Reading Online Novel

A Perfect Distraction(21)



Maggie’s shoulders had loosened a little as she’d listened to him. When he was done, she said quietly, “May I make a suggestion?”

Damn, the way she bit her lip like that said she was still nervous about him. “Sure.”

“I could arrange for a packer to go in and collect Adam’s boxes, then have them delivered when you find a house.” Her voice grew stronger. “It’ll save you the trip.”

Adam’s things would be safely out of Nick’s reach and he wouldn’t have to deal with them until he was ready. A huge weight lifted off his shoulders.

He smiled. “You’re a lifesaver. Thanks, Maggie.”

“All part of the service.” She reached in her bag for her ever-present pad. “If you write down the necessary information, I’ll sort it out.”

Jake was returning her pad when Mimi pushed through the door.

“There you are. Come in out of this heat.”

“Be right there.” Maggie slipped the pad into her purse and joined the real-estate agent.

As he followed her to Mimi’s office, Maggie’s stiff body language reminded him of what had happened earlier, her fearful reaction to his anger. His mind began to whir with images of other incidents—her jittery behavior at their first meeting, her defensiveness when he’d challenged her, the way she’d flinched when he’d touched her in that damn house with the fishpond. Were her reactions more than concern about an aggressive hockey player? Was something in her past coloring her judgment? Had someone treated her badly?

It made a strange kind of sense.

Fury surged within him at the thought of anyone mistreating her, but he tamped it down. That wouldn’t help either of them. He’d just have to be careful how he acted with her.

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than guilt twisted Jake’s stomach.

Who was he kidding? He’d let Adam down, a guy he’d been friends with nearly all his life. What the hell made him think he could do better with a woman he’d known for a few weeks and whose past could involve problems more serious than the pressures of the NHL?

On the surface, Maggie appeared to be the perfect woman for him to date. But if he was right, what lay beneath made things a whole lot more complicated. Despite the sizzling attraction, complicated was a distraction he didn’t need.

More importantly, he wasn’t the right man for Maggie. She didn’t need a man she’d always doubt because of his career. A man whose emotions were still too raw, as his argument with Nick had shown. Maggie needed someone she could count on to be there for her. Not one who doubted himself.

“Are you ready, Jake?” Mimi’s voice cut through the tumult inside him.

Realizing he still stood in the doorway, he cleared his head, then went to sit in a chair in front of Mimi’s computer.

Maggie kept her distance, leaning against the desk instead of sitting beside him, as she usually did. A new tension hummed in the air between them.

“What have you got?” he asked.

“There are two new properties.” Mimi clicked on the local listings. “The split-level is nice, but nothing special. I think you’ll like the other one, though.”

She was right about the first house. He leaned forward to check out the second. His pulse quickened at the picture of the elegant Victorian. Jake hoped the on-screen details weren’t exaggerated. From the wraparound porch and the dark green shutters to the white picket fence and the large yard full of old trees, this house was everything he’d hoped for.

This one felt right.

Before he could stop himself, he looked up to see what Maggie thought. Their eyes locked. His heart stuttered. Excitement zinged through his veins.

Then the hesitance in her gaze registered, making his body stiffen.

Deliberately, he turned away.

“Looks great, Mimi.” He grinned at the agent. “I have a real good feeling about this one. I want to go and see it ASAP. When can you fix something up?”

“I’ll make an appointment for tomorrow morning. Is that okay?”

“Sure. Thanks.”

“Tomorrow morning’s good for me, too.” Maggie leaned over to direct his attention to the large den.

Heat rushed through him as her scent teased his nostrils. Sparks shot up his arm where her fingertips brushed him.

Damn it. He had to get out of here.

He pushed back the chair and stood. “Are we done?”

Both women looked startled by his abrupt tone.

“Uh, yes.” Mimi sent a questioning look at Maggie, who nodded.

Jake’s goodbye skated the edges of politeness. He didn’t draw a steady breath until he pulled into his parents’ drive.

Turning off the ignition, he slumped in his seat. Back to square one. Well, maybe square one and a half—the house did look perfect. That, and hockey, was enough for now.