ThreeReasonsWhy (4 page)

She looked at him once more. “Wes, we could date until the
cows came home. Would we have fun? Yeah, more than likely we would. Would the
sex be hot? Hell yeah. Would that change the fact that you and I are planning
two very different futures? No. I don’t see any way this could end in anything
other than heartbreak.”

“Why are you so opposed to a committed relationship?”

“I told you yesterday.”

He shook his head. “No. I don’t think you did. There’s gotta
be more to it than liking your solitude. It doesn’t add up, Jill. You’re one of
the most social, most fun people in Madison.”

“High praise,” she joked. “Madison has a population of two
hundred people and ninety percent of them are over seventy.”

Wes laughed. “Very funny. Last count I heard, we had at
least three hundred folks in town. Come on, Jill. What gives? What’s got you so
down on relationships? Is it because of your parents’ divorce?”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, puh-leaze. What do want me to say?
I have daddy issues? My dad ran out on my mom and left her alone to raise two
daughters. I don’t think that wrecked my psyche. Truth is, my mother was better
off without the guy. And yes, Zack the Rat dumped my sister and ran off with
that slut to Vegas. Again, she was better off without him.”

“So you don’t trust men?”

She shook her head. “I’m not shallow or thick, Wes. I would
never assume all guys are like Zack and my dad. Rick is a stand-up kind of guy
and I know he’ll make my sister happy until the day she dies. But Kate’s
different from me. She craves companionship. She’s loving, giving and totally
into committed relationships. I like to fly—fancy and free.”

“Speaking of flying free, I know you and Seth were seeing
each other for a while, but Kate said that you aren’t anymore,” Wes said. “Is
that true?”

“That was an odd segue. What does my relationship with Seth
have to do with the price of tea in China?”

“Just answer the question.”

She considered lying, telling him she was still involved
with the other man. Truth was, she and Seth had never been in a real
relationship. They went out occasionally and they slaked each other’s needs.
Seth knew she wasn’t looking for more than sex. He didn’t pressure her for more
than she was willing to give in the emotions department.

“Seth and I aren’t involved. Even when we were, he knew I
wasn’t looking for a relationship
and
he accepted that.”

He ignored her pointed reference to the idea that he sucked
in the listening department. “So you aren’t still sleeping with each other?”

Her temper spiked. “And why the hell would that be any of
your business?

“Because I don’t share.”

She sucked in a breath, trying to still the racing of her
heart. He was relentless. The worst part was, she knew that if any man on the
planet had a chance of capturing her body and soul, it was Wes. Regardless of
that, she couldn’t give him what he wanted.

“Don’t mean to shatter your overweening confidence or
anything, but I’m not a one-man woman. I won’t be tied down.”

The damn man grinned, and she realized the gauntlet she’d
just thrown down.

“Oh, I’m going to tie you down, Jill, don’t you worry about
that. And then I’m going to fuck you until you forget there are other men on
the planet.”

She fought to appear unconcerned, though her legs went weak
at the thought. “Whatever. Listen, those toilets aren’t going to fix
themselves, you know, and the clock on these wages of yours doesn’t start until
you do.”

She needed to get the hell out of this kitchen. The
temperature had been rising steadily since Wes had shown up, and it was all she
could do not to fan herself. She turned and walked toward her office. She
needed to get away from him. Find a way out of the mess she’d landed herself
in. She’d been smart to avoid him for so long.

She tried to shut the door, but a hand pushed against it.
She turned and slowly backed toward her desk as he followed her in. The look in
his eyes told her any attempt at escape would be futile. He continued to follow
her step for step until the hard surface of the desk hit the back of her legs.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting an advance on my pay.” Wes leaned toward her and
didn’t stop until his lips were a mere breath from hers.

Jill wanted to shove him back, tell him to get the hell away
from her, but she’d dreamed of his lips since Christmas. Yesterday’s kisses had
only whetted her appetite for more.
Just one more taste
, she thought.
One taste.

“Just one taste,” he murmured against her mouth, and she
realized she’d uttered her thoughts aloud. Slowly, seductively, he dragged his
lips against hers, teasing her by withholding the true kiss she desired.

Her libido was in overdrive and crushing out all other
emotions with its desire to pull Wes toward her and eat him alive. His bulging
pecs were well defined through his tight T-shirt and, though she refused to
glance down, his denim-clad erection pressed against her stomach.

“Kiss me or get out,” she demanded when he continued his
torturous teasing, his warm breath and soft lips barely brushing hers. She
resisted the urge to move forward and capture his lips. Struggled against the
desire to take what she wanted.

“You’re going to fall in love with me,” he said, and she
tried to deny the truth of his words.

“Nope. Not interested.”

Wes turned his face slightly and his grin tickled her skin.
His next words brushed against her cheek. “You want me, Jill Harper.”

“Shut up.” Her words and her body were at war as she reached
up to grip his hair tightly in her fists. “Shut up and kiss me.”

His hot breath caressed her overheated skin as she pulled
his lips to hers. She’d wanted his kisses for so long, and now that his lips
were on hers once again, she wondered why she’d resisted. He allowed her to
control the kiss for several minutes, but soon his alpha instincts reappeared
and—as she’d experienced at the holiday—he took possession of her body. His
tongue didn’t merely explore her mouth, it laid a relentless siege, capturing
everything it touched and burning a path wider than Sherman’s March to the Sea.

When she feared she’d suffocate, she broke away with a cry, but
he refused to be pushed away. He grasped her head firmly in his hands and
pressed his forehead against hers. “Why are you fighting this? You must see how
good we are together.”

She wanted to shove him away, call him an arrogant, cocky
man and laugh in his face, but her body was screaming for more. Her hands
tangled in his shirt, stretching the soft cotton, and it took all her remaining
strength not to rip it from his body.

“It’s sex. Lust. That’s all.” She was annoyed at the
breathless quality of her voice. God, please let that be all. Surely she could
scratch the itch and send him packing.

Wes pulled farther away, and she wanted to cry out at the
loss of his body next to hers. He grinned and she struggled to respond, to
chastise him for the cocky grin, but words failed her.

“I’ll take the lust…for now. I’ve waited years for you. I’m
not waiting any longer. You and me and a bed, pixie. It’s going to happen
sooner than later, so you may as well get yourself ready for it.”

Jill grasped his shirt, pulled him back against her and
nipped his lower lip hard. He hissed, but she grinned seductively. Two could
play the alpha game. Maybe it was time she gave Wes a taste of his own
medicine. “You make that sound like a threat.”

She wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding his hard
cock more fully against her aching pussy. “Maybe you’re the one who needs a
warning. I’m very,
very
good at lust.”

He gripped her hips with strong hands, pushing against her
until she groaned. “We really are going to burn the town down.” He took her
lips in a passionate kiss that left her head whirling, but before she could
resume control, he broke away, taking several steps back. Her gaze landed on
his erection, and she could only imagine the strength it must take for him to
walk away in such a condition.

“Let’s make sure we’ve got this straight, Jill, because I’m
not going to stand for any backtracking. I’m working here as your handyman. You
match every hour I work, alone with me—in bed or out of it. Agreed?”

She nodded.

“One more thing.” She tried listen, but the fog from his
kisses clouded her mind. “From this moment on, there aren’t any other men in
your life. You want to limit this to something casual, to lust, to sex for now,
you’ve got it, but I’m the only man who’ll be warming your bed. Do you
understand?”

She wanted to fight his demand, refuse him, tell him to take
his condition and stick it up his ass. Instead, she let her body answer before
her mind could formulate the words and nodded again.

“Good,” he said with a pleased grin. “Start the timer,
pixie. I’m officially on the clock.”

* * * * *

Wes managed to get one bathroom functioning in time for the
lunch shift, but he was going to have to convince Jill to let him do some major
renovations. The pipes were as old as the damn building and he was certain his
quick repair was nothing more than slapping a Band-Aid on a cut that required
stitches. Of course, it didn’t help that someone had flushed some old rags.
Probably some teenager’s idea of a prank, though it was a damn stupid one.

He’d taken a break for lunch, and Jill had given him
permission to use her apartment to wash up before eating. He had a fit when he
found out she left her home unlocked while downstairs working. She had no sense
when it came to security, and while Madison wasn’t a hotbed of crime, it was
simple enough to lock a door. He’d have to have a talk with her about it.

As he came down the stairs, he heard the muffled
conversations of the patrons at the diner. Jill had built up one hell of a
business. She had a large group of loyal regulars who found it hard to resist
her mouthwatering specials.

The scent of the beef stew she was serving drifted toward
him, and his stomach growled. During his midmorning break, he’d flirted with
her in the kitchen while she put together five homemade apple pies. He’d have
to watch himself while working here because he was certain he could gain twenty
pounds in a week with Jill cooking for him. Perhaps he should use a couple
hours’ pay running with her. He grinned as he considered all the ways he’d like
to be with her alone, surprised to realize a lot of his plans for their time
together didn’t involve sex at all. He genuinely liked being with her. She was
fun and funny and as sweet as the pies she baked.

As he stepped into the diner, his gaze immediately landed on
her, and his grin faded when he realized she was talking to Seth. Kate had
assured him Jill wasn’t still seeing the man, and Jill had confirmed that this
morning. As he walked across the diner, he fought the urge to punch the bastard
in the face when the other man reached out and took Jill’s hand in his.
Jealousy was a new emotion for him but he found where Jill was concerned, he
had it in spades.

“Hey, pixie. I’m ready for whatever scraps you’re willing to
feed to the hired help.” He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. She
stiffened at his touch. He knew it was a petty move, but he wanted Seth and
every other man in this place to understand the stake he was claiming. The
stupidity of the action wasn’t a strong enough factor to stop him. No doubt
she’d try to emasculate him for the macho power play.

“What are you doing?” She glanced over her shoulder at him
and flames were shooting from her eyes. His brain refused to kick as he
continued digging his own grave.

“Mooching for an appetizer.” He placed a soft kiss at the
nape of her neck, just below her ear.

“Wes.” While her tone dripped pure venom, her body responded
to his nuzzle. Her breathing accelerated and her tight nipples began to bud.
The woman was one giant contradiction. She wanted him, but she refused him. She
was pissed off, but her body was heating up to his affection.

“Delicious.” He tightened his arms around her waist, sucking
in his own pained breath when her bottom brushed against his cock. An accident?
She turned to look at him through seductively narrowed eyes, and he realized
she purposely made the contact. He loved the way she got even.

“Jill?” Seth asked. Wes lightened his grip. They were
putting on quite a show for the lunchtime crowd. “I didn’t realize you and
Robson were an item.”

“We’re n—”

“What can I say, Seth? The woman can’t keep her hands off
me.”

“You always were a dreamer, Wes.” Jill leaned away from him,
bending over the counter and closer to Seth. Wes fought to beat back the
green-eyed monster clawing for release. She ignored him, turning all her
attention toward the other man.

“So what have you been up to, Seth? Long time, no see.”

Wes scowled when Seth’s gaze dropped to the cleavage Jill
was flashing in his direction. Wes crossed his arms angrily when Seth glanced
up and gave him a cocky smile.

“I’ve been around. Busy at work. Sure have missed your
cooking, Jilly.” Seth rested his forearms on the counter, the action moving him
even closer to Wes’ girl.

Wes cleared his throat but Jill ignored him.

“I heard you were seeing someone.”

Her words only cooled Wes’ overheated nerves until Seth’s
response. “We split up. Didn’t work out.”

“Oh.” Jill stood up, her face one of concerned friendship.
“I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?”

Seth leaned back, his shoulders slumped. “I don’t know.
Nothing was ever easy with her. She was wicked jealous. You know I can’t stand
that shit.”

“Me neither.” She flashed Wes a smirk over her shoulder.
Jill topped up Seth’s water glass. “I can still set you up if you’re interested.
I have a couple friends I think you’d like.”