couldn’t tell him she needed an attitude adjustment, but she did. If he said something irritating, it would probably get her back on track. It would at least get her attention off his mouth.
“Volatile,” she repeated. “Ask me more of those dumb questions. Accuse me of being a hooker or a stripper. Anything.”
He frowned. “Are you having that nervous breakdown now?”
No, but it might be a good time for it. “We should go,” she said quickly. “I don’t want to waste any more time sitting around here.”
He mumbled something under his breath and shoved his burger back into the paper sack. He had the car started and back on the street within seconds.
From the corner of her eye, she saw his grip tighten on the steering wheel. “I’m surprised you haven’t tried to jump out of the car by now,” he commented.
Now he came up with the volatile stuff. A bit late but still effective. It got her mind off him and onto her situation.
Jessie had considered jumping out of the car, but had ruled it out. She really didn’t want a bunch of scrapes and bruises, especially when he no doubt had someone following them. If she did try to jump out, then one of his hired goons would likely grab her and put her back into the car. Besides, this trip to Cryogen Labs just might provide her with some answers.
“I guess I’m just not in the mood for jumping out of cars,” she said. She put the rest of her cheeseburger into the bag and leaned her head against the back of the seat.
“So what are you in the mood for—talking?”
“Not that, either. I’ll be in the mood for talking when you’re in the mood to listen.”
He mumbled under his breath again. “You might have to wait a couple hundred years for that. Well, unless you’re interested in telling me the truth.”
“I’ve already told you the truth.” Well, as much of the truth as she knew.
Just what was the whole truth, anyway?
Had this man, Abel Markham, used her as his pawn? Or was Jake McClendon the mastermind? Maybe it was neither of them. Maybe it was someone she hadn’t even considered. If that was true, then she was back to square one, the same place she’d been for days.
“Well, there’s your Waterloo,” he said, pointing to the building that lay ahead. “Cryogen Labs. Are you sure you don’t want to come clean now? It could save you from being humiliated.”
“The only person risking humiliation is you.” But Jessie had no idea if that was even true.
Cryogen Labs looked innocuous enough with its buttermilk-colored brick exterior and white lacquered shutters, but it still frightened her enough to make her tremble. With reason. Somehow, somebody connected with that lab had possibly been in on the plan to kidnap her. The plan that had resulted in her becoming pregnant.
Pregnant.
She gulped in a deep breath and tried to shake off that thought. It wasn’t the time to think about the ramifications of a pregnancy. Or the baby. It would only distract her. She couldn’t afford any more distractions now. Later, she would work out what she was going to do.
Jake parked his car, and they walked toward the building. “Well, I have to give it to you, Ms. Barrett. I really thought you’d try to run away by now.”
She came to a complete stop and spun around, intending to give him a piece of her mind. The only thing she gave him was a weak head butt to his shoulder, when the dizzy spell sent her right into him. Her legs turned to rubber, and he caught her in his arms.
“Christ,” he mumbled. “Are you all right?”
Jessie tried to nod and push herself away from him. She failed. Because it seemed she had no other choice, she rested her head against his shoulder and tried to wait out the dizziness.
He smelled good. Warm and musky. There was the underlying scent of an expensive aftershave. And his arm that slid around her waist was strong, corded with muscles. The smooth fabric of his shirt sleeve brushed against her arm. Sweet heaven. She didn’t want this. Too bad her head was in the middle of her own personal F-5 tornado.
“Take a deep breath,” he instructed.
She did. It helped a little. “I hate this light-headedness.”
“I can see why. It’s hard to work out diabolical schemes when you’re as pale as a ghost and ready to lose your lunch.”
Jessie forced her eyes to focus. She didn’t think she quite managed a scowl, but she tried. Especially when she realized how close they were. Her body was pressed against his. Right against his. Even through her cotton shirt, she could feel his belt buckle on her stomach. She wouldn’t think about anything below his belt, even though she would have had to be paralyzed not to notice he was a man. All man.
Their faces were so close she could count his eyelashes, which were too long, she decided. His breath was sweet. From the soft drink, not his disposition. He also needed a shave. His five o’clock shadow was dark and coarse. And it made him look a little like an outlaw. She wouldn’t allow herself to look at his mouth. No. Even the dizziness wouldn’t counteract that. That mouth had her hormonal number.
She stepped back. “Thank you, Mr. McClendon, for reminding me that you’re a jerk. No, worse than a jerk. You’re navel lint.”
“Anytime.” But his comment lacked sarcasm.
When Jessie glanced up, she saw more of that concern in his expression. He was still close, despite that step she had taken away from him. She took another, but he caught her arm. She was thankful. The inside of her head was still whirling around. If he hadn’t caught her, she no doubt would have fallen on her face.
“Let’s go in,” she insisted. “That way, I can sit down, and you don’t have to hold me.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not holding you for your sake. My concern is for your child. I don’t want you blaming me for pushing you too hard.”
She gave a hollow laugh. “That’s a joke, right? You’ve done nothing but push me hard. You’ve hounded me, harassed me and called me names.”
He didn’t say anything for several seconds. “I want answers, and I’m sorry if you don’t like my methods. Once we’re through inside, your game will be over. You can get out of my face and I can get out of yours.”
“Good.” She wiggled out of his grip and walked to the door on her own. Fortunately, the anger eased the dizziness.
“Yes. Good.” He jerked open the door and led her inside.
The reception area looked like any other place of business. Monochrome shades of beige. It looked too clean. Almost sterile, which seemed ironic to Jessie, since the place stored one of the most basic elements needed for human reproduction.
The blond woman behind the desk greeted them with a businesslike smile. “Welcome to Cryogen Labs. How may I help you?”
“I’m Jake McClendon.”
“Yes,
