“Aw, that’s so sweet.” Mikki grinned. “Unfortunately - or fortunately for you - I’ll have to say no. I’ve got something on with my Aunt that weekend.”
“Ghost hunting?”
“Hey, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
“Yeah, I’ll put that on my not-to-do list.” Luke popped the rest of the biccie in his mouth.
Jason continued to lean lazily against the doorframe. “So, Iz? You coming?”
“Even after I snapped at you both?” she asked ruefully.
He shrugged. “Worse things have happened.”
“You know, I feel like a total dick right now.”
“We all have total dick moments.”
“Yeah,” said Luke. “Welcome to the Dick Club.”
Silence fell on the room.
“Okay, that sounded better in my head,” he said.
Mikki snorted.
“Ignore the head dick of the club,” Jason said. “It’s just a barbie, Iz, nothing fancy. You in?” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Arnie can come.”
Izzy glanced at the Siamese cat winding around Jason’s ankles. “Arnie doesn’t wait for invitations, he just goes right on over and joins in.”
“So I noticed.”
Luke gazed down at Arnie. “He’s got big ears.”
Pausing in the act of rubbing the side of his mouth against Jason’s jeans, Arnie looked up at Luke.
“He’s got a big ego, too,” she informed Luke.
Luke thoughtfully plucked another biccie from the jar.
“If you’re worried it will be all blokes, Mum will be there.” Jason drew her attention back to him. “So you won’t be the only woman. It’ll just be Luke, me, Aaron, Uncle Harris and Mum.”
“Yep.” Luke chewed the biccie with obvious enjoyment. “And seeing as how you’re Jason’s neighbour and we’ll all be seeing more of each other, why not come and meet the rest of the mob?”
Several things flashed through Izzy’s mind. She liked Luke, Jason had been nice, she hadn’t much to do on the weekend, and there was a good chance that Moira and Jarrod could turn up. Call her a coward, but not being around if they did appealed to her. “Sure. Why not?”
“That a girl.” Luke plucked a third biccie from the jar. “Oh, in case you’re a little worried, it’ll be tame.” At Izzy’s inquiring expression, he added, “Jason hardly drinks at all. He does drink this light beer shit. It’s like lolly water.”
Mikki looked up from where she was stroking Arnie. “Big drinker yourself, are you, Luke?”
“Not really.”
“Just prefer the hard stuff, huh?”
Luke snorted. “Only around you.”
She snorted in return.
Izzy grinned at Jason. “Will he hit it hard after talking to Mikki?”
“Not in my house,” was the unexpectedly sober reply.
Izzy looked at Jason anew. He gazed right back at her. Oddly, she found that steady gaze more comforting than disconcerting. Go figure.
“Right, I have to go.” Luke grabbed another biccie from the jar. “Early start tomorrow on that landscaping job.”
“How much did you charge?” Mikki queried. “Did you leave them the shirts on their backs?”
“I’d flip you the bird but I’m too much of a gentleman,” Luke retorted. “You’ll have to envisage it.”
“And in return, you can envisage where I shove your finger.”
Luke shook his head. “Iz, how did you ever end up with Mikki as a friend?”
Izzy grinned. “Plain old good luck.”
Mikki gave her the thumbs-up.
“You’ll have to see what you can do to influence her taste,” Luke informed Jason as he strode to the doorway. “See if you can improve it.”
Straightening, Jason gave Izzy the briefest of smiles. “I think she’s doing okay on her own.”
“Thanks,” she replied. “I try.”
She saw them to the door, locking it after them. Returning to the kitchen, she found Mikki waiting for her, all earlier amusement gone.
“Oh, Mik,” she groaned. “Don’t start.”
“You might be able to bullshit the blokes with that PMS crap, but I see right through it,” Mikki shot back.
Izzy grabbed her elbow. “Isn’t your Aunt waiting for you?”
“Don’t try to change the subject.”
“There is no subject.” Izzy started dragging her friend out of the kitchen.
“I know you,” Mikki said. “You’re trying to kick me out.”
“Whatever gave you that idea?” Izzy pushed her down the small hallway.
“You’re not inviting me for tea and a chat about your problems.”
“I don’t have problems.” Opening the door, Izzy shoved her friend out onto the veranda.
Mikki swung around to face her. “You do.”
Izzy sighed. “Mikki-”
“I’m worried about you.”
“Aw, that’s really sweet and all, but there’s no need to be.” Moving forward, Izzy stood on the edge of the veranda, watching Luke’s car pull out of Jason’s driveway and take off up the road with a cheerful toot of the horn.
“I’ve never seen you cry,” Mikki stated.
“I didn’t cry.”
“You had tears in your eyes when you saw that photo. In fact, you were really upset by whatever was in that letter.”
“You’re imagining things.”
Scowling, Mikki leaned forward to prod Izzy in the arm. “If you weren’t upset, why did you screw up the photo and letter and toss them onto the bench?”
“Junk mail. I hate it.”
“Bull. Dust.”
Izzy shrugged.
“And what was Jason saying about a morning visitor?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
Izzy’s jaw tightened. “Just leave it, Mikki.”
“I’m worried about you.”
“Don’t be. I’m fine.”
“Izzy-”
“I’ll handle it.” Realising she’d said the wrong thing as soon as the words fell from her lips, Izzy added, “If there was anything to handle, which there isn’t.”
“So who was your visitor this morning?”
“Someone dropping off a parcel.”
Mikki snorted in disgust. “You did not just say that shit.”
About to give a biting retort, Izzy saw the genuine worry in her face. That deflated the anger and she sighed. “Look, I appreciate that you care, but everything is fine. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“Iz, I saw how upset you were-”
“Its fine,” Izzy repeated determinedly.
“Talk to me.”
“No.” To soften the blow, she added, “Not yet. Okay? Just give me some time.”
“Time for what?” Mikki laid a hand on her arm. “If you’re in trouble you can tell me. You know that, right?”
“I know.” Izzy smiled with genuine affection. “I trust you. I do. But this is something I have to handle myself.”
“You don’t have to do anything alone.”
“Mikki,” Izzy said gently, “I love you. You’re my best friend. I swear everything is fine. I’m in no danger.”
Dubiously, Mikki pursed her lips.
“Please, Mik.”
Her friend looked away, swore beneath her breath before swinging back to nail Izzy with a narrow-eyed look. “All right, I’ll stop hassling you. For now. But you need help, you ring me, okay? Hell, you ring Jason. Ring Luke. Ring someone.”
“I will.”
“Promise me.”
“Mikki!”
“Good.” Mikki started down the steps. “I’m off to Auntie’s to deliver her pills. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at work.”
“No worries.” Relieved that she was finally on her own, Izzy watched her friend’s car disappear up the road.
With a sigh, she leaned against the veranda post. Arnie twined around her ankles before jumping onto the ve
randa rail to push his head against her arm.
“Hells bells, Arnie.” She stroked down his back, making him arch and purr. “What am I going to do? I feel like I’m drowning.”
“And yet you don’t call for help,” a deep tone drawled from the corner of the house.
Izzy gave a small shriek and leaped back. Arnie fled through the open door back into the house. Hand pressed to her chest, she gaped at Jason as he walked into the light.
“I knew it.” Coming to a stop at the bottom of the steps, he looked up at her.
“How - how long - what are you doing here?” Izzy stammered.
“Listening to you admit you’re in trouble.”
“I’m not in trouble,” she immediately denied.
“Don’t lie to me.” It was the exact same words Mikki had used, but coming from Jason, they held a deeper, harder tone.
Folding her arms across her chest, Izzy took a step back. “It’s getting colder out here. I have to go in. Goodnight.”
“Not yet.”
She froze as he climbed the steps, swallowing as he moved close enough to make her tilt her head back to meet his gaze. His eyes held a hint of anger, she could see the glint of it in the veranda light, see it in the tightness of his jaw. With a shiver, she took another step back.
“Stop.” He said it quietly, but forcefully.
Anyone else she’d have given a sharp rebuke and walked off, but caught in the snare of his hard gaze she could only shiver and watch warily.
A muscle in his jaw flexed. “I’m not here to hurt you, Iz. I’d never hurt you.”
“I don’t know you that well,” she countered, wondering if she could divert his attention from what he’d overheard.
Standing before her, he rested both hands on his hips, pushing the edges of the flannel shirt aside. Even in the cold autumn evening he wore only the open flannel shirt over a long-sleeved t-shirt, his jeans old and snug.
“You know me enough,” he replied.
“Jason-”
“Izzy.”
She sighed. “Sorry.”
Turning his head, Jason gazed into the shadows gathered in the far corner of the veranda.
Relaxing a little, Izzy inhaled deeply, the scent of soap and clean male rising tantalizingly from the man before her. She should have taken a step back to put more room between them, but somehow she couldn’t make her feet move. Nope, stepping back from this man was definitely something she should do, but definitely something she couldn’t do. He smelled too good, the warmth of his body almost tangible, his nearness conveying safety. Which was odd, because he was still just standing there looking the other way and-
“Tell me about that bloke this morning.” Those hazel eyes cut back to her.
Caught up in her own thoughts, she blinked. “What?”
“That bloke who came this morning.”
Keeping her arms folded, Izzy replied calmly, “No one of importance.”
“Not a friend.”
“He was just delivering a message.”
“Uh huh.” Jason’s eyes were intent.
“Uh huh,” she echoed.
Not one hint of expression crossed his face. If it wasn’t for the tightness of his lips and jaw, she wouldn’t have guessed that annoyance simmered inside him.
“And what of the photo and letter?”
“What photo and letter?”
“Really?”
“Really what?”
“You’re really going to deny them?”
“No idea what you’re talking about.”
His gaze narrowed. “The ones Mikki said made you cry.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m-”
“Don’t pull that on me, Izzy. I’m not that stupid.”
Annoyed in turn, she glanced away. “Look, I don’t know what you think you - hey!”
Startled, she started to step back, only to almost swallow her tongue when Jason’s fingers hooked into the pocket of her slacks prevented the retreat. Looking down, she couldn’t believe she was actually seeing that same strong hand sliding into her pocket.
But oh God, she felt every bit of that hand skimming her curves through the material.
Mouth open, she looked up at Jason to find him standing close, so very close, looking down at her with that unreadable expression as he slid his hand fully into her pocket.
If she’d thought she could feel the warmth of his body before, it was nothing compared to being as close as she was now. His body blocked her view, his shoulders seeming broader, his chest wider, and the muscles - hells bells. For a lean man he had muscle, she could feel the hard swells beneath her fingertips when she involuntarily placed her hand against his abdomen to steady herself as her knees went a little weak at the feel of his fingers moving against her hip and upper thigh.
Breathless, she watched as his head slowly lowered, his gaze on her eyes before sliding down to her lips, lingering before moving slowly back to look into her eyes. There was a glint of a different kind in his eyes now. Still anger, but something earthier.
“This photo and letter,” he said softly.
“Huh?” Still caught up in the delicious sensation of him being so intimately close, she looked uncomprehendingly at his hand that appeared before her nose.
“You were quick to shove it out of sight.” Jason held up the balled paper. “That tells me one thing. You were hiding it.”
Oh shit, he’d been digging in her pocket for proof while she, stupid hormonal fool that she was, had been ready to just sway into his arms and…and… What a fool!
Mortified, cheeks flushing, she snatched the wad of paper out of his hand and made to step back, only to jolt to a halt when the fingers of his other hand tightened on the pocket of her slacks. That he’d had the cheek to actually hook his fingers into her other pocket took her from mortified to fury.
“How dare you!” She hissed. “How dare you come here and demand answers?”
“I dare,” he replied tightly, “because I care about you.”
“Care about me? You don’t know me!” She prised at his fingers.
“I know enough.”
“Enough?” Giving up on prising, she gave the back of his hand a hard slap. “Let go!”
He didn’t let go. “Yes, enough.”
“Damn you, Jason! You conceited- awk!” Izzy grabbed onto Jason’s shoulders as he jerked her forward by the pocket, causing her to tumble into him.
He didn’t even shift a step when she collided. Instead, his other arm slid around her, his hand settling into the small of her back as she held onto him, gaping up at him in outraged surprise.
“Yeah, Izzy,” he said from between clenched teeth. “I care enough.”
Before she could guess his intent, he kissed her. Hard.
One second she was glaring up at him, the next her mouth was covered by his, those firm lips pressing against hers, his arm gathering her close, his hand in the small of her back holding her closer still.
She should have fought, had every right to slap him silly and knee him in the nuts. Instead, she froze in stunned disbelief. That he would actually kiss her had never crossed her mind apart from that sweet little fantasy just mere minutes ago, and now…now he’d gathered her into his arms and was kissing her hard and deep.
Oh God, she hadn’t realised she’d even done it, her mouth opening beneath his, but his taste was there as he ravaged her depths, took from her almost ruthlessly, so in charge of the kiss that she could barely follow.
Instinct took over, the rush of heat in her veins, the strength of his body and the ease with which he held her taking her very breath away while delighting her at the same time. She melted into him.
He shoved her back fast, unexpectedly. Surprised, she stared up at him, her blood surging through her veins, her heart beating double-time.
Jason’s face was hard, tight, angry, as he turned her abruptly, pushing her towards the door. “Go inside.”
“Jason, what-”
/> “Now. Before I do something I’ll regret.”
The words hit. Something I’ll regret. Slashed, gouged deep. Mortification welled within her as the words sank in. Her heart which had seconds ago been thumping with rising desire, dropped sickeningly.
Unable to look at him, unable to bear seeing the loathing in his eyes, Izzy slammed the door behind her, twisting the lock viciously. Only then did she drop to the floor, covering her face with her hands.
Oh God, he’d kissed her in the heat of the moment and hated it. How far had he meant to go? Obviously stopping before he’d regret it. Like he was regretting it now.
She couldn’t regret the kiss, it had totally rocked her, but knowing he found it repugnant had her shrivelling up inside in humiliated shame.
Maybe it wasn’t the kiss so much as the fact that it was her.
Izzy started crying.
~*~
On his knees, Jason measured the hole to ensure it was the right size for the sink.
“You’ve measured that three times now.” Hands on hips, Rocky frowned. “I told you, its fine.”
“Just checking.”
“If you don’t trust me-”
“Just doing the job properly,” Jason growled.
“I was doing it properly.”
“Great.” Jason shoved the tape at him and strode across to where the sparkie was threading wires through the hole in the wall.
“Oh shit,” Frankie said. “Don’t you start with me.”
“Just checking.”
“You’re checking everything. You’re driving us nuts checking.”
Aaron entered holding an iPad. Seeing Frankie’s tense face, he raised his eyebrows. “Everything all right?”
“With us, yeah,” Frankie replied. “Jason, on the other hand, has a problem.”
Jason scowled. “I don’t have a problem.”
“I’ve never seen you so antsy,” Rocky said. “You’re like a chook that found out she’s squatting on a hand grenade.”
“Nothing wrong with me.” He didn’t miss the way Rocky rolled his eyes. “If you don’t like the way I work-”
“Never said that, did I?” Rocky looked at Aaron. “Do something about him. In all these years I’ve worked with him, I’ve never seen him be such a dick.”
Turning on his heel, Jason strode over to the big electric sander. There was a tap on his shoulder. “Aaron, I don’t need you-”
Promises Page 10
