“What I want, and what I can have are two completely different things.” He knew he was wrong. He was doubly wrong to say it out loud, and it was unforgivable to say it to Jenny. But that didn’t change the way he felt.
“You were the one who called a halt to everything,” she reminded him.
The heated air suddenly felt stifling. “I explained to you why I had to do that.”
“You never did.”
He cataloged their conversations through his brain. Of course he’d explained it to her. What exactly had he said to her? “It’s because you are you, and I am me.”
She came to her feet, expression closed off. “Nice. You’re the big celebrity, and I’m a boring small-town girl.”
“No, you don’t—”
“I understand perfectly, Mitch.” Her eyes blazed, and she held up her hands. “Do me a favor. Let’s keep it strictly professional from here on in. I don’t want to know about your childhood, and I don’t want you to know about mine.”
“I threw smelly socks in the corner.”
She blinked in incomprehension.
“When I was a kid,” he elaborated, for some reason, refusing to let the conversation end. He wanted to know about her, and he wanted her to know about him. “And as a teenager. I used to drop my socks, my jerseys, shorts, pretty much anything, wherever they fell, and let ’em sit.”
“Why are you—”
“It ticked my mother off something fierce. And my dad yelled at me for doing it. Then again, he yelled at me for every little mistake. Especially on the football field.”
“Mitch—”
He ignored her interruption. “From the time I was nine years old. It didn’t matter if a receiver was out of place, or if a blocker screwed up. Everything that happened on that football field was my fault. The pass wasn’t long enough. It wasn’t accurate enough. I should have run. I should have faked. I should have found a hole, handed off or cut back.”
Mitch couldn’t believe the words were tumbling out of him. He’d never shared this with anyone. “When I wasn’t a first-round draft pick, he called me an abject failure. He said I hadn’t put my heart into it.”
Jenny was looking at him with pity now. He hated pity. But from her, he’d take it. It was better than indifference.
“But your interviews,” she put into the silence. “The two of you go on camera together. And you rave about his inspiration and support.”
Mitch gave a cold laugh. “I do, don’t I?”
“It’s all an act?”
“We have an unspoken agreement to revise history.”
Jenny sat back down. “Are you trying to make me care about you?”
“Yes. No.” What the hell was he trying to do here?
He took her hand, and mustered every scrap of honor in his disreputable soul. “I’m a cad and a womanizer, and I can smooth talk my way into or out of just about anything. Like touchdown passes, most things in life come way too easily to me, and I don’t appreciate them nearly as much as I should.”
Her eyes had softened, and he felt the danger of her compassion right down to his toes.
“Is that what your dad told you?” she asked.
“He was right.”
“What if he wasn’t?”
Mitch shook his head. “Don’t do it, Jenny. Don’t convince yourself that I’m worthy.”
“Don’t convince yourself that you’re not.”
“I’m—”
“You are a glib smooth talker, Mitch. You’re smart and you’re diplomatic, and I know you’ve been handling me just like you handle everyone else in your life. But there’s more to you than that. You just proved it.”
“Hate me, Jenny.”
“I can’t.”
“If you could see inside my head right now, you’d have no trouble at all.”
“Tell me what’s inside your head.”
No way, no how was he going to do that.
But her gaze was steady, and the heated air thickened between them.
“You are,” he finally said, determined to put an end to this once and for all. It was true that he could talk his way out of anything, and right now he was going to talk his way out of Jenny. “And you’re naked. On top of me. Your hair is wild, and your breasts are gleaming in the moonlight.”
Her eyes went round, and her lips parted.
“You’ve kissed every inch of my body, and I’ve kissed every inch of yours. You’re crying out my name, begging for more, harder, deeper. Your nails dig into my shoulder, but it feels good, because it’s you. And we come together, and it lasts forever, and it’s the best freaking sex I’ve ever had.”
She gave a long, slow blink, her cheeks flushed red, and her shoulders drooping in the still, heated air.
“But guess what, Jenny?” he spat. “It’s a one-night stand. The next day I go back on the road, back to the team, back to the parties and the girls, and I leave you far behind.”
He let his words drop to cold silence.
Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed together. “You’re lying.”
He gave a harsh chuckle. “That’s the bald-faced truth, darlin’. I’d be lying if I told you anything else.”
She straightened and drew away from him.
He hated the suspicion in her eyes, but he knew it was for the best. “You’re right to suspect that I’m handling you, Jenny. I can talk my way into your pants then out of your life without breaking a sweat. When it comes to sex, don’t trust me for an instant.”
She rose shakily to her feet, and took a couple of backward steps, staring at him in obvious shock.
It was only then that he realized Emily, Cole and Jeffrey had overheard the tail end of his little speech.
Emily quickly swooped in and put an arm around Jenny, ushering her swiftly toward the front door.
Cole gave Mitch a glare of disgust and followed the two women.
Jeffrey ambled onto the deck and took a seat as the front door slammed firmly behind the trio.
“Harsh,” Jeffrey observed.
“Necessary,” Mitch responded, feeling lower than turf grass.
“I’ve sure never seen you do that before.”
“She deserves to know the truth.”
“That wasn’t the truth. That was you protecting someone you care about,” said Jeffrey. “You were trying to scare her off.”
Seven
Jenny was still stunned from Mitch’s words as she blindly followed Emily and Cole into Cole’s front foyer. The terra-cotta tiles were smooth and cool under her bare feet. Clearly, there was something wrong with her. Otherwise, she would simply walk away from Mitch and be done with it.
“What is the matter with you people?” Emily demanded of Cole as he secured the door behind them.
“Don’t lump me in with him.” Cole strode through a plaster archway and into the living room of his large, airy house. He swept an arm toward a curving staircase, looking at Jenny. “There are three bedrooms up there. Take whichever one you want. But you’re not going anywhere near a hotel tonight or any other night.”
Jenny was nearly overcome with gratitude. She just wanted everything to stop for tonight. She was tired, battered and bruised.
“He was a colossal jerk,” Emily stated, stomping her way behind Cole as he moved farther into the house.
“You won’t get an argument from me,” Cole tossed over his shoulder.
“Maybe I should quit my job?” Jenny ventured, bringing up the rear, struggling to keep her feelings in some semblance of order. Mitch had hurt her, there was no doubt about that. But he’d also outlined the bald truth in no uncertain terms. There was absolutely no future for the two of them.
“No,” was Emily’s quick response.
“You’ll outlast him,” said Cole. “Wine, anyone? Whiskey? Beer?”
The more Jenny thought about it, the more handing in her resignation made sense. Mitch had made it as plain as possible that he wasn’t interested in a relationship. But despite her vo
ws to both herself and Emily, she couldn’t seem to get him out of her head. Seeing him every day would only make things worse.
“I don’t think I can face him,” she told Emily.
“It’s him that shouldn’t be able to face you,” Emily put in with staunch loyalty.
Maybe that was fair, but it wasn’t reality. “Do you suppose he’d give me a reference?”
Cole chose a crystal bottle filled with amber liquid from the bar situated between the two walls of glass that showed off his backyard. “I’d give you a reference. Hell, I’ll give you a job. You just say the word, Jenny. Tell me what kind of career you want, and I’ll make it happen.”
Jenny couldn’t help but smile at Cole’s generous offer. She felt immeasurably better being around such loyal friends. “You know any nice guys, Cole? Are there any nice guys left in the world?”
“I’m a nice guy.” Cole splashed some whiskey into a heavy crystal tumbler.
“Would you date me?”
“You bet.” But his glance flicked to Emily.
Jenny smiled at the telltale action. “Or maybe you have a nice friend?” she amended her request. “The four of us could double.”
“Excuse me?” Emily put in.
Jenny ignored her. “Anybody but Mitch.”
Cole grunted at that. “You want me to fix you up?”
“I want you to fix me up.”
“Don’t count me in on this plan,” said Emily.
Cole placed the tumbler in her hand, his fingers lingering against hers for a moment. “Nobody asked for your opinion.”
“You’re getting it anyway.”
His gaze bore into hers. “You pick the time, the date and the location. We’ll do anything you want.”
Emily glared back. “It’s not the location that’s the problem.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“You’re the problem,” Emily stated bluntly.
“You barely know me,” Cole countered.
“You’re short.”
“I’m taller than you.”
“Ha.”
“I’m five-eleven. What are you? Five-six? Five-seven?”
“Five-six,” Emily admitted.
“There you go. As long as you keep your heels below five inches, we’re good. Now, where do you want to go?”
“Nowhere.”
Jenny watched the battle of wills with fascination, wondering who’d come out on top. Emily was self-assured and very determined, but Cole seemed to be holding his own against her.
He cocked his head toward Jenny. “You’d abandon your best friend in her time of need?”
“Jenny has nothing to do with this.”
“I’m fixing her up, helping mend her broken heart.”
“My heart’s not broken,” Jenny felt compelled to add. Bruised, maybe. And definitely the worse for wear. But she wasn’t about to let some silly schoolgirl crush incapacitate her.
“Her heart’s not broken,” Emily repeated, staring pointedly into Cole’s eyes.
“She asked me to fix her up.”
“Her, not me.”
“She needs moral support. Now, where do you want to go?”
Emily pressed her lips mulishly together and, despite everything that had happened over this hellish day, Jenny fought an urge to laugh.
“I have tickets to the Longhorn Banquet in Austin next weekend,” Cole offered with a sly smile.
Jenny silently awarded him a point for that one. The Longhorn Banquet was the hottest ticket of the year. Held in the state capital, it included the who’s who, and celebrated prominent Texas citizens’ annual accomplishments. The governor would attend, as would business, arts and sports notables from around the state.
“Wait ’til you see my jet,” Cole added. “And I’ve rented a house on Lake Austin. Waterfront, six bedrooms, spa, pool and a full staff. Jenny can stay with us. And, I’ll get her a date.”
“I’m in,” said Jenny. In her books, anticipating a luxurious weekend away was definitely better than wallowing in self-pity for the next week.
Emily turned to her. “You’re not buying this,” she exclaimed. “He’s bribing us with staff, and a spa, and a private jet.” Then her words trailed away.
“If I’m going to get bribed,” Jenny put in philosophically. “It might as well be by the best.”
Emily stared at Jenny for a long moment. Then her hand went to Cole’s chest. “She’s smiling. You made her smile.”
“I did.” Cole accepted the credit, leaning ever so imperceptibly toward Emily.
Then while Emily crossed the big room to Jenny, Cole’s hungry gaze stayed glued to her every move.
“You really want to do this?” Emily asked her. “You think it’ll make you feel better?”
“I sure don’t want to sit on my butt and pine away for Mitch.”
“He’s a jerk.”
“He truly is.” But even as she voiced her agreement, Jenny couldn’t help remembering the expression on his face when he’d told her about his father. She’d never have imagined all-American Mitch Hayward was hiding a crappy childhood. They had that in common.
“Okay.” Emily nodded.
“So, it’s a go?” Cole asked hopefully.
Emily shot him a warning glare. “This weekend is all about Jenny, not about you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Cole grinned. “You ladies just tell me what you’d like. Meal suggestions for the chef, preferences for floral arrangements, wines, special sheets on the beds? They have chauffeur-driven SUVs, but I can get a stretch limo if you’d prefer.”
Jenny nudged her friend. “How are you not dating this guy already?”
“He’s too short,” said Emily.
“I’ll buy lifts,” Cole put in.
“Short is a state of mind.”
“It’s a state in your mind, woman, not mine.”
Emily sniffed her disapproval, and Jenny couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m leaving now,” said Emily, and disappointment flickered in Cole’s blue eyes.
Emily missed it because her attention was focused on Jenny. “I’m going to grab you some of my clothes and a few personal things. Tomorrow, we’ll stock you up. But I’ll be back in an hour with the essentials.”
Since there was nothing left to salvage from her house, the insurance forms were straightforward, and the cleanup started right away. Jenny drove by it once, on Sunday morning, but she quickly decided it was time to focus on the future, not to dwell on the past.
The house was gone for good. But the lake was still beautiful, and the black scars on the land would heal. Emily was right. There was a lot to be said for rebuilding something brand-new, right here.
Jenny took Monday off work to dash through a long list of errands and settle into Cole’s guest room. She’d offered once more to get a room at the Family Inn. But Cole was adamant, and Emily backed him up. He had plenty of room, and it would take months for her new house to be built.
It was a shock for her to find out that Cole had a housekeeping staff. He had a cook, a gardener and a housekeeper. All were incredibly friendly and seemed determined to treat Jenny like royalty. When she’d mentioned that she usually took baking to the office on Tuesdays for the TCC’s youth outreach program, Maria, the cook, had insisted on pitching in to make cupcakes.
So, the mound of jumbo gourmet-frosted chocolate creations that Jenny carried outside to the athletic field late Tuesday afternoon attracted more than the usual hungry glances from the thirty or so teenage boys practicing football passes.
Mitch had started the youth outreach during his first month at TCC. He was a strong advocate for youth in sports, and his star power had ensured participation from the local teenage boys. The program had grown, and now several members of the TCC were working with the teenagers on everything from algebra to career planning. But Tuesday after school was still devoted to sports, and Jenny had taken up the habit of providing a baked treat for the kids at the end of the session.
Were the two related in some way? Was he trying to do for other kids what his own father never did for him? She recalled the encounter on the beach in Galveston. Mitch had stuck up for the smaller kid. In a few short moments, he’d obviously boosted the boy’s self-esteem, and very likely given him a whole new perspective on life and on his future opportunities.
Jenny watched while Mitch gave a few pointers on passing the football to one of the boys. Again, it was one of the smaller boys, someone who might easily get picked on in a group. The boy nodded, gave another throw and was rewarded by Mitch’s clap on the shoulder and what were obviously words of praise.
How on earth could Mitch think of himself as a bad guy?
Then his gaze caught Jenny’s.
Since she’d skipped work yesterday, and since today he’d had back-to-back meetings out of the office, they’d barely spoken. On the upside, there’d been no time for awkward conversation. On the downside, she knew that conversation was looming in their future.
She’d written and discarded three letters of resignation yesterday. Part of her longed to walk away from the emotional minefield of working for Mitch, but the other part of her loved her job at TCC and told herself she was adult enough to stick this out.
Cole was right. One way or another, Mitch would be gone from Royal very soon, and he’d be completely out of her life. At the latest, he’d leave after the TCC presidential election in December. That wasn’t so far away. Jenny could keep her head down and her focus on business until then. Heaven knew the issues surrounding the new clubhouse and the presidency were coming at them faster and more furious by the day. Who’d have time to talk about anything personal before the election?
Now Mitch was moving toward her.
The TCC building and emotional safety were just fifty yards away. She could make it if she left right now. She doubted very much that he’d sprint after her. Then, while he finished up with the boys, she could shut down her computer, gather her purse, head for the parking lot and drive her rental car back to Cole’s house and hide in the back sunroom, where Mitch’s house wasn’t even visible.
An After-Hours Affair Page 9
