The Closer You Come (The Original Heartbreakers, #1)(53)

Professional tightened her hands around the strap of her briefcase. “Beck told me he was single. If you’re his wife—”

“Wife?” she heard from around the corner before the man in question sauntered in and wrapped his arm around Professional’s waist. “Nah. She’s my permanent side slice, so she doesn’t mind sharing me for an hour or two. Isn’t that right, pookie?”

“Not right,” Brook Lynn said with a shake of her head. “Not ever.”

Beck shrugged, unabashed. “She’s just mad because I only ever let her role-play the exalted position of wife in bed.”

“We have never been in bed together,” Brook Lynn gritted out. “Never will.”

“You’re kidding, Beck. I know you are.” His newest conquest relaxed against him. “You have the most amazing sense of humor.”

Gag me. Please.

Beck wore a suit and tie, his clothing as straight and perfect as if they’d just been pressed. Not a strand of his hair was out of place.

He kissed the woman on the temple. “You should take off, pretty. Work is calling your name.”

She turned in his arms, and Brook Lynn thought she responded with “I’d rather hear you scream it.”

Could he even remember it?

O-kay. My cue to vanish. Brook Lynn moved out of the kitchen. But Beck and his lady lover followed hot on her heels. Or rather, Beck followed, dragging the gal with him.

“Though it pains me to say it, there’s no time for a repeat performance.” Beck patted Professional on the bottom. “You know I need at least two hours to enjoy you properly, and that’s only if I’m in a rush.”

The woman ate up the flattery as if he meant it, clinging to the lapels of his suit.

Beck ushered her to the porch and blew her a kiss—just before he shut the door in her face.

Brook Lynn shook her head. “You are the man parents warn their daughters about.”

“Thank you.”

“Because it was totally a compliment.”

He wagged a finger at her. “You’re my assistant,” he said. “And yet, I strangely do not recall being assisted with this bang and bail.”

“Actually, I’m Jase’s assistant.”

“Why limit yourself? You can work for us both. Besides, if Jase had been inside, he would have commanded you to get rid of my date for me.”

“You did fine on your own, and you didn’t even have to prepare your special breakfast.”

“That’s because it’s lunchtime,” he said, as if she were missing a few brain cells. “What are you serving?”

“To Jase? Sandwiches. They’ll be ready in thirty. To you? Only advice. If you don’t want your conquests to get the wrong idea, don’t let them stay the night. Or, I don’t know, maybe keep it in your pants once in a while.”

“I met Helen...Harriet?...this morning. We came back here for a quickie. Her idea.”

“Seriously?”

He walked over and cupped her cheek. “Yes, cupcake. I’m that good. And for your information, I would be willing to keep it in my pants, no problem, but I keep getting requests for showings.”

She batted him away. “I know where that hand has been.”

Unoffended, he adjusted the cuffs at his wrists.

“You need a new hobby,” she told him.

For a moment, only a moment, his expression registered seriousness. “Sometimes sex is the only way to keep the darkness at bay.”

“Beck,” she said, suddenly wanting to hug him.

He grabbed his car keypad from the kitchen counter—apparently he drove some kind of alien vehicle with a keyless start—and flashed her a wicked grin meant to shut down any sympathy on her part. “By the way, I’ve been tracking down a surprise for Jase. Someone from his past. I don’t think he’s interested anymore, but he has a right to choose, you know? Anyway, I’m close to success, so for my reward I’d like a ham and cheese casserole for dinner.”

“Someone from his past?” If he wanted a meeting with an old school chum, she would like to be the one to track the guy down. Because she owed him. Not for any other reason. “And what do you mean, choose?”

“Sorry, pretty, but I only share information that important when I’m naked.”

“Then I’ll happily go to my grave ignorant of the person’s identity and the choice Jase has to make, whatever it is.” She motioned to the sandwiches she’d spent the past two hours preparing. Even rapid-rise fresh-baked bread took time. “Take a look at the lunch you’re not going to get.”

He might have whimpered. “I’ll change your mind. Just see if I don’t.” Beck gave her a jaunty salute before stalking from the room.

Well. While the bread was cooling, she had better check on Jase. He was probably dying of thirst. And she couldn’t let that happen, now, could she? She filled a glass with water and carried it outside, the sun hotter and brighter than it had been a few hours ago. She scanned the backyard. The shed Jase had refurbished so expertly looked brand-new. The redbuds and magnolias were in full bloom, the towering oaks throwing umbrellas of shade in every direction. Lovely, but there was no sign of Jase.

“Jase?”

The squawk of black birds was the only response.