used the gravel road running around to the back of his father’s cottage. The same small, two-bedroom house Jake and his older sister had practically grown up in after their mother died. The place belonged to the Whitfords. Just like most everything on the block. “I don’t know. And I sure as hell don’t care.”
Hector eyed him curiously as they got out of the truck. “For someone who doesn’t know her, amigo, it sure sounds like you don’t like her.”
Jake didn’t miss the irony of Hector’s observation. The truth was, it felt damn good to walk away from a Whitford. Not kowtow to them like his father had done for the past twenty years. But damn if he wasn’t curious about what Victoria had wanted. And damn if Hector wasn’t right. She looked mighty fine.
2
TORI ERASED THE FIRST sentence to her e-mail buddies. It sounded too whiny and undignified. Pathetic, actually. Kind of like when Melissa Hastings had announced to their sorority house that she’d had the hots for Charles Zimmer III, and he overheard and transferred out of their mutual classes. Everyone had gone overboard pretending they hadn’t noticed the snub.
She adjusted the pillows behind her, pulled the 800-thread-count sheet over her bare legs and then returned her attention to her laptop. First, none of her cohorts knew who she was, and second, this wasn’t the same situation. Jake hadn’t really snubbed her. He simply hadn’t realized she wanted to chat.
They didn’t even know each other. So how the hell was she going to get him in bed?
For reinforcement, she scrolled back to the encouraging e-mail she’d received from Taylor.
To: Angel
From: [email protected]
Subject: Congratulations!!!
How cool!! I’m so happy for you. Great feeling when you know he’s the one, huh? Reminded me of how excited I was when I first saw Ben again after all those years. Got me all tingly.
Anyway, the thing you have to ask yourself is what do you have to lose. And is it worth it? Obviously, I’d advise being direct and let him know what you want since it worked for me. If for some alien, bonehead reason he turns you down, yes, your pride will sting. And then you’ll get over it. But if you don’t go for it, and he gets away, you’ll kick yourself until the next millennium.
I’d bet anything he’s been as curious about you as YOU ARE about him. Go, girl! Strike while the iron is hot. I can’t wait to hear about what happens! My fingers and toes are crossed for you.
Love and kisses,
Taylor, who’s sending good vibes your way
Smiling at Taylor’s enthusiasm, Tori still wished she’d heard from the other girls, too. Of course Taylor would be enthusiastic after her fairy-tale marriage to Ben. He’d been her first and best sexual experience. She’d wanted to get him out of her system so she could move on with her life. They’d ended up at the altar.
Great for them. But that wasn’t how Tori wanted her chapter to end. She really and truly just wanted a fling. Eventually she’d get married. But Jake wasn’t suitable husband material.
After sending Taylor a personal thank-you, she went back to review her e-mail, and see how it read after having deleted the first sentence.
To: The Gang at Eve’s Apple
From: [email protected]
Subject: Initial Contact
Okay, so this isn’t as easy as it sounded. My first attempt at engaging J in conversation ended up with me running after his truck like a moron. He didn’t stop. Just said hello, and then drove off. It wasn’t as if I had time to piss him off. Besides, I don’t really know the guy.
Oh God, maybe he is married. Of course I’ll back off. But I’ll wallow in self-pity for a week. Maybe even a month. I wish you all could see him. I kid you not when I say he’s to die for.
I know you all are busy, but I need to move fast (I have an appointment calendar that won’t quit) and I’m still floundering a little. Any thoughts?
Wish me luck.
Angel
Tori had just pressed Send when she heard a light knock at her door. Quickly she logged off and closed her computer.
“Victoria? Are you still awake?”
She almost answered her mother but thought better of it and slowly slid beneath the covers. Duty would call soon enough. For now she’d plan her attack and dream about Jake.
“HERE SHE COMES.”
Jake used his shirtsleeve to wipe the sweat from his brow and then looked to see what Hector was talking about.
Holding a glass in each hand, Victoria came down the slope from the house. She had on white shorts and a pink shirt. Her legs sure had gotten long in the past few years.
Hector slicked his hair back and gave a low appreciative whistle. Not loud enough for her to hear. Just loud enough to annoy Jake.
He laid the shovel he’d been using against the flagstone retaining wall and pulled off his gloves. “Get the fertilizer out of the truck, will you?”
“Now?” Hector shot him a peeved look.
“Now.”
The other man sighed, laid down his shovel and muttered something under his breath as he shot Victoria a parting look before heading for the truck parked a good hundred yards away.
As she got closer, Jake had to force his gaze away from her breasts, the way they bounced with each step and strained against the stretchy fabric. Normally he was a leg man, had a real weakness for slim ankles. But the closer she got, the more he realized there wasn’t much about Victoria that didn’t interest him.
“Hi,” she said, smiling. “Jake, right?”
He nodded, curious as hell. What could she possibly want?
“Of course you’ve changed. And we’ve never really formally met…”
“I know who you are, Victoria.”
“Tori.” Her almond-shaped hazel eyes met his. She had one of those sultry looks that could distract a man if he weren’t careful. “That’s what my friends call me. Oh, here.”
He took the lemonade she offered, and decided not to point out that they weren’t friends. “Thanks.”
She tilted her head to the side, her eyes holding his captive. “I think this is the first time we’ve talked, isn’t it?”
He nodded, and took a long cool sip as he waited her out.
She moistened her lips, darted a look toward Hector. “How’s your dad? I haven’t seen him since I’ve been back.”
“He’s laid up with a bad back.”
“Sorry
