The Closer You Come (The Original Heartbreakers, #1)(88)

“You’re right about the tone. I’m sorry. As for the other thing, your very generous boss will give you an hour off.”

Brad didn’t love her or anything like that, but rejection was rejection, and it always hurt. “Maybe I’ll let him down in stages.”

“In one swoop. This is necessary to his survival,” Jase said. “I don’t want him thinking there’s a chance he can have what’s mine.”

What’s mine. The caveman claim of possession reverberated in her head, thrilling her.

“He’s a nice guy, Jase, from a nice family. His dad is sheriff and one of the best—”

“Sheriff?” Jase asked, going still again.

“Yeah. Why? Is that a problem?”

The color drained from his cheeks. “No,” he rasped. “No problem. Just...tell Brad first thing in the morning.”

“Okay.”

Fiery green eyes locked on her. “And bring an overnight bag to work.”

“Ask nicely.”

“Or what? You start counting?”

“Nope. I put your body in a time-out corner.”

He arched a brow. “Going to be that girl, are you?”

“For sure. As long as we’re together, I’m going to use sex against you.”

“Well, well. I’m finally meeting that evil side I’ve heard so much about.”

“Too bad for you she only gets worse.”

“Nah. All she needs is an orgasm or two, and she’ll forget all about that time-out corner.” He palmed her breasts. “Let me prove it...”





CHAPTER TWENTY

I CAN DO THIS. I’ve got this. Except I probably can’t do this, and I most likely don’t have this.

Brook Lynn marched down Fragaria Street, heading toward Lintz Automotive, giving herself the best-worst pep talk of all time. She’d never had to reject someone before. It’s not about saying all the right things when there’s nothing right to say. It’s about believing I won’t destroy his self-esteem even though I probably will.

Jase walked at her side, his steps clipped, his posture tense.

He’d stayed the entire night. Anytime she’d inadvertently rolled away from him, he’d begun to toss and turn. When she’d snuggled up close, he’d calmed. They’d woken up wrapped in each other’s arms and made love again. It had been thrilling and satisfying—but still she couldn’t shake the sensation that something had been missing.

She’d expected him to head home, but he had errands in town, he’d said, and would escort her to the auto shop. When she’d refused to ride with him—no need to encourage him—he’d followed her. He wanted to ensure she made it to Brad’s safely, and she understood that. But waves of anger pulsed from him, and she found herself wondering what he’d do to the guy if they ever came face-to-face.

“Go,” she said, waving him away.

“Not till you’re at the door.”

“Don’t think I’ll do as ordered?”

“There’s just something I need to do—ah, finally,” he said and wrapped his arm around her waist.

The contact startled her, and she gasped.

Charlene Burns had just turned the corner, she realized, her steps stuttering when she spotted them. She pasted a smile on her face and skipped the rest of the way over.

“I didn’t realize you’d be bringing your assistant to our meeting,” she said, not sparing Brook Lynn a glance.

What! What meeting?

Jase kissed Brook Lynn on the temple and said, “I didn’t. I brought my girlfriend.”

Charlene gaped at him. “Oh, that’s...lovely.” Her tone suggested lovely was the new word for craptastic.

Warmth spilled through Brook Lynn as she realized what, exactly, was going on. Charlene must have turned her sights to Jase, and this was his way of letting her know nothing was going to happen. Meanwhile, though he had no idea he was doing it, he was proving Charlene’s “use her and lose her” comment wrong.

Just like that, Brook Lynn forgave him for his brutishness last night.

“Just wanted to thank you for those muffins,” Jase said. “The tin is in my car.” He kissed Brook Lynn again, smack on the lips, and said, “I’ll be at the house when you’re done, and I’ll be missing you every second, honey.” He gently caressed her cheek before walking off with Charlene.

I am going to fall so hard for this man.

Charlene looked so envious, Brook Lynn actually felt sorry for her. She patted the girl’s arm, saying, “Everything will be okay. I’ll see you later, Charlene.”

Charlene jolted away from her and hissed.

Brook Lynn didn’t let it affect her, just ambled away. About to turn the corner, her step faltered. Not because she’d reached her destination, but because she caught the reflection of a man in a store window, barreling toward her from behind. She attempted to sidestep him, but she wasn’t fast enough, and he plowed into her. She tripped, landing on her knees. The pavement cut into her skin, and her purse thumped heavily against her hip.

The man stopped to help her up. “I’m so sorry...was in a hurry...didn’t see you.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She hooked her purse strap over her shoulder, letting it crisscross over her middle. “I’m fine.”