Until We Touch (8 page)

“It’s good that the scientists working with antibiotics didn’t have your ‘it’s enough’ attitude when they discovered penicillin,” Jack murmured.

President Newham glanced between the men before her gaze settled on Jack. “You want to make a case for a football team?” she asked.

“Sure. Football is America’s game. People like it. It teaches discipline and teamwork. It teaches life.” He paused, then smiled. “On a more practical side, college football brings in money. The Texas Longhorns football program was recently valued at $805 million dollars. That’s just football. Superstar athletes bring in five or ten times what their scholarships are worth.”

“In ten years maybe,” Tad muttered.

“Another one of your long-term views. I’d love to see your five-year plan for the college,” Jack murmured. “I had a coach once who used to say you’re either part of the problem or you’re part of the solution.” He turned to President Newham. “Ma’am, it’s not an easy decision to make. There will be costs and starting a team is a long-term proposition. People may argue that the money is better spent elsewhere. But even if you only end up with an average team, you’ll be bringing in multiples of what you spend to get it up and running. Plus, a good football team is great advertising for the college. Who in America hasn’t heard of UCLA?”

“That could be because of the medical center,” Tad pointed out.

“Yeah, it could,” Jack said easily. “Except every one of those people know they’re the UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. You don’t learn that from a medical school.” He paused. “Or a tennis team.”

Tad started to rise from his chair. Jack was kind of hoping the man wouldn’t have second thoughts because every now and then a fight seemed like a good idea. Of course, that belief only lasted until he landed the first blow—which always hurt like a son of a bitch.

“Am I going to have to separate you two?” the university president asked.

Jack grinned. “Probably a good idea.”

She surprised him by smiling back. “All right, Mr. McGarry. Convince me you’re right. Tell me all the reasons Cal U Fool’s Gold
should
have a football team.”

Jack nodded slowly. “Sure thing. How much time do you have?”

* * *

L
ARISSA
WALKED
INTO
the project room. It was a big open office with long tables pushed together to form a square. There were huge dry-erase boards on two walls and corkboards on the other two. A screen could be pulled down for computer presentations. Low cabinets held every kind of office supply and craft material. Because the project room was where the magic happened. Mock-ups began here, as did the brainstorming sessions.

Percy sat at one of the long tables, stacks of magazines in front of him. He had one open and was carefully measuring a page with a ruler.

“Whatcha doing?” she asked as she approached.

He glanced up and smiled at her. “Hey, Larissa.”

“Hey, yourself. I see Taryn already put you to work.”

“She did.” He pointed to the magazines. “There are client ads in each one. I’m making sure they’re the right size and in the right part of the magazine.”

He showed her the cover sheet for the ad approval form. It listed the size of the ad—full page, half page and so on—the name of the magazine, the issue number and the page number the ad should be on. At the top of each cover sheet was a small picture of the magazine itself, making the referencing easier.

“The pictures tell me which magazine to look for. Then this number is the page number and the size of the ad is right here. When I’ve checked it all, I put my initials in this box here.” He pointed to the form.

He sounded proud of the work he was doing, she thought happily. “You like working here?”

“Yeah. It’s real interesting. I’ve had jobs before, but not in a place like this. I’m usually sweeping up or cleaning the bathrooms. I worked for a moving company for a few months.” He wrinkled his nose. “This is better.” His smile returned. “Kenny came by a little bit ago and introduced himself. He’s a big guy.”

“He is.”

“He’s taking me to lunch. He said there’s a Mexican restaurant with enough food that I won’t be hungry for hours.” His expression turned wistful. “That’s a nice feeling, not to be hungry.” He glanced at her, then away. “Not that I care about that kind of thing. But some people do.”

Her heart cracked a little as she wondered how many times the teenager had gone to bed without anything to eat that day.

“You’ll like Kenny. He’s a great guy.” She pulled out a chair and sat next to Percy. “I hope you’ll think about what you want to do for your future,” she said. “Maybe college.”

Percy turned his attention to the magazine in front of him. “Jack talked about that this morning. I need to get my GED first. He’s, ah, gonna help me with that.”

“Good.”

“Are you two, like, engaged?”

Larissa jumped to her feet. “No. Of course not. What a silly question. Why would you ask that?” Before he could answer, she was heading for the door. “I’ll check in with you later,” she called over her shoulder.

Engaged? That would never happen. Jack didn’t want a permanent relationship and she wasn’t interested in one now, either. Certainly not with him. Jack was the kind of man who...

She walked down the hallway. Jack was nice enough, she reminded herself. Good-looking. Successful. He cared about people and she trusted him. But he was also into his bimbo of the week. His idea of an in-depth relationship was one that lasted two weeks. She would know. She bought the parting gifts he gave his lady friends.

Her and Jack? Ridiculous. They were friends. Good friends. Good friends who had kissed that one time, she thought with a sigh.

She wandered into Taryn’s office only to see her friend jump in her chair.

“What?” Taryn demanded. “Why are you here?”

Larissa held up both hands in a gesture of surrender. “Why are you crabbier than usual?”

Taryn sighed. “Sorry. That was guilt.”

Larissa looked at the computer. “Seriously? Are you on a porn site or something?”

Taryn turned the computer to show Larissa the display. “No, wedding gowns.”

Larissa stared at a beautiful dress that was fitted to the waist, then flowed down in a cascade of fabric and lace and flowers. “If there’s rain we can all take cover under the skirt.”

Taryn’s mouth twitched. “Shut up. You don’t know anything about fashion.”

“Which works out because you know enough for both of us. Do you like that?”

“Sort of. I worry it’s too much for this damn town.”

“You’re too much and yet you love it here.”

“I know. Life has quite the sense of humor.” She leaned back in her chair. “Isabel is getting me some samples to try on. If I go with something couture, it’s going to be months before it’s ready.”

Larissa sprawled in a seat on the visitor’s side of the desk. “What about the designers Isabel already works with? You’ve said there are several you like. Ask them to design you a gown. If it’s just a drawing, you’re not committed or anything. And it would be faster than some famous designer.”

Isabel had a clothing store and a bridal gown store in town. For a sleepy little tourist town, Fool’s Gold had some great shopping.

Taryn’s blue-violet eyes widened. “That’s a brilliant idea.”

“Please don’t sound surprised. I can be intelligent.”

“You always are. And that’s great. I’ll talk to Isabel and see what she thinks.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why are you here?”

“You mean your office, right? Because if we’re going to talk about the metaphysics of life on earth, I need a cookie.”

“Why are you in my office?” Taryn clarified.

“I’m bored. Jack’s at a meeting and the guys are all doing different stuff. Want a massage?”

“I just had one.”

Larissa shrugged. “See? I have no responsibilities.”

“Speaking of taking charge and being left to handle the work, what’s up with the kid?”

“His name is Percy.”

Taryn waved away the information. “Your latest project?”

“Jack and I found him last night. He was homeless. He’s just eighteen and he needs help.”

“You found him?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Why isn’t the rescue cat enough?”

“Dyna’s lovely. This is different. Besides, he’s not living with me. He’s with Jack.”

“Of course he is. What are you going to do with him?”

“I don’t know. Jack and I are working on that.”

Taryn’s expression turned knowing. “You’re always going to try to save the world, aren’t you? I can’t figure out if you’re truly that good or if you’re simply distracting yourself.”

“Ouch,” Larissa said. “I have feelings and I care about people and creatures in trouble.”

“Just a little bit more than the rest of us do,” Taryn told her. “I think you’re hiding.”

Something Larissa didn’t want to hear. It was too close to what her mother had mentioned to her. They meant it in different ways but the ultimate message was still the same.

“I’m fine,” she insisted.

“Do I look convinced?” Taryn asked.

“Yes.”

Taryn raised her eyebrows. “I worry about you. You’re so busy taking care of everyone else. Who looks after you?”

Jack,
Larissa thought, but instinctively knew that wasn’t a good answer. Not in these circumstances. “I can take care of myself. I don’t need saving.”

Taryn shook her head. “Some days we all need saving. You should know that.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

D
YNA
’
S
PLAINTIVE
CRIES
made Larissa rethink her plan. The sweet-faced Ragdoll cat was obviously unhappy with the evening’s events.

“I think you’ll like it when we get there,” Larissa said as she grabbed the carrier, along with the big bag of takeout she’d picked up on the way over. “And Percy is nice. You’ll enjoy him.”

Dyna meowed again, making it clear she wasn’t on board with the program. Larissa did her best to not feel guilty as she walked up the walkway to Jack’s front door.

Jack opened it before she got there and stared at the carrier. “Dyna?” he asked, taking the food from her.

“I thought she’d like Percy. Pets are important in a family.”

“Uh-huh. I don’t have a litter box.”

“Yes, you do. From when you had those kittens.”

A couple of months ago, a litter of feral kittens had been in danger of dying when their mother had been killed by a car. They’d moved in with Jack until they’d been adopted.

“Right,” he said. “I’d forgotten. I have no idea where it is.”

“Not a problem.”

Larissa made sure the front door was securely closed, then opened the carrier. Dyna stepped out with the dignity only an offended cat could muster.

“I keep making backward progress with her,” she murmured.

“I’ll tell her she’s a fool not to adore you,” Jack told her. “Come on. Let’s eat.”

Percy clattered down the stairs. He was all arms and legs, still growing, Larissa thought as he stepped into the living room. But his new clothes looked good on him.

“Hey, is that a cat?” he asked, seeing Dyna. “She’s a real beauty.”

He bent over to pick up the feline. Larissa started to warn him that Dyna could be standoffish, only to watch while the cat relaxed into his arms and began to purr.

“That just figures,” she said with a sigh, then went off to the storage area by the utility room. Sure enough, the cat box and extra container of litter were just where she’d last seen them. She filled the box and set it by the washer, then returned to the living room.

Percy stood cradling the cat as he stroked her. She had her big blue eyes half-closed in pure bliss.

“I’ve never had a cat,” he admitted. “I didn’t think I’d like them, but she’s nice.”

Larissa thought of the dogs, cats, fish and hamsters she’d grown up with and briefly wondered how many other Percys were out there, barely getting by.

“Let’s show her the litter box,” she said, motioning for him to follow her. “Then eat. Jack gets crabby if his meals are delayed.”

“I heard that,” Jack yelled from the dining room.

Percy grinned.

After showing Dyna her facilities, Larissa and Percy detoured by the kitchen. They both washed their hands and collected cans of soda before walking into the dining room.

Jack had set out plates and serving spoons. He’d unpacked all the cartons and opened them. Larissa handed him a soda and sat across from him. Percy sat next to Jack and a few seconds later, Dyna sat in the chair next to Percy.

“Traitor,” she told the feline. “I’m the one who saved you.”

“There’s no accounting for who you fall for,” Jack said, and handed Larissa a carton. “Have an egg roll. You’ll feel better.”

There were plenty of choices for dinner. She’d gotten all of Jack’s favorites, along with the crispy spicy shrimp she liked, then added a few things for Percy. She preferred chow mein and Jack preferred rice, so they usually alternated. But with a teenaged boy in the house, she’d gone for both.

For a few minutes there was only the sound of chewing, accompanied by Dyna’s soft purr. Then Percy surfaced long enough to say, “I had Mexican food for lunch. It was good, too.”

“That’s right. Kenny took you out.” Larissa smiled. “You had a nice time with him?”

“Yeah, he’s cool. He really likes football, though.”

Larissa felt her lips twitch. “Could be from being a professional and all.”

“I guess. But it’s just a game, man.” The teen glanced at Jack. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Jack put down his fork. “Basketball is more your game?”

“Uh-huh.”

Larissa saw where this was going. “No,” she said firmly. “No way and no. You can’t.”

Percy’s dark eyes widened slightly. “Can’t what?”

“Invite you to play with his friends.”

“Why not? I’ve got game.”

Jack’s expression turned smug. “Yeah, Larissa. He’s got game.”

“They’re grown men,” she told the teen. “Some of them are dangerous. This is basketball with blood.”

“Only sometimes,” Jack pointed out. “Percy, we play three days a week. If you want in, you’re welcome to join us.”

“I’m in,” Percy told Jack. They exchanged a high five.

It was a part of the male psyche she would never understand, she thought. The need to be so competitive about everything. On the bright side, at least Percy and Jack were connecting.

She accepted the inevitable and picked up her fork. “How was your meeting at the college?” she asked Jack.

Jack’s expression shifted to a scowl. “The athletic director is against starting a football program at the school.”

“Then he’s stupid,” Percy announced. “Football isn’t my thing, but even I know that it brings in the big bucks. Right? Money that pays for other stuff in the school. You know, like the library. Important to the students, but not exciting, like a football game.”

Larissa blinked at him. “You’re right. That’s very insightful.”

Percy sat a little straighter in the chair. “I’m an insightful guy.”

“I see that.”

“Don’t get too cocky, kid,” Jack told him. “Not until you’ve proved yourself on the court.”

“You’ll see.”

“Uh-huh.” He turned back to Larissa. “I’m with Percy. They’re idiots. They have the support of the regents and you know the alumni would be on board. The amount of money they could pull in is staggering, but you can’t push a rope. If they don’t want it, they shouldn’t do it.”

“Is that what you told them?”

“Among other things.”

“I’m sorry the meeting was frustrating.”

He shrugged. “I told them what I thought and now they’ll make their decision. I’m out of it.”

She wondered if he really was or if that was wishful thinking on his part. Jack wanted to get involved and pull away in equal measures. Conflicting emotions with a significant cause. No one could go through what Jack had and not have those events change a person. Some people would have gotten angry or depressed. Jack had moved on, but with emotional protection carefully in place.

He’d been nearly eighteen when his brother, Lucas, had died, but he’d been much younger when his twin had gotten sick. She would guess his life had been defined by Lucas’s illness. She knew his personality had been molded by it. While other kids were free to act out or be irresponsible from time to time, Jack never could. Lucas needed all the family’s attention. Jack had learned to do the right thing, to stay out of trouble and not call attention to himself.

Larissa understood and respected his boundaries. She knew he was a good guy and that was enough for her.

Conversation shifted to what was going on in town. The Máa-zib Festival was the following weekend and Larissa was excited to see all the activities.

“I don’t get it,” Percy said, after finishing his third serving of food. “There’s a dancing horse?”

Jack leaned back in his chair. “That’s what has you confused?” he asked. “Did you hear the part about some guy getting his heart cut out?”

Percy waved off the comment. “That’s not real, man. It’s like the movies. A fake knife and red food coloring. But the horse dancing is actually horses dancing? I didn’t know horses could do that.”

“I’ve never seen it,” Larissa told him. “We’ll have to go check it out.”

Percy started to say something but the word turned into a huge yawn. Larissa glanced at the clock. It was barely after eight, but she would guess the teen hadn’t slept much in the past few days. He’d been making his way back to Fool’s Gold and then last night he’d been in an unfamiliar place.

She stood. “Okay, go on.”

“What?”

“To bed.”

“It’s too early,” Percy protested. “I’m not a baby.”

“No. You’re exhausted. At least go lie down. You can watch TV or something.” And fall asleep in fifteen seconds, she thought, holding in a smile.

Percy yawned again. “Okay. Maybe I’ll go watch a show.”

He rose and reached for his plate. After carrying it to the kitchen, he returned and patted Dyna.

“Thanks for everything,” he said, staring at the cat.

“You’re welcome,” Larissa told him. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

He nodded and headed for the stairs. Jack got up and started clearing food. Most of the cartons were empty but a few still had a bit in them.

“Worth saving?” he asked.

“Might as well. Percy will eat them for a snack. Or breakfast.”

“I’m sure he will.” Jack grinned. “He’s a good kid. You have a knack for finding good people.”

A compliment that warmed her from the inside out.

Together they put food in the refrigerator, threw away cartons and loaded the dishwasher. Dyna checked out a few of the leftovers they offered her and daintily took a piece of chicken. When the cleaning was done, Larissa walked to the freezer.

“I think there are some brownies in here, unless you ate them all.”

She searched behind frozen roasts and single servings of her crockpot chili before finding a package of brownies, then bumped the freezer door closed with her hip.

“Perfect,” she said. “These won’t take too long to thaw.”

She put them on the counter and unwrapped them, then turned to get a plate, only to find Jack was right behind her.

Momentum carried her forward a half foot or so, until she was nearly touching him.

Everything about the moment changed. The easy, lighthearted evening they’d been sharing shifted until the atmosphere was so thick, she could nearly touch it. Her breathing stopped as she stared up into his dark eyes. Her skin heated, her heart rate increased and the world shrank to hold only the man in front of her.

They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. Unexpected need pulsed through her, making her want to close the small distance that still separated them.

This was Jack, she thought, confused and determined at the same time. She knew every inch of him. Knew the feel of her hands on his skin. She wanted that now, but not in the usual way. She didn’t want to give him a massage—she wanted to be touching him the way a woman touches a man. She wanted to be next to him, exploring him as he explored her.

The sexual image was powerful enough to make her knees weak. She sucked in a breath and waited for whatever would happen next. Did he sense the tension between them or would he simply joke about the brownies and suggest they find a baseball game on TV?

His dark eyes were impossible to read. For several long seconds, he didn’t move at all, then he raised his hand and cupped the side of her face.

“Larissa.”

The single word was spoken on a whisper of air. Before she could know what it meant, he bent down and kissed her.

The feel of his mouth was heaven. Gentle, with only a hint of passion. Then the hint grew as the pressure increased. He drew her along with him, building need inside of her.

Without thinking, she raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck. He put his free hand on her waist and drew her against him. They were touching everywhere, hard to soft, male to female. She surrendered to his strength and melted against him, even as their kiss stayed chaste.

He brushed his lips against her cheek, then her closed eyelids. He nuzzled her ear before touching the tip of his tongue to the sensitive skin below her lobe. When his mouth returned to hers, she parted immediately and felt the sizzle that accompanied the first stroke of his tongue against hers.

Heat poured through her, settling low in her belly. Wanting exploded, surprising her at first with its presence, then with its intensity. She had to consciously keep from grinding into him—pelvis to pelvis. At the same time her breast ached for his skilled touch.

The kiss continued—a passionate game of tag, where losing was delicious and winning meant going into overtime.

Jack put both hands on her waist, then slowly slid them up and down her back. On the second pass, he slipped down over her hips. He moved slowly, exploring unfamiliar territory. Anticipation built. Her nipples hardened.

More,
she thought, ready to go wherever this led. Definitely more.

But instead of reading her mind, he drew back enough to break the kiss and put space between them. They stared at each other, both breathing more quickly. She felt as wide-eyed as he looked. Emotions flooded his eyes. Confusion, affection and, most of all, desire. Exactly what she was feeling. Because while she’d always liked Jack, until recently she hadn’t thought about
liking
Jack.

Indecision had her biting her bottom lip. Because this night could go in two very different directions. While wanting him was great and making love would probably rock her world, what would happen the next morning? What would she have lost?

She nearly stomped her foot. This was all her mother’s fault, she thought bitterly.

“I have to go,” she said suddenly, darting around him.

“Larissa, we have to talk.”

“We don’t. Not really.”

She found Dyna curled up on the sofa. Her cat didn’t take kindly to being disturbed, but allowed her regal self to be placed in the carrier.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. At work.”

With that, she raced for the front door and didn’t allow herself to relax until she was safely in her car. Before starting the engine, she drew in a few breaths and told herself living in a state of denial wasn’t all that bad. People did it all the time and she could, too.

* * *

J
ACK
CHECKED
ON
Percy and found the kid was out like a light. After that, he wandered through his too-large house, then tried to find something interesting on TV. When that didn’t work, he grabbed his phone and scrolled through the numbers, looking for a way to ease his troubles.