CHAPTER FIVE
Hustle and heart set us apart.
Ana leaned against the doorway of her home office and found herself smiling as she watched Jack wipe off the desk he’d just assembled. “Looks amazing.”
Turning, he held out his hand and sat in the desk chair. “Come and see if everything is where you want it.”
“Move your heinie then, so I can sit down.”
Pulling her into his lap, he grinned. “Plenty of room for both of us.”
“Hardly,” she replied as he moved the chair closer to the desk.
He kissed her cheek and winked. “Nothing better than having your soft curves pressed against me, so I think it’s perfect.”
“I guess it’s not so bad.” Cupping his face, she kissed him lightly and then ran her hands over the keyboard of her computer. “Thank you so much for assembling everything. It would’ve taken me forever.”
“Happy to,” he replied as he skimmed his hand along her back. “I love putting stuff together.”
Heat skittered across her skin as his fingers moved slowly and she couldn’t remember a time when she had wanted someone more.
The air hummed around them as hunger, want, and need battled for top billing.
“Ana?”
“Yes…”
“Are you okay?”
Nodding, she closed her eyes. “Of course.”
Sliding his finger along her jaw, he turned her head gently. “Open your eyes and tell me what’s going on.”
Unsealing one, she smiled. “Nothing is going on.”
“Open them both and quit lying.”
Doing as he asked, she let out a huff. “Fine, but promise you won’t laugh.”
“I promise.”
“I like you a lot more than I thought possible and sitting in your lap and feeling your touch makes me think you’re going to be all kinds of trouble.” Seeing his mouth lift up at the corners, she pressed her fingers against his lips. “Do not give me that cocky grin.”
He bit her finger and then kissed it. “For your information, it’s a relieved grin.” Pulling her against his chest, he put his mouth against her ear. “I’m nuts for you and hearing that you’re starting to fall for me is the best damn news in the world.”
“Are you sure you want to involve yourself with a science geek?”
“Is that how you still see yourself?”
Moving her eyes to her computer, she shrugged. “Of course. No matter how much I change on the outside, I still see myself as the shy girl with the big brain and awkward personality. I sometimes think we never grow out of our high-school identities, no matter how hard we try.”
“I think you’re right and often wonder why people get so excited when they meet me since I still think of myself as the big clumsy kid who struggled to read.”
“And yet you’re a famous football player, and I’m a doctor.”
“But in this room, with no one else around, those other identities still exist.”
“For the record, I would’ve liked you in high school, but probably never would’ve approached you since you would’ve been way above my pay-grade.”
“I absolutely would’ve had a major crush on you back then, but never would’ve dared to talk to you since you were so smart.”
“The jock and the geek, the ultimate odd couple.”
“Who fit perfectly together,” he replied as he tipped her back and lowered his mouth, capturing her lips.
“Yes,” she mumbled as his mouth met hers and pinwheels of light exploded against her closed eyes. The kiss reminded her of the feeling she got when she was at the top of a roller coaster and knew falling under his spell was inevitable. Never wanting it to end, she dug her hands into his T-shirt and kissed him back.
Until the doorbell rang and the timer went off in the kitchen.
“Damn!”
Lifting her mouth away, she groaned. “I couldn’t agree more.” Pushing herself up, she stood. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Everything.”
“Always.”
The doorbell went off again, and she gave him a quick kiss. “To be continued.”
“Damn right,” he replied.
Moving out of the room, she realized her brain was quiet and couldn’t remember the last time it had happened. Her body buzzed with desire, and her hormones cha cha’d, but her mind was blessedly quiet.
A rare occurrence to be sure.
Swinging the front door open, she smiled and watched Ronnie give her a slow once-over. “What?”
“Jack Ellis was smooching you, and you liked it.”
“I sure did and hope he does it again real soon.”
“Sweet lord of hormones, what is happening?”
“Magic kissing powers, that’s what.” Closing the door, she took the bag from Ronnie. “But to be sure, I’m going to have to do some serious research.” Throwing her best friend a wink, she turned and walked into the kitchen and knew a lot more than kissing was going to happen as soon as they could manage it. After all, she was known for being a relentless researcher and now was not the time to slack. Especially with big beautiful Jack Ellis as the subject.
***
Jack stood in the hallway and smiled to himself as he listened to Ana describe his magic kissing powers and knew his game plan was working. Throwing up a silent fist pump, he walked down the hall and saw Ronnie standing in the foyer with her arms crossed. “Hey there.”
Spinning around, she threw him a glare. “So, you’re really doing this?”
“Absolutely, I told you I wanted her and I’m not backing down until we’re together.”
“And how long do you plan on being together?”
“I think fifty or sixty years should do it.”
Rubbing her hand over her arm, she closed her eyes. “Are you sure, Jack?”
“Of course. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, and I’m going to go after her the same way that I go after my career.”
“Holy mother of football, I’m not sure about this.”
“It’s not for you to be sure about since it’s between Ana and me.” Crossing his arms, he gave Ronnie the same glare he shared with the offensive linemen each week.
“You listen to me, Jack Ellis. I don’t care how big, strong, and rich you are. She’s one of my best friends, and I’ll take you down if you so much as hurt one of her feelings.”
“I’m not going to hurt her and want a real chance of making something real.”
Nodding, she moved her hair off her shoulders. “Fine, but don’t make me regret this. Do you remember that bowl of voodoo dolls on my desk?”
“Of course, since they sit smack dab in the middle.”
“Well, just remember I can have your face on one of them in less than an hour if you misbehave.”
“Understood.”
Nodding, she spun on her heel and walked toward the kitchen, and he let out a little laugh because he knew she wasn’t kidding. No one was more loyal, and he appreciated the hell out of that fact since it was one of the reasons he chose her to manage his finances. That and her massive brain, Masters in accounting from Stanford, and JD from Tulane.
The doorbell rang again, and he stepped over and opened the door. “Come on in.”
Alex crossed his arms and frowned. “What the hell are you doing in my friend’s house, Jack?”
“Guess you haven’t heard that Ana and I are dating.”
He let out a huge laugh and stepped in. “No, really, what are you doing here?”
“Ana and I are together.”
“No shit?”
Standing at his full height, he crossed his arms. “Why the fuck is it so surprising?”
Alex mimicked his stance and raised an eyebrow. “Because she doesn’t typically date players.”
“I’m assuming you’re referring to me being a football player and not a man whore.”
“If the shoe fits, man.”
Taking a step forward, he let out a breath. “Are we going to have a problem?”
“Not unless you do something stupid.”
“I can say the same thing for you.”
Alex took a step forward and grinned. “She’s one of the most important people in my life and has been since we were seventeen and both showed up at Stanford. Her heart is soft, and she’s had it trampled too many times. I don’t want her to fall for you and then be dropped. If you’re looking for a flavor of the week, then move on because I will hurt you if she gets her heart broken.”
“Understood.” Dropping his arms, he let out a long breath. “She’s got me twisted up and turned upside down and, honestly, it’s me who’s going to come out of this broken if we don’t make this thing last.”
Alex nodded and then shoved his hands in his pockets. “Good luck then, because love ain’t easy.”
“Tell me about it,” he replied as the doorbell rang.
“I’ll let you get that since you’re auditioning for the man of the house role.”
Flipping Alex off, he laughed as he watched the man saunter into the kitchen. He opened the door and was greeted with the sight of Ella and Clark. “Hi guys, come on in. Ana and Ronnie are in the kitchen.”
Ella swept into the house, gave him a short nod, and left him and Clark standing in the hallway. “I’m afraid to ask how things are going.”
“Don’t be,” he replied as he looked around. “She’s just in a snit because I won’t sleep with her until she agrees to a date.”
“Who the hell are you and what have you done with my friend?”
“The damn woman is so freaking infuriating, and I’m not giving anything up until she agrees to put me on the permanent roster.”
Ella walked back in frowning. “Clark, you know there isn’t an opening for a permanent position.” Waving her hands between them, she let out a growl. “It’s a fling thing.”
“No fling, Ella. If you want to sample the goodies, then it has to be more.” Smirking, he took her hand as she narrowed her eyes. “Your mean mugging isn’t that impressive.”
“But my attitude is, and I think it’s terribly inconvenient that this is the moment you’ve decided to play hard to get. Why couldn’t you just be the playboy you’ve always been?”
“Those exploits have been blown out of proportion, and you know it!” Pressing a kiss to her hand, he grinned. “I know you’re going to come around to my way of thinking eventually.” He flipped his long hair over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow. “I’m tired of women wanting me for my body, hair, and money. I’m worth more than that.”
Ella rolled her eyes. “Oh, let me feel sorry for the big, handsome, famous, rich football player. Not!”
“You can be as mad as you want, but we both know that all the good things in life take a little work,” Clark replied as he let her hand go and turned toward the kitchen. “And I’m a damn good thing.”
Jack watched his friend walk away and turned toward Ella. “If I were you, I’d think about what he’s offering.”
“But it’s not part of my plan.”
“Things like this never are,” Jack replied as Ana called everyone into the kitchen. He took Ella’s hand and led her into the kitchen, knowing that both of their destinies were there.