Then He Showed Up

by Chris Campillo

  Kate put a major dent in the chocolate chip dough and polished off two glasses of milk. Jack had foregone the raw food and consumed a pint of rocky road.

  “It’s nice to share a meal with a woman who appreciates junk food and doesn’t worry about the fat.” It had been especially nice to listen to the soft moans Kate made with each bite.

  “I should be concerned, but with the kids gone, I’m living dangerously.” She wiggled her brows. Jack leaned over and tugged one of her curls. He meant to be playful, but Kate jumped up.

  “I need to call the kids.”

  With that, she moved inside. He caught parts of her conversation—

  “Don’t let them get in that hot tub, Grace.”

  “I don’t care if you’re there. Madeline’s hair could get pulled up in the suction valve, and you’d never be able to pull her out of the water.”

  “Did you know prolonged heat exposure can lead to sterility? Do you want Charlie’s future marriage to face the tragedy of infertility?”

  Good Lord, the woman had some safety issues. Then again, losing her husband so young might explain her fear. At least her kids knew she cared. She told them repeatedly how she missed and loved them.

  After Jack’s mom had died, his father’s affection had all but disappeared. His love had been handed out in a rare pat on the back or a tousle of his sisters’ hair.

  “They survived another day.” Kate sighed, settling on the chaise. She said it flippantly, but he sensed she was reassuring herself.

  “I bet they’re having a blast. They’ll be back in no time, a foot taller, asking to go back next summer.” She searched his eyes. He wanted to ease her worries. “They’re fine.” She nodded, then eased back down.

  They sat in comfortable silence, the beauty of the setting sun eliminating any need for words. He shifted his eyes to her legs. Who could blame him? The smooth curves looked even better in the light of the citronella candles. His eyes travelled up to the white shorts, and he let his imagination take over. He thought back to the day before, seeing her fine bottom in all its glory. It raised his blood pressure as well as something else. It had every time he’d thought about it, and he’d spent a lot of time thinking about it.

  You’re no better than that jerk at the reception. The slap of conscience served as a splash of cold water. Jack forced himself to look away. No way was he on that level. He couldn’t help but notice Kate’s body, the way she smiled, her laughter when she let her guard down, but it didn’t mean he had to act on it. Despite everything that had happened since they met, Kate was a professional, and she would never consider crossing any line. And because of that, he wouldn’t either.

  He respected Kate and the work she’d put into this project. She didn’t deserve to be misled. Tonight, he’d considered telling her the truth, but it wasn’t an option. He couldn’t convince Lumley he was seriously pursuing Austin if the state’s rep stopped working on the project. He reminded himself that even if he wasn’t fixing the game, Austin could lose the plant. That was part of the location business. Kate knew the rules.

  Jack looked over and found her asleep. He sat up slowly, keeping his eyes on her. She was beautiful. The very picture of serenity. The worry line that was always present between her brows had slipped away. He started to wake her but stopped, enjoying this private moment he guessed few were privileged to see. Was sleep the only time she experienced true peace?

  Kate stirred and turned onto her side. It was enough to rouse her, and she looked up at Jack with sleepy eyes and a soft smile. “Hi.” Her voice was low and intimate. Jack flashed to an image of waking up with her, kissing her good morning. The idea sent a jolt down low. He’d wait a minute before getting up.

  He leaned in and brushed a curl from her forehead. “Hey, sleepyhead.”

  Kate jerked upright, her bedroom eyes replaced with shock. “I can’t believe I fell asleep.” She stood, looking embarrassed. “I need to go.” She went inside and gathered her clothes and purse as Jack followed.

  “Thanks for the dinner.”

  Jack laughed. “It was an effort, but I’m glad you liked it. I’m known for my cookie dough.”

  She giggled. The effect was a punch in his gut. He wanted her to stay. Instead, he walked her to her car.

  “Good night, Jack. Call me in the morning when you’re ready to go.”

  “Will do.” Jack realized he was looking forward to the next day. Even if he had to be in Austin, lying with every other word, he’d be with Kate.

  Chapter 11

  The next day, it was business as usual. With Jack’s mind set on the Travis property, there would be no more tours until Kate found another site with the same qualifications. Some early morning calls had proven that would be more difficult than she’d expected, so they spent the day in the office, reviewing state incentives, training grants, and all the other bells and whistles that might be available to Gridion.

  Later that afternoon, as Kate drove Jack back to Maggie’s place, she realized this would be their last day working together. He was heading back to San Francisco tomorrow.

  She should be pleased that Austin was still on the short list. It sure didn’t hurt that it was Jack’s childhood home. But Kate felt melancholy. She didn’t want to say good-bye to Jack, and it wasn’t because of his multi-million-dollar project.

  Why was Jack getting to her when she’d felt nothing for a man in over two years? Maybe it was because he was the proverbial “ship passing in the night.” He was temporary, just like the pirate in the book she finished last night. No chance of a relationship, no chance for pain. He was safe. Whatever the reason, she didn’t want him to leave.

  “I’d like to take you to dinner tonight.”

  Could the man read minds? “Is there something else we need to go over?” Kate asked, sparing him a glance.

  “No. It’s just a way to say thanks for all that you’ve done this week.”

  She shook her head. “Jack, that’s not necessary. It’s my job.” Don’t listen to me. Insist on it.

  “Humor me. Besides, you’d be doing me the favor. I want to try out Francesco’s. Several people have recommended it, and I don’t want to go alone. Consider it one last chance to show off Austin.”

  It was a simple dinner invitation. Two peers sharing a meal. Nothing wrong with that.

  “Okay. We should head over now, though. Thursdays are usually busy.”

  Jack shook his head. “No. I’ll handle reservations, and I’ll drive. We can have a late dinner, if that’s okay with you. That’ll give me time to check in with the office and get in a run. I’ll pick you up around eight. That work for you?”

  The steering wheel was suddenly slippery, and her skin felt flush. This no longer felt like a business dinner.

  “That sounds great.” Girlfriend, you’ve entered the orchard.

  After half a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, Kate started to relax. When Jack had picked her up and stared at her dress, she’d almost slammed the door in his face. It rattled her, the way he gazed at her body. She’d been embarrassed. Flustered. Aroused.

  She’d tried on three different outfits before she’d decided on the gray jersey. It had three-quarter length sleeves and a V-neck that wasn’t too low. No cleavage. By definition, conservative, but it made her feel feminine. She’d never worn it before, even though she’d purchased it six months earlier. She’d laughed nervously when she cut off the tags. The whole time she’d been getting ready, she’d felt like a kid waiting in line for the roller coaster—scared but excited.

  As the waiter poured more wine, she studied Jack. The tailored jacket showed off his broad shoulders, and his blue button-down looked great against his bronzed complexion. There was just a hint of his chest hair at the opening. She imagined nuzzling into that spot. Whoa, sister. She took another drink.

  “Do you have any other questions in regards to the project?” she asked as soon as the waiter walked away.

  “I don’t want to talk business tonight.” Jack
took a sip of wine. “Let’s take a break.”

  Kate placed her hands in her lap and rubbed her damp palms against her napkin. “Okay. What do you want to talk about?”

  Pushing his wine to the side, he rested his hands on the table and leaned in. His wicked smile made Kate’s stomach flip. “I’m curious how you know so much about shark attacks.”

  She stared at him, totally confused. “What are you talking about?”

  “Today, when you called your kids, you told your daughter that more shark attacks occur the farther you are from shore.”

  Kate cocked a brow. “I thought you were on the phone with your office.”

  “I was, but my assistant had put me on hold to grab a report. Now, back to your study of sharks. Do you know that for a fact?”

  She took a sip of wine and smoothed the starched tablecloth. “No, I don’t, but I never said it was fact.”

  “You told your daughter it was.”

  “No. You’re wrong. I asked, ‘Did you know more shark attacks occur the farther you are from the beach?’ I didn’t state it as fact. I simply asked if she knew anything about it.”

  Jack drank his wine, then gave her a judgmental look. “The old semantics game, huh? ‘I did not have sexual relations with that girl.’”

  “Oh, come on. It’s not the same. I’m a mom. By rights, I can play around with the truth if it’s for a good cause. What’s Christmas without Santa Claus?”

  “But what good comes from scaring your child out of the ocean? You’re already way too paranoid about freshwater fish.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. She probably did look foolish. “Believe it or not, Jack, I’m not that concerned about shark attacks. I am concerned about my kids swimming in the ocean, though. Madeline and Charlie love playing in the waves and boogie boarding, but they don’t respect the power of the Pacific current. If a little fear keeps them closer to shore, I’ll gladly stretch the truth.”

  He shook his head. “So you have no guilt about creating an unfounded fear?”

  “Ha!” Several people from surrounding tables looked over. Kate flinched, then leaned closer into Jack. “Parenting is nothing but guilt. ‘I shouldn’t have lost my temper.’ ‘I shouldn’t have let him stay up and watch the WWE.’ ‘I should’ve let her go to the sleepover.’” She leaned back against the bench. “Blah, blah, blah. It never ends. But I figure I have to do whatever it takes to keep them safe. They can use their college funds for school or therapy, whichever one they need the most.”

  Jack laughed. Damn, she was funny . . . and beautiful and intelligent and sexy. Okay, so she did take worrying to a whole new level, but everyone had their flaws. “Has anyone ever told you that you worry too much?”

  “Oh, that’s Maggie’s job . . . and she takes it very seriously.” She lifted her glass in a toast. “To Maggie. The sister who’s always right.” Jack clinked his glass against hers but didn’t pull away. Their eyes locked. Their laughter faded. The tension between them was palpable.

  “Here you are,” the waiter interrupted, setting down their appetizers. Jack wondered if the man had ever had a woman. Kate focused on her crab cake, giving it more attention than any food deserved. Was she uncomfortable? Thirty seconds earlier, he would’ve sworn she was anything but. Did she feel the physical attraction? The sexual tension that grew with each minute they were together. Did she know how close he was to grabbing her hand and taking her back to Peter’s place?

  Jack glanced at whatever was on his plate, then took a long pull of wine.

  “Their crab cakes are to die for.” She took a bite, then closed her eyes and moaned. He almost joined her. Had any woman ever looked so sexy eating a piece of fish? He wanted to put that look on her face. Shit. He discreetly adjusted his pants and went back to watching her eat. He didn’t know what the hell they put in that crab cake, but he wanted to taste it, wanted to taste her lips.

  “You want a bite?”

  “Hel . . . sure.”

  She took a forkful and lifted it over the table, keeping one hand underneath. He grabbed her hands to steady them. If he’d ever doubted there could be sparks when people touch, he was a believer now. He took the bite but couldn’t taste the crab. He chewed it without thinking. His focus was on her eyes, her dilated pupils. On her shallow breaths. She pulled back her hand with the fork, but he kept hold of the other. He turned it, bringing it closer to his lips.

  “How is everything?” the waiter asked.

  What the fu—

  Kate jerked her hand back, knocking over her wine. “Oh! I’m sorry.”

  Jack stood as she rushed from the booth and headed to the ladies’ room. He wondered if she’d come back. He’d stepped way out of line. Maybe he shouldn’t kill the waiter.

  The interruption had been for the best. When she returned several minutes later, Kate seemed like her old self, and he had cursed himself back to decency.

  They spent the rest of the evening enjoying great food and wine, discussing his trip to India, her kids, Maggie and Peter, and anything else that wasn’t work related. They split dessert, but he let her have the majority; he loved watching her eat. Then there was coffee and cognac. The restaurant lived up to its reputation, but Kate Livingston was the one who made it a memorable dinner.

  Jack tipped the maître d’ to arrange for two cabs. He knew he’d had too much to drink, and he didn’t trust himself to be alone in a backseat with Kate.

  “I appreciate you being responsible.” She smiled her praise. Despite everything going for her, it was her smile that always knocked him out.

  “It’s the smart thing to do. I’ll catch a cab back here in the morning to get the car.” He remembered he wouldn’t see her in the morning, probably never again. The Travis deal would never come to be, and Austin would be eliminated.

  Funny, he’d worked the system to keep Gridion out of Austin, yet now he didn’t want to leave. Make that, he didn’t want to leave Kate.

  When the cabs arrived, they paused to say their good-byes. For the first time in years, Jack didn’t know what to say, so he said what was expected. “Kate, thank you for all you’ve done. I know I threw a curve ball showing up when I did, but you made it work.”

  “It was my pleasure. I’ll continue to look for other properties. In the meantime, call if there’s anything you need.”

  She extended her hand and he took it. Their eyes locked as they had earlier, and he was overcome with the need to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless. Still holding her hand, he moved closer. She didn’t move.

  “Kate.”

  She took a deep breath that came out ragged. “Jack.”

  He let go of her hand and pushed one of her curls behind her ear. When he was done, he left his hand at her face, cradling her cheek.

  Kate whimpered and closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. He couldn’t stop. He took his other hand, tipped her face, and kissed her. Her body trembled. It took every bit of his control to keep himself from ravishing her mouth. Their kiss might appear innocent in the cabby’s eyes, but it was so much more. A chemical reaction. A black hole. A place he’d never been.

  He pulled back to see if Kate could feel it. Her eyes opened, and she swayed for just a second. He wasn’t alone. Jack started to kiss her again, but three men walked out of the restaurant, killing the moment.

  Kate stepped away as the men passed by. When she turned back to Jack, her eyes were filled with confusion. Fire was still pulsing through his blood, but more than anything, he wanted to take her in his arms and soothe her. He stepped forward. “Kate, let—”

  “Good-bye, Jack.” She turned and got into the cab.

  He watched the yellow car drive away, realizing he didn’t say good-bye. After that kiss, he couldn’t.

  Chapter 12

  Kate got to the office early on Friday. Might as well. She sure hadn’t slept the night before. No, she’d spent it tossing and turning, in her bed and in her mind, all because of that kiss. That kiss that had literally roc
ked her world. How could one kiss—and it wasn’t even French—make her want to throw all decorum, ethics, and resolutions out the window and jump Jack Graham right there at the valet stand? Thank God, the man was leaving town.

  She spent the next three hours preparing copious notes on her various projects. While she normally considered this a tedious task, today she welcomed the distraction. In fact, she started questioning her decision to take the next week off. Before, she’d relished the idea of a quiet week at home. That was before Jack. Now she’d have all that time to think about all the trouble he was stirring in her mind and body. Whatever it was that he’d triggered in her was not welcomed. She didn’t like feeling so unsettled.

  She’d have to focus on something else next week. Go to the movies. Work in the yard. Go to that place up the street and make a ceramic cup. Something. Something safe.

  “Here she is.” She recognized her boss’s voice. When she turned, a field of butterflies took off in her stomach. Jack was right by Russell, with a look that made her rethink her plans for ceramics. She couldn’t control the smile that broke over her face. What, was she in high school?

  “Hi, Jack. I wasn’t expecting you.” But I’m so glad you’re here.

  “Jack came by to tell me what a great job you did this week.” Russell couldn’t have looked more pleased.

  “Thank you.” Kate was grateful for Jack’s gesture. It sure wouldn’t hurt when the pink slips started flying.

  “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to run,” Russell said. “Governor wants to meet with me, and I never keep him waiting.” He shook hands with Jack. “Good luck in India. If you need anything on this end, let us know. Kate will take care of you.”

  Jack thanked Russell and moved into Kate’s cubicle, taking a seat in front of her desk. He stretched out his legs and rested his hands on his stomach. He looked so relaxed, so confident, so appealing. Kate felt a live wire in her chest. That couldn’t be healthy.

  “That was great what you did . . . putting in a good word for me.”