Gratitude for the topic switch flitted across his expression and then was gone. “And here I thought I was being a model patient.” His blue eyes met hers, daring her to disagree.
“I admit you’re cooperating right now. But obviously you hadn’t been, since Rina was worried enough to hire me.”
“You already know physical therapy wasn’t the only reason Rina hired you,” he reminded her. “Not that I’m defending my sister, but she can’t stop herself from looking out for me. She lost her husband several months ago and I’m all she has left.”
His voice deepened, and Brianne couldn’t help feel his obvious love and concern for his sister. The softer part of him showed once more and beckoned to her in a way that threatened her ability to maintain distance. His caring for others—Frank’s family and his sister—was something she could relate to. She shivered at the notion because their kiss proved she was already having a tough time steering clear of the connection between them. The more they had in common, the harder it was to remain unaffected by him. California, a stable existence, a life of my own, she reminded herself. She could have none of those if she got involved with Jake.
Jake watched Brianne closely. Her wariness didn’t surprise him. Hell, after that explosive kiss he was pretty uptight himself.
Twice now they’d proven that each time they got together, they ended in a clinch neither expected and neither could control. Not good for a man who’d promised himself he’d maintain distance and a clear head. But around Brianne, distance was impossible and so was rational thinking. Just knowing he’d put personal restrictions against being with this woman made him more frustrated and uptight than he could ever remember being.
“Rina needs you,” Brianne said, bringing him back to the present. “All the more reason for you to forget the guilt and be glad you’re alive—for your sister’s sake.” Her eyes flickered with banked emotion.
Jake would learn to live with the guilt, as soon as he had Ramirez behind bars. He cleared his throat. “Well, Rina doesn’t need to worry. I’m fine, and you’ll be able to tell her that as soon as she returns.”
“I’ll tell her the truth. If you cooperate, she’ll know that. If you give me a hard time, she’ll hear about that, too.”
And that was exactly what bothered him about this deal Rina had made with Brianne. He couldn’t have Brianne reporting his cooperation back to the woman who paid her salary, or Brianne working on his shoulder and discovering exactly how mobile he actually was. Either way, Jake was in deep.
She swung her feet back and forth. “You do realize you can’t afford to fool around, not if you want full range of motion back.”
The telephone rang and Brianne jumped, obviously startled by the unexpected interruption. Bound by heating pads, Jake motioned toward the portable phone set up in the corner. “Would you get that for me?”
She nodded and brought the handset to him.
“Lowell.”
“It’s Duke. A guy ODed on some bad shit. The girlfriend’s in critical condition. It’s Vickers’s case, but he called me. Nothing coherent’s come out of her yet and the hospital’s restricted her visitors, but they promised as soon as it was okay they’d give us a go-ahead to talk to her. It’s possible we can piece together some kind of lead on Ramirez once she comes to.”
“Pick me up in five.”
“If the lieutenant finds out you’re sniffing around an active case and a potential witness…”
“So don’t tell him.” Jake slammed down the phone and found himself face-to-face with Brianne’s wide, curious, gorgeous green eyes.
“No therapy?”
He’d walked out on women before, but, damn, why did the disappointment in this one’s tone hit him like a punch in the gut? He shook his head. “Something’s come up.” And he couldn’t tell her a thing.
“I thought you were off duty. On leave.”
He let out a groan. “I am. This is…about my friend’s family. The one I just told you about. One of the kids is having a problem…”
“Say no more.” She jumped up and began to unwrap the heating pads from his back and shoulder. “You don’t owe me a detailed explanation. I don’t like it, but this can wait.” Understanding and compassion filled her expression, making Jake feel like a first-class heel for lying and for ducking out on her.
She understood and didn’t question. Even his ex-wife had never done that. Everything he’d worried about and sought to avoid since Rina’s revelation about inviting Brianne to live here was coming to pass. “Thanks.” He shook his head, not knowing what else to say.
“Take care of your friend’s family.” Brianne knelt down and tossed him his shirt.
He slipped the wide-necked cutoff over his head, and his arms followed. He struggled a bit and winced slightly, but not nearly as much as he should have, Jake realized when he caught Brianne’s knowing gaze.
Arms folded over her chest, foot tapping against the floor, she looked at him and frowned. “When you get back we can talk about your real need for therapy. And your so-called need for me.”
CHAPTER FIVE
JAKE NEEDED BRIANNE. Needed her in his bed. Needed her in his life. Needed an affair that wouldn’t deny him everything about her he desired. Mostly he had to get the woman out of his system before his obsession with her completely consumed him.
He’d been standing at the crime scene watching Forensics work. If he wasn’t good friends with the guys on duty he’d have been tossed out on his ass, but they’d let him stay as they picked through the remnants of a romantic dinner gone wrong. Yet, instead of focusing on details, Jake had been thinking of Brianne.
When he’d seen the half-empty glasses of wine, he’d envisioned her taking a seductive sip, licking the fruity liquid off her lips and letting him taste it on her tongue. And when he’d gotten a glimpse of the leftovers from dinner, he’d been remembering Brianne’s nearly orgasmic groans of satisfaction while eating a simple slice of pizza. He’d been so wrapped up in memories and what could be that he’d nearly missed an important piece of evidence, one the detectives hadn’t gotten to yet.
Wrappers from a place called The Eclectic Eatery, the sister restaurant to a place that originally had opened in the Village, had littered the table. Nothing unusual about take-out garbage from the newest trendy hot spot frequented by grad students, Jake thought. But beside them lay what looked like dinner mints—colored candy-like mints that probably weren’t—lying out in plain sight. But there was no proof the goods came from The Eclectic Eatery.
Seconds after Jake pointed out the scattered pieces, the gloved Forensics guys had bagged the candy or pills or whatever the hell they were. But one of the tablets had a designer signature similar to the one Ramirez used on his goods. Thanks to Louis’s overblown ego, he’d overestimated his own intelligence and had had a stamp made that identified his goods instead of using the generic labels other dealers relied upon. Jake had had no doubt the scum would get back into business. He’d just figured the guy would be smart enough to change his M.O.
Exactly the argument Duke was using. He believed it was a copycat looking to cash in on Ramirez’s clientele. But Jake just knew the goods came from Louis. The man’s arrogance would eventually do him in, and this was just the beginning. At least now they had a lead. Jake could watch The Eclectic Eatery and see if Ramirez showed his face, find out if the new restaurant was a front for selling drugs. It was a lead Jake might never have found if his head had remained in the clouds, fantasizing about Brianne. True, Forensics would probably have uncovered the pills, but Jake had seen them first. He needed to remember that his job ought to come first as well.
Unfortunately, Jake knew exactly where his lack of concentration came from. He was obsessed with a woman he’d promised would remain forbidden. But with thoughts of her distracting him and jeopardizing his case, he could no longer tell himself an affair would only get in the way. In fact, an affair, the last thing he’d thought he wanted, might be the only solution, the
only means to get Brianne out of his system once and for all and clear his head for the job at hand. Back-assed reasoning, he knew. But a possible solution, nonetheless.
And there was another upside to an affair with Brianne. He could keep an eye on her better and know her whereabouts easier if they were indulging in an intimate relationship. Ramirez demanded his full concentration, and if he wasn’t distracted by what-if thoughts of Brianne, Jake could give the case his all.
He could give Brianne his all at the same time. Frank’s death had driven home how short life was. The time he’d wasted avoiding Brianne at the café could have been better spent acting on his desire. It wasn’t too late. If Brianne agreed with his reasoning, the Ramirez case would build toward completion at the same time that his obsession with Brianne began to fade. Both would end and he’d walk away at the end of the summer. Toward what, though, he didn’t yet know.
But would she agree? The way she’d melted in his arms told him her desire flared as quickly and as hot as his, but she’d backed off just as fast. With a little luck and persuasion he could convince her to indulge in a summer fling. He had to. His sanity depended on it.
When he returned to the penthouse, he wasn’t surprised to find the living room and kitchen dark, but he was disappointed, nonetheless. Even Norton didn’t bound out to meet him, and Jake figured the dog was in Brianne’s bed—exactly where he wanted to be. How much more pathetic could things get? he wondered, stifling a wry laugh.
But as he made his way to his room, he discovered the lights on in the gym. Jake peered inside. Brianne had obviously just finished a workout and stood wiping down her arms, neck and forehead. True to form, Norton had settled in a corner, content to alternately sleep and watch Brianne—something Jake could relate to. Except that when he looked at Brianne, sleep was the last thing on his mind. Tight black leggings encased her long legs and a brief exercise top covered her chest, ending just below her full breasts, exposing peaked nipples, a flat belly and pale skin.
Molten heat seared his body, and Jake swallowed hard, unable to pull his gaze from the unexpected, tempting sight.
She patted her forehead, then lowered the towel and glanced up, catching his stare as he stood in the doorway. “I didn’t hear you come in. Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes.” He stepped into the room. “No. I need to talk to you.”
She inclined her head and gestured to the bench near one of the mirrored walls. “Come sit.” She patted the seat beside her.
He swallowed hard, then joined her.
“You’ve had more than a little therapy.” She jumped to the natural assumption after she’d witnessed his ability to put on his shirt with relative ease. “With the help you’ve been getting you don’t need me.” She started to rise, and he clamped a hand over her wrist to keep her next to him.
“Yes, Brianne, I do.”
She lowered herself slowly. Her green eyes raked over his face, searching for answers. “What are you saying?”
“I need more therapy.”
“Just not as much as everyone thinks.”
He gave a short nod. “Can I trust you to keep my secret?”
“You have my word.”
Even as she spoke, he realized he hadn’t had to ask. She’d respect his request. Her dedication to her brother spoke of her character, and his gut told him even more. He’d always trusted his instincts before. He had no reason not to now.
He squeezed her hand tight. “I’ve made progress with the rehab. A lot more than Rina, or the department, thinks.”
“But why keep your progress a secret?”
“I have my reasons.” Reasons he couldn’t share. Not only because he was unofficially working on a case but because her safety depended on her not knowing details. Another reason an affair would work. He could keep her safe by getting inside her head and by knowing where she was at all times.
She shifted, sliding so close that the heat of her body and the scent of her femininity surrounded him. His adrenaline pumped harder as he formulated what he could reveal. “Some of my reasons have to do with general life dissatisfaction and some are more personal. I can’t divulge them but…”
“Shh.” She placed a finger over his lips, and he found her touch warm, soft and gentle. “You don’t owe me explanations. It’s not like you’re the one who hired me.”
“But I am the one who wants to keep you.”
Brianne let out the breath she hadn’t been aware of holding. If he didn’t need or want therapy, if he didn’t need her, Rina’s money and Brianne’s plans for a future would disappear before her eyes. Relief that she didn’t have to worry about losing this job…relief that she wouldn’t be losing Jake, yet, spiraled through her.
“I want to keep the bargain going,” he clarified, “for the summer.”
“You want me to take over your rehabilitation, or what’s left of it?”
“That’s part of it.”
“What’s the rest? The catch?”
Jake reached out for the end of her ponytail, twirling the ends of her hair around his fingers. “I also want you.” His voice deepened to a husky murmur.
Brianne had no doubt he wasn’t referring to plain old physical therapy. She kept her eyes trained on his face and attempted to ignore the delicious tugging at her scalp that had an erotic effect on the rest of her body. As did his words. She already knew her response to him, knew each time they came together, no matter how platonic or professional the intent, the chemistry exploded into something much more. She remained quiet, unwilling to tip her hand, to reveal her thoughts or feelings until he’d laid out his meaning before her.
“I’d like to come to an understanding.” One side of his mouth lifted in a sexy yet endearingly hesitant grin.
One she knew didn’t bode well for her unsteady emotions and racing heart.
“I am willing to cooperate with you. Completely. Enough for you to feel like you aren’t lying to Rina when she checks in—and I can guarantee you she will.”
Brianne grinned. “She already has. Earlier tonight.”
He clenched his jaw.
“But, don’t worry, I didn’t let on there were any problems. I wanted to talk to you first.”
Relief washed over his expression. “I appreciate that.”
She tipped her head to one side. “But you’d obviously like something in return?”
“It’s not a quid pro quo, Brianne. You can say no, and I’ll still give you my full cooperation. It’s to both of our benefits for my rehabilitation to go off without a hitch. I just think we have something more to offer each other.”
Aware of how he affected her, Brianne believed he was right. “What exactly are you referring to?” Her pulse tripped as she awaited his answer, though a part of her already knew.
“I want to explore this attraction between us. You can’t deny it exists.” With his hands wrapped in her hair, he brought his fingers to her cheek and stroked slowly, methodically, over her skin. “I know I feel it every time we’re together. Don’t you?”
He leaned closer. Their breaths mingled, and a hint of peppermint reached her nose, a scent she’d never found arousing until now. Her heart hammered out a rapid beat. “You know I do. I’m just not certain it would be a good idea.” No matter how much his suggestion appealed to her.
“Why not?”
“We’re living together, working together…it can get messy.” Painful, she thought.
“Or it can be amazing. Think about it, Brianne. An entire summer that belongs to us alone.” His eyes blazed with determined blue fire and his finger slid over her face in a lingering caress. “We’ve already proven we can’t be together without fireworks exploding. All the more reason to indulge.”
She swallowed hard, his suggestion so very tempting, but if she agreed she knew it would cost her. She was drawn to this man deeply and if she got involved with him sexually, she feared she’d risk losing her heart. A heart she couldn’t give to a man who thrived on risk a
nd danger, whom she could lose to a bullet.
But she wasn’t ready to divulge all the heartache and pain her past had caused. To share her fears and insecurities would be taking that step toward connecting with him on more than a physical level, something she couldn’t afford. “I’m not in the market for a serious relationship. Once the summer’s over and my brother leaves for Stanford, I’m going to move to California with him,” she told Jake, settling on the easiest truth, one she figured a man would accept and understand.
At her words, something unreadable flickered in his eyes—whether it was disappointment or surprise, she couldn’t tell, and he spoke before she could deliberate further.
“I’m not looking for a serious relationship, either. Seems to me every argument you’ve got strengthens my argument.” Obviously Jake wasn’t put off and he couldn’t be deterred. His deep eyes bore into hers.
“We want the same things—each other and something short term. And we need each other. I need your professional expertise.” He paused. “And I need you and this time we could have together. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll admit you need it, too.”
Brianne’s breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t speak even if she wanted to. He was so dead-on accurate, she couldn’t argue. Her newfound freedom courtesy of Rina would begin in the fall. But that freedom was scary because she’d been cocooned by her job and responsibilities for so long, she barely knew how to start a life of her own. A personal life.
So just as he needed her professional expertise, she needed his, in areas both sensual and sexual. He was offering her the opportunity to explore her femininity and everything she’d suppressed all these years.
“You want an affair?” she managed to ask, exposing her deepest desire and deepest fear.
“Ideally, yes.”
Her stomach twisted with a burning need to agree. After all, she was leaving in September, and they’d be together for the summer. Nothing was stopping her from grabbing this short span of time. Except that everything inside her shouted this man was potentially dangerous to both her peace of mind and her heart.
Body Heat Page 8
