Tackled by the Girl Next Door (4 page)

“Jason?”

“I’m here.”

“Thanks for everything.”

“No problem.” He set the mug on the coffee table.

Her eyes closed again, and her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. She needed quality sleep if she was going to try to work tomorrow before returning to the hospital. Too bad she wouldn’t let him pay for some time off. He had more money than he knew what to do with, and she barely got by month to month. Kevin’s tuition was draining her finances and her energy level.

He scooped her up, carried her to her bedroom, and placed her head on the pillow.
Her brown hair would have been gorgeous fanned out across the blues in the pillowcase, but somehow, it had all tucked under her shoulders. He brushed his fingers behind her neck, and she twisted her body away from him, freeing several long strands to fall across the pillow. Perfect. Just enough gold highlights to give her the halo she always wore when helping out her family.
He kissed her forehead but needed more, so he kissed her cheek as well.

“Goodnight, beautiful.”

“Don’t go,” she whispered. She held his arm and tugged until he sat next to her on the bed. “Stay. I don’t want to be alone.”

She’d never asked anything of him. He took and she gave. This was payback time. He stretched out across the bed, and Sam curled her body over and around him. Her head rested on his chest, just below his shoulder. Within minutes, her heartbeat was steady and even. His was elevated and rising.

Forcing his hands to behave took all of his reserves. Sam’s body molded around his with her pressed into his side. A cold shower and a ten-mile run might help, but she had him pinned, unable to escape. Her legs wrapped themselves around his right leg. His right thigh to be exact. One of her knees had tucked itself into the top of his hamstring, snug enough to remain there until morning. If they were playing Twister, she’d be the champion.

Jason had never been the nurturing type. He didn’t have to be. The women around him took care of everything. His mother, his girlfriends, even his physical therapist. Some gave out of maternal love, others gave for financial rewards, or to be pictured in some cheap magazine while searching for the next deep pocket. He had no idea why Sam had always taken care of him, but he certainly appreciated it.

At this moment, however, he enjoyed being the responsible one. Caring for her made sense. It wasn’t an obligation, it was a calling. What if they could make something more of their relationship? He may have initiated the kiss earlier in the evening, but she’d kissed back without hesitation. Her hands had been all over his body as much as his hands had roamed over her soft curves. Thinking about it made him hard and horny. This could work. They both felt some heat toward each other. They trusted each other. They cared for each other. There was nothing illicit about a relationship with her. She wasn’t his sister.

His body craved a merging with her delectable figure. His heart gave a go-ahead as well, but his head warned him of all the reasons changing their relationship would ultimately destroy it.

Chapter Four

Tuesday

Sam woke to sunlight streaming through the window. Her head throbbed, a vicious reminder of Kevin’s broken body, her crying jag, and Jason’s unwavering support. She glanced to the other side of the mattress and felt the blanket. Still warm. She was alone but hadn’t been for long. Wrapped in the memory of Jason’s tender care, she snuggled into her pillow and replayed their steamy kisses. They’d created enough sparks to ignite an entire fireworks display. With a contented sigh, she peeked at her alarm clock.

Eight-thirty. She bolted upright. Her head protested the sudden movement. How had she slept so late? Wincing, she climbed out of bed and dug through her closet. She’d be late for a staff meeting if she didn’t leave immediately.

Footsteps in the hallway preceded Jason’s entrance into her bedroom. He wore the clothes he’d had on the night before. Rumpled and sexy, his face shadowed with a day’s growth of beard, he held out a mug of coffee. “How are you doing?”

“I’m late.” She spun back to the closet and grabbed a skirt and blazer. Where was that shirt?

His hand closed over her shoulder. “Hold on a minute.” He placed the coffee on the dresser and her suit on the bed and cupped her chin in his hand. “You had a rough night. You should take a personal day. Call out.”

“Can’t.” The blue numbers on her clock signaled another precious minute ticking by. “I’ve got an important meeting and two conference calls today. And I can’t afford a day off.”

“You could if you’d let me help you.”

“I appreciate your offer, but I don’t want anything like that clouding our friendship.” Sam met his intense study head-on, drinking in the details, the angular jaw, the strong cheekbones, and the slight cleft in his chin. She’d fallen asleep hugging him and wanted nothing more than to climb back in bed and relive the experience of his body aligned with hers. His eyebrows lifted, and her cheeks warmed. Could he read her thoughts?

“Thank you for staying the night.”

“Anything for you.” His lips curved and erased her thoughts of rushing out the door. Only a fool would walk away from this man.

Her hands rested on his biceps, then linked around his neck. She rose onto her toes and pulled his head down, guiding his lips to hers. For a delicious minute, she forgot about work and responsibility and gave in to the heady excitement of being in Jason’s arms.

Breathless from his kiss, she sighed and rubbed her cheek against his sandpaper scruff. “I hate missing my morning run. Did my alarm wake you? I slept right through it.”

“I turned it off last night.”

Her mouth opened, then closed. She searched for the right words. “You turned my alarm off? Why?”

“I thought you needed to sleep more than you needed to run.”

Last night, he’d said he’d take care of her as long as he was in town. No one had taken care of her in years. The warmth of his gesture wrapped around her heart. “I appreciate the thought, but I have to be in the office in twenty minutes. I’ll never make it on time.”

“Yes, you will. That’s enough time to shower and throw on some clothes. A toasted bagel with butter is waiting for you downstairs, and I’m driving you to work, so you can eat it on the way. Crisis solved.” Wearing a smug smile, he handed her the mug.

She inhaled the steamy, fragrant brew. The pain in her temples receded. “You made me breakfast?”

“Better shower quick, before the food gets cold.” He winked and left the room.

She stepped into the shower. His sweetness overwhelmed her. Having him around permanently would fill the empty hole in her heart. A hole she didn’t know existed until they’d kissed. But permanent was the one thing Jason wasn’t. Soon, he’d return to his life in LA.

The thought of him leaving clenched her stomach into a ball of emptiness. Toweling off, she quickly dressed, listening to the hum of the morning news and Jason’s movements downstairs. She yanked a comb through her hair and swiped mascara on her lashes. He’d been home for a few months, so he’d probably stay through the holidays. She wouldn’t worry about him leaving...yet. They had plenty of time. Her stomach uncoiled. Smiling, she went to claim her breakfast.

Eight hours later, she exited the accounting firm. Jason’s truck sat idling at the curb. When he waved, the stress of the workday evaporated like morning mist in the sun. She hopped into the passenger seat.

He leaned across the console to kiss her. “Tough day?”

“My day was filled with managing other people’s money. People who are never satisfied.” Pleasure pulsing through her, she moved her lips over his and then pulled back. “But the day is rapidly improving now. We’d better head over to see Kevin.”

During the ride to the hospital, she let her hand rest on his thigh. The light contact reassured her. The doctor said Kevin would be fine, but she wouldn’t feel better until she talked to him and made sure he was okay.

Jason held her hand as they walked down the long, busy hallway. She gripped it when they entered her brother’s room. Kevin glanced up from his phone. His features softened and then hardened into a brave face. He looked mad as hell, but he was alive and alert.

Sam fought the tears pressing behind her eyes. “Hey, Kev. How are you feeling?”

“Fine.”

She leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Are you in pain?”

“I said I’m fine.” He turned his scowl from her toward Jason.

“Can we get you anything?” Jason’s hand rested on the small of her back.

“Being stuck in here during my break is lame. A group of us were supposed to go riding four-wheelers today.” Kevin’s fist hit the mattress.

“There’ll be time for that later. The doctor told me you’ll make a full recovery.” Her voice faltered. “I’m so glad you’re okay. They told me how they found the car...” She hadn’t seen the wreckage yet, but her imagination had developed a gruesome picture of the crash scene.

Kevin huffed, then shifted, then winced. “God, don’t go getting all emotional. I’m sorry I smashed your car, okay?”

Jason vibrated like a pit bull on a chain. “I think Sam meant you escaping with the injuries you have is a miracle.”

“Whatever. I’m really tired. You guys should go.” Crossing his arms over his chest, Kevin closed his eyes and turned his face toward the opposite wall.

Sam fought against the sadness and anger waging war inside her. Kevin’s sour mood meant he was feeling better, but he was acting like a spoiled prince. Had she made him that way? She glanced up at Jason.

“Pain meds can make you sleepy.” Jason’s murmur tickled her ear. His hand massaged small, comforting circles into her back.

“Okay, Kev. We’ll see you later.” She allowed Jason to guide her to the door.

He grasped her hand again and strode down the hallway. “Kevin’s going to be fine, so I can kill him now with no guilt.”

“Get in line.” Sam trotted by his side. Anger won out over the hurt. All she wanted was for Kevin to understand she didn’t care about the damn car as long as he was okay. “Should I go back in and try to talk to him?”

“He’s mentally where I was right after my injury happened, mad at the world and not ready to listen. Just give him some time.”

“Okay.” But the frustrated feeling wouldn’t ease. She pushed the elevator button with more force than necessary and focused on her toes tapping the tiled floor.

With a quiet
ping
, the doors opened. Jason’s hand tugged hers, drawing her gaze to his. Frustration melted, leaving the heady pull of friendship and attraction.

“Let’s go home. I’ll let you cook me dinner.”

She grinned. “Thanks.”

As soon as they walked into her house, his cell phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and his brows rose. “I’d better take this.”

“Go ahead. I’ll get started on dinner.” Sam stepped out of her high heels, dug her toes into the carpet, and sighed in relief.

She looked up when Jason pulled the door closed behind him and stepped onto the front porch.

Thoughts on a quiet dinner and hopefully more kisses, Sam wandered into the kitchen. She set rice on to boil and left stir-fry vegetables sizzling in a pan.

She took her time changing clothes, shedding her suit for leggings and an oversized sweater. The rumpled quilt at the foot of the bed hung halfway onto the floor. She smoothed the twisted sheets and blankets into place. Thoughts of falling asleep wrapped in Jason’s arms warmed her. She’d always relied on herself, but the longer he stayed in town, the more she relied on him. His friendship, his ability to make her laugh...

Before things went any further with him, they’d have to talk, set some rules. Her hand smoothed over the soft cotton comforter. No matter what happened between them, she couldn’t lose his friendship. It was too important. He was too important. She needed him more than she needed anyone.

Sam set her alarm for her normal six a.m. wake-up call. Her body craved the sense of peace she received from her daily runs. The colors of the sky at sunrise never failed to soothe her soul. The rush of energy as she pushed her body at dawn fueled her throughout her day.

Back in the kitchen, she poured the vegetables over a bed of brown rice. Jason came in through the back door. He held a small overnight bag.

Nerves and anticipation ratcheted into fifth gear. That one bag escalated this…whatever it was they were doing…to the next level. She’d gather her thoughts while they ate and then talk to him after dinner. Sam transferred plates to the table. “Everything okay?”

“Oh, yeah, fine.” He dropped the bag on the floor and wrapped his arms around her waist. Drawing her back against his chest, he nuzzled her neck. “But I think it’s going to get even better.”

She sighed and tilted her head for better access. The smell of teriyaki sauce reclaimed her focus. They had to talk before anything happened. “The food’s going to get cold.”

They ate at the table, using every opportunity and excuse to touch each other. Her foot rubbed against his, while his fingers traced a lazy pattern on the back of her hand. Easy flirtation guided their conversation. Sam curled her fingers around his. Everything with Jason was comfortable and familiar, exciting and exhilarating. How could one man arouse all of those feelings? Did he feel it too?

She pushed back her chair. “Let’s have some wine. There’s an old Tracy and Hepburn movie starting in a few minutes.”

Cuddled on the couch in the darkened room, while the movie flickered on the screen, she composed her thoughts. She twisted toward Jason. He looked into her eyes, and her breath caught at his hungry expression.