See Jane Love - By Debby Conrad Page 0,10
someone with a sinister look. And you were the only one we could think of.”
Gabe shook his head, snorting. “Jane,” he started, but she interrupted.
“Sara said you’re the love ‘em and leave ‘em type. But that doesn’t bother me any. In fact, that’s exactly the type of man I’m looking for. Someone who will show me what I’ve been missing, so to speak, and then when his duty’s done, he’s free to leave.”
“I see. So, you’re just looking to have a quick . . . affair? Strictly to satisfy your sexual needs? And you’re not interested in any permanent attachments?”
She smiled. “Exactly! Of course, my sister thinks my lover should be ambitious, too. But, hey, a girl can’t have everything. So, now that I’ve explained it all, are you interested in helping me?”
“No!”
“But--”
“Look, I really appreciate all those wonderful compliments, but I need to get going.” Gabe turned his back on her and headed for the bedroom door.
“Wait! Did I mention you have a nice butt? That was high on my list of qualifications.”
Spinning around, he pinned her with a look. “I’m not interested in having an affair with you, okay? So, you can stop with all the flattery.”
“Okay,” she said, looking and sounding defeated. “But what am I supposed to do now?”
Go see a shrink, maybe? “How the hell should I know?”
“This is so embarrassing, and it’s not fair. I’ve spilled my guts, and now you won’t even help me. I’m at an unfair disadvantage. The least you could do is be honorable about this.”
She had to be kidding. “Trust me, I’m being as honorable as I’ve ever been in my life.”
“Well, what if you were me? What would you do?”
“I’d buy a vibrator.”
“They don’t work.” Her eyes grew huge with alarm. “Not that I’ve ever tried one.”
“No, of course not.”
She released a long breath. “What if it’s just me? What if I’m defective?”
“You’re not defective. It’s just that these things take practice sometimes. You’ve had practice, haven’t you? I mean, you’re not a virgin, are you?”
“No,” she said, laughing. “And I’ve had plenty of practice, too.”
Sure you have, he thought.
“So, how will I ever know for sure if I’m defective or not, unless I follow through with my plan?”
Gabe didn’t know how much more of this talk he could take. The fly on his jeans had grown uncomfortably tight. “Did you ever hear the phrase ‘Good things come to those who wait’?”
“I’m twenty-eight! How long do you want me to wait? Till I’m old and wrinkled?”
He supposed she had a point, but he didn’t budge.
“Did I mention that I was willing to pay you? How does one hundred dollars sound?”
That did it! He crossed the room in two strides and loomed over her. “What the hell is your problem?”
Her head shifted backward a few inches. “All right, I get the hint. You’re not attracted to me. But I have a feeling you’re the perfect man for the job. Couldn’t we just do it with the lights out? That way, you wouldn’t even have to look at me? Unless you wanted to,” she added.
Gabe couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Jane Callahan was begging him to have an affair with her, had offered to pay him, in fact. Moving to the bottom of the bed, he dropped down beside her feet. He placed his elbows on his knees and rested his head in his hands for a moment before looking at her again.
“Jane,” he said, raising his head and meeting her gaze. “It’s not that I’m not attracted to you. You’re . . .” He waved a hand along the length of her.
“What?” she asked, her expression curious.
“You’re . . . a very sexy woman,” he said, truthfully. “But we’re practically related.”
“We’re not related.”
“Okay, then.” He needed another excuse. “Alex and Sara would probably castrate me if I laid so much as a finger on you. And then they’d probably forbid me to see Travis and Livvy ever again.”
“I promise not to tell them,” she said, leaning toward him and folding her legs beneath her. “It’ll be our little secret.”
Gabe’s gaze dropped to her lap where the khaki material had practically disappeared, leaving only silky bare legs in its wake. He looked skyward. Give me strength. “I’m sorry, but I can’t . . . help you.”
Her expression changed quickly. “Fine. I’ll just have to get someone else.”
An angry lump formed in his throat, surprising him. Why should he care who she slept with? She didn’t mean anything to him.