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“You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

Bob’s snicker didn’t go unnoticed. Nor did his mumbled “famous last words” as he walked away.

No. It wasn’t gonna happen. Not now, not ever. So he might as well get any heart tugging, thinking of Lucy as goddess of creation, out of his head, because their worlds

were not going to collide.

Trouble was, they already had. Every day he spent with her she wriggled more and

more into his head, his mind and his heart. He had to get her out of there, and fast. To

her, this was just a charade. If he got attached to her he was going to lose.

Hell, he’d already lost. Everyone had left, finally, and he stood at the back door, mesmerized while watching that perfect backside of hers as she bent over to pick up

trash. Little blue shorts stretched tight, along with that clingy top that showed just a hint

of cleavage along with some blue, lacy-looking bra.

He adjusted his shorts, feeling the almost instantaneous twitching which always occurred whenever she was around.

Thankfully he had been too busy today. Wouldn’t have looked too good to have his

peers see him follow Lucy around the yard, drooling like a dog on a too hot summer day.

She finally turned and spotted him, then straightened and graced him with a brilliant

smile that he could see despite the gathering darkness. He walked toward her.

“You don’t have to clean up,” he said, taking the trash bag from her hands.

She frowned. “I don’t mind. Besides, there’s not much left to do. Most everyone put

all their trash in the bags.”

They patrolled the yard together, Lucy clearing off the last of the cans and paper plates that had been left, while Jake held open the trash bag. He kind of liked this domestic stuff. Surprisingly, she hadn’t complained once about doing any of the prep

work or the clean up.

For a stuck-up socialite, she sure seemed to enjoy the down home simplicity of his life.

Or maybe he was reading into this what he wanted to see, not the way things really

were. She was simply being polite because he’d asked for her help. Nothing more than

that.

“I think we got it all picked up,” she said, sweeping her hair away from her face.

She

stood in the middle of the yard, hands on hips, and nodded.

They headed into the house and Jake fixed them both a drink, then motioned for Lucy to join him in the living room. They sat on the leather sofa, which felt cool to his

legs after the itching heat from outside.

“Thank you for helping. Thanks for everything today. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

A blush stained her cheeks. “It was fun. I didn’t mind at all. Do you think it turned out okay?”

“Hell yeah. From what I heard it was the hit of all the barbecues so far.” He stretched

his legs on the coffee table in front of him. “Everyone said they’d have a hard time competing with this one.”

“Oh, it wasn’t that big a deal. Just a few bites of food and some games for the kids.”

She looked beautiful sitting there, her expression tentative, yet hopeful. For someone

with so much going for her, she sure seemed a mass of insecurities. Didn’t she realize

how great she was?

Reaching out, he grabbed a loose curl and threaded it through his fingers.

“You did more than just a little. Take a bow, you deserve it. And I really appreciate your help.”

“You’re welcome. I actually had a great time today.”

“I could tell. You seemed to really enjoy the kids,” he said, trying to find some way to break the spell she wove over him.

She grinned. “I love being around kids. I wish I had more exposure to them, but unfortunately, not many of the people I know have children. The social events I attend

don’t allow kids.”

“You know, you looked completely different out there today. Nothing like a lawyer

at all.”

One corner of her mouth lifted in that saucy grin he liked so much. “Really? And what did I look like?”

He thought a moment, and then it struck him. The way the children gravitated to her,

her natural ability to make them feel comfortable. “You looked more like a kindergarten

teacher.”

Her face paled and the smile died on her face. Tears pooled in her eyes, threatening

to spill over.

“Hey. What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I’m sorry, it’s just that I, what I mean is, what you said, oh, never mind. I’m sorry, please excuse me.” Her last words were said on a quivering gasp. She set her glass on the table and literally ran into his bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.

Jake sat there, stunned and confused.

What the hell had he said to set her off like that?

Chapter Eight

Lucy sniffled and blew her nose, dreading the moment she’d have to leave Jake’s bathroom.

What an idiot she was, falling apart like that in front of him. Poor guy probably had

no idea what had caused her flood of tears. He was most likely blaming himself right now

for some imagined transgression. She really should get out there and let him know her

meltdown had nothing to do with him.

As soon as her face looked less blotchy and her nose didn’t light up as red as a certain Christmas reindeer’s. Lord, she looked dreadful.

“Lucy?”

She whirled around at the knock at the door and the sound of Jake’s voice. “Yes?”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She sniffed.

He was quiet for a moment and she thought he’d left, until he said, “Uh, are you gonna come out any time soon?”

Not if she could help it. How was she going to explain what just happened? Chalk it

up to PMS? Discussion of anything female usually resulted in the man wanting to end the

topic of conversation immediately. That could work.

She turned to the mirror, scrunched her face at her reflection, and proceeded to the

door, opening it with a smile.

The look of genuine concern on Jake’s face was enough to make the tears well all over again.

“Are you sure you’re all right?”

“I’m great.” She opened