Reckless (Brazen #2)(6)

“Yeah,” Jasmine said with a half smile. “Shocking ain’t it? Now you know why I don’t want it to get around. I suspect some people know or at least think they know, but suspecting and having solid proof are two different things. At least now you won’t try to kick my ass for cheating on Zane. As much as I appreciate your apparent loyalty to my husband, I’d just as soon you not feel as though he needs protecting from me.”

“Oh damn,” Nikki muttered. “I just made a first-class ass of myself didn’t I?” Jasmine grinned. “Nah. You would have only made an ass of yourself if you tried to kick my ass in my own kitchen.”

Nikki blew out her breath. “Well hell.”

Jasmine waved her hand. “Okay, enough of that. Now tell me why on earth you’d want to come out here to talk about J.T.? Aren’t you two long-time friends?”

“Not exactly,” Nikki said glumly. “He’s best friends with my brother. My older, very protective brother.”

“Ahh. That explains a lot.”

“He’s avoiding me, and I figure his next step is to hole up out here, seeing as how I’ve chased him down everywhere else, including getting myself arrested and taken to his jail last night.”

Jasmine burst out laughing. She wiped her eyes with her palms. “Oh lord, now why didn’t I think of something like that when I was trying to lasso Seth and Zane?”

“It didn’t work very well,” Nikki muttered. “Anyway, I was going to come out and appeal to Zane since he’s somewhat of an old friend and wrangle an invitation when J.T.

retreats out here like the coward he is.”

“Any idea why he’s avoiding you?” Jasmine asked delicately.

Nikki made a face. “Pick your reason. If you listen to him, he’s twelve years older, my brother is his best friend, he promised to look after me for God’s sake, like I’m some two-year-old, and then there’s the fact that I’m so young and innocent and need protecting from myself.”

Jasmine cracked up again. “Okay, despite the fact that you just wanted to kick my ass and the fact that my husband hugged you, I like you, Nikki. I like you a whole lot. I almost feel sorry for J.T.”

Nikki grinned. “Oh you don’t have to feel sorry for him. I plan to treat him real nice.”

Jasmine hopped up from her seat and reached for the cordless phone. She looked at Nikki and held a finger to her lips as she punched the numbers.

“J.T., hey, it’s Jasmine. How’s it going?”

She paused then grinned. “Hey, I thought you might want to come out for a swim since it’s so hot and you have shitty air conditioning in your office. From what I hear, you could use some sanctuary from a certain pretty young thing chasing you around town.”

Nikki glared at Jasmine who just grinned and then broke into laughter.

“Oh come on, J.T. Like anything stays secret in Barley? So you want to come out or not? We may or may not be around when you get here, but feel free to let yourself in.

We’ll be back after awhile, and we can grill for dinner.”

Jasmine winked at Nikki and gave her a thumbs-up.

“Okay, J.T. See you later then.”

She laid the phone down and grinned at Nikki. “He’s on his way out. Now I just need to round up Seth and Zane and give Carmen the rest of the day off. I can give you until dinner to work your magic. Of course you’re welcome to stay for steaks, but who knows if J.T. will have the guts to hang around. He seems to have developed a yellow streak where you’re concerned.”

“Tell me about it,” Nikki muttered. “And hey, Jasmine,” she said as Jasmine started to walk out of the kitchen. Jasmine turned to look at Nikki. “Thanks. Really. You didn’t have to do this, but I appreciate it. Especially since I made a complete fool of myself.” Jasmine smiled. “I know what it’s like to want a man who resists you at every turn.

Believe me when I say I do. I don’t know what it is about the men around here, but once they make up their minds that you’re off limits, it’s like cracking cement to get them to change them. J.T.’s a good man. The best. And I can see that you’re passionate and loyal about people you care about. J.T. needs someone like that. If you can be that person, then I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

She started to go again but then stopped and turned around with a grin. “Just a thought, but if you want to properly ambush J.T. you might want to move your car around back so he doesn’t know you’re here when he drives up.”

Chapter Three

J.T. pulled to a stop in front of the ranch and wiped the sweat from his brow. He couldn’t wait to jump in the pool. There weren’t too many safe places left in Barley for him to hide, but he was safe here.

He climbed out and strode to the house in his swim trunks, flip-flops and T-shirt. He knocked then rang the bell, but when no one answered, he opened the door and let himself in. Jasmine had said they might not be here. Which was fine with him. He could use the alone time to work off some serious sexual frustration.

He made his way through the living room and to the glass patio doors. Beyond, the pool shimmered a sparkling blue, and he nearly groaned as he imagined how nice it was going to feel to immerse himself in its coolness.

He shut the door behind him, kicked off his flip-flops and made a beeline for the deep end. But when he got there, his gaze drifted to the lawn chair situated just a foot from the diving board. And to the beautiful, naked woman stretched out, sunbathing.