By the time he’d expended his anger toward the ghosts of Janie’s past, Alex was left shaky and exhausted. Still, he had to cool down or he knew he’d regret it in the morning. On the treadmill he felt her watching him. He’d felt her eyes on him the whole time and it did things to him it shouldn’t. Not since he’d sworn off women and decided Rosie Palms and her five friends were the only release he needed. He’d never expected his temporary bride to affect him this way. Why should he? None of the staff did and the cook’s assistant was a pretty girl who couldn’t be more than twenty-three. Maybe it was the way she wouldn’t look him directly in the face, and on the rare occasion when she did, her eyes were filled with pity.

Alex stepped into the bathroom, unable to resist offering to let Janie share his shower with him, then dropping his shorts just before he closed the door after she’d stammered that she would wait. From what he suspected of her background, that had probably scandalized her, but the temptation had been too strong. Where the hell had his self-control disappeared to? He turned on the shower and palmed his dick while he waited for the water to heat. He couldn’t help but picture Janie’s blushing face, he’d seen it enough today he had no trouble pulling the image from his mind.

The water warmed, and he stepped under the hot spray, letting it beat down on him and ease his over worked muscles. He slid his hand up and down his cock, Janie’s sweet face in his mind while the steaming water streamed over him. He didn’t have time for this, she was waiting for him. But he needed to take the edge off his desire before he lost control and got too close. He needed to be able to keep his distance and this was the only way he could get past the deep need she stirred in him.

It only took a few strokes before Alex was erupting all over his own hand. His knees went weak with the power of his orgasm, and he finished his shower quickly, washing off the sweat and other things, and shutting off the water. Stepping out of the shower he grabbed a towel and dried his hair before wrapping it around his waist, cursing his stubborn dick that refused to behave. It had gotten off once, but was insisting on the real thing. Shaking his head, he was determined to ignore it, at least for now, and stepped into the closet. There he found Janie, her suitcase open on the floor as she worked to hang up some of the things inside. She looked up and her eyes went wide as she spotted him.

“I—I started to wait in the other room, but changed my mind. I thought I’d hang up my things while I waited. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“No worries. I just need to get some clean clothes.” Alex stepped past her as she kept her eyes on him. He was tempted to drop his towel and get dressed right there like he usually did, but knew he was pushing it, so instead, gathered his clothes and took them back in the bathroom. A couple minutes later he stepped out, wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, but he’d skipped shoes as he preferred to go barefoot when he wasn’t planning on leaving. He looked around, but Janie had disappeared. Her suitcase was once again closed and tucked out of the way, the clothes she’d removed hung in what had been an empty section of the closet, but she was nowhere to be seen.

He wondered if he’d scared her off as he stepped into the bedroom. There she was, sitting in one of the armchairs in front of the TV at the far end of the room. Her book was open in front of her, but she wasn’t reading it, instead she had turned her head and was staring out one of the windows that overlooked one side of the house.

“You hungry?”

Janie jumped, and he wondered again what had made her so on edge all the time. She looked at him with big eyes that skimmed down his body as if making sure he was dressed this time.

“Sure.” She stood, closed her book and set it on the table beside the chair.

“Did you want to wash your face or change?”

“Do you want me to?” Her brow creased, and one hand lifted to her cheek. “Have I got something on my face?”

“No, you look great. It’s just been a big day and I thought you might like to freshen up.” If Alex ever met whoever had done this to her, he wasn’t sure the other man would walk away. “Come on.” He reached for her hand.

She hesitated then slipped her hand into his. He liked the feel of her soft fingers against his scarred ones. It made him long for things he knew he shouldn’t take. But then again, he’d never told her his plan, only that they should get to know each other before taking the next step. It wasn’t too late to change his mind and keep her.

Keep her.

As if she was a freaking puppy. Alex shook his head, but led his bride through the closet and down the back stairs. Keeping her was a stupid idea. Sooner or later she’d get tired of looking at his ugly face. He sure did.