Don't Tempt Me

by Lori Foster

  “She’s on the phone in her bedroom, making necessary arrangements.” And pretending both Jason and I are useless.

  “Damn.”

  Rather than invite him in, Lexie stepped out, forcing him to back up. She pulled the door partially closed behind her. “You heard?”

  “Yeah. Hogan told me Jason went to the hospital with her last night.” Brows up, he looked around as if concerned others might be nearby. “Is she okay?”

  “Word sure does travel fast in this little Mayberry town, doesn’t it?”

  Inky lashes went to half-mast over his incendiary blue eyes. “Did you wake up on the wrong side of the couch?”

  Men. Tunneling both hands through her insane hair, Lexie squinted up at him. Amazing how the sun put a damn halo around his dark head. She huffed. “I was up most of the night, my best friend is hurting, her couch is too short and I feel utterly useless. Then you show up and see me like this.”

  His jaw worked but he said nothing.

  Lexie crossed her arms. “Well?”

  His attention dipped to her breasts before he visibly forced it to her face. “What?”

  “You could apologize.”

  “For...seeing you?”

  “Like this.” She swept her hands down to indicate the wrecked picture she presented. “Yeah.”

  Instead his nostrils flared—and suddenly he leaned in and kissed her.

  Shocked, Lexie tipped her head back. “What—”

  He stole that small distance from her, kissing her again, slowly gathering her close. Just as she started to melt against him, footsteps sounded on the porch.

  “Break it up, you two.” Jason moved past them. “Or take it somewhere private.” He went on in and Lexie heard him call out for Honor.

  Flummoxed, Sullivan stared at her.

  She snickered, but quickly sobered. “Oh God, I’m an awful person.”

  Bemused, Sullivan asked, “How do you figure that?”

  “Honor needs me, but I’m out here playing kissy face with you, then enjoying your reaction when you realized you started it. Kissing me wasn’t your intention, was it?”

  He inhaled deeply—probably reaching for patience. “No, it wasn’t. I needed to talk to Jason.”

  “Bad timing,” she said. “Again.” And in case he didn’t understand, she explained, “With the kiss—”

  “Yeah, smart-ass. I got it.” He stroked her with his gaze. “I’m not taking all the blame when you come out here half-naked, looking like you were just tumbled.”

  “Tumbled?” She blinked at him. “Please tell me you didn’t just say that.” It was sooo cheesy...and yet somehow charming, too.

  “I said it.” He locked his jaw. “You look like you were just properly laid.” While she remained speechless over that, he reached past her to knock on the door.

  “Sure,” she finally said. “Intrude.”

  Jason answered, looked at them both, then asked, “All done?”

  “I need a second. It’s important.”

  He nodded and stepped out, saying to Lexie, “She’s on the phone with Neil. I’ll just be a minute.”

  “Right. This is a meeting of the boys’ club. Got it.” She went in and shut the door, then decided she should use the time to make herself more presentable...just in case Sullivan hung around.

  * * *

  They stepped out to the yard, far enough away from the porch for a little privacy, but still close enough that Jason could keep his eye on the door.

  Anyone could see that he had a million things on his mind, so Sullivan got right to the point. “Last night, a couple of hours before you guys got back, someone was snooping around Honor’s house.”

  Jason’s attention sharpened. “The hell you say. Who?”

  “Sorry, but I don’t know. I was sitting out front and when the floodlight on the side of her house went out, it drew my attention. I spotted a couple of people moving near the woods, using a penlight. They were dressed in dark clothes, and they were definitely checking out her house.”

  “Son of a bitch.”

  “By the time I’d crossed the street to check it out, whoever it was had run off. I got hold of Nathan, and he came down to look around.” Sullivan put a hand to his shoulder. There were few things worse for a man than to feel helpless. “The cord to the floodlight was cut.”

  “They were near the same broken window?”

  “Seemed so. Nathan and I are thinking it was maybe the same people, trying to get back in.”

  “If it is, they probably know she’s a woman living alone.” Livid, Jason ran a hand through his hair while pacing. “She already has too much to deal with. She doesn’t need this crap, too.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry. I made a point of keeping an eye on things until I saw you bring her back. I knew you were with her so I let it go. Besides, by then it was damn near morning.”

  “Thanks. She’d planned to get something more permanent in place, but now—”

  Understanding, Sullivan asked, “It was her grandfather who passed?”

  Jason nodded. “He was her closest family, the one who mostly raised her.”

  Rough. Sullivan started to speak, then he noticed Lexie moving around inside. He was so preoccupied with her that it made him nuts.

  They were total opposites; after many past mistakes he’d learned to take life more seriously, whereas Lexie seemed to embrace a life free of responsibility. At first that had drawn him because he’d stupidly thought he could indulge in a fling with her and then move on. But after only one taste, he knew she affected him too much. Already he wanted more. A lot more. But when—if—he ever got seriously involved, it’d have to be with a woman who shared his commitments.

  In the long run, Lexie would be totally wrong for his life—a life she knew nothing about, with priorities she’d never understand.

  He’d already made up his mind to steer clear of her. Of course, he hadn’t been thinking of steering clear when she stepped out looking so sleepy but still sassy, her naked mouth soft, her eyes heavy.

  She paused in the window, looked out and blew him a kiss.

  Getting himself back on track, Sullivan frowned and focused on the topic at hand. “Honor needs security lights that’ll come on with movement. I know that means it’ll catch every animal in the area, too, but it should at least scare off intruders.”

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  Interesting. He knew Jason was seeing her, but he was starting to think it might be pretty serious. “Let me know what I can do to help.”

  “You already did it.” Jason started to leave, then paused. “Don’t say anything to Honor. I’ll let her know about it once she’s gotten her bearings again.”

  “And in the meantime?”

  Jason started back to the front door. “I’ll be with her.”

  Yup. Very serious.

  Before he broke down and sought out Lexie again, Sullivan headed back to his own house. A group of “priorities” were counting on him, and he refused to ever let them down.

  10

  WITH HER HAIR and makeup done, Honor grabbed her purse and headed to the front door—but drew up short when she found Jason standing there, arms crossed, posture arrogant.

  “Jason. I thought you’d gone home.”

  He nodded. “I came back.”

  Dressed in gray slacks and a black pullover, he looked amazing. She felt a terrible pang at knowing her newfound closeness with him had been so badly interrupted. She’d slept with him last night, and hadn’t even thought of sex. Her buzzing brain and the strangling emotion had kept her thoughts centered only on her loss, on what she’d have to do to move forward, and what was needed to keep from letting down her grandfather.

  Through the night, Jason’s arms around her, the steady thumping of his heartbeat, had helped to quiet those turbulent thoughts, but they hadn’t penetrated beyond that.

  How amazing that he hadn’t tried to initiate things.

  And now he stood there, looking
as if he expected certain things from her—none of them sexual.

  So then...what?

  She hitched her purse strap over her shoulder. “I’m meeting with the funeral director this morning.”

  He looked away, his brows twitching down as he worked through some internal struggle. Finally, brows together in concern, he asked, “Would you like company?”

  Everything in her went mushy with gratitude. When she’d bought her house, she was looking forward to standing on her own two feet, financial stability and the pride of ownership. Not once had she considered gaining a neighbor who could not only melt her in bed, but also devastate her with kindness. “You are so nice to offer, but—”

  “I’m not nice.” Pushing away from the door, he stepped up to her and cupped her face. “You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

  Feeling the brush of his rough thumbs over her cheeks pierced the grief and made her skin tingle. “Neil will meet me there. He insists we...” God, it hurt to think it, much less say it.

  “He wants you to take care of the financial transfers?”

  She nodded, clenching her muscles to push away the weakness. “Yes. He said that’s what Granddad wanted.” She tried a smile that fell flat. “Many, many things to take care of today.”

  “I could help.”

  “You already have, so much.” Briefly she rested against him while giving him a tight hug. “But this is something I need to do.”

  “Not alone.”

  “Yes.” She sighed, then levered back again. It wouldn’t do to start leaning on him. Despite his giving nature, their relationship was too new for her to dump all this on him. Grief, sadness, paperwork, funeral arrangements...it was almost too much for her, so it’d definitely be too much for an outsider.

  “Honor...”

  Her control felt fragile at best and if he showed too much concern, if he was too kind, she’d crumple and start bawling and that would be more humiliation than she could bear.

  Taking his hands in hers, she stared up at him and whispered, “Please understand.”

  It took a few tense seconds before he nodded agreement. “I’ll back off, if you promise me you’ll let me know when and how I can help. With anything.” He stroked his fingers through her hair, and tenderly kissed her forehead. “Anything at all. Okay?”

  “Yes, thank you.” God, if she didn’t go now, she’d lose it. Biting her lip, she said, “I’m glad you slept with me last night.”

  He gave a brief, subdued smile. “That was my pleasure.”

  And hers. She nodded and fled, because if she didn’t go now, she’d start accepting his offers and that wouldn’t be fair at all. Worse, her neediness just might drive him away.

  And she was far from ready to let him go.

  * * *

  After hours spent at the funeral home Honor got everything arranged. Her grandfather had enough caring friends and close associates that an extended viewing and visitation would be considerate. Closely following that would be the funeral. With some guidance from Neil and a little assistance from Celeste, she sent out notifications to the various papers.

  The financial end of things took even longer. The sums were staggering and she honestly didn’t know what to do with the money. Neil suggested depositing it for now and worrying about financial and retirement planning later.

  It boggled her mind. She’d spent so much time living paycheck to paycheck, saving for every little thing, buying secondhand whenever possible, making it entirely on her own, and now...she didn’t know what to think, so she decided not to. Pretending the money didn’t exist was easier, especially since it was a reminder of what she’d lost.

  By the time she got home, the sun hung low in the sky, a giant red ball surrounded by hues of purple and pink. A beautiful sunset. She was just pulling into her driveway when Lexie called. Again.

  Throughout the day her friend had repeatedly checked on her.

  Shaking her head, but also smiling, Honor answered with “Yes, I’m still okay.”

  “Of course you are. You’re one of the strongest people I know. So, what do you think about ice cream? I could pick up a pint, maybe bring a cheesy movie for us to watch.”

  “I love you, Lex. You know that. But honestly tonight I just want to collapse.” And knowing what Lexie’s reply to that would be, she added, “Alone.”

  “Uh-huh. You know, honey, I don’t mind playing second fiddle to a hunk of burning-hot man candy. If you’d rather spend the night with Jason, you have my approval.”

  “It’s not that,” she said honestly...but the thought tempted her.

  “Okay, one quick lecture from me and then I’ll leave you alone until lunch tomorrow. Men have an amazing way of making some things better. Trust me on this. Jason wants to help, so if everything starts to get to you, please—I’m beggin’ ya—please let the man know. I guaran-damn-tee you he’ll be happy to oblige. And few things can chase away the darkness like another warm body to touch.”

  “You’re nuts,” Honor said, but her thoughts rioted around the images she’d provoked.

  “Sure I am. But I’m also right.” Lexie sighed. “Love you, Honor.”

  “I know. And I love you, too.”

  After she’d disconnected the call and returned the phone to her purse, she glanced at Jason’s house.

  She didn’t see him, but Colt was headed toward her. With his tall, lean, muscular build, he looked easily twenty-five, and he wore only shorts and held a leash attached to a big dog that she’d never seen before.

  Thoughts diverted, she left her car and greeted him. “Hey, Colt.”

  With a confidence she rarely associated with teenagers, he came right up to her and drew her in for a one-armed hug.

  Feeling indulgent, she smiled as she patted his bare shoulder. “You get more like your uncle every day.”

  Taking that as a compliment, he said, “Thanks.” His concerned gaze moved over her face. “I heard about your grandpa. I’m really sorry. If there’s anything I can do—”

  “I’m fine.” Kneeling, she greeted the dog because that was easier than seeing the sympathy on Colt’s face. “And who’s this handsome fellow?” She let the dog sniff her hand, then stroked down his neck and back. She didn’t know much about dogs, but she thought he had the look of a German shepherd mix.

  “Well, that’s the thing,” Colt hedged, before launching into explanations. “After people were tampering with your house again last night, I figured you needed more protection.”

  Honor jerked so hard she landed on her butt. The dog loved it, taking it as an invite and wiggling onto her, bestowing wet doggy kisses to her face.

  She caught the collar, held the dog back and lumbered to her feet in a rush. “What are you talking about?”

  The dog sat, then leaned on her, almost throwing her off balance.

  “You don’t have to take him right away,” Colt said, still talking fast. “I know you have a lot going on right now. I’m going to take care of him until you’re ready, and Dad said he’d help me get what he needs. But he’s a really good dog. Some jerks dropped him off at the shelter because they had to move and said they couldn’t take him with them. Bastards.”

  Surprised by the profanity, Honor temporarily forgot her own surprise. “That’s a terrible reason to give up a pet.”

  “I know. Guess he was never a real part of their family.”

  Honor read far too much in Colt’s expressive eyes. “Guess not.”

  “But he could be part of yours. I know it’s asking a lot, but Nathan knew about the dog and—”

  “Whoa.” Because the dog kept wiggling closer to her, Honor took the leash from Colt. “We’ll figure that out in a minute.” How, she had no idea. Taking care of herself was, at present, overwhelming. Adding in a big dog would only complicate things more. “Right now let’s talk about my house. You said someone was messing with it again?”

  “You didn’t know?” Scratching his ear with concern, he glanced around but they remaine
d alone in her driveway. “Yeah, well, see, Uncle Jason said Sullivan told him about it this morning. I just assumed...”

  “That your uncle would tell me? Yes, that would be an obvious assumption.”

  Colt cleared his throat. “Um...”

  Jason came around the farther corner of her house, the side closest to the woods, and obviously he’d overheard because he said, “I’ve got it, Colt. How about you go around back and help your dad finish up?”

  When the dog tried to follow Colt, it almost pulled Honor off her feet. Jason relieved her of the leash, then took a moment to stoop down and reassure the dog. “You’re okay, now, Diesel.”

  “Diesel?”

  “His name.” Jason held the dog’s face. “One way or another, you’re sticking with us.”

  So if she didn’t keep Diesel, he would?

  The dog thumped his tail on the ground, looked at Honor, then came to lean on her again.

  Had they somehow coerced the animal into helping with their plan?

  Unable to resist, she put a hand on his scruff and glared at Jason. “Care to explain?”

  “Which first? Diesel or house?”

  “House.” Thinking about the dog made her want to weep for some reason.

  Maybe because he’d lost his family, too.

  She filled her lungs with deep, even breaths to fight off the depressive emotion. No one, least of all Jason, wanted to suffer her excesses.

  Cupping a hand around her nape in a now familiar gesture, he scrutinized her. “You know, Honor, you don’t have to do this, not with me.”

  It felt like he looked clear through to her soul, and that made her a bit panicky. “This?” She needed to get away from him before she lost it. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  His hand began kneading her tensed muscles. “You’re not impervious to hurt, honey. Everyone suffers it.”

  Deliberately Honor stepped out of his reach. It wasn’t easy, but she kept the defensive glare off her expression. “You were going to tell me something about my house.”

  Slowly, as if measuring her response, he nodded. “Okay, sure.” He kept her gaze held in his. “Last night, Sullivan saw someone lurking around by the woods. They took off when he spotted them, but it’s still a concern.”