He wasn’t foolish enough to believe that the women heassociatedwith wanted him for his great company. Fame and fortune attracted them. They made no secret about it, and as long as they understood the relationship would never be a long-lasting one, he was okay with that.
Most relationships didn’t last in the professional football world. It was a demanding sport. Training, games, traveling, and social events took up a huge amount of their time. Groupies were always a temptation, and sometimes too much for any man to refuse. It was a hard life for wives and girlfriends, and most couldn’t handle it. He’d once experienced the strain his career put on a relationship, and didn’t want to put anyone else through that again.
But Lauren didn’t seem to give two shits about his fame. In fact, he sensed it was more of a turnoff.
When he’d introduced himself on New Year’s Eve, and recognition dawned on her, the temperature in the room had immediately dropped ten degrees, when earlier heat had been simmering. Lauren may have wanted to hide it, but he knew better. She was cool and uninterested on the outside but as hot as a firecracker on the inside.
Trailing a lazy gaze from her head to her toes, he answered, “I want you.”
Lauren’s face flushed bright red. “I told you yesterday I’m not interested.”
“I haven’t explained what I want.” Images of her exposed creamy white breasts wrapped in flimsy pink lace had him wanting to explore the rest of her. That was what he really wanted, but for now he’d keep that information to himself.
“I don’t want to hear it.” She touched the silver locket again.
“How do you know you don’t want to hear what I have to say? You might like it.” He grinned.
Lauren dropped her hands from the locket, placed them on her hips, and narrowed her eyes. “Forget it, Jack. I’m not interested. How dare you come back in here and proposition me after I already told you I’m not interested? Didn’t you get the message loud and clear yesterday? And throwing me those sexy eyes isn’t going to make me change my mind. Did you expect me to fall at your feet because you told meyou want me? So no, Jack, my answer is no,” she said as her chest puffed in and out.
Digging his hands into his pockets, Jack rocked back on his heels. The misunderstanding amused him, but he had to admit he wasn’t completely innocent in her confusion. He tried keeping a straight face, but the corners of his lips twitched. “If you had let me explain before jumping down my throat, I would have told you I want you for a job.”
Confusion creased her brow. “A job?”
“Someone broke into my office and trashed it last night. Every piece of furniture is ruined, pictures on the walls…everything. I want to hire you to redecorate it for me.”
He watched a display of varying shades of red travel across her face and felt a small tug of guilt for embarrassing her. But part of him thought she had it coming. Maybe she’d eventually heat up and melt away the ice queen.
“You… I thought… Sexy eyes…” she stuttered.
“I’m sorry I didn’t make myself clear.” Not really, but he didn’t think it was a good idea to mention it.
But she must have seen by his expression that he was far from sorry. Her eyes hardened and golden flecks shot through them. She slowly sauntered closer and stood directly in front of him. The high heels she wore not only made her long legs look amazing but brought their faces level, and she jabbed a finger in his chest.
“How could you let me rave on like that?”Jab.“You could have stopped me from making a complete idiot of myself.”Jab.“You deliberately tricked me with your smooth voice and lusty eyes.”Jab. Jab.“And you enjoyed every minute of it.”Jab. Jab. Jab.“I don’t want your stinking job. I want you out of my shop now!”Jab.
Jack’s shoulders shook with laughter, which only made her look even angrier. “I’ll pay you whatever you want.”
“I don’t want your money.”Jab.“You can stick your money up your—”
Jack caught the poking finger and held it in a firm grip. She struggled to free herself, but he held tight. “You didn’t exactly misunderstand me. Trust me when I tell you I dowantyou.” Drawing in an unsteady breath, her gaze dropped to his mouth.Yeah, there’s that heat.
He leaned closer until their faces were only inches apart. The sweet smell of flowers and sunshine tormented him, making him want to explore and touch every part of her. “I want you,
Lauren, and I know you’re feeling something too.”
This time he let her snatch her hand away, and she stomped behind the counter. “I don’t want the job. Find someone else.” She avoided discussing the attraction between them. He’d let it go for now.
“I’m a desperate man. What can I do to change your mind?”
“I won’t change my mind. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.” She turned her attention to a box of trinkets on the counter. He’d been dismissed.
Jack pulled his wallet from his back pocket and slid a business card along the smooth counter. “Here’s my card. If you change your mind, call me.”
Leaving her shop, he shook his head. Dammit, she’d rejected himagain.
Chapter Eight
“Arrggh!” Groaning, Lauren flicked the lock and hung theback in five minutessign.
