From Temptation to Twins(26)
“You stay away from my sister.” Jules cheeks were glowing pink. Her blue eyes flashed with anger.
He held himself steady against the guilt he was feeling. This bluff was for her own good.
“If it’s that important, I’ll make you a deal,” he said.
“I am not removing the noncompete.”
He took a couple of steps forward, craving intimacy with her. “That’s not my deal.”
“What other deal is there?” She tipped her chin as he grew closer.
He wished he could take the last couple of steps, draw her into his arms and apologize for upsetting her. Of course he wasn’t interested in her sister. And he’d never use Melissa’s trusting nature against her. It was all Jules. Everything was Jules.
He could still taste her last kiss, and he desperately wanted another. He was acutely aware of the fact that they were alone in the house. All of their cards were now on the table and there was nothing stopping them from doing anything they wanted.
“Caleb?” she interrupted his wandering thoughts.
“Hmm?”
“The deal?”
He couldn’t help a small smile. “You date me instead.”
She went speechless for a moment. “That gets you where?”
He gave a shrug. “Not your concern. One date. Let me take you on one date, and I’ll back off on Melissa.”
Jules tilted her head to one side.
It made it even harder to keep from kissing her.
“What on earth are you up to?”
“I’m attempting to make you see things my way.”
“You don’t need to date me to argue with me.”
“Take the deal, or leave it and I try something else.”
“You try to cozy up to Melissa.”
Caleb countered with an ambiguous shrug.
He’d come up with an ad hoc plan for using the date to help Jules see reason. But if he was honest with himself, right now, he mostly just wanted the date.
“One date?” she said.
“One date.”
She considered the offer, looking like she was making a very painful decision. It was hard on a guy’s ego, but it was what it was.
“Okay,” she finally said in a small voice and with a whole lot of uncertainty.
“Your enthusiasm is gratifying.”
“We both know you’re practically blackmailing me.”
He gave in to the urge to move closer. “And we both know what happens when I kiss you.”
She put the flat of her hand against his chest.
The warmth of it seeped through his shirt, and he couldn’t stop himself from closing his eyes to savor the touch.
“Stop it,” she said huskily.
“I like it when you touch me.”
“I’m holding you off.”
“I know.”
“That’s not the same as touching you.”
He opened his eyes. Big mistake, because she was right there, so close.
“Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” he asked.
“When?” she asked.
“All the time.”
“When is the date?”
“Are you not feeling anything?” He didn’t want to believe the physical attraction was all on his side.
She swallowed. “No.”
She was lying. He’d bet the new Neo location that she was lying. And that meant there was in fact hope. Their date could turn out to be very interesting.
“Friday night,” he said.
“Fine.” She dropped her hand and took a backward step.
He missed her already.
Five
Melissa abruptly stopped sanding the old barstool with her good hand, straightening to stare across the Crab Shack at Jules. The morning sun streamed through the window behind her, highlighting the fine sawdust and making her blond hair glow like a halo.
“There’s something I’m not getting,” she said.
“What’s not to get?” Jules sized up one of the dining tables.
“The part where Caleb asks you on a date.”
“What’s wrong with me?” Jules’s plan had been to offhandedly mention tomorrow night’s date with Caleb and blow past it on to more important subjects. The blowing past it wasn’t working as well as she’d hoped.
“He can date anyone. I’ve Googled the guy and you should see some of the women who go out with him.”
“Thanks, tons.” Jules pretended to be offended.
Melissa waved a hand through the air. “Don’t be ridiculous. That wasn’t an insult. Why you?”
“That sounds like an insult.” Jules pushed the table toward the center of the room, making space along the walls where Noah planned to work on the electrical system later in the day. “Were you thinking paint or stain for the barstools?”
Melissa wouldn’t let it go. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”