“No, they wouldn’t,” he said. “Only an idiot who follows my schedule or social media.” He gave her a challenging look. She kept tabs on him. Did that mean anything?
She shrugged her lean shoulders. “So I follow you on social media. It doesn’t mean anything.” Turning from him, she slid the omelet onto a plate and then flipped all the pancakes and turned off the griddle.
Kaleb grasped her shoulders in his palms. She gasped and dropped the spatula on the floor. He gently turned her to face him, relishing her warm flesh beneath his fingers and even more the warm look in her eyes. She was soft underneath that hard exterior. Soft for him? A guy could dream.
“It means something to me,” he said in a low voice.
Jasmine blinked up at him. She was so exquisitely beautiful. He couldn’t resist bending down closer. He’d risk her taking him out for one touch of her lips. When their faces were inches apart and he could smell her light floral scent, she cupped his cheek with her palm. Kaleb pulled in a breath, fire rushing through him. She wanted this, wanted him.
“Apparently your brother hasn’t explained to you who or what I am,” she said in a cold, unemotional tone, patting his cheek as if he were a disobedient child.
Kaleb felt like he’d been whiplashed. “What?”
“Knocking you to the floor half an hour ago will be nothing compared to when I slice you open with a knife.”
Kaleb felt the tip of a knife against his abdomen and straightened. When had she gotten a knife in her hand?
“Don’t … touch … me … again.” Her eyes went from cold to flashing fire at him.
Kaleb stepped back. She was terrifying, and so incredibly appealing.
“Omelet?” she asked brightly, dropping the knife on the counter and shoving a plate into his chest.
He grasped the plate with both hands. “Thanks,” he murmured.
“Sure.” She smiled and turned back to the stove.
Kaleb realized he had no clue what he was up against here. And it made him want to get even closer to her.
Chapter Seven
It was all Jasmine could do throughout breakfast to not let Kaleb into her heart. Luckily he was more subdued after her almost knifing him.
He was good. She’d give him that. And the scariest part was, it wasn’t an act. The man was sincere, charming, and amazing, without trying to be. Dang him, dang him, dang him. When he’d said her following him on social media meant something to him, she about melted into a puddle and begged him to kiss her. Luckily she’d gotten the knife in hand and threatened him. He’d kept his distance throughout breakfast. They might make it through the day without her having to physically hurt him. It was obvious she’d already emotionally injured him, but that wasn’t to be helped. She was protecting him, even if he didn’t know it, and it wasn’t likely that the confident, famous singer needed her vote of approval.
“Thank you for breakfast,” he said. “It was delicious.” He’d eaten a huge veggie and ham omelet and four pancakes.
Jasmine tilted her head to the side. “Your mama must’ve worked her tail off to raise you boys with such great manners.”
Kaleb gave a soft laugh. “You have no idea. That woman is the best combination of tough-love, military sergeant, and saintly mother I’ve ever met.”
“I liked her when I saw her at the wedding,” she admitted. She rarely admitted to liking anyone. Occupational hazard.
Kaleb’s gaze swept over her, soft as a caress. “I keep thinking how much she would like you.”
Jasmine swallowed, twice, the emotion he created from his simple look and statement got to her. She’d never had a mother. Her adoptive mother was more evil and twisted than her adoptive father. The only thing she taught Jasmine was how to lie, steal, and hurt someone. Kaleb was wrong. His mother wouldn’t like Jasmine and she wouldn’t want her near her kind-hearted boy. No matter how tough and manly Kaleb appeared, Jasmine was learning quickly that his heart was as soft and filled with love from above as the songs he composed and sang.
“Your mama wouldn’t like me. Not at all.” She twisted the napkin in her fingers until she shredded it.
“You don’t know my mama,” he countered.
“And you don’t know me.” She shrank back into the chair, staring defiantly at him.
“No, but I really wish you’d let me get to know you,” he said in a quiet tone that resonated clear through her.
Jasmine pressed her lips together. Stay strong, stay strong. “You’re like every other man. You’re only interested because of this.” She gestured to her face.
Kaleb’s eyebrows lifted. “I won’t deny that your face is the most beautiful face I’ve ever seen, but it’s something deep in your eyes, your strength—heart, soul, and body—and your feistiness that draw me in.”
Oh, he was pushing all the right buttons. If only she had a heart to give, she’d give it willingly to him. She had to share the truth with him. Well, as much as she could.
“Kaleb.” His blue eyes sparkled at her. Simply because she’d said his name softly and without pulling out a knife? Jasmine ignored the rush of desire for him and hurried on, “You’re an amazing man.” He leaned forward and reached for her hand. Jasmine clasped her hands together and shook her head. “I’m being paid to protect you, that includes your heart.”
Kaleb leaned back and eyed her in confusion. “So, what … You’re not going to allow me to fall for you?”
Jasmine pressed her lips together and nodded. “I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe physically and emotionally. You truly can’t understand what or who I am, you’re just too good inside. So please don’t be foolish enough to think that because you’re attractive, nice, and famous I might actually fall for you. I would never allow myself to fall for someone like you.”
His brow was furrowed and his eyes darkened to a navy blue. He didn’t like what she’d said but she could see he didn’t know where to start in the arguments he obviously wanted to make.
The doorbell rang and Jasmine sprang to her feet. She rushed around the table but Kaleb caught her hand. Startled, she stopped and stared down at him.
His blue gaze heated her clear to the bone. “You can’t deny this pull between us. I’m nowhere near through with you.”
Jasmine’s heart slammed against her chest. If she was any other woman she’d throw herself into his arms—knock him off his dining room chair and kiss him right on the tile floor. Sadly, she was not any other woman. She gave him a smirky smile, instead of giving in to her fantasies. “I hope you get lots of song inspiration from the battle then, because you will never win my heart.”
His lips turned down as his blue eyes filled with frustration. Jasmine tugged her hand free and rushed toward the front door. Flinging it open, she actually smiled at the two women with arms full of dress bags. Saved by the makeover. She never thought she’d be happy for that.
Kaleb didn’t know that it was possible to be any more frustrated throughout this day than he was by Jasmine’s constant rejections this morning. It could be claimed that he simply wasn’t used to rejection, but he knew it was far deeper than that. She was the one for him. It was insane, but he knew it deep down. As he said multiple prayers for strength from above and inspiration, he felt it even more strongly. He’d had a few glimpses that she was attracted to him and she’d admitted that she wouldn’t fall for him because she thought he was too good inside. So there was hope, but
he had no clue how he, or the good Lord, were going to soften her heart. What had she been through to make her so hardened, defensive, and unattainable? He wanted to sit and talk with her for days, find out everything about her past, her present, and her dreams for the future.
Sadly, today was not that day and he didn’t know if he’d even get another day to be with her. It was infuriating. But someone didn’t reach his level of fame without dealing with a lot of rejection and learning how to work through it. Kaleb was nowhere near ready to give up.
After breakfast, people were in and out of the house all day. Being in the public spotlight so often made him prefer the life of a recluse even more. If he didn’t know these people were cleared through Sutton and Griff, he’d think this circus was as threatening as any crazy phone call. He had a tux fitting that lasted too long, a manicure, facial, and haircut that were a complete waste of time. Jasmine had taken one of the guest suites upstairs as her room and the people spent ten times the time on her that they had on him. What could they possibly do to make her more beautiful? She was already perfect.
It was lunchtime and Jasmine still hadn’t come down. Kaleb watched out his living room windows as workers scurried around on the beach below his bluff, setting up a temporary floor, backdrops, and chairs. Potted and hanging flowers kept being hauled in. Then he saw the catering truck show up and the workers set up chairs and tables on a separate spot, for the food after the wedding.
The doorbell rang and he went to answer it. Another set of caterers were bringing in lunch. He welcomed them and they dropped off sandwiches, veggie and fruit platters. He shook their hands and they left. There was a lot of food and he was still full from the delicious breakfast Jasmine had made. He would probably be expected to eat after the wedding ceremony in an hour and a half. Who was going to eat all of this?
Quinn Family Romance Collection Page 17
