Chapter Two
Tess flung her arms around Johnny Spurling’s neck and insisted, “Thank God you’re here. The unrequited love of my life!”
“I love you, too,” he replied solemnly. Then he grinned toward Jill. “Hey, Jill. Nice to see you again.”
Tess kept one arm around Johnny while reaching over with her free hand to squeeze Jayce’s chin. “And this is Johnny’s brother. Just look at this face.”
Jill laughed. “It’s very nice.”
Jayce laughed, too. “I’m Jayce. Nice to meet you, Jill.”
“Jill’s a big-time lawyer,” Johnny explained as they all took their seats. “She even appeared before the Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court.”
“Well, technically I petitioned them a couple of times for a writ of certiorari and was denied. But I like your version better,” Jill said, trying not to blush.
“Enough shop talk,” Tess complained. “You know what I want, handsome.”
Grinning at the double entendre, Johnny pulled out his phone and cued up the requisite baby photos. “Not much change since you saw him yesterday,” he teased Tess.
“Be serious. He’s ten times bigger. I might have to move into your spare room so I don’t miss anything else.”
“Deck wouldn’t be too thrilled,” the quarterback drawled. “But me and Erica would love it.”
“Settle down,” Tess warned, adding in Jill’s direction, “He hasn’t had sex in three months, so he’s a little needy. Oh!” She stood and eyed them all happily. “This is my favorite song. Let’s do the Lancer Two-Step.” Before they could react, she added with a teasing smile, “I’ll take Johnny since he might get a little grabby, poor thing.”
As Jill watched in disbelief, her baby sister dragged the hapless quarterback onto the dance floor.
“Oh Lord, I’m so sorry,” she told Jayce. “If you don’t want to dance, that’s fine.”
His blue eyes twinkled. “Do we dare defy her?”
“Luckily I don’t take orders from my baby sister. But I guess . . .” Her tone grew hoarse. “We could.”
“Sure, let’s do it,” he agreed, motioning for her to precede him to the dance floor.
His manner was cheerful but slightly distant, and she wondered if he was remembering other times. With his wife.
His machete-wielding wife, to be specific.
Once again, it boggled the mind that any woman, for any reason, had sent this guy away. He wasn’t just hot, he was charming. Respectful. Sweet, even.
But mostly hot. And the idea that her body would soon be pressed against his?
Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself he had four children and was desperate to reunite with his wife. Or rather, his ex-wife.
Stop it! she pleaded with herself. You’re going to embarrass Tess.
The thought made her laugh. Embarrass Tess? Wasn’t it usually the other way around? Not that she was complaining, because Tess’s humiliations were always hilarious.
Then Jayce reached for her, and even though the gesture was again impersonal—just a normal guy being polite to his brother’s acquaintance—she felt a shiver of anticipation. It felt wrong, but also harmless, so she stepped into him and smiled up into his gorgeous face.
“You’ll need to show me the steps,” he said casually, as though unaware of the sexy vibe.
“What?”
“The Lancer Two-Step. Do you know it?”
“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s the same as the Colby Two-Step. And the Christmas Two-Step. Ad nauseam.” She smiled and assured him, “We’re off the hook. Since again, I don’t take orders from my little sister.”
“Awesome.”
It should have reassured her, but the pressure of his rock-hard chest on her aroused nipples made it hard to breathe, much less think. And his huge hands—one on her back, one on her hip—weren’t helping matters even though he kept a respectable, almost monk-like distance below the waist.
Dismayed, she forced herself to look for Tess and Johnny and was pleased to see them joking around. “I love watching Tess with your brother and Erica,” she told Jayce sincerely. “She always makes friends easily, but this feels different. Almost like they’re family.”
“Yeah, they all love her. Especially Deck,” he added with a teasing smile.
Deck.
It was the nickname Johnny used for Sean, and apparently it extended beyond that.
So sweet.
“Tess is amazing,” Jayce added, as though concerned he had downplayed the importance of the friendship. “I never saw John respond to a girl that way, especially one that flirts with him. It usually embarrasses him. But not with Tess.”
“She’s such a tease,” Jill agreed. Then she asked warily, “Why did she say he hasn’t had sex in three months? Does it really take that long after childbirth? I mean . . .” Her cheeks warmed. “You have children, so . . .”
He chuckled. “It takes a while, but I’m sure he’s back in the saddle by now. I’m staying at their place, remember? Those walls can only be so thick.”
She laughed self-consciously. “I wasn’t judging. I mean . . .” She felt a wave of embarrassment. “It’s been much longer than three months for me.”
“Me, too.”
“What?” She tried to recover and failed. “How is that possible?”
“Huh?”
“You’re just so—well, so virile,” she explained weakly. “Oh God, forget I said anything.”
“Virile, huh?” He was teasing her, but his tone had gone from smooth to gravelly, as though she had touched a nerve.
A nerve that hadn’t been touched in more than three months.
Was this actually happening?
His attention, which had been so distant, now seemed to zero in. Even his breathing seemed different. Faster. More ragged.
Oh God.
She knew she should ignore the signs, but instead they drew her in, and when his hand pressed against the small of her back, she willingly moved closer, terrified but excited by the prospect of encountering a bulge. She had only danced with a few guys in her life, and while she and Colin had had some romantic moments on the dance floor in the early days, she had a feeling she wasn’t prepared for this.
“So you’re a lawyer, huh?” he asked, burying his face in her long, loose hair like it suddenly mesmerized him.
“A lawyer. Yes.”
“That’s cool.”
“And you’re a football player?” she asked dizzily.
“Yeah.” He urged her closer. So close she could feel the beginnings of an unbelievably huge erection pressed against her. Then he murmured, “So? How long are you staying in Portland?”
“I leave Friday,” she managed to gasp. “What about you?”
“I fly out tomorrow morning.”
To her mortification, she exhaled, “Oh no,” in throaty disappointment.
It seemed to break the spell, or at least enough for him to flash a rueful smile. “It’s not like anything could happen with Deck playing chaperone.”
“I’m not staying with them. I’m staying here. At the hotel.”
“You’re staying here? Tonight?”
She gulped and nodded. “My sister and I can’t live under the same roof without squabbling. So I spend the days at their place, but the nights over here. In a really nice room overlooking the city. Room 433, actually.”
He didn’t speak right away, but he got harder. Huger. Which said more than words, especially when his hand slipped lower on her bottom and pressed her tight against himself. Without hesitation she went for it, grinding lightly, refusing to be embarrassed even though it was the most outrageous thing she had done in her life.
Then he said carefully, “I can get away for a few hours. That’s what we’re saying, right?”
She nodded as her gaze locked with his. “That’s what we’re saying. Just for a few hours.” Her cheeks warmed. “Tess told me about your situation and it’s fine with me. I’m not looking for anything but—well, this.”
“You just got divorced too, right?”
She nodded. “In my case, it’s permanent, but I’m not ready for a relationship. So . . .”
“Awesome. Just give me a few seconds to decompress.” Loosening his hold on her but still keeping her close, he took a deep, almost comical breath as he regained control of his nether regions. It would have made Jill laugh if she hadn’t been equally aroused. Pounding heart, drenched panties, the works.
Wow.
“Okay, I’m good,” he announced. Then to her delight he flashed a rowdy smile, took her by the elbow, and led her back to the table.
“If they ask what we talked about, say it was Baby Aaron,” she whispered. “That makes sense, right?”
“They won’t ask. But sure. Whatever you say.”
“Good.” Exhaling sharply, she tried not to overreact when he held her chair for her. It was normal, wasn’t it? Just one acquaintance being polite to another acquaintance. Nothing to see here.
Or at least, not on the surface.
Tess and Johnny made their way back as well, and Jill was pleased when the QB held Tess’s chair for her.
Because it’s normal.
“So?” Tess demanded. “What did you guys talk about?”
Jayce cracked up. “Your sister predicted you’d ask that. Good thing we got our stories straight.”
Tess giggled. “It’s the lawyer in her. Nothing spontaneous. Not ever. Everything planned to the nth detail. Anyway, I already know the answer. You talked about your nephew. My godson. Right?”
“Who else?” he agreed. “It’s gonna be tough tearing myself away tomorrow. Especially now that he recognizes me.”
“He’s just so darned smart,” Tess agreed with a sigh.
Jill seized the gap in conversation to announce, “I hate to break up the party, but I have a slight headache. You three have fun without me, please?” To Johnny she added, “I’ll see you at the barbecue tomorrow.”
He seemed concerned. “Should we ask the waitress for some aspirin?”
“Oh, that’s sweet, but no thanks.”
Tess laughed. “Tell him the truth, Jillie.”
“That’s enough,” she complained, arching an eyebrow in warning.
But Tess was on a roll. “Jill’s body is a temple. Right, Jill?”
She glared for a long moment, then turned to Johnny and explained, “It’s not like I’m a fanatic. But I try to avoid medicine and junk food. I appreciate the offer, though.”
“A temple, huh?” The QB’s blue eyes twinkled. “You must be doing something right because you look great.”
Tess clapped with glee. “Didn’t I tell you? The poor guy is out of control.”
They all laughed, then Jayce asked his brother, “Any chance you could catch a ride with Tess? So I can run over to Gusty’s? See who’s hanging out?”
“No problem.” The QB turned to Tess. “Okay with you?”
“Are you kidding? I can’t wait to get you alone.”
Jayce chuckled. “And on that note, I’ll bow out.” He stood and accepted the keys from his big brother, then gave Tess a hug. “Great seeing you, honey. I’m gone in the morning but I’ll be back soon.”
“We’ll miss you,” she assured him. “Stay longer next time, please?”
“Will do.” He gave Jill a friendly wave. “Nice meeting you, Jill. Hope the headache gets better.”
“I’m sure it will,” she said primly, hoping Tess didn’t notice how pink her cheeks were turning. This was such unchartered territory for her. Luckily, Jayce had handled it like a pro.
Like a charger, she decided, biting back a giggle as she watched him amble toward the exit. Then she gave Tess a warm hug, confirmed she’d be at Sean’s house for breakfast at ten, and gave Johnny a casual hug as well, saying brightly, “See you tomorrow.”
“You bet. And don’t be a hero,” he added sternly. “Ask for aspirin if you need it.”
“You’re sweet. But all I need is a good night’s sleep.”
“Come on, then. We’ll walk you to the elevator. Then your sister can have her way with me.”
• • •
Frantic, Jill dashed out of the elevator, down the hall, and into her hotel room, trying not to second-guess this crazy stunt. Sex with a stranger? A guy who was single, but only in the technical sense since he was determined to get back together with his wife.
Even though she chased him with a machete.
Common sense told Jill to take that as a warning. Surely the guy had major flaws to provoke that sort of behavior. But all she could think about were the laughing eyes, broad shoulders, rock-hard body and that big, meaty erection.
Biting back a nervous giggle, she headed to the bathroom and studied her reflection critically. She hadn’t brought any flimsy lingerie or even a sexy outfit for a visit with her little sister. So, should she stay like this? In jeans and a flattering sweater? Or try to appear casual in bra and panties? Maybe even go full-on naked?
A fluffy white robe in the closet, courtesy of the hotel, caught her eye so she stripped down to nothing and tried it on, then had to laugh. Thanks to its oversized bulk, she was more polar bear than femme fatale.
Meanwhile, he was on his way, so she took a deep breath and reminded herself this was her last chance. The moment of reckoning. Was she actually going to have wanton sex with a perfect stranger on the very same night she met him?
Of course, she had slept with Colin the same day she met him, too, so at least her record was safe. Two guys in twenty-seven years. Zero vetting.
But at least you won’t marry this one, thank God, since he’s already taken.
Another glance in the mirror told her her cheeks were flushed, partly from the bulky robe but mostly from excitement. She had to do this. After years of being discreet and cautious, this might be her last chance to try something wilder. More daring. So she unbelted the robe and let it slide to the ground, pleased overall by how she looked thanks to an afternoon at a luxury spa with Tess earlier in the week where, at her sister’s urgings, she had ordered “the works.” Even her wavy blonde hair, which she considered her best feature, looked softer and thicker than ever.
Now if she could just get her breathing under control, she was as ready as she’d ever be.
• • •
As Jayce headed to Jill’s hotel room, he forced himself not to overthink things. She had blindsided him with her beauty, her grace, her vulnerability, and most of all, her availability. Of course, she was recently divorced, so it made sense. But still, it blew him away.
For the last four months, he had been so focused on reconciling with Beth, he hadn’t considered the upside to being single. He wanted his family back. His sons. His life. But from the moment the sexy blonde looked up at him and called him “virile” in that throaty, horny voice, he had completely lost it.
And it felt damned good.
Beth had divorced him. Turned him into a single guy against his wishes. Worse, she was dating that Tom guy. Probably even sleeping with him. Hell, definitely sleeping with him if half of what the boys said was true.
Why couldn’t Jayce have one awesome night to tide him over until Beth came to her senses? It seemed only fair.
But with Tess Colby’s sister?
He winced as he approached Room 433. He had never consciously lusted after Tess, who was amazingly pretty, but so young and full of mischief she seemed more like little-sister material. In contrast, the big sister was a true babe. Not just pretty but flat-out glamorous. Graceful. Classy. And hot for Jayce even though he was leaving in the morning. Or rather, because he was leaving in the morning.
They would do this because they needed it, and because they could trust each other that it wouldn’t go farther. Just one awesome hook-up, then she’d be back in New York, he’d be in San Diego, and neither of them would ever tell a soul. Even though that erotic dance had basically guaranteed it would be one of the hottest nights of their lives.
Let’s just hope she didn’t change her mind, he decided with a sheepish grin as he raised his knuckles and rapped lightly on her door.