Jake, she murmured.
His eyes glazed and he inched closer, kissing distance away. The tingling scent of mint surrounded her, tempting her, teasing her.
Ive been curious for so long.
His masculine voice reached deep inside her, and she couldnt lie. Me, too. And curiosity was the only reason shed allow the inevitable kiss, or so she told herself.
He touched her beneath her chin, holding her head in place as his mouth settled over hers. Strong and sure, yet achingly gentle, his kiss was everything shed dreamed about, yearned for. And when his searching tongue traced her lips, moistening before slipping inside, her entire body shook in reaction. Pulsing began in her chest and settled lower, between her legs, strengthening the desire that had built between them from across a crowded room.
His breath was warm and minty, his mouth hot and needy, just as she was, and a sigh of pure pleasure escaped her throat. He caught her sigh in his mouth and used it as permission to deepen the kiss. But the sound shed made shook her out of the haze of desire and back into reality. Therapist and client, she reminded herself, and forced her hands to his shoulders-not to feel the firm muscles beneath the sweatshirt, but to push him away.
Unfortunately, the motion took longer than shed planned, as she first curled her fingers around the soft cotton and his flesh beneath. She allowed the prolonged kiss to go on for another sweet minute before breaking contact.
Shaking off the temporary insanity that had overcome her wasnt as easy. We cant do this.
He swallowed, his throat moving up and down before her eyes, his breathing as ragged as hers. Cant do what? Get acquainted?
She licked at her damp lips, his lingering taste fueling the desire still flickering inside her. That was more than getting acquainted. Then the rest of his words registered. Are you saying youve changed your mind about rehab?
He shook his head and laughed. I like your strategy. Kiss me and lower my defenses. Are you trying to take advantage of me? A smile tipped the corner of his mouth.
You kissed me first, she reminded him.
You didnt stop me.
They sounded like squabbling children, but there had been nothing juvenile about that kiss. Lets just say we got it out of our systems. Now we can move forward.
And you can move in? He shrugged with his one good shoulder. That was Rina on the phone. She just explained the new living arrangements. His gaze intense and curious, never left hers, as if he were trying to read her thoughts.
But she couldnt deny that he looked surprised by his sisters call and revelation. As surprised as hed appeared when hed discovered her in the apartment earlier. Obviously you didnt know about that, either? she asked.
He shook his head. No.
I think this is called manipulation, she muttered.
Blatant, he agreed. But thats Rina. Always with the best intentions, but not always thinking up here. He tapped the side of his head. Shes a romantic.
Its nice to see people still are. Her own heart pounded frantically in her chest, their kiss still lingering in her mind.
My parents are one example. Retired, living in Florida and driving each other crazy. Rinas another. Shes the secretary who married her wealthy boss. In her eyes, all things are possible.
She wondered what things were possible in his. Did her fantasy man who kissed like a dream also harbor a belief in fairy tale endings? She shook her head, knowing her deluded thoughts and curiosity could only get her in trouble. Does Rinas romanticism extend to getting her stubborn brother into physical therapy by moving me in here?
I guess so. He grinned a charming Im-cute-and-I-know-it grin.
Shed already accepted the setup before that mind-blowing kiss. She couldnt back down now, and her reasons were the same. She needed the money from this job to start her life over. She needed to move in, rehabilitate Jakes shoulder and put her desire for him behind her.
Brianne glanced down. Norton lay at her feet, looking up at her with adoring eyes. Two cute males in one large apartment. However would she survive it?
One way was to get things between them out in the open. Okay, Jake. Tell me exactly where we stand on the subject of physical therapy. Obviously youre resistant, youve given your sister a hard time over the subject
Of course I have. Do you have a brother or sister?
She nodded. A brother.
Then, you know siblings live to give each other a hard time.
No, Brianne didnt know. Because shed been more of a parent to Marc than a sister, shed never experienced classic sibling rivalry. Shed been too busy waitressing while finishing school and taking care of Marc at the same time to indulge in normal family dynamics. Marcs a good deal younger than me. Our relationship was-is different. But Im not here to talk about my brother. Rina hired me for a reason, and I want to know if youre going to let me do my job or not. I want to know what to expect from you.
Of course I have. Do you have a brother or sister?
She nodded. A brother.
Then, you know siblings live to give each other a hard time.
No, Brianne didnt know. Because shed been more of a parent to Marc than a sister, shed never experienced classic sibling rivalry. Shed been too busy waitressing while finishing school and taking care of Marc at the same time to indulge in normal family dynamics. Marcs a good deal younger than me. Our relationship was-is different. But Im not here to talk about my brother. Rina hired me for a reason, and I want to know if youre going to let me do my job or not. I want to know what to expect from you.
Jake forced a lighthearted smile. He had no idea what to expect from himself. That kiss had caught him off guard. He hadnt planned to be so forward, and sure as hell hadnt expected her to kiss him back. Or to taste better than hed dreamed.
If hed wondered how much trouble she could cause him, he now knew. If Rina hired you, I certainly cant throw you out.
Gee, thanks, she said wryly. But the question is, will you cooperate?
The professional was back. Jake told himself he was glad, but deep inside he knew he lied. He liked the warmer, softer Brianne better. Still, this one was safer.
And he had to play it safe, too, keep it light, and keep her off guard. That way she wouldnt get too close or discover he was further along in rehab than she and Rina believed. Im sure I can be persuaded. And Im certain youre up to the task.
So all of a sudden youre willing to consider therapy?
He shook his head, seeking to buy time. Im willing to let you try and persuade me.
Why the turnaround?
No turnaround. I havent agreed to anything yet.
She raised an eyebrow, obviously unsure what to make of him. But you will.
That certain of yourself and your abilities?
Absolutely. The only question I have is, why the change?
Shed read him well, Jake thought. Or rather, she read them well. Did she really have to ask why hed end up working with her despite his token resistance? Do you want me to tell you the truth? Or what you want to hear?
Jake had the distinct impression that the answer was both. She wanted to know the only reason hed even consider rehabilitation was to get close to her. And she wanted him to lie so she didnt have to face it.
Ill consider therapy because of you.
She exhaled hard.
Just like youre not going to walk out on this job because of me. He grinned.
Youre a cocky one, she murmured with a smile.
And this is a good thing?
Sure is. It means you can take a tough workout. She met his gaze head-on.
She hadnt backed off at his admission. Even after that kiss, she wasnt intimidated by the attraction between them. Score one for her, Jake thought. He admired her grit-something he rarely found in a woman.
It also helped his cause. Shed need that strength if they were going to bump into one another in the middle of the night, stealing a drink from the fridge. He would need that strength. I can take anything you dish out, sweetheart. Just tell me what you have in mind.
You might be sorry you asked. Physical therapy involves strengthening with rubber bands and working the muscle with massage therapy. The word massage hovered in the air between them and the blood pulsed inside him, making him ache as if her hands were already on his body.
But water therapy works well, too, she continued. The resistance in the water is a help. Add a whirlpool, and the pulsating water jets work wonders to loosen the muscle, she said, her voice resonating with a deep, husky quality.
Pulsating water jets, huh?
Her face flushed red. Different therapists take different approaches, but there are many options.
He wondered if she was imagining them naked in the whirlpool, water flowing freely around them. He wondered if she had any idea what fun two people could have in that whirlpool shed mentioned, water jets and all. It all sounds interesting, especially the pulsating water jets. He wiggled his eyebrows provocatively.
Ill just bet. Watching him warily, she folded her arms over her chest and studied him. I save the water therapy for my most cooperative patients, she said in a provocative, seductive voice.
Just as she probably had intended, his body began a steady rhythm, one that only those vibrating water jets could match. He sucked in a breath and forced himself to think like the cop he still was. First and foremost, he needed information about her schedule, if only so he could better plan his. When would she be in the penthouse? When would he be on his own? When could he slip out to work on the Ramirez case without her reporting back to his sister?
So, when do you start-convincing me, I mean? Because with the right incentive, I can be very cooperative. And damn if he didnt want to comply with any and all of her water-related directives. Im a quick learner-and an even better instructor.
He watched her struggle to maintain her composure. He was glad. If he kept her off balance, hed be more in control. He needed that control, since he could too easily dismiss Frank and his family, and Ramirez in favor of Brianne. It disturbed him to realize that despite her ability to screw up all hed worked for, he wanted her.