Careless Rapture (17 page)

Carter finished his beer. “Yeah. If she asks
you what you’re thinking and you say, ‘Nothing,’ she’ll think
you’re keeping something from her. She can’t believe you could
really be thinking about nothing. Which also leads to the reverse
of this.”

Drake stared. “The reverse?”

“If she says nothing is wrong, it’s
definitely something, but she won’t tell you what—”

“And that’s a whole other story,” Clay
interrupted.

Drake scratched his head but nodded. “Okay,
so I don’t say, ‘Nothing.’”

“Right. And this is what will save you. Tell
her about a situation she knows you wouldn’t want to talk
about.”

“Like what?”

Clay thought for a moment. “Say your
prostate’s bothering you.”

Eric shook his head. “No, then she’ll want
you to go visit the doctor.”

They grunted, acknowledging this fact.

“Work,” Carter suggested. “Say you might have
to fire somebody.”

Drake signaled for another beer. “She’ll ask
me who.”

They fell into silence.

“We need a self-contained lie that won’t
snowball,” Carter said.

“Does one exist?” Drake scoffed.

“Sure. We just have to think of it.”

Eric snapped his fingers. “You’re worried
about Jackie.”

Drake thanked the waitress when she handed
him his drink. He took a gulp. “She’ll ask me why.”

“Just say you’re concerned,” Carter said.
“It’s an easy out.”

Eric nodded. “It’s easy to worry about
Jackie.”

“True,” Drake said slowly. “She said Jackie
seemed different when they went out—subdued.”

Eric frowned. “Jackie subdued? That isn’t
like her. She must be more upset about her breakup than she lets
on.”

“I think I know someone who could take her
mind off it.”

“Stay out of her love life, Drake,” Eric
said.

“It would just be an introduction. She’s not
seeing anyone now and I’m just looking out for her.”

Clay felt his gut twist.

Drake turned to him and patted him on the
back. “Then I have to find a woman for you,” he said, his affection
for Clay clear in his gaze.

Clay finished his drink feeling like crap.
“I’m fine.”

“I think you could use a refill,” Eric said.
“Drake, buy the man a beer.”

“Your money isn’t working?” he asked Eric,
signaling the waitress.

“He gave you good advice. We’ll see if it
works.”

Drake grinned. “I’m not worried. I trust
him.”

Clay glanced away, unable to meet his
gaze.

***

Faye came into Jackie’s office on a morning
when Jackie had gotten little sleep. She hadn’t been able to speak
to Clay since the previous Sunday. “Did you read the Metro
section?”

“No.”

“That Winstead guy suffered some sort of
freak accident in his car. There was an acid-like substance on his
steering wheel and he singed his hands.” She tossed the paper on
the desk. “They look like lobster claws now.”

Jackie looked at the photo and grimaced.
“Ouch.”

Faye laughed. “I’m sure he used a stronger
word than that.” She surveyed the cluttered desk. “How are things
coming?”

“They’re moving.”
From one pile to
another
.

“Good. Keep at it. We’ll be back on our feet
in no time and you’ll be happy to hear that I convinced another
client to join.”

“Do you think we should?”

“We have to. With our present grant we have
to serve a certain number of people. If we lose three more clients,
we’ll be in serious jeopardy. The more we have, the better we look,
plus those numbers will help with the grants you’re writing.”

Jackie tapped her chin pensively. “Do you
think we should warn the new client?”

“About what?”

“The man Melanie talked about.”

Faye folded her arms. “Has Melanie called
you?”

“No.” She wasn’t sure if that was a good sign
or bad.

Faye shrugged. “Then in all likelihood you’ve
convinced her to stay with us and that guy was a passing
infatuation. There are men out there that can charm you blind.”

“He called me once,” Jackie said quietly.

Faye looked at her, stunned, “What?”

Jackie became unsure. “At least I think it
was him.” She shook her head. What he’d said sounded silly and he
hadn’t called her since. “Never mind. You’re probably right. So has
Nicolas called?” Jackie asked, curious about the blue-eyed stranger
they’d met at the funeral.

“We went out last weekend.”

“Did you have a good time?”

“Yes, it was nice. Well, I won’t keep
you.”

“Wait a minute. I would like a few details,
please.”

Faye shrugged. “There isn’t much to say.
Dinner and dancing. The usual.”

“Oh”

Faye turned to the door, then tripped on a
stack of books. She caught herself on a chair.

“I’m sorry,” Jackie said, moving the stack to
the wall. She glanced around her cramped, messy office, then back
at Faye. She looked out of place in her stylish clothes—as though
she belonged in a multimillion-dollar corporation. “Why do you do
this? I mean, I know why I’m here, but you grew up so far away from
this. You could be at a job that makes a lot more money.”

She took a while to answer, her face slowly
lighting up as she pondered the reasons. “It’s in my blood, I
guess. My parents were always involved in charities and I loved
helping them. I loved the feeling that I was contributing to making
the world a better place. I just followed in their footsteps.”

“I’m glad you did.”

She grinned. “So am I.”

After Faye left, Jackie sagged against her
seat. For the first time she felt beaten. She’d tried contacting
other possible investors and failed; she’d considered putting a
fundraiser together then thought of all the effort that would
entail. Her social life was also uncertain—she hadn’t heard from
Clay in days. Perhaps Adriana was right. They were all wrong for
each other and fate was trying to give her a sign.

Suddenly Faye’s pleased greeting caught her
attention. “Hello, Clayton! What a nice surprise.”

She heard Clay’s low grumble and rushed to
the reception area. He couldn’t be here. He wasn’t supposed to be
here. What if he told Faye about the investigation?

She halted when she saw them. Faye turned to
her and smiled. “This is Jackie Henson, our vice president.”

Clay shook Jackie’s limp hand. “Nice to meet
you.”

“This is Clayton Dubois, he’s interested in
the program and—”

“I’d like to speak with you,” Clay smoothly
interrupted.

Jackie found her voice. “Yes, of course.”

She led him to her office then shut the door.
“Why haven’t you called me?” She held out her hand and lowered her
head. “Wait. That wasn’t the question I meant to ask you.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Are you asking out of curiosity or an
accusation?”

“If Faye discovers you’re a private
investigator—”

He sat. “She won’t. She thinks I’m a reporter
doing an article on nonprofit organizations. But thank you,” he
said sarcastically. “You have this very clever knack of insulting
my intelligence.”

“It’s not hard.”

His eyes darkened.

She waved a dismissive hand. “I didn’t mean
it that way.” She was glad to see him, yet annoyed he hadn’t
called. She shouldn’t be because this was a casual relationship,
nothing more. “It’s just a surprise to see you here,
Clayton
.”

“I had to think of a name similar to my own
in case you saw me and called me by name.”

“I see.”

He stretched his legs out and stared up at
her, his voice quiet “Do you trust me to do my job?”

“Yes. What have you discovered?”

“Well, I know one thing.”

She leaned close. “What?”

“It’s a man.”

She playfully hit him and kissed her teeth.
“You’re annoying.”

“When I have anything interesting, I’ll let
you know.”

“So why are you here?”

He took out an envelope and handed it to her.
“This is Winstead’s contribution.”

Jackie took the envelope, confused. “But he
didn’t offer to contribute anything.”

“He paid us off. I thought you could put it
to better use.”

“Oh, thank you.” She opened it and looked at
the amount. “Goodness.” She glanced up, amazed. “Don’t you want any
for yourself?”

“No.”

“Don’t you like money?”

“I like money, just not that kind.”

Jackie began to grin. “Did you hear what
happened to him?”

Clay looked bored. “No.”

“He got his hands burned in his own car.
Could you imagine such a freak accident?”

“Guess he won’t be touching things for some
time.”

“Yes.” She looked at him. Something suddenly
clicked. Her mouth fell open. “Clay? You didn’t.”

He raised an innocent brow. “What?”

“You know what. That’s awful.” She wagged a
finger. “It isn’t nice to play pranks, little boy.”

“Mischief made me do it.”

“Thank her for me.”

He pulled her onto his lap. “I plan to.” He
glanced at the door. “Do people usually knock before they
enter?”

Jackie undid the top button of his shirt.
“Yes. Why?”

“Because I want to kiss you and I’d prefer
not to have an audience.”

She pressed her lips on his chest. “I didn’t
know you were shy.”

“I could learn not to be.” He drew her close
and kissed her.

The phone rang.

Jackie grabbed his jacket and rested her
forehead against his chest. “Fate is against us.”

“She probably has the right idea.”

Jackie grabbed his arm before he stood.
“Don’t go away, please.”

“Answer the phone.”

“Don’t go away.”

He sat back. Relieved, she picked up the
receiver.

“Jackie Services, HOPE speaking.” She shook
her head. “I mean HOPE Services, Jackie speaking.”

“Bad day?” Eric said.

Sure. If you consider trying to make out
with your lover when your brother calls.
“Sort of. Hi.”

“Hi. I was thinking about your financial
trouble and wondered if you’d thought about Kevin.”

“Kevin?”

“Yes, Cassie’s friend. He’s got loads of
money. You could ask him to contribute. I didn’t want to say
anything in front of Drake. You know he hates him.”

Jackie slapped her forehead, wishing she had
thought of him herself. Kevin, of course. “That’s a good idea.
Thank you so much.”

“Naturally, I’d get a percentage for offering
you this suggestion.”

She rested against the desk and toyed with
her pens. “You’ll get a percentage. How does zero sound?”

“Sounds like the amount of sensible ideas
that enter your head. What are you up to?”

Jackie stopped. “What do you mean?”

“Cassie said you weren’t yourself the other
day.”

“You spoke to Cassie?”

“No, I spoke to Adriana, which is basically
the same thing.”

“I’m thinking about work.”

His tone grew serious. “You’re talking to me,
not Drake.”

Damn him for being so astute. “Truth is there
have been a number of clients who have been canceling our service.
One mentioned some adviser who had told her to do so. It has me
worried. So I’ve been preoccupied thinking about this mysterious
adviser.” She crossed her fingers, hoping her explanation would
fool him.

“Have you thought about having Clay look into
it for you? He helped me out once.”

She tried to sound surprised. “That’s a good
idea.”

He suddenly laughed. “And I’m sure you
thought about it before I did.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means whatever you’re up to I’ll keep it
between us. Bye.”

“Bye.” She slowly hung up-the phone, then
looked at Clay guiltily. “That was Eric. I think he’s on to
us.”

Clay shrugged. “By the time he figures things
out, we’ll be over.”

She made a face. “You don’t need to sound so
pleased about it.”

“Aren’t you pleased? I doubt you want to
explain me to them.”

“No, but—”

“Then relax.”

She wished she could, but the thought of him
out of her life was a gloomy prospect. He’d been in it only a short
time and had already become a staple.

“So, what’s a good idea?” Clay asked.

“That I go to Kevin for help.”

Clay frowned. “I think you should stick with
proposals.”

“You don’t like Kevin either?”

“I know his sort,” he grumbled. “Just don’t
feel grateful if he says yes.”

She raised an innocent brow. “I’ll be very
grateful if he says yes.”

His jaw twitched. “How grateful?”

She winked. “Maybe give him what you don’t
have time for.”

He leaned back, his eyes dark and unreadable.
“You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“Trying the ‘Mack’ approach.”

“I was only teasing.”

“I don’t like that kind of teasing. If you
want to start a relationship with Kevin, go ahead. I won’t like it,
but I won’t stop you. However, you’re making that crucial mistake
again by trying to manipulate me instead of telling me what you
want. I don’t play games, little girl.”

This time the reference stung with its
accuracy. “I want to see you more.”

“I know. That’s why I came over.”

“You just wanted to give me the money.”

“I could have mailed it.”

Her eyes fell, shame crawling over her skin.
He was right. He’d made an excuse to see her. “I’m sorry. I
guess—”

“You want more.”

Her eyes flew up. “No, this is fine.” She
pushed herself from the desk. “I’m glad you came by. Let me just
schedule a meeting with Kevin, then we’ll go to lunch.”

“I’m not sure about Kevin.”

She laughed at his grim expression. “Unlike
you, I know how to handle him.”

“I’m coming with you.”

She was inwardly thrilled at the prospect,
but merely shrugged. “Suit yourself.”