An Irresistible Bachelor (An Unforgettable Lady #2)(25)

“Tell me something.”

“No.”

“You don’t know what I’m going to ask.”

“And I don’t care.”

More gently, he said, “I just want to know. Did you get hurt by someone?”

She looked over at him, her eyes sparkling with outrage. “You’re out of your mind—you know that?”

He stood up. “I’m just thinking it might explain something.”

“And what exactly do you think needs explaining?”

“Why you pulled back from me.”

The blush that came to her cheeks was just about the most attractive thing Jack had seen in a while. And it was confirmation, regardless of whatever denial she was about to throw at him, that she’d felt the same way he had in that closet.

Her chin rose again. “Maybe it’s as simple as I didn’t like it.”

“That wasn’t what it felt like to me.”

“Then maybe you just enjoyed it enough for the both of us.” Her eyes flicked down to the fly of his pants.

The idea that she’d felt his arousal made him clench his teeth with need.

He knew he should back off. He knew he should just let it all go because if he pushed her too far, she was fully capable of walking out on the project. On him.

But he just couldn’t. Her defiance captivated him, making the compliance he got from other women seem pale and uninteresting.

“Callie, I don’t care if you pushed me back because you don’t like me or because I was inappropriate or because I moved too fast. All of those are no doubt true. But I would appreciate some honesty. You liked it when I kissed you.”

She gave him a righteous huff. “You ever have trouble fitting that ego of yours indoors?”

He shook his head slowly. “Not in a place the size of Buona Fortuna. I’d probably have a hard time with a ranch or a split-level, though.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but then a smile tugged at the corners of her lips and she turned back to the toolbox.

Damn, but he wished she’d share the expression with him.

Jack took a step toward her and then forced himself to stop. “Listen, there’s nothing wrong with pleasure, and most people, when they’re lucky enough to find it, don’t want to stop. Unless, of course, they’re already with someone or they’ve been hurt before, which brings me back to my point. You are one of the most defensive, closed women I’ve ever met. It makes me think that someone’s done a number on you.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder and the smile was gone. “I have no intention of discussing my personal life with you. It’s none of your business as it doesn’t impact our professional relationship. And I am not defensive!”

He cocked an eyebrow and smiled softly.

She cleared her throat and looked away. “Maybe I’m just wary of strangers. Which is a very healthy thing.”

“Does that mean, if you knew me better, you wouldn’t be so cautious?”

She laughed, and the rueful edge to the sound was a relief to him. “I’m always going to be wary of you.”

“Callie. Look at me.”

It was a while before she did.

“I really am sorry. And you can trust me. With anything. With your life. I’m not going to hurt you.”

She frowned and chewed her bottom lip. Seeing her white teeth come out over the softness of her mouth made him forget his good intentions for a split second.

Her voice was almost a whisper when she finally spoke. “But you kissed me while knowing you were engaged. Didn’t you?”

He shut his eyes. She had him on that one.

She began taking small jars out of the toolbox and lining them up on the table. “Maybe we should wait for the painting to arrive before we go to the MFA. And I—ah, I think I’d like to get set up now.”

It was an effective change of subject and suggested she wanted some time alone. He knew he couldn’t force her any further, but sure as hell hoped she took what he’d said to heart. In spite of his actions.

“I’ll leave,” he said. “But I want you to know that I’m glad you’re staying. And that I really do want this to go well. For both of us.”

When she didn’t respond, he walked across the room. Pausing at the head of the stairs, he said, “Callie?”

She looked up. “What?”

“Are you with someone?”

As her face reddened, he told himself he was stepping over the line again.

Although not as much as when he’d kissed her, he thought drily.

“What I mean is, do you need time off? Or to have someone come visit?” He spoke casually, trying to cover his tracks.

Because he wanted to know for himself, not to be gracious.

She frowned before responding. “I was planning on working right through.”

“And any visitors?”

She went back to the toolbox, pulling out wooden sticks and wedges of cotton. “Ah—no. No visitors.”

The shot of satisfaction that went through him made Jack want to curse.

Get the hell out of here, you idiot.

This time, he left quickly.





8


AS JACK walked back to the house, he looked up at the dull, cloud-covered sky and knew that getting Callie to stay solved only part of the problem he’d created.