A Perfect Distraction(28)
All the more reason not to repeat the same bloody mistake.
“Is everything okay?” Jake stood in the doorway, studying her carefully.
“Fine. Just got lots to do today.” Her voice sounded brittle. “So, the study...”
Cool disinterest replaced the heat in his blue eyes. “I’ve seen all I need. Get me the paperwork and we’ll go from there.”
As he turned and left, Maggie stared after him. She told herself she was relieved she’d managed to convince him of her indifference so easily.
A little pang in her chest said she was lying.
* * *
NICE GOING, JACKASS!
Jake swore silently. What had he been thinking?
His body clearly hadn’t got the message that there could be nothing between him and Maggie. One glance at her poised so temptingly beside that bed and his brain had dived into his suddenly too-tight boxer shorts. Hell, without Emily’s interruption, they’d probably be testing that mattress right now.
Seeing his own desire mirrored in Maggie’s dark eyes had switched off his common sense. All he’d been able to think about was tasting her. Touching her. Undoing every one of those little flower-shaped buttons.
Damn it! He was hard again.
Leaning his forehead against the cool glass of the kitchen window, he willed his erection to subside.
His cell chirped, interrupting his heated thoughts. His mom’s number on the caller ID got his body back under control instantly.
“Hey, Ma, what’s up?”
“Have you asked Maggie to the Labor Day party?”
He sighed. “I told you, I don’t want to complicate things.”
“What’s complicated? You’re inviting her to a barbecue. It’s a holiday and she’s a nice woman in a new country. You invite your teammates, especially those far from home, so why not Maggie?”
“All right, I’ll mention it to her.”
He’d just hung up when Maggie entered the kitchen with Emily.
No time like the present. “Mom wants to invite you guys to our annual Labor Day barbecue. It’s a fun, relaxed day. Lots of people—neighbors, family and friends.”
“Can we, Mummy?” Emily’s pleading look was Oscar worthy. “Ple-e-ease. I’ve never been to a Labor Day barbecue. Ever. In my whole life.”
“We’ll see,” Maggie said stiffly.
“That means no.” Emily’s bottom lip jutted out.
“It means we’ll see. Auntie Tracy may have other plans.” Maggie turned to him. “Thank your mum and tell her I’ll let her know either way as soon as I can.” Her closed expression made it clear what that answer would be.
He should have been relieved, not disappointed. Perversely, Maggie’s swift dismissal made him determined to convince her to come to the barbecue.
“It’ll be a great opportunity for you and Tracy to combine business with pleasure. The Ice Cats will be there, too.”
“I’ll get back to you.” Maggie’s frustration said he’d tipped in a winner. “If you’re ready to go, I have another appointment.”
“Sure.”
The victory felt empty. Maggie’s desperation to get away from him was a kick in the ego. Thanks to that almost kiss, the relaxed feeling between them had been replaced by tension. He might as well have stolen a taste.
“If you and Emily wait on the porch, I’ll reset the alarm and lock up.” Her voice was coolly professional.
“Come on, Short Stuff.” Jake held the door open for Emily.
“I’m not short. I was the tallest girl in my class.”
He grinned. “You’re not as tall as me. Anyway, it’s just a nickname. Like Cupcake or Pumpkin or Half Pint.”
She wrinkled her nose. “My dad said nicknames are stupid. He didn’t like it when Mummy called me Em.”
Jeez. What could Jake say to Emily? He could hardly call her father a dumb bastard.
“Almost everybody I know has a nickname. I’m Bad Boy, because it’s easier than Badoletti.” No point telling her the other reasons. “Then there’s my teammates—Blade, Tru, Ike and Mad Dog, among others.”
“My dad plays...” Emily paused as Maggie came outside, accompanied by the whine of the alarm, and locked up. “My dad doesn’t have a nickname.”
As they followed Maggie down the path, he wondered if Emily’s father was the one responsible for her fear. It made horrible sense. And reinforced why Maggie and her daughter were a complication he should walk away from.
Yet, it was hard not to respond to Emily. Ahead of him, the breeze caught Maggie’s dress, lifting the skirt briefly to reveal almost the full length of those sexy legs. It was even harder, he acknowledged, not to respond to Emily’s mother.