(4) Perhaps the most significant error Miss Spice makes in her man-whore persecution is her belief that they cannot be reformed. I know for a fact that she is wrong in this assumption. It’s inexplicable but sometimes when a perceived man-whore meets his perfect match then a transformation actually does occur. He may never become an actual prince but some of his warts do disappear. Gross metaphor? Yes. But it’s true. A reformed man-whore is very capable of being in a loving, monogamous, committed, long-term relationship with the right princess in truly Happily Ever After fashion. Especially if he’s been kissed by a lot of princesses (not to mention a few witches) and is finally ready for something real. He is not a lost cause as Miss Spice suggests and should not be overlooked strictly because of his past. Especially if his chosen princess rejects him at every turn, calls him names, abandons him and then ignores him for eleven days, six hours and forty-three minutes (at the time of this writing) and yet she remains the only woman he thinks about. The only woman he wants. The only one who makes giving up other woman effortless because they just don’t compare.
So, perhaps Miss Spice should examine the facts before she discounts all man-whores and recklessly casts them aside based on an unfounded theory. I am prepared to volunteer my services and help with some in-depth research if she is willing to put her prejudices aside and get to the bottom of this grievous injustice. Perhaps over a candlelit dinner? Readers, please Comment if you think Miss Spice should accept my challenge. Results of our research shall be posted here in further editions of The Love Laws.
“That cocky bastard,” Jamie muttered to herself as she slapped her lap top closed.
It was after closing at Hidden Treasures and Theresa had left for the evening. Unable to help herself, Jamie had been eager to check the Vancouver Star website to see if Jeff had pulled her article yet. He hadn’t. Instead Kevin’s contribution had been featured prominently with a great big picture of the author himself, looking beyond hot in jeans, a plaid shirt and that maddeningly boyish smile.
She’d stared at the picture in shock for a few moments and then commenced with reading the article. By the second point she’d been frothing at the mouth with outrage. How could he get away with writing such chauvinistic crap? Women using men as scapegoats to fulfil their own needs? What a complete crock of shit. She couldn’t believe what she’d just read.
Then she reached the fourth point and her rage had turned into something soft and sappy. Mr. Kevin Hall had just announced to the world that he was reformed. For her. Not Kerry. Her. Despite the way she’d treated him and the outrageous lengths she’d gone through to avoid him. None of that seemed to matter to him.
Unfortunately he’d made his declaration in a web article which pretty much ridiculed Love Law #7 and made a complete fool of her. She didn’t know if she wanted to kick him in the knee-cap him or kiss him until they were both breathless.
Either way she needed to see him immediately. She’d decide on her course of action when she saw his gorgeous face. She decided right then to go to his hotel and confront him. Her disinterested pretense had gone on long enough. She wanted him. She couldn’t deny it anymore. Once she blasted him for attacking her in that article she would tell him how she really felt and maybe, just maybe, they might just have a future together. Provided Kerry was completely out of the picture.
She began hurriedly packing up for the night. She was fixing her wild hair in the mirror beside the dressing room when her cell phone rang, startling her from her primping.
Jamie rushed across the room, hoping to catch the phone before it went to voicemail. Grabbing her purse from under the counter she fished out her cell phone and listened as her real estate agent, Pam, rattled off several questions in quick succession. Apparently she had a motivated buyer for the Martin’s house.
Jamie’s heart sank. She really didn’t want to think about this right now. As much as she needed to sell the house a big part of her had been hoping some great miracle would intervene and save her from having to take such drastic measures. For all the bad memories that existed there it was still her childhood home and letting it go seemed like severing an important link with her past.
The reality of her situation demanded that she be practical. If the buyer had some specific questions that just couldn’t wait then she would honor her responsibilities and meet Pam at the White Rock house immediately.
“Crap,” she muttered, ending the call. As desperate as she was to see Kevin it looked like their confrontation was going to have to wait a few more hours.
*****
When Jamie pulled up to her childhood home in Clay’s car, Pam’s BMW was not in the driveway as she’d expected. A familiar classic yellow Mustang, however, was snuggled up to the garage like it belonged there.
Kevin was here. In her childhood home. Waiting for her. It didn`t seem possible and yet it felt just right to her. This was exactly where they should reconnect and figure out if there was something real between them or not.
Taking a few deep breaths she exited the car and approached the front door, fervently wishing that she’d worn something sexier to this particular meeting. The black pencil skirt and polka dot blouse weren’t exactly the most flattering items in her closet, but they at least they fit. Unlike most of her current sausage-like wardrobe. Hopefully she wouldn’t be wearing this ensemble for long. Just the sight of Kevin’s car had caused her to flash back to that afternoon she’d spent in its back seat and her body had reacted with embarrassing enthusiasm to the idea of a repeat performance.
Ignoring her suddenly hard nipples she turned the unlocked doorknob and entered the familiar kitchen of her former home. The overhead lights were off but the indirect lighting under the cherry cabinets showed that the room was empty with the exception of the staged furniture Pam had arranged to be displayed around the spacious open-concept room.
Turning her head, Jamie could hear faint soft rock music coming from down the hall.
“Kevin,” she called as butterflies took flight in her stomach. “Are you decent?”
“I am, but the midget and the donkey I have up here aren’t.” His deep, disembodied voice came from upstairs, sending a small wave of awareness through her body. God, how she’d missed him.
“Hmm…sounds like I’m interrupting something. Should I come back later?” She teased.
“Get that gorgeous ass up here,” he growled.
Following the sound of his voice Jamie found herself at the foot of the stairs to the loft - her mother’s sanctuary. She was tempted to ask Kevin to come down. Reuniting with him in that sacred space seemed wrong to her somehow. Like a betrayal to her mother’s memory. June Martin would not approve of what was likely to happen up there.
Instead she squared her shoulders and ascended the spiral stairs with as much grace as her racing heart and high heels would allow. Kevin had waited long enough.
When Jamie reached the top of the stairs she had to stop and stare. Kevin had been busy.
This large space was completely empty of furniture but a red-checked tablecloth had been spread out in the middle of the hardwood floor. Dozens of white candles encircled the perimeter of the room. Their flickering light illuminated what looked suspiciously like a large bottle of champagne, two crystal flutes and a massive pizza box, smelling divinely of garlic and tomatoes.
Then she saw him. Kevin. Sitting patiently on the window seat where her mother had waited for her so many times. Jamie had a strange feeling of déjà vu seeing him there for a moment but then she looked at his face. His gorgeous, smiling face. And suddenly the past didn’t really matter anymore. Everything she’d done to earn her parent’s disapproval seemed about a million years ago because the man she loved was here and was happy to see her.
She returned his smile and gestured towards the impromptu picnic he’d set up. “Is this for me?” It should have been awkward between them but wasn’t. They hadn’t seen each other in almost two long weeks but Jamie found it surprisingly easy to fall into the teasin
g banter that had existed between them since they’d first argued under a tropical sunset. “Or did I just walk in on the most bizarre home invasion ever?”
He stood up and approached her, moving with the athletic grace of a much smaller man. He wore his usual dark jeans. A black, long-sleeved shirt molded to his wide shoulders and tight abdomen, reminding Jamie of just how perfectly he looked without his clothes.
His big body seemed to fill the room as she stood motionless, completely in awe of how simply beautiful he was in the dim light. When he finally stood directly in front of her, he reached out and took both her hands, raising them to his lips for a brief kiss.
“Of course it’s for you. Didn’t you read my article?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.
She narrowed her eyes and gave him a disapproving look. “As a matter of fact I did read it. And it was truly offensive.” His smile widened to dazzling proportions. “How did you manage to high-jack my column anyway?” Jamie asked suspiciously.
“What can I say? Jeff is a friend. Your womanizer slam was getting so much negative press I thought you might appreciate the distraction of a truly male chauvinistic point-of-view. Did you like the whole ‘innocent’ man-whore perspective?” He asked with a devilish glint in his eyes.
“I think feminists around the city are going to be storming your hotel room with pitch forks and gelding tools.”
Kevin laughed. “Just another reason to leave town in a hurry. How about the rest of the article? What did you think of that? Like the part where I bared my soul?” His tone was playful but there was a hint of insecurity in his eyes as he watched her.
She cocked her hip and gave him a saucy look. “About that. Seems to me we were waiting for the public to decide if we should meet or not. You’re jumping the gun a little here, don’t you think?” She glanced pointedly at the romantic picnic setting before them.
Kevin shrugged and squeezed her hands. “I think we’ve done entirely too much waiting, don’t you?”
Jamie dropped the bantering tone and nodded eagerly. “Absolutely.” She returned his hand squeeze and gave him a puzzled look. “But what are you doing here? In this house? Where’s Pam?”
He let go of one of her hands, pulled out his cell phone from his pocket and handed it to her. “Well, Pam is waiting for your call. She would only agree to this if you contacted her immediately to let her know that I’m not a crazed stalker or anything.”
She giggled. “But you kind of are.”
“Yeah. But not the dangerous variety.” He rubbed his jaw impatiently and waited while she briefly reassured Pam that she was not in any danger, smiling at Kevin as she talked. When she was done, Kevin grabbed the phone, threw it on the tablecloth and tugged her gently towards the window. “I was actually going for the whole sweep-you-off-your-feet romantic gesture thing rather than the disturbing, over-the-top, creepy thing. How did I do?”
The late evening view spread out before them as they looked out to sea. Jamie could make out the lights along the Pier and even the faint shape of people walking along the cobblestone path beside the water. It was all so breath-taking and new when seen with Kevin by her side. The whole world looked different to her now, better somehow.
”You did amazing. Consider me swept.” Jamie said, reaching up to touch his cheek. “But really. What are you doing here?”
He closed his eyes, seeming to savor her touch. “This may come as a shock to you, but commitment hasn’t really been my thing.” He ignored her unladylike snort at this comment. “But I thought maybe it was time to change all that. Starting with a real home. What do you think?”
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I think you’re nuts. Why here?”
“Well, White Rock has at least one very fond memory for me.” He gave her a heated look and placed an open-mouthed kiss in the middle of her palm. “And I thought it would be good for me to be away from my usual haunts and temptations. A fresh start.”
Her large dark eyes went wide with shock. “Wait. What? You’re going to buy this place? My house?”
“Well. Yeah. Clay mentioned you were putting it up for sale to finance your store. I know you didn’t want to let it go. This way you can still have access to it whenever you want. Day and night. Especially night.” He waggled his eyebrows at her meaningfully.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Jamie. I’m as serious as a former man-whore can be.” He turned towards her and his expression lost all its playfulness. “I said in the article that I want you. And I meant that. But I also want you to be happy, successful and completely satisfied in every way. No strings attached. If this,” he gestured at the house, “is what you need then I’ll gladly man up and make it happen. Don’t you know that? I’d do anything for you.”
Jamie shook her head in disbelief. “No,” she said quietly. “It’s too much. You hardly know me. Why are you doing this?”
“Jamie. My whole life I’ve been looking for a woman who makes me want to commit. No one even came close until you. You’re that woman. I’ve known it since I saw you on that stage at the Kitty Kat. I just didn’t know how to convince you to take a chance on me. Now, what you need to decide is what you want. ‘Cause I can’t wait a second more to hear how you feel. So put me out of my misery, ok?” He was smiling but there was more than a little desperation in his tone.
In that moment all Jamie wanted to do was fall into Kevin’s arms and forget about everything but them. Unfortunately, one small jealous detail still niggled at her happiness. “But what about Kerry?” She asked tentatively.
Kevin’s brow furrowed. “Kerry? Duncan’s ex? What about her?”
“She says you’re nearly engaged,” Jamie blurted, sounding much more accusing than she’d intended.
“What?” He gasped. “No way. I do like my Tequila. Or did until recently. But I think I’d remember proposing to Kerry.”
“She came to the store. Said you sent her. I thought you were letting me know in no uncertain terms that you were done with me.”
His eyes widened. “Is that what the whole YouTube thing was about? She tried to convince you that we were together?”
“Yes. She said it was inevitable that you’d end up together and that you ‘loved it when she dressed up in skimpy things.’” Jamie said with a slightly snide tone.
Kevin’s grin became a blinding smile. “And you were jealous.” He nearly crowed. “That’s when you wrote that man-whore article. I was wondering what that was all about.”
“So, you’re not with Kerry?”
He shook his head vehemently. “No thanks. Not even close.”
“But you have dated her?”
He looked uncomfortable. “Dated is a strong word.”
Jamie shook her head and gave him a sympathetic smile. “Nevermind. It’s really none of my business. Please forget I asked. I have no right to grill you about your past.”
He turned her towards him. “No. Listen. Jamie. I know I’m probably going to regret saying this but I don’t want there to be any secrets between us.” He paused, as if trying to summon the right words. “The truth is that I until quite recently I haven’t always had the best judgment when it comes to women.” Jamie raised an auburn eyebrow at this. “Kerry would fall under that category.”
“But it was never a serious relationship?”
Kevin shook his head. “We fooled around as kids. Before she married Duncan. Since she came back to town we had one drunken night together. Nothing more.”
“That’s it?”
“Well, there’s one more thing.” He gave her a sheepish look. “Remember the night we went to that movie?” Jamie nodded. “Well, she came to my room after I got my beak broken.” He touched his slightly crooked nose. “I was tempted for about two seconds. Mostly because I was pissed off at you. But I realized then that I wasn’t interested. Not even remotely. All I wanted was you.”
Jamie’s heart skipped a beat at his admission. But her curiosity still wasn’t satisfied. “I don’t ge
t it. Why did she come to the store then? She must think there’s something between you. Otherwise why would she bother?”
Kevin rolled his eyes. “With Kerry there’s always an ulterior motive. She’s hatched some scheme to get on a reality show and was using you to get some publicity.”
“Are you kidding me? Who does that? She must be unhinged.”
“She’s not exactly the poster child for mental health. No.” He said ruefully.
“You didn’t see her at the store. She was pretty convincing. Are you sure she isn`t in love with you?” She asked doubtfully.
Kevin turned and wrapped both arms around Jamie from behind, resting his big, warm hands on her curvy waist. Nudging her hair out of the way he kissed her temple and spoke directly into the sensitive shell of her ear, making her shiver in response. “Jamie? Does it matter? I’m not interested in her. I mean, I hope she finds whatever it is she’s looking for. Hopefully without hurting anyone. But I have more important things on my mind. Like you. And what you want to do about us.”
She leaned back against him with a sigh. “Oh jeez. Kevin. I don’t know what to say.” She dug her fingers into his forearms when he tensed behind her. “I can’t believe you’re still interested in me. I’ve been so awful - stomping off from our movie date, acting like I’m too good for you, the pogo-stick sex and then that stupid article. I don’t deserve any of this. Don’t you see that?”
The words were out before she realized what she was saying. All along this had been her issue. It wasn’t Kevin’s past that she was concerned with. It was hers. Her whole life she’d felt that she wasn’t good enough. She’d never quite fit in with her conservative family. Her parents were never cruel to her but they made it clear to her on a daily basis that she didn’t meet their expectations. When they died so unexpectedly she’d finally embraced her unconventional personality in a fit of rebellion. Instead of honoring their memory she’d reveled in finally being free of their constant reproach.
The Love Laws Page 26
