“You don’t want to talk about it?”
“Nope.”
“You always tell me the sordid details of your love life. Man, I’m crushed.”
“Yeah, right. There are no details. I told you that before.” Jake tipped the bottle to his mouth and took a long gulp. The beer tasted bitter.
“Well, I noticed a few little details this afternoon, like your tongue down her throat and her bare ass. Nice ass, by the way. She’s gotta work on the underwear, though.”
Jake almost smiled. “That was my fault. All my fault. I got mad at her because she let Rico Sanchez into my office.”
“Wow. So what do you do when you’re pleased with her?”
“You’re a prick.” Jake gave his brother a look that could kill, but Brad must have applied for immortality status years ago. Jake’s dirty looks never seemed to make a dent.
“Thanks. The bigger the prick, the better the dick.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jake chuckled in spite of himself. Leave it to Brad to lighten any situation.
“Hell, if I know. It sounded clever.”
“Let’s just drop it. What I did was stupid, and I don’t need you for a conscience.” Jake glowered into his beer bottle.
Brad sobered. “I know that, Jake. Your conscience works overtime without my help.”
* * * *
Harlee sauntered to Mariah’s table, aware that every man in the bar gawked at her hips swinging to and fro. She savored that brief moment of power over the male gender, knowing from experience it wouldn’t last.
Mariah stood up as she approached. Hands on her hips, she surveyed Harlee’s appearance with her fashion-police eye. “What’s with you and the clothes and all the makeup? I thought you’d outgrown that look years ago?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” Harlee grew defensive. Okay, so she could tone it down a bit, but it was her armor from the world, a role she was playing, and she liked it that way. It kept men from looking deeper and most women, too, while getting a rise out of them.
“You’re hiding behind that stuff, just like you used to.” Mariah looked to Rico for support. Rico shrugged, lit a cigarette, and tipped his chair backwards until it teetered on two legs. He watched the two women with detached interest.
Rico chuckled and shook his head. Mariah glared at him. “What do you find so funny? Don’t encourage her. Harlee has never understood the power of understatement.”
“She looks great. I think every guy in here would agree.”
“This is what I’m wearing. If I embarrass you, I’ll sit at a different table.”
Letting his chair fall forward with a thump, Rico rose and pulled a chair out for Harlee. “Sit down. She’s in princess mode tonight.” He turned to Mariah. “Harlee’s a big girl, babe. Besides, I recall a certain dress you wore to a Hollywood party that makes this look like a nun’s habit.”
“Really?” Harlee’s face lit up.
“It was slit up to here.” Rico illustrated by drawing an imaginary line on Mariah’s thigh up to her hip. “You could see her butt cheeks if you stood just right.”
“You could not.” Mariah crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot.
“Then it was cut down to her navel. It barely covered the strategic parts. Oh, and the best part was the back. It was as low as the front and…”
“He’s pulling your leg. I’ve never worn anything like that.”
“I have pictures.”
“I’d love to see them.” Boy, would she ever.
“That can be arranged,” Rico offered with a conspiratorial grin.
“Fine. Just fine.” Mariah dropped into her chair. She picked up her wine and sipped it, feigning interest in the rowdy crowd.
Rico’s amused expression faded to annoyance as his eyes zeroed in on something behind them. “I can’t believe he showed up.”
Harlee spotted Jake at the same time as Rico. Those faded jeans and long-sleeved jersey might have blended in with the crowd on someone else, but his tall muscled body and chiseled face didn’t. Women watched him as he threaded his way through the tables. Harlee’s stomach curled in a tight, little knot. Not jealousy. Not her.
Jake, followed by his brother, snagged a couple chairs several tables away. Rico watched with narrowed eyes.
“Rico, Jake has as much right to be here as we do. He won’t cause trouble.” Mariah stroked his arm, trying to placate him.
“Yeah. Sure. Why the hell did you invite him to join us tonight?”
“Because I assumed he wouldn’t. I was being polite. Let’s dance.” Mariah stood up, grabbed her husband’s arm, and pulled him onto the dance floor.
Harlee followed them, hoping to lose herself in the crowd. She couldn’t allow Jake to see her plastered to her chair like a wallflower. He might think she was waiting for him.
One of Jake’s carpenters accosted her for a dance. Intent on ignoring the unignorable, Harlee danced one dance after another. She kept her back to the table where Jake sat with his brother. She didn’t have to look at him. His ready smile and teasing brown eyes played on an endless video tape in her imagination.
Her current dance partner pulled her into his arms for a slow dance. She closed her eyes. While growing up, her ability to escape into a fantasy world had saved her from the harsh realities of her life. Right now, that fantasy involved a lean body with broad shoulders, the scent of masculine aftershave, and the touch of long fingers.
She suffered from a childish crush on her boss. Just a stupid crush, nothing more. No one would blame her. He was sexy as hell and dangerous as the devil. And she liked him. He listened to her and considered her suggestions. Once or twice, he’d even asked her opinion on certain issues, except when it came to Rosehill.
A few beers and several dances later, Harlee’s good sense drifted away to join the haze of cigarette smoke that clung near the ceiling. She didn’t drink much anymore, and the stuff affected her from head to toe. Every man in the place jostled for a position to win her interest, except the man that counted.
That man never once looked her way, so she spent half the night denying his existence. She could list a hundred reasons why they were wrong for each other starting with him being her boss and ending with his plans for Rosehill. Then there was the matter of background. Differences like that only worked in movies. She should know; she’d had her heart broken by a rich boy once before.
Her gaze stole across the room. Jake sat by himself. His chin was propped in his hand. He stared at the band. A frown darkened his features.
Her tactic of driving him from her mind hadn’t worked, nor had her outrageous flirting with his crew. He hadn’t looked her way all night. Not once.
What would it hurt to tease him? Make him crazy like he was making her? She’d pay him back for his earlier comment, bring him up—literally—then slam him down at the end of the night. Did she have rocks in her head? Nope, just a brain marinated in beer.
* * * *
He knew she’d be there. He should’ve stayed away, but he couldn’t. He’d never been able to avoid temptation. In his younger years, it’d been booze, partying, and wild women. Now, it appeared to be risky investments, dangerous jobs—physically or financially—and an even more dangerous woman.
Not that Harlee was wild anymore. Even if she did look and play the part, she wasn’t fooling him.
Jake’s chair faced the dance floor. His first fatal mistake. Staring at her in that hot pink thing she wore was his second. His eyes narrowed as he watched her little butt gyrate to the music. The bottom of her skirt barely covered her bottom. He shifted in his seat. He bet she wasn’t wearing those cotton panties tonight.
His gut clenched. He grabbed his beer and took a swig, swilling the cold liquid around with his tongue. It didn’t do a thing for the sour taste in his mouth. He raked a hand through his short dark hair. Damn. Damn. Damn.
He needed to find a diversion that didn’t include lusting after an employee. The possible repercussions
from an affair with an employee ran through his mind—lawsuits, destruction of his business, humiliation, his parents’ scorn once again. He snorted. Nothing new there.
Despite his mental arguments, his eyes drifted back to the dance floor.
Harlee giggled and lifted her face to her partner as he guided her around the dance floor. Dave, a young carpenter on his crew, almost slobbered all over himself. She seemed to be having a great time, too great of a time. Her dress clung to every curve like a Ferrari on a winding road. Every single guy in the place was vying for the opportunity to get a little of what she so generously displayed.
Dave put his hand on her butt and pulled her closer. She batted her eyes heavy with mascara and playfully slapped his hand.
Jealousy tore through Jake. He clenched his fists. That bastard. First thing Monday morning, he’d fire Dave’s ass and send him on the next ferry to the mainland. But Monday might be too late. Dave was making his move right now. Tonight.
“Hey. Jake. You haven’t heard a word I’ve said. What the hell are you looking at?” Brad turned around in his seat to check out the scenery behind him. He pivoted back to face Jake. This time he had Jake’s attention. “Oh, I see. Goldie.”
“I’m worried about her as a friend. She’s going to get in trouble by flaunting herself like that.”
“Were you worried about her this afternoon when she was spread-eagled on your desk?”
“Go fuck yourself,” Jake growled.
“You’re the one that needs to get laid.” Brad jabbed a finger in Harlee’s direction. “By her. Come to think of it. I need to get laid, too.”
“What about her?” Jake gestured toward the flamboyant woman dressed like a gypsy in designer clothes.
“What’s her story?”
“Eva owns this bar. She’s also the island’s resident psychic. I understand she was once a CEO at a software firm. She gave it all up and moved here. She has quite a following among the celebrities spending their summers here. Even worse, she’s Bridget’s spiritual advisor.”
Brad frowned at that and gave her another long look. “I’ll take my chances. Damn, she’s gorgeous.”
Eva didn’t pound his hammer, not like Goldie did. “So are you giving up this easily?”
“She said my crude sexuality was disturbing her aura and upsetting her life’s balance. What the hell does that mean?”
“You struck out.” Jake laughed. Brad’s failure gave him perverse satisfaction. If he wasn’t getting any, why should Brad?
“Struck out and got pulled from the game. But, never fear, I’ve got a backup plan.” Brad stood up and winked at his brother. “The little blonde in the corner has eyed me all night.”
Jake glanced at the blonde. She’d eyed everyone all night. On that point, she reminded him of Harlee. Jake slouched in his chair and glowered at Goldilocks.
“Don’t wait too long, little brother, before you make your move. She’s got your crew salivating like a pack of rabid hound dogs surrounding a rabbit.” On that note, Brad headed for the bar and slung his body onto a bar stool. The waitress saw him coming and turned her back, but the gorgeous blonde smiled at him, and Brad grinned. Jake shook his head in wonder. Brad loved the chase, and the blonde appeared to be his next catch.
Deserted by his brother, Jake considered his options. Mariah and Rico sat at one table, his crew at the other. He glanced at Harlee again. The band had switched to a fast dance, and Harlee was dancing with his plumbing contractor. Jake made a hasty decision. Grabbing his beer, he crossed the room. “Hey, how’re you guys?”
Mariah greeted him with a welcoming smile. That woman was too good to be believed. She had every right to hate him, but she didn’t. Rico, on the other hand, scooted his chair closer to Mariah and put a possessive arm across her shoulders. As if Jake would go after a happily married woman.
Ignoring Rico, Jake addressed Mariah, just to get under her man’s skin. “Mind if I join you? My brother left me for a prettier face.”
Mariah laughed. “Certainly. Rico, would you please get Jake a chair.”
“Let him get his own.” Rico flinched. “Ouch. Hey, what was that for?”
Smirking, Jake grabbed a chair from a nearby table and placed it next to the empty chair—Harlee’s chair. Unfortunately, that also placed him next to Rico. A guy couldn’t expect everything to go his way.
“Doesn’t Harlee dance like a pro?” Mariah pointed out.
“Yeah, great dancer.” Jake’s eyes found her in the crowd on the dance floor, not that he’d ever lost sight of her since he’d walked in the door an hour ago.
“I need to go to the powder room. Can I leave you two alone for two minutes?”
“Absolutely.” Jake smiled.
“I will pretend he doesn’t exist.”
Mariah looked from one to the other. “I guess that’s the best I can expect.”
Rico watched her until she disappeared into the bathroom. Whatever else Jake might think of him, the man was devoted to his wife. Jake wondered what it felt like to be that in love. He’d been in lust but never really in love. Love, in his experience, was overrated.
Rico cleared his throat and glowered at him.
“Look, man, I’m not interested in your wife. Not that it would matter if I was; she only has eyes for you. You’re one lucky sucker.”
For a moment, Rico’s eyes softened. “I guess I am a little possessive.”
A little? Now there was an understatement.
“But you’ve hurt her,” Rico added.
“Hey, I never hurt Mariah. Hell, I like her. I like her a hell of a lot better than I like Warren, for that matter. This is business, Rico. As a businessman, you must understand where I’m coming from. My company could grow exponentially if the Rosehill development is successful.”
“Warren stole that property from her.”
“Maybe. I don’t know, but I didn’t participate in any of that. I just got caught in the crossfire.”
Rico leaned forward, his jaw set in a stubborn line. “Sell the house and ten acres to me. Name your price.”
“I don’t know.”
“But you will?”
“Will what?”
“Think about it.”
“Yeah, I’ll think about it. Don’t count on anything. I doubt my Dad or Carson would agree to it. Some of the best views are on that property.”
“You will find a way.”
Rico was playing him, and Jake knew it. “Are you certain Mariah would be content with that? What about that damn camp?”
“The camp is a separate issue. That is your moral dilemma.”
“I can’t help you.” Jake picked up his beer and tossed back the remainder of it. This conversation needed to end. He’d heard enough.
“You seem like a fair man and a clever man. You will find a way.”
Jake might be clever, but when it came ruthless, his family stood in a class by themselves. Rico didn’t understand how tied Jake’s hands were. If it were up to him, his peace of mind would be worth ten acres and the house, but it wasn’t up to him.
“You don’t take no for an answer, do you?”
Rico nodded and motioned the waitress for another Pacifico. “I am a man accustomed to getting what I want.”
Jake caught a flash of hot pink. Distracted, he scanned the crowd for the wearer of that hot pink. She was dancing with another of his employees. At least it was a fast dance. He sighed in frustration.
“I know that look.”
“What?” Jake brought his attention back to Rico.
“Your expression. I recognize it. It’s the same look I had on my face. In fact, I still do.”
Jake played dumb and didn’t answer.
“So, maybe you should ask her to dance.”
“Huh?”
“Harlee. You are fighting it. It is not worth it, amigo. Take it from a guy who fought it for way too long.”
“She’s one sexy woman.” Jake admitted that much.
“Right.�
� Rico sat back and crossed his arms over his chest, looking way too smug. “Keep deluding yourself. It’s more than sex.”
“It’s not even as much as sex. I’ve never been with her. She’s an employee. It wouldn’t be right.”
“So fire her. Then you don’t have that obstacle.”
“Fire her? She’s too good at what she does.”
“I bet she would be even better at what you want her to do.” Rico threw back his head and laughed “You’re in denial and—” He stopped in midsentence to watch Mariah walk across the room. A stupid-assed grin spread across his face. God, Jake shuddered. He didn’t have that same expression when he looked at Harlee, did he? No wonder everyone knew what he was thinking.
Rico didn’t seem to care what anyone thought. With nod in Jake’s direction, he rose to his feet and caught Mariah in his arms. She giggled and clung to him. They did a tango across the room to the dance floor.
Jake envied their easy relationship. It was nothing like his brief marriage. That disaster had consisted of arguing, making up, her flirting, him getting pissed, and on and on. They built a relationship on sex, not mutual trust or love. Sex. Pure and simple. He’d been young and crazy. She’d been older and money hungry. Her blatant sexuality had shocked his parents, and he’d loved it. His father’s disapproval and his rebellious tendencies drove him to an impromptu marriage to the woman his mother dubbed trailer trash.
Jake studied Mariah and Rico. He wanted what they had. Hell, any man would want what they had. Rico might be a swaggering, obnoxious jerk, but he loved Mariah. She led him around like a bull with a ring in his nose, or was that a ring in his dick? Regardless, the man seemed to enjoy every minute of it.
Grudgingly, Jake admitted he liked the guy. Rico had been a Latin superstar so you could excuse his swagger and his stubborn insistence on getting his way. Deep down, under all that bullshit lurked a good guy. Maybe he could do something for them. Except his family would never agree to it.
The band took a break. Ditching her dance partner, Harlee sauntered back to the table. She smiled at him. He grinned. Shit, he bet he looked as stupid as Rico had a few minutes ago.
Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? Page 9
