“No. What about you?”
“It’s been three years since I found my girlfriend fucking my business partner and I ended up getting fucked.”
Whoa. Some woman was stupid enough to cheat on Jack Donohue? Keely wanted the down and dirty details, but Jack stalked off. He jammed his hand through his hair as he stared out the dirt-caked window.
18
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All Jacked Up
“Jack? What happened?”
“My personal and professional life went up in flames. None of that garbage matters now. But this job in Milford? It’s more than a job. It’s like I have a chance to get back what I lost.”
His embarrassment sparked a feeling scarily close to real sympathy. And empathy. Salvaging pride was something she understood. “Look, before I scream no fucking way and run, spell out exactly what I gain from this devil’s bargain, if I decide to do it.”
“I’ll personally oversee your restoration project. After I examine the renovation plans from your contractor, I’ll call the head of the Wyoming Historic Preservation Committee and officially sign on as your consultant. They’ll expect me to monitor compliance frequently since this will be a rush job.”
Her head buzzed with a mix of excitement and fear. Maybe her life wasn’t in the toilet. But she played it cool. “What would you expect from me?”
“I’ll need a minimum of one month commitment from you. During this engagement you’ll travel to Milford with me and convince the committee we’re madly in love.”
“Didn’t you tell me the committee is aware you’ve been single for a while?”
Jack paced again. “I didn’t share specifics on my personal life. I more or less sidestepped the question. But there has to be a way we can convince them we’ve secretly been together for the last few months…” He snapped his fingers. “Aha! I’ve got it.”
“Got what?”
“The reason we didn’t go public with our relationship—even with families—was because of our rocky past. I saw you as my best friend’s pesky little sister; you were dumped by my little brother. But we crossed paths again when you needed my help with this restoration project. It turned into something more than a working relationship. Each hour we spent together built on our past as a bridge to our future until bam—change of heart.”
Keely began to clap.
Jack gave her that devil-may-care grin and bestowed a deep bow.
“I have no doubt the story is plausible for the Milford crowd, but you’re forgetting one teensy tiny detail. We can’t be selective about who we tell. We have to tell everyone. Which means we have to convince my entire family that we’re a couple.”
A look of horror crossed his face.
“See what I mean? No one who knows us will ever believe we put our differences aside. Not for an hour, not for a day and certainly not forever. Neither one of us can act that well. So thanks for stopping by personally and ruining my life.” Keely ducked under his arm and started walking away.
“That’s it?”
“Yep. Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out. Literally. It might fall and crush you.”
His deep, sexy laugh unfurled an unwanted reaction low in her belly.
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19
Lorelei James
“What’s so funny?”
“I thought you said you weren’t all talk. I never imagined wild child Keely McKay was afraid.”
Keely wheeled around. “Excuse me? What am I afraid of?”
“Me.”
“For Christsake! That’s ridiculous. Why would I be afraid of you?”
“Maybe you’re afraid I can make you fall in love with me for real.”
“Make me fall in love with you? Dude. The only thing you make me want to do is punch you in the face.”
“See? Sarcasm is a defense mechanism to mask your fear.” With each word he’d closed the distance between them. “So it’s easier to slink away.”
“Oh. My. God. I knew you had a big ego, but—”
Jack clamped his hands on her butt. Keely shrieked but he held tight, jerking her lower body to his.
“An ego isn’t the only thing that’s big about me, baby. Want to ride on the Jack-hammer? Guaranteed to rev you up all night long.”
Eww. Eww. Eww. “Let go!”
“There’s no shame in admitting you want me.” He nuzzled the skin in front of her ear and a shiver trilled down her neck.
“Is this greasy used car salesman act supposed to be turning me on? Because it ain’t working, bucko.”
He laughed softly. “Not trying to turn you on, just proving I can act. You really believed I’d morphed into a creepy scuzzball, huh?”