4 #2
“You know the words. You know the words,” he teased her in a singsong voice.
“So what?” she asked.
“So we’re listening to oldies from now on,” he declared with a laugh.
“Oh, yay,” Cat replied without enthusiasm.
Jared’s teasing ended when they crossed the border into Illinois, and found themselves stuck in a major traffic jam.
“Shoot,” Jared muttered, glaring at the endless stream of cars stopped in front of them. “What’s the hold up?”
“This is really going to mess up our schedule,” Cat fretted, once again pulling out her trusty index cards. “We might have to skip a rest stop to catch up.”
“Let go of the schedule,” Jared said.
“But I have it all planned out,” she protested, flipping through the cards.
Jared scooped the cards out of her hands and tossed them under the seat. “You need to learn to be more flexible.”
“I am very flexible,” she said. “You’re the rigid one.”
“Am not,” he said.
“Hey, isn’t that what’s their names?” Cat pointed out the window over Jared’s shoulder. “The Bickersons?”
Jared turned just as the RV was pulling away in the far lane, which seemed to be the only lane moving.
“I couldn’t tell,” he said.
“I’m sure it was them,” Cat said. “Those sparkly clothes of hers were pretty blinding.”
Jared checked the traffic on his phone. The stretch of highway they were on was colored bright red on the map. “I think there’s been an accident.”
As if to confirm his theory, an ambulance’s siren alerted them that one was on the way. As they watched, it made its way past the traffic using the breakdown lane.
“Oh, I hope no one is injured.” Cat chewed her lower lip and gazed down the road in front of them.
“The ambulance has a clear path and should get there quickly.”
Jared glanced at the concern in her eyes and could have kicked himself. Knowing Cat, she’d worry and fret about the accident the entire time they were stuck in traffic. He couldn’t watch her worry; it would drive him crazy.
Switching off the engine, he rolled down his window and motioned for her to do the same. A warm breeze drifted through the cab, ruffling Lucy’s ears where she slept on the back seat.
“So what do you want to do to pass the time?” he asked.
Cat turned in her seat and dug two sodas out of the cooler behind her. She handed one to Jared, considering him while popping the top on her own.
“How about that talk we were going to have?” she suggested.
“Are you sure you want to be lectured?” he asked.
“Me, lectured? I thought this was going to be your apology,” she said.
“Apology?” Jared opened his can of soda. “After you scared the bejeezes out of me and called me an immature adolescent? I don’t think so, honey. If anyone is going to apologize, it’s going to be you.”
“You’re right. How can I make it up to you?” she asked, gazing at him from her beneath her lashes. Her lashes didn’t quite hide the teasing glint in her eyes, but it didn’t matter that she was teasing. Jared felt the sweat pop out on his brow. She leaned forward, giving him and unrestricted view of her cleavage. Rearing back from her, he slammed his back against the door and tried not to yelp when the door handle dug in beneath his vertebrae.
“Forget it,” he ordered.
“All right.” She grinned and shrugged. “How about you tell me another story?”
“About what?”
“Oh, I don’t know, about you maybe.”
Jared kept his gaze firmly planted on hers, fearing that it might stray to the blue stretchy material that fit her like a second skin. Think sister, he told himself.
“I’ll make a deal with you,” he offered. “I’ll tell you about myself, if you tell me about Matthew Gerard.”
“Matthew? How did you hear about the big dumb jerk?”
“Big dumb jerk, eh?” He laughed. “How do you think? Cameron.”
“Oh, of course. All right, I’ll take your deal, but I don’t want to hear ‘something’ about you. I want to know your life story. You already know mine.”
“I only know about your family,” Jared argued. “You’ve been mum about your personal life.”
“Why are you interested in my personal life?” she challenged.
“I’m not,” he lied, in a voice more harsh than he’d intended. “It’s just that it’s the only thing you’ve left out.”
“Oh.” She blushed a beguiling shade of pink, and Jared was charmed. “Okay, I’ll tell you all about my sordid love life, but remember you’re going to tell me about all of your life. No assorted little tidbits. I want to hear it from birth to the present. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” Jared nodded, taking a long sip from his soda. He was counting on the traffic being in motion before it was his turn.
Cat took a deep breath and appeared to gather her thoughts. Jared waited, but she wasn’t talking. A silent Cat alarmed him.
“Don’t tell me there are too many men for you to recall?” He frowned.
“Actually,” she began with a nervous laugh, “it’s quite the opposite. My history with men is brief to say the least. The big dumb jerk was first in a long line of one.”
“Go on,” Jared prodded her.
“I’ve only had one serious relationship in my whole life,” Cat said with a sigh. “I dated a handful of guys in college, but the big dumb jerk was the only guy to ever call me for a second date. I always wondered if it was because I didn’t put out on the first date.”
Jared choked on his pop and it fizzed up his nose.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“Fine,” he said. “Go on.”
“So, I dated Matthew from my third semester of college right up until I caught him with his assets in the air over his accountant.”
Jared heard the wistfulness in her voice and felt his gut clench in a surprising twist of jealousy. The thought that Cat could still be pining for that big dumb jerk made him want to wrap his hands around something and squeeze – preferably Gerard’s neck.
“What a mistake that turned out to be.” Cat rolled her eyes at him. Jared felt his gut unclench and a subtle warmth infused him.
“So, you’re not still in love with him?” he asked, studying the top of his can of pop. She was silent, and he glanced up to see her gazing at him. His gaze held hers, desperately trying to see into her soul. He didn’t have to try very hard. It was all there for him to see.
“I never really was,” she answered.
“But you were going to marry him,” he said.
“All my life I’ve tried to be whatever was expected of me.” Cat glanced away from him to the cars parked all around them. “Straight A student, band member, girl scout, all of that was someone else’s wish, not mine. But because I knew it was expected, I did it.”
“Why?” Jared frowned at her.
“To make people happy.” Cat shrugged.
“Why didn’t you just tell them to shove off?” he asked, disturbed by the vision of an unhappy little girl, trapped into doing things she didn’t like in order to please someone else.
“Because I didn’t have any backbone. Stop frowning.” She reached over and smoothed the wrinkle on his brow with her thumb. His forehead was damp with sweat, and her thumb slicked across his skin, causing his breath to hitch. “I was never unhappy. It’s just that there are things I wish I’d done that I never did.”
“Like what?” Jared growled, his voice dipping low in response to her touch.
“You’ll think it’s stupid.” She shook her head.
“No, I won’t.” He put his hand over his heart. “And even if I do, I promise not to laugh.”
“All right.” She tilted her head and her lips tipped mischievously. “I always wanted to play hooky.”
“Hooky?” He gaped at her.
“Uh-huh.” She nodded, watching him.
Jared tried not to laugh. He really did. He failed.
“Hey, you promised,” she chided him and reached over the seat to poke him in the ribs.
“I’m sorry.” He chuckled. “But you’re a teacher.”
“So what?” she asked. “I believe the occasional day of hooky is necessary for both adults and children. Everyone needs a break. A day of escape from their routine.”
“I’d be willing to bet you still don’t play hooky,” he accused. “I bet you haven’t taken a day off since you began teaching.”
“Wrong,” she retorted. “Once, I took two days off in a row.”
“For what?”
“I had the flu,” she answered.
“That doesn’t count.” Jared shook his head. “There’s no hooky in sick days.”
“Says you,” she replied.
“Yeah, says me.” He winked at her.
Cat felt herself smile in return. Heavens, he had the most beautiful smile. Full lips parted over strong white teeth that were framed by a devastatingly deep pair of dimples. That was the kind of smile a woman lost her head over, not to mention a few of her more passionate body parts.
“So where does Gerard fit into the picture?”
“When I met the big...Matthew – I really should stop calling him names,” she said.
“Why?” Jared scowled. “If the name fits.”
Cat snorted.
“When you met him, was it love at first sight?” Jared asked, shifting his gaze to Lucy.
“No.” Cat shook her head. “He was too practical for that. But he was the first guy to show that kind of interest in me, and I was very flattered. I think I grew to love him, but it was more the love of a friend. I figured he was the only man who would ever ask me to marry him, so when he did, I said yes.”
“That’s the dopiest thing I’ve ever heard.” Jared glared at her. “Why would you think no one else would ever ask you?”
“I’m sorry, did you miss the part where he was my first boyfriend?” Cat narrowed her eyes to match his. “I had no frame of reference for how these things were supposed to go so when he asked I said yes.”
“Well, it was ridiculous,” he growled.
“Thank you very much,” Cat snarled, turning away to face the window. “Remind me not to tell you anything ever again.”
“Fine,” he agreed and looked up to see the traffic beginning to move. Starting the engine, he flowed in with the other vehicles, relieved that Cat no longer seemed interested in him or his life story. Except it didn’t feel like relief. If he didn’t know better, he’d have guessed that he was feeling disappointed but that was ridiculous.
When they landed in Effingham, Illinois, for their third night on the road, Cat was still stewing. Jared McLean was the most aggravating, irritating, attractive man she’d ever known. Absolutely the wrong man for her to get involved with, and still, she wanted him. With that thought in mind, she traded in her cotton pajamas for a frilly negligee. He didn’t even flinch. She debated stripping naked and streaking around the motel room, but decided if he didn’t notice, the humiliation might just kill her.
The air conditioner hummed, and Cat tossed and turned, tangling up the light sheet that covered her. She could hear Jared’s deep, even breathing and felt resentment swell within her. He’d hardly spoken to her since the traffic jam, he ignored her negligee, and to top it off, he snored! If he was going to ruin her night’s sleep, the least he could do was be quiet about it.
Furious, she thrust the sheet aside and climbed out of bed. She didn’t pause to consider her actions. She jerked the makeshift curtain aside and glared at the sleeping man before her.
Moonlight peeped through the window blinds, and Cat caught her breath as she gazed at the beautiful masculine form before her. She gulped. He was lying on his back, the thin motel sheet was wadded up around his waist, leaving his arms and the broad expanse of his chest bare. Wow!
Common sense told her to get back on her side of the curtain. Cat wasn’t listening. Entranced, she sat beside the seductively warm sleeping body. She laid a hand on his shoulder and shook him, trying to rouse him without shocking him.
He grunted and rolled over, giving Cat a clear view of his back. It was warm and wide and hard, tapering down to a slim waist. Her fingers twitched when she reached for his shoulder. His skin was hot against her fingers and she sighed. He let out a deep nasal snore. The noise made her jump and then frown. That did it!
She reached across him, grabbed the extra pillow and smacked him on the head with it.
“Jared, wake up!”
“Huh?” He grabbed the pillow with one hand and her waist with the other. His fingers tightened and then stilled as if registering the feel of her through the flimsy fabric she wore. His eyes popped open, his eyebrows shot up two notches, and he snapped upright, bringing his face within inches of hers.
“What are you doing on my side of the curtain?” he shouted.
“I can’t sleep. I w-want to talk,” she stammered.
“Well, get back on your side and talk from there.” He waved his hand in the direction of her bed.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she chided him and scooted closer to him on the bed.
“I’m not being ridiculous,” he retorted, pulling the sheet up to his neck as he shot across the mattress away from her.
“Yes, you are.” She followed him, trying to stifle a laugh at his prudishness. “I promise I won’t touch you.”
Jared eyed her in horror as she settled herself against the headboard, primly crossing her arms over her chest. Her negligee was as thin as tissue and just as revealing. Jared felt heat rush to parts of his body that had no business getting hot. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger and tried to concentrate on visions of snowdrifts and polar bears. It was useless.
“It’s your turn,” she declared.
“To what?” He dropped his hand to study her. “Hit you with a pillow?”
“To talk,” she said. “You promised to tell me your life story this afternoon, but you never did. No time like the present, I always say.”
“Talk?” he roared. “Are you out of your skull? It’s the middle of the night!”
“Yeah, well, you snore and I can’t sleep, so start talking.”
“I snore?” he asked, appalled.
“You breathe heavy,” she relented.
Jared studied her green-flecked eyes in amused horror. Only Cat would accost a man in his own bed at three o’clock in the morning to tell him he snored and demand he talk to her. He was sure it would never occur to her that when an exceptionally desirable woman climbed into a man’s bed, the last thing he wanted to do was talk.
But then, Jared was beginning to suspect that Cat didn’t think of herself as desirable, and certainly not as exceptionally desirable. That would explain the outfits she’d chosen today. From the filmy sleepwear she wore now to the tight, curve-hugging shorts and top she’d worn earlier, she’d shown an incredible lack of awareness.
And now she sat in his bed in that flimsy, frilly thing as trusting as if he were Cameron. And, if that wasn’t galling enough, she had the nerve to sit there and say she wanted to talk!
Obviously, somebody had to teach her a lesson – for her own good. And Jared couldn’t think of any soul more deserving of the job than himself. Catherine Levery had to learn once and for all that she was attractive and that he was not her brother!
Cat couldn’t pinpoint when the energy coming from Jared switched from annoyance to something much more serious. All she knew was that out of a sense of self-preservation, she began to scoot toward the edge of the mattress.
The blue gaze fixed on her mouth was predatory, and she felt her pulse pound in her throat while her breath stalled in her lungs.
“You know,” she said, waving a finger thoughtfully in the air, “this may not be the best time for this discussion. It just occurred to me that you’re probably tired. So, I’ll just leave you to that. Good ni—”
“Not so fast.” Jared gripped her wrist and tugged her relentlessly across the mattress. “I find I’m wide awake now, and it’d be a shame to let all of this energy go to waste, don’t you think? Besides, we haven’t finished our conversation yet.”
“I said everything I had to say. Really.” She nodded vigorously, trying not to get pinned beneath the incredibly warm, sculpted muscles of Jared’s frame as it lowered onto hers.
He jerked the sheet from between them, and Cat felt his hot skin press against hers. She glanced down. All he wore was a pair of blue-and-white striped boxers. They weren’t as funny as the smiley-face boxers, but they were very sexy. He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her low onto the mattress while he shifted a leg over hers, effectively locking her into place.
Jared smiled at the look of surprise on her face. Her honey-colored hair was spread over the white pillow like waves of silk, and he indulged himself and pressed his cheek against her curls. They were soft and fragrant like the woman herself.
He nuzzled her ear with his lips and felt her start in surprise. He brushed his mouth across her face, soothing the wild look in her enormous eyes with reassuring caresses. Warnings about little boys who played with matches ran through his mind, but he was too drawn to the flame to worry about being burned.
Her lips responded sweetly, achingly sweet, to the lightest touch from his tongue. Lush lashes swept down, hiding her eyes from his gaze, but he didn’t care. Her response to him was obvious in the way her body wrapped around his, holding him close.
A man could drown in such giving sweetness. Jared plunged his fingers into her curls, to hold her still, while his mouth ruthlessly courted hers. He didn’t give her a chance to think or breathe, only to feel and respond. When she surrendered to the kiss, his hands skimmed down her body, searching out the curves that had taunted him all day.
Like a faithless friend her flimsy nightie gave way to his probing fingers. Cat felt a thousand tiny tremors as he cupped one aching breast. His mouth left hers and his lips whispered across the peak, taunting it into tightening in response. The other nipple demanded similar treatment. He complied, circling the tip with his tongue. Cat found herself gasping for breath.
She’d never been loved like this before. Jared’s intense concentration and pleasure in her responses was a revelation. His brilliant blue gaze was hooded in seduction, his low voice fathomless with harsh endearments, all of which sent her spiraling into a sirocco of desire she’d never known existed.
It was the soft, soughing sigh that escaped Cat’s lips that brought Jared to his senses. She was feeling too much. Sharing too much with him. The woman had no sense of self-preservation, and he could never reciprocate that openness.
He pulled away from her with a shaky breath. She’d inadvertently held up a mirror to his soul, forcing him to look. In that dark reflection lurked the loner he would always be.
He wanted her more than any woman he’d ever known, but he couldn’t be with her. He couldn’t be what she needed. Cat would never be happy with a shadow of a man, and she deserved more than that.
“Jared.” Her voice was soft and breathy, making Jared regret his scruples.
“Yes?” He touched his lips to hers, keeping it the caress of a friend and not a lover.
“What’s wrong?” Her eyes were a luminous green and steeped in unspent passion.
“I got carried away,” he answered, rolling onto his back and tucking her into his side.
“Oh.” Cat pressed her cheek against his chest, as if seeking his warmth. “Jared, I’ve never...that is...nothing ever felt like...do you know what I’m getting at here?”
“I’m afraid so.” Jared ran a hand over his eyes.
“I just want you to know how special that was,” she mumbled into his chest.
“I know, honey, I know.” Jared buried a kiss in her curls and sighed. Hell, yes, he knew. He’d been with a few women in his time, but he’d never felt like this. What was happening between them...scared the starch out of him!
“Can we talk now?”
“Not unless you want to get into trouble again,” Jared warned her, trailing his hand up and down her spine.
“I wouldn’t mind.” She gazed at him through her lashes.
“That’s it,” Jared announced and sat up, abruptly hauling her out of the bed. “Back to your own side of the room.”
Cat let him put her to bed, not protesting when he tucked the sheet so tight that escape was near impossible. His arousal was obvious against his shorts, and Cat felt a surge of female satisfaction swell within her.
Jared could protest and pull away as much as he liked, but it was obvious that he felt something for her. She snuggled under the cool sheet. She’d thought she was too aroused to sleep, but as soon as Jared stepped away from the bed, she fell into an emotionally exhausted slumber.
Jared watched her for a moment before he slipped back to his own bed. They’d be entering Missouri tomorrow, which meant that they would be halfway to Arizona and he couldn’t help but be relieved. He doubted he’d be able to keep his hands off her for the rest of the trip, but as long as they didn’t end up sharing a bed his conscience would be quiet.
The Levery siblings had put him between a rock and a hard spot. He glanced down at his shorts and almost laughed. Hard spot was putting it mildly. He couldn’t, and wouldn’t, touch Cat while Cameron’s lie stood between them. And he couldn’t betray Cameron’s trust. He’d tried to think of Cat as a sister. He really had, but the feelings, okay, the lust she brought out in him was anything but brotherly. Jared was certain that taking Cat to his bed would be the ultimate betrayal of his friend’s trust.
He lay back on the bed and covered his face with his spare pillow and chanted on repeat, “Just a few more days.”
But somehow, the thought of not seeing Cat every day didn’t make him feel any better.