by Anne Rainey
“Julie took care of it.”
“Huh?”
“She mentioned that Mom wouldn’t want to come home to see all that food ruined and the kitchen a mess, and offered to clean it up. I told her we’d take care of it, but she insisted. She’s a persistent little thing.”
Sam smiled. He owed Julie for everything she’d done for them. “She has a key to the house?”
“I loaned her mine. Said she’d leave it at the restaurant for me to pick up later. Speaking of the restaurant, did you know that Julie has also been opening in the mornings?”
“No, I didn’t. I thought Mom took care of all that. She always refused to hire a manager, so it didn’t occur to me.” Sam shoved a hand through his hair. “Is there anything Julie can’t do?”
Reilly snorted. “Smart, efficient, sweet as sunshine and easy on the eyes. I can’t figure why she’s still unattached.”
Sam’s gut clenched when he thought of Julie with some faceless stranger. “She more or less said she hasn’t had time to think about dating.”
“For a woman like her, I’d be more than willing to work around her schedule.”
Sam cursed. “What’s with you guys? You’d think you’d never seen a pretty woman before. Christ.”
“Jealous?” Reilly asked in his usual no-nonsense way.
“Why the hell would I be?”
Reilly chuckled. “Good question.”
“I’m going home,” Sam muttered. He knew damn good and well Reilly had him pegged, and it pissed him off. “See you later.”
He hit the End button and tossed his phone onto the middle console. It wasn’t until after he was on his way that he let himself think of Julie again. She’d been an angel. The least she deserved was a thank-you. All he’d given her so far were a bunch of frowns. Maybe he could take her out to dinner to make up for it. A friendly, no-pressure evening as a way to pay her back for all she’d done for them.
But even as the thought entered his mind, Sam knew he was lying to himself. He didn’t want to be friends with the woman. He wanted to get her into his bed. To sink himself into her sweet heat until they both had a good, long taste of heaven. His cock hardened as image after image bombarded his mind. Damn, what was it about her that he couldn’t stop thinking of getting her naked? He’d never let his libido rule, but hell if he could keep his mind out of the gutter whenever her name popped up.
One thing was certain—Julie Rose had crawled right under his skin, and for the sake of his sanity, he needed to do something about it.
“We’ve had this talk before, Bryan. The Blackwater Diner only serves food.”
Julie tried not to let her irritation show, but it wasn’t easy. Bryan Delaney was a handsome man, in a polished suit-wearing sort of way, and he’d been coming into the diner at least once a week for months. Unfortunately he never failed to ask her out on a date. He also never seemed to understand that no thanks was code for never in a million years. His attention had been sweet—for about the first five minutes.
“Is there a problem?”
The deep, rough voice coming from behind had her turning on her heels. The big, strong body encased in a black T-shirt and jeans sent her blood pressure into the dangerous range.
“Sam?” Julie asked. She was surprised to see him at the diner. Although with Wanda in the hospital, Julie should’ve expected one of the Jennings men to take over. When Sam didn’t so much as glance her way and all his attention seemed focused on Bryan, she remembered his question. “Uh, there’s no problem.”
His gaze flashed ice as he balled his hands into fists at his sides. “Planning to order anytime soon, Delaney?”
To her utter shock, Bryan paled. The man had always appeared so confident, a little too confident in her mind, but there was no mistaking the fear in his eyes as he looked at Sam now. “Sam Jennings,” Bryan said. “I didn’t know you were working at the diner.”
“If you’re looking for a date, find it somewhere else, Delaney,” Sam advised. “The waitresses are off limits.”
Bryan turned a rather ugly shade of green. “Of course. My apologies.”
Julie glanced over at Sam and noticed his expression hadn’t changed. He still looked ready to commit murder. She smiled and did her best to diffuse the volatile situation. “How about I get you a slice of that apple pie you like so much, Bryan?”
“Sure. Thanks, Julie.”
She turned to go but realized Sam didn’t budge. She got all the way to the counter before her curiosity got the better of her. When she looked back over her shoulder, she saw Sam leaning close to Bryan, their faces mere inches apart. After a few seconds, Sam straightened, and Bryan slid out of the booth and practically ran for the door. All Julie could see was the money Bryan would’ve spent all but vanishing into thin air.
She glared and waited for Sam to reach her before blasting him. “I hope you realize that you just cost the diner a regular customer.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You want that asshole around?”
“That’s not the point. The point is, the diner can’t afford to lose even one customer. No matter how annoying he might be.” She paused a moment, then added, “And don’t curse.”
“I’ve known Delaney since high school, and he’s nothing but trouble. Always has been. He chases every woman under the age of fifty. Trust me, we’ll get by without him just fine.” He leaned close and whispered, “Unless you enjoyed him staring at your chest.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be crude. He was a pain in my backside, but he was still a paying customer. And one with a really big mouth too. You could’ve cost us a lot more than just one customer.” Curious, she asked, “What’d you say to him anyway?”
“I told him that you were especially off limits.”
Julie’s stomach did a little somersault at the way his voice dropped to a more intimate, sexy tone. “Why would you tell him that?”
Sam cupped her chin in his palm. “Mom is fond of you, so that makes you one of us. And the Jenningses tend to be damned protective over those we care about.”
She jerked away from him. “Wanda is not the one who chased Bryan off just now.” Julie realized she hadn’t asked how his mom was doing and said, “Speaking of your mom, how is she?”
“She’s better. I’m heading over there later to talk to her doctor. And she might not be the one to get rid of Delaney, but for damn sure she wouldn’t have been too happy if she’d seen the way he was salivating all over you.”
Julie didn’t believe for a second that his motives were so innocent. She stepped closer and squinted up at him. “So you’re looking out for me for Wanda’s sake?”
He ran a hand through his hair before stepping back a few feet. As if needing the distance to think clearly? Julie wondered. “Look, I owe you for everything you did for her. For us. I thought maybe you and I could have dinner together.”
The fact that she had the big bad Sam Jennings on the run sent a little thrill up Julie’s spine. “A simple thank-you would suffice. No need to suffer through another meal with me.”
“Suffer?”
“I got the distinct impression you didn’t want me at your Thanksgiving celebration. In fact, I sort of thought you didn’t want me anywhere near you or your family.”
He shook his head. “Why on earth would you say that?”
“Oh, gee, I don’t know. Maybe it was because of all the nasty looks you sent my way?”
“You misunderstood.”
“Really?”
“Really.” He held his hands out to his sides as if in surrender. “It’s only dinner, Julie. Let me make it up to you.”
Julie bit her lip and looked down. She hadn’t dated much since her grandmother’s death. And never someone as potent as Sam Jennings. You are way out of your depth, sister.
Sam closed the space separating them, then nudged her chin with his index finger until their gazes locked. “Please have dinner with me?”
God, like she was strong enough to say no to tha
t! “Yes.”
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow night. Seven okay?”
“That’s fine.”
Julie jotted down her address and phone number on her order pad, then ripped the sheet off and handed it to him. “Here, this might be helpful.”
He took it, then looked her over. Like, really looked. Finally he said, “I was thinking a step up from casual. That work for you?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “I actually clean up pretty good. You’d be amazed.”
He crowded closer and whispered, “I never doubted it.”
Julie watched as Sam walked into the office and closed the door behind him. It might be the biggest mistake in the world, and no doubt she had absolutely zero skills when it came to men, but that didn’t stop her heart from racing with excitement at the prospect of getting Sam Jennings all to herself for an entire evening.
Mentally, she ran through her wardrobe and came back with absolutely nothing to wear. Great. She wanted to look good for her date, and all she owned were jeans and a few boring skirts. Nothing that made much of an impression. She’d need to go shopping. When Eddie, the cook, yelled, “Order up,” Julie forced herself to concentrate on waiting tables. There’d be time later to think about dark-haired hunks with brooding good looks.
Chapter Four
Julie let the emerald green fabric glide down her body, then checked herself in the mirror. The Surplus neckline. Cross-back. Accordion pleating. Grosgrain ribbon trim at waist and on shoulderSurplus neckline. Cross-back. Accordion pleating. Grosgrain ribbon trim at waist and on shoulder deep V neckline was hot. The crisscross back made her feel sexy without being too overt. Heck, she wanted to get the message across that she could look good. That she owned something other than her waitress uniform. The plain black skirt she’d worn to Thanksgiving dinner didn’t exactly scream hottie either. More like schoolteacher of the year. Yippie. Still, she didn’t want to appear as if she were trying to impress Sam, even if that was exactly what she was doing.
As she pulled up the side zipper, she inspected the skirt of the dress once more. Normally she didn’t go for pleats; they made her feel poufy, and she already had a little too much around the hips as it was. She didn’t need to bring more attention to that particular area than necessary. But when she’d seen the dress on the rack, it’d been the accordion-style pleating that had tugged at her. The satin ribbon trim around the waist added just the right touch. Opting to go with black hose and heels seemed to pull the whole look together nicely.
Julie grabbed the metal comb off the counter and did a little upsweep with her hair before starting on her makeup. She never wore much, just a little lipstick and mascara. Tonight was a special night, or so she hoped it would be, so she applied a light dusting of blush and some smoky gray eye shadow to bring out the green in her eyes. Satisfied with the results, Julie left the bathroom, but as she stepped into her bedroom, she stopped abruptly and looked around the spacious room. As always, she half expected to see the old puke green carpeting that had once covered her grandmother’s floors. She’d hated that carpet, but now she missed it terribly. The house and her grandmom were gone, though. Julie’s stomach clenched; she wished she could see the smile. The one her grandmom gave her just before hugging the stuffing out of her.
“I’ll always live in your heart, Julie dear.”
It’d been something her grandmother had said several times during her final days. Remembering the words gave her comfort. As she looked at the small window on the far wall, she smiled. The curtains were one of the few things from the old house that she’d kept. Not because they were gorgeous. Definitely not. The huge yellow and pink flowers all over them had always seemed a bit psychotic to Julie. She’d kept them because her grandmom had made them by hand. The sunny yellow could nearly blind a person if they stared too long, but they still made Julie smile every time she saw them.
The rest of her bedroom had been paid for with the money she’d received from the sale of her grandmother’s house. There weren’t fond memories attached to the furniture, but she aimed to change that. Sooner rather than later. The bed had been an indulgence, and an expensive one at that. The king-size cherrywood four-poster could comfortably sleep three adults—or one large man. A man like Sam Jennings, maybe? Julie would bet a week’s worth of tips that Sam liked lots of room when he slept. Did he like plenty of space when he made love to a woman? Did he like to take his time or was he the rush-to-the-finish type? With any luck at all, she’d find out. Damn, it was way too easy to picture the delicious man lying against the white down-filled comforter, naked, of course.
Then again, what did she know about sex? Very damn little, that’s what. Her introduction had been a quickie in the back of Clint Radley’s Buick. She’d been a junior in high school at the time. It’d been over with before she could let out a single ahhh. After that, all her time had been spent taking care of her grandmother. Crap, maybe saying yes to dinner wasn’t such a great idea.
Julie plopped down on the edge of the bed and contemplated canceling. Then the doorbell rang. Sam. Her stomach suddenly filled with butterflies. As she stood, her legs shook a little. “Get ahold of yourself. You’re a grown woman, you can do this,” she muttered.
Julie took a deep breath, then let it out and left the bedroom, turning off the light as she went. As she walked down the hall, her heart seemed to beat faster with each step closer to the front door. She reached the living room, and the doorbell chimed again. She had the insane urge to run in the opposite direction, but the part of her that wanted to move on with her life, the part that didn’t act like a scared cat in a room full of Dobermans, kept her feet moving toward the door. Maybe if she’d had more than a handful of dates, let a guy show her the ropes, so to speak, she wouldn’t be so nervous now. Although Julie had a feeling a big part of her anxiety had to do with whom she was going out with. Sam Jennings simply made her insides turn all mushy and warm.
When she reached the door, she double-checked her appearance in the mirror that hung next to it. Not a hair out of place. If not for the petrified stare, she wouldn’t look half bad. Julie groaned, straightened her spine, and pasted a smile on her face. When she opened the door, she about swallowed her tongue.
He was wearing black trousers, a three-quarter-length black wool coat, and a black V-neck T-shirt peeked out from beneath the open collar. It appeared he’d even attempted to tame his dark, messy hair. Hot, yeah, that word fit Sam nicely. Hot as hell fit even better.
“Hi,” she said, realizing too late she’d been standing with her mouth open.
He smiled and looked at her from head to toe. “You look fantastic.”
Julie stepped back to let him enter. “Thanks. Let me grab my coat and we can go.”
He nodded and stepped over the threshold, shutting the door behind him. Julie now had Sam Jennings in her condo. All to herself. If only she were bold enough to do something about it. She sighed and headed to the couch where she’d left the new black knee-length coat she’d purchased to go with the dress. It draped open in the front and looked classy, but the wool material and long sleeves would still keep her from freezing her tush off, she hoped.
“I hope you like steak. I made reservations at Kane’s.”
Deciding to tweak him a bit, Julie let her eyes grow big as quarters. “Uh, I’m a vegetarian.”
His gaze narrowed. “You came to our Thanksgiving dinner.”
“But did you see me actually eat any meat?”
He rubbed his chin. “Well, now that you mention it—”
“I’m teasing you.” She laughed. “I love a good steak.”
He shook his head, and a small smile kicked up one corner of his mouth. The left corner, to be exact. Well, heck, wasn’t that just adorable in an ornery sort of way?
“Had me worried there for a minute. Not that I have a problem with vegetarians, but I had to do some serious sweet talking to get those reservations.”
She pulled her coa
t on and grabbed her purse. As they headed out the door, his words registered. “You know, now that you mention it, Kane’s is a bit upscale. How’d you get reservations on such short notice?”
He placed his hand at the small of her back, and Julie’s heart skipped a beat. “I know the owner’s daughter. We belong to the same church.”
The church thing wasn’t a surprise. Wanda was always trying to get Julie to go to church with her. So far Julie had managed to hold the woman off with one excuse or another. The truth of it was, she couldn’t get the sight of her grandmom lying in a casket out of her head. That’d been the last time Julie had been inside a church.
After she locked the door, Sam escorted her to his waiting SUV. Once they were both inside, Julie turned to him and asked, “So, what sort of sweet talking did you do with the owner’s daughter?”
His wink before turning away and starting the engine sent a surge of lust through her apparently sex-starved system. “In exchange for a table for two, I’ve agreed to take a look at her car for her. She’s having some trouble with it stalling out.”
An image of Sam wearing a pair of well-worn jeans and covered in grease came to mind. Suddenly her coat felt a little too warm. “You know your way around an engine?”
He turned on the heater and checked his rearview mirror before pulling out of the parking space. “Dad taught all of us how to work on cars. He used to say there was no sense in paying someone to do a job that you could do yourself. It’s how Vance learned construction and how I learned carpentry work. Dad was all hands-on.”
So, the indomitable Sam Jennings was good with his hands. No surprise there. Geez, he just gets more perfect with each passing minute. At this rate, Julie estimated that she’d be salivating over him by the time dessert arrived. “Is that what you do for a living? Carpentry?”
“I do a little bit of everything. Remodeling and roofing for the most part. Some building but not a lot. That’s Vance’s gig.”
