54
www.samhainpublishing.com
All Jacked Up
Keely considered changing her work clothes, but Jack would think she’d gussied herself up for him, so no dice. In Dewey’s, she spotted him in the far corner booth. He stood, waiting to reseat himself until after she’d sat. Okay. That gentlemanly courtesy was impressive. And sweet. And unexpected.
Nervous, because this felt like an actual date, she flipped through the menu even when she’d memorized it ages ago. “What are you having?”
“Chicken fried steak.”
“Sounds good. Been a while since I’ve had it.”
“Careful, we’re actually agreeing on something.”
“Maybe it’s a full moon.”
His answering bad boy grin had her heart doing the two-step.
After the waitress took their order, Jack stared at her with unabashed interest. “What?” she said testily.
“I don’t even know when your birthday is.”
“It’s not like you’ll be around to shower me with expensive presents.”
“We need to know some of that stuff about each other before the engagement party.”
True. Especially in light of suspicions all wasn’t right with said engagement. “May twenty-third. I’m twenty-seven. You?”
“April fourth. I’m thirty-four.”
“You’re an old timer, eh?”
A slight scowl. “I’d say experienced.”
“So, Mr. Experienced, what other secrets do we need to share?”
“Start with the basic first date stuff. What’s your favorite food?”
“Steak. Followed closely by bacon. Followed closely by chocolate.” She picked up a straw and rolled it between her fingers. “I’ll bet I can guess yours.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Yes, I will.”
There was that wicked grin again. “I dare you to try.”
Keely considered him. “This is way too easy, Jack.”
“So stun me with your insight, cowgirl.”
“Poached salmon. Wild rice pilaf. Brussel sprouts. Plain cheesecake.”
A stricken look crossed his face.
She smirked. “I totally nailed you didn’t I?”
Jack angled across the table. “Not. Even. Close. But I am intrigued by the thought of you nailing me.”
Oh. Hello lust. “The thought of nailing you has me equally intrigued.” She offered him a coquettish look. “Are you a breast or a thigh guy?”
www.samhainpublishing.com
55
Lorelei James
That caught him off guard enough his gaze actually dropped to her chest. “Ummm. What?”
“Or chicken?” she taunted softly.
His hot eyes returned to hers. “My favorite food is not chicken. It’s not a nice juicy rump…roast, although I admit to being more of a butt man than a breast man.”
Keely blinked. She was quickly losing control of this conversation.
“I’ll give you one more chance to nail me,” Jack said with a sexy rasp.
“Only one?” she cooed back.
Jack’s hungry gaze zeroed in on her mouth. “Playing fast and loose will only encourage me to play the same. Be certain you’re prepared for what that entails.”
Yikes. “Speaking of favorite foods, I’m betting yours is some kind of wild game that fits with your personality. Boar?”
His lips lifted. “Wrong. This round goes to me. My favorite food is homemade meatloaf. Followed closely by mashed potatoes and gravy. Followed closely by corn on the cob.”
“Holy crap. That’s so…Midwestern of you, GQ.”
“Surprised?”
“Very.” Down home cooking appealed to Jack more than haute cuisine? Man. He’d surprised her like four times today. “Your turn to guess. What’s my favorite movie?”
“Easy. The Princess Bride.” He grinned. “What’s mine?”
“The Jerk,” she shot back.
Jack laughed. A deep, rumbly, sexy sound and she caught herself wanting to smile and sigh at the same time.
“Try again.”
“Jackass?” she tossed out.
More laughter.
“Okay. I give.”
“True Lies, ” he said.
“That seems appropriate.”
Silence.
Keely fiddled with the straw, rolling it back and forth in the condensation.
Jack snatched her hand, stopping the fidgety movement.
Talk about big hands. Not soft, girly hands either, but rough. Manly. His fingers were long and thick, sprinkled with just enough dark hair to be masculine, not apelike. God. It’d been forever since she’d had a real man’s hands stroking her bare skin. Would Jack be gentle? Teasing? Or forceful?
“Keely?”
She shifted her gaze up. The curiosity or guilt he saw in her eyes caused a spark of heat to flare in his.