An Irresistible Bachelor(46)

Forgetting her was just not an option.

And he knew playing Peeping Tom was only going to push him further into the clutches of insomnia, so he headed for the garage. Hitting the light switch and climbing up the narrow stairs, he looked at her carefully arranged workspace.



Brown jars of liquid were lined up neatly to the left of the painting as were an assortment of brushes, wooden sticks, and cotton swabs. The microscope, which had been poised over the painting surface, had been put aside and he saw that a breathing mask and some rubber gloves had been brought out. He picked up a notebook and flipped it open. Her notes on the portrait's condition were voluminous, her writing very neat, her statements almost lawyerly in their tone and accuracy. She'd ordered the documentation under headings like "Surface," "Edge-wrap," "Soakage," and "Thread Oxidation." In talking with her about her work, he'd been surprised at how scientific the terminology was. She knew a hell of a lot about chemistry, for instance, and had been able to describe at a molecular level what would happen when the solvent she was going to use hit the old varnish and liquefied it.

She was, he'd learned, incredibly smart.

As well as sexy as hell.

He closed the notebook and put it back.

Damn it. If his mother hadn't come in, he would have taken Callie on the kitchen table. On top of the damn dishes. He'd been so driven to have her, he hadn't cared where they were.

He shook his head. He had to talk to Blair. He could have put one slip up with Callie behind him. Two was a trend he couldn't live with.

It was not going to be easy. No matter how carefully he expressed himself, he was going to hurt a woman who loved him and that made him feel wretched. He also knew there was a possibility she'd end the engagement and he wouldn't blame her if she did.



As the deep growl of a car sounded out in the night, he glanced at his watch, surprised Thomas was home so early.

Before Jack turned off the lights, he looked back at the table, picturing Callie bent over the painting, totally absorbed in her work. He thought about her losing track of time and not eating properly and realized there wasn't a clock in the place, not even a digital readout on the stereo.

He lifted his arm and took off the Patek Philippe wristwatch he wore. He'd bought it when the first company he'd ever invested in went public and made him a millionaire a couple of times over. It was gold, with a black alligator band, and he didn't take it off except for when he showered, even though it was waterproof to some ridiculous depth.

He laid it face-up next to her can of brushes, hoping she'd use it until he figured out what kind of clock to install for her. The thing kept perfect time, and with any luck, she'd know when it was lunchtime now.

Jack was just stepping outside as Thomas got out of his car. The Pontiac GTO was the man's pride and joy. Deep purple with lots of chrome, it was the quintessential muscle car.

"You're home early, old man."

Thomas let out a shout of laughter. "They call her the fair Angelina, not the faithful. Found another backseat she was interested in trying out."

"Sorry about that."

Thomas grinned and ambled over. "S'alright There'll be others."

They walked into the kitchen together.



"Beer?" Thomas asked, throwing open the fridge.

When Jack nodded, a bottle came flying through the air at him. He caught it, opened it, and sent it back across the counter. Thomas tossed another at him.

"So that conservationist's a looker," Thomas said after a deep draw.

jack frowned, twisting his cap off. "Yeah."

"How're you two getting along?"

"Is that an honest question or a leading statement?" Jack tipped the bottle back, swallowing hard. It was better than cursing.

"Lil' bit of both. Right now, you're prowling around like you're on a short leash with a plate of food just out of reach. So it makes me wonder."

"You're reading into things."

"Don't think so."

Jack was sorely tempted to go with a lie but he knew he wouldn't get away with it. Not with Thomas. The man had known him his whole life.

"It's no damned good." Jack shook his head. "And the timing is awful. Just when I decide to settle the hell down. I thought I was through chasing women."

"You're lucky it happened now. Before things got permanent."