The Earl's Outrageous Lover Page 0,13

I’m so sorry for the intrusion,” she said, feeling like her feet were filled with lead. She actually dreaded to open the door and wanted to cry out to Beth to shut off all the house lights and pretend that no one was here. The last time she’d opened the door, she had failed miserably in altering Edward’s impression of her. What was next?

But she couldn’t reach Beth in time and the door was already being opened by the time she reached the middle of the living room. The big booming voice made her stop in her tracks and her spirits instantly lifted.

“I’m looking for Jessica Mallory. Is she in tonight?” a deep voice said from the doorway.

Her eyes lit up as she recognized the voice and her spirits soared. “James?” Jessica called out, her pace increasing as she tried to peer around the door. “Is that really you?”

“Of course, darlin’!” James called out, his arms open as Jessica threw herself against his large, solid body and he held her close for a brief hug. “Good to know you haven’t forgotten about me so quickly!”

Jessica pulled back and smiled up at the handsome man, laughing at his taunt. “How could anyone forget you? Even when we all try, you’re just too obnoxious to get out of our minds!” They both laughed at her jibe but James didn’t take offense. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her again, even lifting her up off of her feet while he hugged her.

“Damn it’s good to see you! And don’t you look incredible!” he said as he set her back onto her feet and held her at arm’s length. “I think you should reconsider my offer, my love. I could make all your problems go away!”

Jessica laughed and hit him on his shoulder. He proposed to her every time he saw her, but they both knew that they would always be just good friends. There wasn’t any spark between them, but she’d sometimes wished that she could love him. He was a brilliant real estate developer from America who was brash and obnoxious and went through life grabbing on with both hands. She loved him, but not in the way she wanted to love her husband. Her affection for James was more along what she might feel for an older brother.

“Can you stay for dinner?” she asked, her eyes begging him to stay.

“I thought you’d never ask,” he laughed, putting his hand around her tiny waist and turning to face the other two people in the room as Jessica led him into the living room.

She was surprised when she felt James’ arm tighten around her waist when she brought him further into the room. She glanced up at him, wondering what was wrong, and noticed that he was staring at the very lovely, very cool Lady Holbrook. Interesting….

“All, this is James Cavanaugh. His company headquarters is actually in San Diego, California, but he’s been in Europe for the past several months working on some real estate deal that’s going to horrify the business world with his magnificence.” She said it to everyone, but it was a definite jab at Edward since the two men could probably be competitors in some areas. She was desperate to show Edward that she was desired by other men and he could just stop his disapproval of her.

She watched Edward glance at Julianna, wondering again what the relationship was between the two of them. Was he in love with the blond woman? What wasn’t to love? Jessica liked her even though she really wanted to hate her. The lovely Lady Holbrook was just too nice and too beautiful with her calm, sophisticated demeanor and her perfect manners.

Jessica introduced the others to James, then stood back and watched as James took Julianna’s hand in his, a light entering his eye that she’d never seen before. Little did he know that the dainty Lady Julianna was already taken by the Ever-So-Perfect-And-Controlled Edward Livingston.

After performing the introductions, she turned to James. “Be good,” she admonished.

James turned to the blond, his eyes flashing as he said, “Ah darlin’. I’m always good,” and enjoyed the lovely blush on those beautiful cheeks of hers.

“Bourbon?” Jessica suggested, offering his favorite drink.

He finally released Julianna’s hand and glanced back towards Jessica. “Of course!” he answered with relish.

As she poured the amber liquid into a tumbler, she explained to Julianna and Edward, “James does some weird things with real estate. Aren’t you looking at some new property in