absolutely sensational.
“You...you...” Jillian sputtered.
“Wait, whoa, halt,” Forrest said. He quickly raised both hands in a gesture of peace. “That didn’t sound right. What I meant to say is...” Think, MacAllister! He was a breath away from being murdered! “A man, any man, is out of his league in a large group of women. It’s overwhelming, you know what I mean?” He produced his most dazzling smile. “I was nervous, shaking in my shorts.”
“Like hell,” Jillian said, narrowing her eyes.
Forrest’s smile disappeared. “I don’t think they said that back in the old-fashioned days. Anyway, I’m sure your book is great, really wonderful. I like romance. Hell, I love romance. I’m a very romantic guy. Really. You can ask any woman I’ve ever— Cancel that.”
“Mr. MacAllister,” Jillian said.
“Forrest. Call me Forrest. Look, I’m in awe of anyone who can write a book and get it published. All I can do in the writing arena is make out checks to pay my bills. I’d appreciate it if you’d autograph the copy of your book I bought for Andrea. Having your newest novel to read will help take her mind off her worries about the babies.
“Listen, I’ll read the book myself, cover to cover. I’m sorry if I insulted you. I stressed out because of all those women, that’s all. Would you please sign the book for Andrea?”
Oh, perdition, Jillian thought, Forrest MacAllister didn’t play fair. There had been an endearing, little-boy quality about him as he spilled forth his sermonette.
Also evident was a genuine sincerity in his voice, and she knew without doubt that he loved his sister, Andrea, very deeply.
Ever since she and Andrea had become friends, Jillian had been aware that the MacAllisters were a close-knit, devoted-to-each-other family. When she was growing up she used to daydream, to fantasize, about how wonderful it would be to have brothers and sisters, and parents who—
“Jillian?” Forrest said.
“Yes, of course,” she said, smiling. “I’ll be happy to autograph Andrea’s book.”
“Praise the Lord,” Deedee said, looking heavenward. She hurried to retrieve the book from behind the counter, then shoved it into Jillian’s hands. “Write.”
Jillian sat down behind the table and did as instructed. A few minutes later, she held out the book to Forrest.
“There you are,” she said. “I hope Andrea enjoys it. Please tell her that I’ll come visit her very soon.”
“Thank you,” he said, taking the novel from her hand. “Thank you very much.”
Again their eyes met, and again neither moved, nor hardly breathed. Currents of crackling sensuality seemed to weave back and forth between them, drawing them close even while they stayed exactly where they were. Their hearts raced, and heat pulsed within as their startling passion heightened.
“Well, I...” Deedee started.
“What!” Jillian and Forrest both jerked in surprise at the sound of Deedee’s voice and the spell was broken.
Placing one hand over her heart, Deedee said, “All I was going to say is that we’re finished here, and you can head for home and collapse, Jillian. I wish I could drive you, but I’m due at a Women in Business meeting.”
“I’ll call a taxi,” Jillian said, getting to her feet. “Don’t give it another thought, Deedee.”
“I’d be happy to take you home, Miss...” Forrest paused. “Jillian.”
“Oh, no, a taxi will be fine, Mr. MacAllister. Thank you,” she said, not looking at him.
“Forrest. Please accept my offer of a ride. It will help make up for my frightening you while I was ‘skulking.’ At least I now know that I can ‘skulk’ in case the need for it ever arises. I’ll drive you home. Right? Right. That’s settled. Let’s go.”
“Good idea,” Deedee said. “There’s nothing to worry about, Jillian. We know Andrea, Forrest is Andrea’s brother, and that’s good enough for me. It’s fine with you, too, but you’re too tired to realize it.”
“But—” Jillian began, but no one paid any attention to her.
“Jillian came here right from the airport,” Deedee informed Forrest. “Her luggage is in the back room. I’ll let you out the front door so you can get your car. Drive down the alley to the rear entrance and we’ll load you up.”
“But—” Jillian tried again.
“Got it,” Forrest said, starting toward the front door.
Deedee was right behind him.
“Fine,” Jillian said, throwing up her hands. “Whatever.”
* * *
Once the rear door of the store was locked behind Jillian and Forrest, Deedee hurried to the telephone and called Andrea.
“It was touch and go, Andrea,” Deedee said breathlessly, “but I did it. Forrest is, as we speak, driving Jillian home. Goodness, your brother is a dreamboat. Anyway, so far, so good...well, providing Jillian doesn’t murder him before they get to her house. Now then, tomorrow I’ll...”
Two
Forrest’s car was a late-model silver BMW sedan with a plush, gray interior. Jillian settled onto the seat with a weary sigh of pleasure, inhaling the heavenly aroma of rich leather in the process.
Sleep, she thought. It was a twenty-minute drive to her house, and then she could sleep, sleep, sleep. And during said drive, she would not pay one iota of attention to Mr. Forrest MacAllister.
The man was a menace. His blatant masculinity had a disturbing effect on her, making her acutely aware of her own femininity. She had felt it—desire—heated and pulsing deep and low within her. Oh, yes, that had been desire; very unwelcome desire.
Big macho deal, she thought, leaning her head back and closing her eyes. It didn’t mean a thing. It had all been a product of her bone-weary fatigue. Forrest was driving her home, she would bid him adieu, and that would be that. She’d never see him again.
Never? Never again gaze into those incredible chocolate-brown eyes? Never again imagine what it might be like to sink her fingers into the thick depths of his auburn hair? Never again see his sensual lips, his rugged, handsome face, the wide, solid width of his shoulders? Never again hear the rich timbre of his laughter? Never again...
Oh, Jillian, please. Just shut up. Think about sleep, and shut up.
She blanked her mind and drifted off into a light slumber.
Beautiful, Forrest thought, glancing over at her. He quickly redirected his attention to the heavy rush-hour traffic. He was certain Jillian was asleep. Her breathing was slow and steady, her delicate features relaxed and lovely.
It
