The Heart - Kate Stewart Page 0,29
planted firmly on the floor. My entire body was covered with a light veil of sweat. Jack, though pleasing to the eyes, seemed harmless at a distance. Up close, he did lethal things to me.
“So, New Orleans,” I said in an attempt to make small talk.
Jacks whole face lit when I mentioned his home. “I live in The Quarter. You should come visit sometime. Hell of a place to grow up,” he said as he took a swig of his beer.
“I wish I had time to do things like that. It’s been years since I’ve wandered out of Texas.”
“Rose, you won’t do a damn bit of good for anyone by working yourself into an early grave.”
“Thank you for your concern, Jack, but how would you know how often I work?” I said, sinking into the feel of the bourbon.
“I think it’s a safe assumption considering I’ve known your family for years and have never seen you once. Why are you so nervous?” Jack asked, catching me off guard as I took a sip of beer.
“I’m not,” I said uneasily, giving myself away.
“You are, admit it,” he pressed, his accent even more sexy and at the same time infuriating.
“I will not, and you’re being rude.”
“Would you prefer I let you bullshit me?”
“I’m not nervous,” I said, throwing back my bourbon. The liquid oozed down my throat, and I felt a little braver. Jack reached out his hand, closing the gap between us. I jumped back in surprise until it landed in the bowl, gathering some peanuts to shell them. Another ridiculously sexy twist of his lips brought my gaze to them.
“So tell me about you, Jack.”
He put both elbows on the table and leaned in. “Not much to tell. I travel a lot, my home is in New Orleans, and I’m married to my job lately. A lot like you. We’re so boring.”
“Speak for yourself. I’ve traveled all over, grabbed experiences, and with every trip I’ve left my mark or a new building. Nothing’s more rewarding than that. I’ll admit, I do work a lot, but I have one up on you, though.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“I know when to quit,” he countered, finishing his beer with a wink.
“Well, sue me. I’ve been busy—”
“Ah... shhhh, Rose, no shop talk.”
“Fine,” I said, motioning to the waitress for another drink.
“Are you going to get drunk tonight, Rose?”
“Maybe.” I sighed. “I can’t remember the last time I was here or even out with someone else. It’s kind of depressing.”
“So I’m guessing you’re a glass-half-empty kind of girl?”
“I’m a bit of a realist these days,” I admitted truthfully.
“It’s just like I thought. You need me in your life,” he whispered, his elbows still on the table as he leaned in.
I lifted a brow. “For?”
“Because I’m a glass-half-full type of guy. So let’s take work off the table tonight, okay?”
I lifted my chin. “Well, we won’t have much to discuss since my life is the center.”
“There’s more to life than what you do,” he said, leaning back in his seat, peeling at the label of his beer.
“Not really. Sorry, what you see is what you get.” I lifted my hands, palms up.
He leaned over again, his eyes smoldering. “But you just told me I couldn’t have you.”
“I... never said that.”
His brows knit together in confusion. “You said you don’t date.” I stared at him, a little entranced. The more he spoke, the more in tune I was with just how much effect he had on me.
“I don’t date,” I said open ended.
“Exactly.” He froze for a solid beat as he looked at me with a slow, sexy smile. “Wait... did you just proposition me?”
You just propositioned him!
“No, I didn’t, but come on, Jack. A man with your good looks? I’m sure if I had propositioned you, it wouldn’t be the first time.”
I saw his jaw harden a bit before he spoke. “I’m looking at the only woman I’m interested in.”
The air shifted dangerously around us, and every single hair on my head stood at attention. His eyes told me everything I needed to know. Jack would probably deliver on every single dirty thought I’d had about him in the last couple of days and more. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his to admire the full plates as they were set in front of us. I was hungry but not for the beautiful cut of meat sizzling in front of me.
“Can I get you two anything else?”
Jack and I were quickly brought back from our unspoken