The Earl's Outrageous Lover Page 0,9

first few months, I was a bit preoccupied since I’d suddenly lost both of my parents. I didn’t think it was necessary to marry immediately following the funeral.”

Edward looked at her soft brown eyes and felt like a complete ass. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me,” he apologized. He looked across the back of the limousine, steadily watching her face as the color slowly returned to her beautiful features. He’d hurt her and all he could think about now was how he could get the sparkle back into her eyes. “I know your parents died suddenly and it must have been horrible for you.”

Jessica looked down, pushing away the pain of her loss. It was over now and she couldn’t bring them back. Her strict father had been a good man, if undemonstrative and very opinionated about how to conduct oneself in the world. His will aside, she understood him and they got along reasonably well. Her mother had been soft and gentle, always there for a hug. Both of them had given her a strong sense of who she was and her place in this world and she would miss them every day of her life. But now was not the time to dwell on her loss. She had to marry and this man sitting in front of her was ready and willing to help her.

“Thank you for that.” She cleared her throat and shook her head, unaware that the man in front of her was watching her curls shimmer around her head with fascination. “As for the other part of the year, I honestly have been trying to find someone who would suit me for a husband. I know there are thousands of people in my father’s companies that will be out of a job if I don’t marry soon.” She forced a smile to her face. “But I’m interrupting your day and I know you have a very tight schedule. A trip to the police station probably wasn’t on your agenda so I know I’ve taken up an inordinate amount of your time. The offer of dinner tonight still stands. How about if we meet tonight at my house for dinner to discuss the terms of my father’s will? I’m so sorry that your uncle broke his leg, but I’m truly grateful that you’re willing to step in and help out with all the technicalities. My father was a good businessman, but he was a huge chauvinist and refused to allow a woman to have control of his financial issues. So accepting the responsibility is truly a very kind thing from you. I promise that I will endeavor to apply myself to this task with great efficiency,” she said the last part with mock seriousness.

Edward didn’t realize he was glaring at the woman. He was still reeling from the impact of her smile and was furious that he was so undisciplined that he kept losing his focus any time she smiled. There was something about her mouth that just distracted him, made him think of….

Dammit!

He cleared his throat and leaned forward, disgusted with his body that was reacting to her perfume and that damn smile of hers. “That’s very kind of you. I’ll be there tonight with any help I can muster.”

Jessica looked up at him, startled by his comment. What did he mean? What kind of help would he need for this?

She smiled and glanced out the window, realizing that they had just pulled up outside of what she assumed was his office. Reaching across the short expanse of the car, she extended her hand as she said, “Thank you, Edward. I appreciate all of your help.”

When he took her hand in his, she felt the jolt of electricity, the stunning heat that swarmed over her hand, up her arm and throughout her body. She held on for a moment longer than necessary before pulling back. That touch…she’d felt it so thoroughly, so intensely, and it scared her into jerking her hand back.

She stepped out of his car quickly, eager to be freed from those intimidating eyes of his. What rotten luck, she thought as she opened the heavy door leading out to the street. How could she be so attracted to a man who was completely inappropriate for her? The man was a grouch who was probably painfully rigid in his mindset and so disciplined in his day that any kind of disturbance would irritate him to no end.

Edward cursed under his breath as