Blown Away

by Stephanie Julian

  Well, yeah, but that didn’t make him ancient— Wait. Was she flirting with him? His gaze narrowed but she still had that innocent look going. “What is it exactly you want to learn?”

  She shrugged again, eyes going wide and fast losing their innocence. “You’re the one with the experience. I guess you can make that determination.”

  He had no idea what to say to that, just sat there looking at her as she went back to eating.

  Thankfully, she let the conversation die, but of course he thought of nothing else as they finished dinner.

  He had no problem teaching her to cook or use a washing machine. But helping her pick up guys?

  The only guy he wanted her to pick up was him. He’d be damned if he’d set her on an unsuspecting bar, practicing her pickup skills on guys who’d be more than happy to take advantage of her. Just the thought made him furious.

  By the time he sent Merri into the study with the brownies while he put the dishes in the dishwasher, he’d convinced himself her plan was a good idea.

  Despite the fact that his parents, Janey, and Mal would all cut off different parts of his anatomy if he hurt her.

  And what if you get hurt?

  Very real possibility there.

  Because he liked her. A lot.

  But she lived and worked in Washington DC and had a job that might actually be more time-consuming than his own.

  And other than a few stray glances, he had no idea if she had any interest in him other than as research material.

  “Jimmy? Everything okay? Do you need help?”

  Hell. Merri stood in the doorway to the kitchen, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. As he straightened, he glanced at the time on the microwave. He’d lost fifteen minutes. She’d probably thought he’d left. Or was avoiding her, which might not be far from the truth.

  He tried a smile, which felt more like a grimace. “Sorry. Lost track of time.”

  Another woman might have taken that as a slight. Merri commiserated with a smile. “Do it all the time. I should probably get out of here, anyway. It’s been a long day, and I’m sure you have work to do instead of entertain me—”

  “No!” Whoa, tone it down, buddy. “No, don’t go. I—I thought we’d start tonight.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise and he retreated immediately. “I mean, how about we tackle the washing machine tonight? That’s an easy one.”

  Her apparent relief put a true smile on his face. Maybe she wasn’t as blasé about this as she’d made it sound.“Sure. That’s sounds great.”

  Two minutes later, Merri had her hands on his pants and he had a hard-on. He’d never had a hard-on in his basement before, and it was really kind of weird.

  “So, all the like colors go together?” She glanced up at him, a pair of khakis in one hand and jeans in the other. “Darks and lights in separate piles. What about colors?”

  Jimmy moved behind the former island he now used as a folding table to hide the bulge in his jeans. “Well, light colors, like light blues and light greens and tans, they can go in a load. Brights like reds and oranges and pinks¾”

  “You wear orange and pink clothing?”

  He thought about his bright orange boxers with grinning pumpkin faces and neon pink boxers with lipstick-red lips all over them.

  Thank God, they were in his dresser upstairs.

  “Of course not. I’m just giving you examples.”

  Nodding thoughtfully, she went back to examining his wash. “Then what?”

  “Then you can start the washer. But look, I don’t want you to wash my clothes. We can do this another day. We’ll do it with your wash.”

  She blinked up at him. “I guess that makes sense. I wouldn’t want to ruin your clothes.”

  He froze. Was that a joke? Was that a smile trying to escape or was she going to cry? Christ, he hadn’t mean to imply—

  She started to laugh and it was the most erotic sound he’d ever heard.

  “God, Jimmy, you are just so easy. I’m only teasing. Sure, we can do this another day… Jimmy?”

  He couldn’t help himself. Her laughter drew him around the island until he was only inches away from her. She’d stopped laughing but her bright eyes revealed her continuing amusement. She didn’t back away, probably because she didn’t think he’d…what?

  What was he going to do?

  He bent down and kissed her.

  He didn’t know who was more surprised, him or Merri. But he wasn’t about to step away.

  Her lips felt slack against his for all of about two seconds. Then she wound her slim arms around his neck and held on.

  And it was right about then, as she pressed her slim body against his, that Jimmy knew he was a goner.

  It wasn’t that she was a great kisser. She was inexperienced, at best. But, holy hell, she kissed with her whole soul.

  Why the hell hadn’t he kissed her before? Probably because he didn’t really know her and they’d never been alone.

  He didn’t know exactly why he’d kissed her now except that all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her so she couldn’t get away.

  He had to lean over pretty far to reach her lips and he didn’t like the angle so he lifted her off the ground and brought her body flush against him. She couldn’t weigh more than a hundred pounds so he could hold her up with only one arm around her back. He slid his other hand into her hair and tilted her head slightly to the left so he had better access.

  Sliding his tongue between her lips, into the warm cavity of her mouth, he coaxed her to engage him. She tasted like chocolate, and when he licked at her tongue, she moaned, sparking his libido into overdrive. Flush against him from her chest to her thighs, her small breasts pressed against his chest. Not much there, but enough to let him know she was as aroused as he was. And with her hips against his, she had to be able to tell just how excited he was.

  God damn, he ached, his cock was that hard. How much worse would it be if he ever got her naked? He didn’t think he’d last more than a minute inside her without coming.

  And just then, she arched into him, grinding her pelvis against his.

  The instant he felt his hand move to her rear to keep her in place, he broke away.

  “Whoa, Merri. We gotta stop. Right now.”

  Her eyes popped open and the heat in them nearly made him rethink his decision to withdraw.

  But he couldn’t continue. Not and live with himself.

  Though his body wanted to refuse his brain’s commands, he forced himself to set her on her feet and move away.

  He heard her breathing, deep and fast, as if she were trying to catch her breath. Or maybe that was him.

  Whoever it was sounded out of control.

  And he couldn’t afford that now.

  “Merri—”

  Her mouth opened as if she were going to say something, her eyes wide, then she turned and ran up the steps.

  It took him a few seconds to realize what she was doing before he took off after her.

  “Merri, wait. We need to talk—”

  “No, we don’t,” she called over her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He skidded to a halt in the kitchen, just in time to hear the front door slam shut.

  *

  Merri hated sleeping in a new place, especially if she didn’t have her pillow. She hadn’t expected to be staying long so she hadn’t packed it.

  Now she couldn’t sleep.

  Which might have more to do with what had happened tonight than with her pillow, but she was in denial mode, so hey.

  Besides, there was no nightlight so she had to sleep with the bathroom light on, and it was too bright.

  Tomorrow she’d buy a nightlight she could plug into the wall socket beside the bed. And a pillow.

  Or maybe she’d just go home.

  Coward.

  Merri flipped onto her back for what had to be the thousandth time, trying to forget that she’d run like an insipid virgin after Jimmy had kissed he
r.

  She cringed at the word insipid. Who used a word like that?

  But what else would you call someone who ran in fright after having the daylights kissed out of her by the guy she had the hots for?

  Another sigh and another flip onto her stomach.

  In the light from the bathroom across the hall, she could plainly make out the titles of the books on the bookshelves that filled the walls of the entire room.

  Classics, horror, mystery, true adventure, biographies, even a few romances. She wondered if Jimmy had read all these books. She wondered when he would’ve had the time.

  From everything she knew about him, everything she’d learned from Janey and Mal, he was a workaholic. Like her. He was a genius. Like her. And, as far as anyone could tell, he didn’t date. Just like her.

  In theory, they should be perfect for each other.

  In reality… Well, maybe they didn’t have as much in common as she’d expected.

  For one thing, Jimmy had a sense of humor. He smiled. He laughed. He made jokes—well, not to her, but Mal, who wasn’t exactly known for his biting wit, seemed to think Jimmy was pretty funny.

  He got along well with his parents and siblings, and hers could barely find a subject to discuss with her.

  He knew how to kiss—boy, did he—and she certainly didn’t.

  She was starting to think this plan of hers was a really bad idea.

  Her phone trilled at her from the bedside table and she grabbed it out of habit.

  “Simmons.”

  “Hey, Merri. Just found out what’s going on. You okay? Want to talk?”

  She clutched the phone in relief as tears sprang to her eyes. Mal. Finally. “God, Mal. Where have you been?”

  “I’m sorry. We’ve been out of cell phone range most of the day.” She heard a disturbance on the other end of the phone. “Hold on, Jane. I’ll give it to you in a minute. Mare, are you okay?”

  Her lower lip trembled, even though she’d sworn she was done with tears. But Mal’s familiar, laid-back tone gave her permission to unload. “I don’t know. Everything’s screwed up and I’m not sure I know how to fix it. I can’t go back to work. I don’t want to go home and sit around my apartment with nothing to do, but here I feel like I’m imposing.”

  “I’m sure the DeMarcos wouldn’t have offered if they didn’t want you there. You know—”

  “Merri, please don’t feel like that.” Janey’s voice, calm and soothing, came on now. “I know Mom and Dad don’t feel like you’re imposing.”

  Merri sighed, just as happy to talk to Janey. “I know, but I feel like I’m cramping Jimmy’s style.”

  Janey paused, long enough that Merri thought maybe they’d lost the connection. “You’re staying with Jimmy?”

  “In his cottage, yeah.”

  Janey paused again. “And do you want to stay there?”

  “She’s staying where?” Mal asked in the background.

  “At Jimmy’s,” Janey answered. “I know… Are you okay staying at Jimmy’s?”

  “She’s with Jimmy?” Mal laughed. “Well, that should be interesting.”

  “Mal, don’t be obnoxious,” Janey scolded. “Merri, would you rather stay at our place? We’ll be home soon and you can—”

  “No!” Whoa, tone it down, girl. “Really, that’s okay. I’m staying in his cottage, so we’re not really, you know, staying together.”

  “Okay.” Janey’s tone softened. “But do you want to be there?”

  Trust Janey to hit on the precise right question. “Um…” Merri sighed. “I honestly don’t know. I thought I did but then he kissed me and I—”

  “He what? Oh my God. That’s…amazing.”

  “He what?” Mal asked.

  “Mal, why don’t you give me a few minutes here. I’ll fill you in later.”

  Janey must have covered the mouthpiece because there was silence and when Janey came back, Merri couldn’t hear Mal.

  “Okay now,” Janey said, “I want you to tell me everything and we’ll figure it out.”

  By the time she’d finished recounting the events of her day, it was close to midnight and she felt her eyes drifting shut.

  Janey, however, seemed wide awake. “Wow, that’s freaking amazing. I mean, I know Jimmy has a thing for you but—”

  “Wait.” Merri’s eyes snapped open. “He has a thing for me? How do you know that?”

  “Oh please. I’m his sister. Believe me, the guy wants you, but knowing Jimmy, I didn’t think he’d do anything about it.”

  Really? Janey thought Jimmy wanted her. “Well, it was kind of a stressful day. Maybe he was just being nice.”

  Janey’s laugh was short but held a wealth of amusement. “No way. If you haven’t noticed, Jimmy isn’t really, um, cognizant of the world around him most of the time. So for you to get a rise out of him, so to speak, is remarkable.”

  No, Merri couldn’t believe that. Jimmy didn’t have feelings for her. Why would he? She was okay in the looks department, but her faults definitely outweighed her pluses. She was too skinny, much too intense, and way too smart for her own good.

  “I think he just feels sorry for me.” And just then she knew she’d never be able to carry out her plan. “No, I’m sure he just feels sorry for me. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should come stay with you.”

  Janey huffed. “Oh no. No way. You’re staying right there. You’re going to make him notice something other than his lab for a change. Jimmy needs a diversion and so do you. Look, I know it’s late, so sleep on what we’ve talked about and I’ll give you a call tomorrow. And Merri? Don’t sell yourself short. You’re beautiful and funny and smart, and that’s a potent combination for a guy like Jimmy. Trust me. Now, do you want to talk to Mal before we hang up?”

  Janey thought she was beautiful and funny? Really? “If you don’t mind.”

  Janey laughed, completely confident in the fact that Mal loved her. “Actually, I think the poor guy’s dying to talk to you.”

  There was a pause and then Mal’s slow drawl came through again. “Merri.”

  She had to swallow back the lump in her throat. “Hey, Mal.”

  “Hey, yourself. How’re you holding up?”

  Tears threatened to spill but she forced them back through sheer force of will. “I’m better. I just needed to talk to someone.”

  “I’m always here. Whenever.”

  “I know.” And she did know it. What she didn’t like was having to count on it.

  Chapter Four

  Six o’clock came awfully fast the next morning, but you didn’t shed a five-year habit in a day.

  Merri considered trying to go back to sleep, but she knew it wouldn’t happen. With a sigh, she sat up, pulled up the boxer shorts threatening to fall off her hips, and pulled down the ribbed tank top. If she didn’t put on some weight soon, she would need to buy boys’ boxer shorts to sleep in, instead of a man’s small.

  And shopping was torture enough. All those people. Too many choices. Waiting in lines to pay. Ugh.

  She wished she could shop online but whenever she tried, she never managed to get to the actual shopping. She always forgot why she’d logged on and went back to work.

  Add that to the list of things she couldn’t quite seem to do right.

  With a sigh, she headed to the living room to do her morning exercises. She had to move a few pieces of furniture but she tried never to skip her yoga routine. She swore it helped her concentration for the rest of the day.

  She wondered if Jimmy exercised. He had to. The man was no soft-bellied slug like some of the guys in the code lab.

  No, he had tight abs and a broad chest and strong arms and—

  Groaning, she realized she’d been standing still as a statue in the middle of the floor, staring out the front window.

  Maybe she could hike into Philly and get to the train station before anyone knew she was gone.

  Coward.

  Besides, Grace would probably intercept her before she g
ot to the bus stop. Merri was fairly certain Jimmy’s mom had superhero powers that let her read minds.

  She was about halfway through her routine when she saw something flash by the window.

  Curiosity getting the better of her, she moved to the window and realized her error.

  Not something. Someone.

  Jimmy.

  In running shorts and sneakers. And nothing else.

  Her mouth dropped open as he began to stretch out his legs. Really nice legs. Muscular and defined. Not skinny at all. And neither was his butt.

  And oh my god, his chest and abs were freaking amazing. He looked…edible.

  He was sweaty, drops of which she could see dripping down that magnificent chest, and probably smelly, and she still wanted to lick him like an ice cream cone.

  Wow. She needed to stop herself before she started drooling.

  She moved to pull away from the window but he turned at that exact second and caught her ogling him.

  Her cheeks began to burn but he’d snagged her gaze and she couldn’t seem to pull away. And when he smiled at her, she thought she might just melt into a pile of goo right there.

  The memory of last night’s kiss played through her mind, and she realized she wanted to do it again. But this time she wasn’t going to run.

  Of course, he might when he saw her.

  With a squeak, she jumped away from the window. One hand went to her hair, pulled up and away from her face in a messy bunch on top of her head, as she looked down at herself.

  Her faded yoga pants hung on her hips, barely held up by the drawstring. Her tank top had stretched to twice its normal size and had been washed so many times she no longer knew what color it had originally been.

  Oh my god. She looked like the homeless woman she passed every day on her way to work. The one who pushed a grocery cart filled with empty soda cans and two cats.

  The knock on her door caused panic to flood her system like a plague of locusts.

  Locking herself in the bathroom became an increasingly viable option.

  “Hey, Merri. Can I come in?”

  “Uh, just give me a second.”

  Sprinting for the bathroom, she took the band out of her hair and pulled a comb through it. The mass of curls sprang into action before settling into some semblance of order.