nothing to him. ‘What’s the big deal?’ —that was what he’d said. He must have kissed loads of women before her and she hadn’t measured up very well. He hadn’t even insisted that she hold onto him on the ride back as he’d done on the way there. She felt angry with him and humiliated, but worse, much worse, was the feeling of rejection that she couldn’t seem to shake no matter how hard she tried. Why should she care what a womanising ex-con thought of her? But the problem was she did care.
Monroe wanted to kick himself for his stupidity. Why the hell had he kissed her? Now he knew what she tasted like, what she felt like in his arms, he was going to have a hell of a time keeping his hands off her.
He had to keep his hands off her.
He slept with women for mutual pleasure, for kicks, but it could never mean anything deeper than that. He never got involved with anyone who might mean more to him. That was the way he lived; that was the way he had to live. Free and easy. No commitments, no ties.
The way she’d looked at him after the kiss, the shattered horror in her eyes had touched a place inside him he’d never even admitted existed. The woman was bad news all round. He was going to have to keep well clear of her. But how the hell was he going to do that, when he wanted her so damn much?
CHAPTER FIVE
‘JESS?’
‘Over here, Al.’ Jessie poked her head round the kitchen counter as her sister waddled into view.
‘Do you think you could get Emmy for me? I’m so tired.’
Seeing the exhaustion on her sister’s face, Jessie dashed over and took her arm. ‘Sit down, for goodness’ sake.’ She guided Ali towards the sofa. ‘Where is Emmy? I thought she was with Linc.’
‘He’s working today, some crisis at the New York office.’ Ali settled into the cushions and gave a hefty sigh. ‘Emmy’s been camped over at Monroe’s all morning.’
Jessie frowned. ‘But I thought she went over to see him yesterday.’
‘And the day before that.’Ali paused to rub her back. ‘She’s been helping him fix the BMW. You wouldn’t believe the state of her clothes when she got back yesterday. I was worried Monroe might be getting tired of having her hanging around. But I think he was actually pleased to see her this morning.’ She smiled, her eyes warm. ‘Anyway, I thought maybe you could go rescue him, as lunch is nearly ready.’
‘Um.’ Jessie felt trapped.
She’d been avoiding Monroe for over a week. If the humiliating memory of their kiss wasn’t bad enough, the fact that she’d been reliving it in her dreams every night had made it all seem so much worse. She still wasn’t ready to see him again. But Ali looked shattered. She couldn’t very well refuse such a simple request.
Jessie arranged the sandwiches she’d made on the table, tried to steady her breathing. ‘I’ll go get her in a minute, Al.’
‘Why don’t you ask Monroe if he wants to come over for the barbecue tonight?’Ali said from the sofa. ‘I haven’t been able to tempt him with any of my invitations so far, but maybe the promise of a medium-rare steak will do the trick.’
Jessie’s cheeks coloured. She’d rather gnaw off her own foot than ask Monroe over for the family’s evening barbecue. All she needed was his smouldering looks over the charcoal to put her right off her own steak.
She rustled up a sweet smile for Ali as she slipped on her sandals. ‘Will do.’
It was an effort for Jessie not to curse out loud as she marched across the lawn to the garage apartment. She was just pondering how she could get away with not giving him Ali’s dinner invitation when she heard the delighted peal of Emmy’s laughter, followed by a gruff masculine chuckle.
Rounding the side of the garage, she spotted Monroe’s long jeans-clad legs sticking out from under the car. All she could see of Emmy were two pink sneakers wiggling furiously.
Should she be shocked or amazed that he actually had her five-year-old niece doubling as a car mechanic?
There was a loud clanging sound.
‘Hey, hold on there, kid.’
‘Sorry. Did I break it?’ Emmy’s feet went still.
Monroe’s reply wasn’t annoyed, just amused. ‘Nah. It’s tougher than that, but just remember what I said.’
‘Treat the car with respect and it’ll respect you back.’ Emmy said the words as if reciting holy scripture.
‘You got it. You want to finish it?’
‘Can I?’
Jessie frowned at the adoring tone of her niece’s voice. Did every single female within a ten-mile radius have to fall at his feet?
‘Go for it.’ She heard Emmy’s childish grunt before Monroe’s deep voice continued. ‘That’s it, kid. You’re a great mechanic. Why don’t you haul out? I’ll be right behind you.’
Jessie stepped back as Emmy crawled out from under the car.
‘Oh, Aunt Jessie, Aunt Jessie.’ Emmy leapt in the air. Her face, which was smudged with what could only be axle grease, glowed with excitement. ‘I did a lube job. It was way cool. Uncle Roe showed me, he let me do it all by myself.’
‘That’s wonderful, Emmy.’ Jessie tried to sound enthusiastic but couldn’t help wincing at the huge oil stain all over her niece’s favourite Barbie T-shirt. ‘We better go get you washed up before lunch.’
‘Do I have to go?’Emmy’s chin hit her chest. ‘Uncle Roe said I could have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with him today.’
Jessie was just wondering how to deal with that request when the man himself slid out from under the car and got to his feet. Her heart thudded in her chest at the sight of him, tall and lean in ragged denim and faded cotton. She could feel her face getting hot at the long look he gave her and wanted to scream.
‘Hi, Red.’ There was that stupid nickname again. The heat in her face increased.
‘Hello, Monroe.’
Jessie was grateful when Emmy tugged on his jeans, distracting him.
‘Jessie says I’ve got to go now, but I want to have lunch with you.’
He kneeled down, gave the little girl a serious look as she rested her hands on his shoulders. ‘Don’t sweat it. We can do that another time.’
Jessie saw Emmy had left grubby fingerprints all over him, but Monroe didn’t seem to notice as he held onto the little girl and stood up. The shadow of emotion crossed his face. For a moment he seemed lost in thought, but then his eyes focused on Jessie and he gave her a slow smile that made her feel unpleasantly warm.
‘We’ll go clean up,’ he said. ‘You want to come up and grab a drink?’
The statement sounded casual, but they both knew it was an olive branch.
Jessie
