Strictly Business (6 page)

Jess finished eating as fast as she could and headed back to
get dressed. She really didn’t have much of a choice in clothing. She pulled
off the work boots and slipped on some sandals. Then she changed her shirt,
pulling on a blouse she usually wore under her tan suit. It was navy blue silk
and a little dressier than she’d like, but it worked okay with jeans. It was
loose, with a scoop neck and an elastic band around her hips, making it fluff
out like a peasant blouse. It was loose enough to play down the curves.

She freshened her makeup and took down her hair. As it fell
down her back, she sighed. If she were at home she would leave it loose, maybe
even go in her spa, let it float around her head. Wearing it up really was
starting to make her head ache, but she couldn’t leave it down. She twisted it
up into a looser French roll, and held it in place with chopsticks. She should
put it tighter, but this would have to do. She grabbed her jacket in case it
got cooler, and headed out to the barn to catch a ride with everyone else.

* * * * *

Jake had been silently listening to Marsha invite Jess and when
she'd agreed to go out with the guys, it’d been all he could do to stay in his
seat and not shout “No!” at the top of his lungs. At least she was still
wearing his shirt.

He didn't really understand his reaction.
How can I
possibly be attracted to her?
The answer was simple. He wasn’t. He had just
been too long without a woman’s company. He thought about his plans for the
evening. He had called up an ex-girlfriend of his. Not necessarily the smartest
move, but better than heading into the bar and bringing home someone new.
Besides, at this point it didn't really matter. He’d already made plans to pick
Bethany up. Maybe he would just have to bring her to Gilroy’s instead of going
to Evanston.

He told himself he wasn’t jealous. He’d just met her, he
couldn’t be jealous. He was just worried about her. She hadn’t yet proven she
could take care of herself. And after seeing what she hid under those horrible
clothes, he just thought it might be better if he were close enough to keep an
eye on his men. If that seemed a bit possessive, well, it was his job to
protect her. She was here at his request, after all.

When Jake walked into the bar with Bethany at his side, he
found himself scanning the room for Jessica. His eyes immediately locked on
her. She sat at the bar with George and Bobby. She was smiling and laughing at
something someone had said. And she was stunning. Her hair was still up, but it
was looser, with pieces escaping around her face. Her lips were redder than
normal, although it didn’t look like lipstick. And the shirt she was wearing
was something soft that just begged to be removed. And then she laughed again.
Jake looked at Bethany and forced a smile. “Want a drink?”

She nodded and then rubbed up against him. He knew Bethany
hadn't wanted to come here tonight, she'd said as much in the car. While he'd
been watching Jess, Bethany had clearly been watching him. Now she sent a glare
in that direction before turning to smile up at him. “Gin and tonic, please.
Aren’t those the guys from your ranch over there? Let’s go say hi.”

As they reached the bar, George turned and greeted Jake with
a smile. “Hey boss, Bethany, what are you doin’ here tonight? I didn’t know you
were comin’.”

“Heard Marsha talkin’ about it earlier and it sounded like a
good time,” Jake said. “Bethany, this is Bobby, don’t know if you’ve ever met
him. And this is Jessica Wythe, my new architect. She’s helpin’ me build the
new house.”

* * * * *

“Hi, Bethany. Very nice to meet you, please call me Jess.”
She managed a sincere smile for the tall willowy blonde.
Sigh. What I
wouldn’t give to have that body. Then I could wear whatever I wanted to.

“Bobby, Jess, nice to meet you. You know, I’d love to come
out and see what you have in mind for the house. I’ve known Jake here a long
time.” She wrapped her arms through his. “Maybe I could help you with some of
the interior. Especially when it gets around to cabinetry, furniture, that type
of thing. I have a pretty good feel for what he likes, and shopping is not high
on his list.”

Aaaahh
, Jess thought.
She’s staking her claim
.
As she looked over at Jake, she wondered if
he
knew that. “Well, I’m
working with Mr. Morgenstern to decide on the exterior style. And I already
have an interior designer that I generally work with. If Jake approves it, then
by all means, you can work with her when we get that far. We just went out to
the home site this afternoon. I haven’t even broken ground yet. Although,
hopefully before the end of next week.” Jess tried to keep her tone distant and
professional. She really didn’t need this woman’s ‘help’ but she also wanted to
let her know she wasn’t after Jake in that way. Female drama had never been a
game she enjoyed playing.

Just then, a voice she didn’t recognize said, “Jake, you
bastard, how come you always grab all the pretty women for yourself? Why don’t
you just pick one and let me dance with the other?” Jess turned and saw that
the speaker was an early thirties man. Golden blond hair, baby blue eyes,
strong chin and dimples and a smile designed to melt hearts. If she wasn’t
mistaken, under that tight T-shirt there was also a set of rock hard abs.

And Jake was giving him that back slap hug that guys do.

“Cody, when’d you get back? Why didn’t you come into my
office and say hello?”

“I just got in about fifteen minutes ago. I figured everyone
would be here. It’s Friday night, after all. I’ll head home with everyone
tonight. Hey Bethany, how’re you doing, beautiful?” He leaned over and kissed
her cheek, then he turned to face Jess. “And, just who might you be?”

“Jess, this is Cody, more brother than friend. He’ll be
stayin’ out at the ranch with us, so I’m sure you’ll be seein’ him around.
Cody, this is Jessica Wythe. My architect.”

He sounded annoyed again, but Jess chose to ignore it. She
was almost getting used to it. It must have surprised Cody though. He tossed a
quick questioning glance back at Jake before returning his attention to her.

“Jess, is it?” At her nod he continued, “Well, Jess, would
you like to dance?”

She grinned back at his flirty little smile. “Yes, I think I
would.” As they headed to the floor, Jess said, “Okay, unless it’s ballroom, I
don’t know any dances, but, if you teach me I think I can get it.”

“Darlin’, you are in the right place. I’m almost as good on
the dance floor as I am at other things. Ridin' rodeo for one.” He smiled that
cheeky grin again.

Jess rolled her eyes. “You just think you can grin at women
and charm their pants right off them, don’t you?” But she was smiling as she
said it.

“Maybe.” Another grin. “How’s it workin’ on you?” He winked
at her.

Now Jess laughed out loud. “Not as well as you might wish.
But I do find you adorable. So, teach me to dance, champ.”

After about thirty minutes, she knew the steps to two new
line dances and the two-step. When a slow dance came on, Cody pulled her in
tight and wrapped his arms around her waist. Relaxed and finally having fun,
Jess leaned into him.

Right up until he loudly announced, “God, you’re curvy!”

She froze in his arms.

“No, Jess. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. Your
clothes don’t…you…you hide it well. Shit. Sorry. Let me try this again, I’m
usually much smoother than this.”

Jess relaxed a little. He seemed genuinely embarrassed.
“It’s okay. I know I’m a little out of proportion.”

“What?” He almost shouted at her. “Who managed to bullshit
you into thinkin’ that? Your curves are definitely in all the right places,
sweetheart. It just isn’t noticeable in that shirt you’re wearing.”

Jessica could tell she blushed bright red as her cheeks
turned scalding hot. “I picked this on purpose.”

“Okay, I gotta ask, why? Why would you hide this body? Most
women I know would be flaunting it, and most men would be ogling.” His hands
had roamed from her waist, a little lower to her tush.

She laughed. “Okay, slow down, cowboy. Bring the hands back
up.”

He grinned, that little “I know I’m sexy” smirk, but he did
bring his hands back to her waist. “Seriously, why would you deliberately hide
this body?” His tone was earnest, like he was truly confused.

Somehow the question, asked in just that tone of voice, made
her feel beautiful. Truly beautiful. And maybe a little bit sexy. “I just do. I
always have. Since I was about fourteen and started filling out.” Why was she
telling him this? She never told people this.

“Why?” He had his hands on her waist, around her, and he was
looking down into her eyes. They were still swaying to the music, but barely.

Strangely, she found herself answering him. “My family is
very proper, refined East coast. My mother always told me I was built for
Penthouse and I looked cheap. My older sister called me a hooker. It seemed
easier to cover it all up.” Jessica froze again, shock and panic warring for
dominance. Then she turned and bolted out of the bar. She needed some air.

Jake had been watching them dance, watching her laugh and
flirt with his best friend. Why was he so upset about that? Because Cody was
Cody. Everyone fell for him. Women of all ages fell for his charm. And Jake
didn’t want Jess to. He didn’t know why it mattered, but it did.

Where had that come from? He didn’t even know her, much less
like her. Why should he care if she slept with Cody? When Cody’s hands slid
down to her butt, her very nicely rounded butt, he found his gut clenching
again. He was also making fists under the table.

“Jake, what’s wrong with you tonight?” Bethany asked.

Jake had heard her, but still couldn't manage to drag his
eyes away from the scene unfolding before him.

“Jake, hello, what’s your deal?” When he finally looked over
at her she said, “Okay, do you have a thing for your architect?”

“What? No! I don’t even like her. We can’t even have a
civilized conversation.” Although, he definitely liked the way she filled out
jeans and a T-shirt.

“Then send her home and hire someone else.”

Bethany was still looking at him, clearly expecting an
answer even though she hadn’t actually asked a question. “No.”

“Why not? If you don’t like her, building a house with her
ought to be a barrel of laughs.” Sarcasm dripped from every word.

“Because she’s the best, and I want the best. Forget it
Bethany, she stays. I don’t have to like
her
, just her work.”

“Then why do you keep watching her?”

“I just feel responsible for her, I guess. I want to make
sure she gets home okay, she’s only been here one night.”

“Well, Cody’s not going to hurt her, and he’s going the same
place she is. Why don’t you and I just go? We can go back to my place, and you
can feel responsible for me?”

Right then Jess pushed away from Cody and headed to the
door. She looked upset. Very upset.

Cody started out after her, only to run into a very pissed
off Jake. “What did you say to her?”

“Nothing, we were just talking. Why, what’s it matter to
you?”

“It doesn’t.” Jake knew he'd answered way too quickly. “I
mean, it does because she’s staying at my house. I’m responsible for her.”

“Uh huh, I see. Then let me go find out why she’s upset.
Okay?” Cody smirked a little at Jake. Just enough of a smirk that Jake wanted
to punch it off his face.

Jake couldn’t think of anything else to say that would make
sense. He honestly didn’t know why he was so upset. Bethany was right, Cody
wouldn’t hurt her. At least not physically. He turned and stomped away,
grabbing Bethany’s hand and heading out the side door.

* * * * *

Jessica turned around at the sound of the door behind her.
Cody walked out and headed over to her.
Okay, suck it up Jess. You already
told him, now just apologize for running out.
“Sorry about that in there.”

She looked up at him. He closed the last of the gap between
them and put an arm around her shoulder. “So, what did I say? I want to make
sure I don’t say it again.” He smiled down at her.

“You’re actually a nice guy aren’t you? I mean underneath
all that sexy charm and crap.”

“Well you don’t have to sound quite so shocked.” He laughed.

“Sorry, I’m just bent on offending you tonight, apparently.
So, umm, you didn’t say anything. I just… I’ve never admitted that to anyone.
Ever. It took me by surprise. I’m not even sure why I told you.”

He was quiet, looking at her with a quizzical expression,
his eyes slightly pinched and his forehead furrowed. She wondered if he'd press
for more. When he finally spoke again, she breathed a sigh of relief. He was
letting her off the hook.

“Oh, that’s easy. It’s because of my sexy charm and crap.
Women are always telling me things they shouldn’t.” He smirked at her.

She looked at him, saw the humor in his eyes, not
condescending, just nice, and laughed with him. Then she punched him on the
shoulder. “Yeah, just don’t try your little games on me. Believe it or not, I
eat guys like you for breakfast.”

He waggled his eyebrows at her with a sexy leer.

She laughed, “Let’s go, stud, I feel like dancing.”

As she started to walk away, he grabbed her arm and whirled
her back to him, placing his hands back onto her waist and sliding down to her
hips. “Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. Your secret is safe with me.” He
leaned in and gave her a quick soft kiss on the lips. Then he stepped back and
grinned again, “I never kiss and tell.” He took her hand and towed her back
inside. She laughed the whole way in.

They stayed until the bar closed at two a.m. George and
everyone else had already left, some back to the ranch, some with women. Cody
had told them he would make sure she got back to the ranch safely, since he was
heading there anyway. She knew she should be exhausted, she’d never closed down
a bar before. But she was having a blast. She couldn’t remember the last time
she’d laughed so much. And she hadn’t ever danced like that. She would never
look at dancing quite the same way again.