See Jane Love - By Debby Conrad Page 0,5

she said, giggling as she stood the glass shaker upright. Thank God it wasn’t the expensive wineglass. It would have broken for sure.

“Alex,” Sara said softly while she leaned over and touched her husband’s arm. “Don’t let Janie have any more wine.”

For some reason, Sara was always in her big-sister mode. And it bugged the heck out of Janie. When is she going to realize that I can take care of myself?

Janie glared at her sister, then met Alex’s gaze. Her brother-in-law offered an apologetic smile and said, “Maybe Sara’s right.” Then, he stood and whisked the two wine bottles from the table and took them to the kitchen.

Jeez. Don’t they trust me?

Glancing at Sara, and keeping one eye on Janie, Gabe said, “Maybe Jane just needs to let off a little steam. Everyone gets a little . . . frustrated now and then.”

He’d called her Jane, the way he always did when he bothered to speak to her. Somehow, he probably knew she hated that name. Feeling her face heat up, she tossed a nasty smile in his direction.

Amusement flickered in his eyes, and a smirk teased his sensual lips.

What a jerk he was! she thought She was not frustrated!

She reached for her wineglass, only to remember it was empty and she wasn’t allowed to have anymore. Okay, so maybe she was frustrated. But what business was it of his?

Suddenly, she was reminded of her problem again and she began wondering about Gabe Montero. Was he the type of man who could satisfy a woman completely? Could he turn a woman to a puddle of liquid, just by touching her with those skillful fingers?

Skillful fingers? Listen to me, she admonished. They were just fingers, that’s all. And there was nothing special, or skillful, about them. Just because his hands were large and masculine and his fingers were long. And just because some women liked to joke about how you could tell the size of a man’s penis by looking at his hands--his fingers, to be exact . . . Oh my God, she thought, forcing herself to tear her gaze from his hands.

She hadn’t meant to stare at his mouth, but that’s what she concentrated on now. Those lips were so . . . they were the kind of lips that would excite fantasies in a nun. And his teeth were white and even. The man didn’t smile much, but she was willing to bet, when he did, he had a killer smile.

Not that it mattered much to her. Still, she found herself continuing to size him up.

Janie looked up from his mouth and noticed him watching her intently. She suddenly wondered what his lips would feel like against hers. Would they be a perfect fit? And what would his kisses be like? Would they be soft and sensuous, or hard and demanding?

Slowly and seductively, his gaze slid from her face, downward to her breasts, as Janie fought the dizzying current racing through her. She knew it was crazy, but she wanted those hands and that mouth all over her body.

Oh, God, she must be totally crazy. Or maybe it was just the wine. Yes, that had to be it, she decided, vowing at the same time never to touch the stuff again. It was making her hallucinate.

Someone tapped her on the arm. “Aunt Janie?” Janie quickly turned her head toward her niece, feeling as if she’d just been caught watching a dirty movie. Livvy stared up at her, a curious expression on her face.

Oh, God. She was really dizzy now, she thought, grabbing onto the table with both hands so she didn’t teeter over. She didn’t want Livvy and Travis to think she was drunk. Because she wasn’t. Feeling totally paranoid, she smiled and said, “Yes, sweetie?” There, that was easy. And she hadn’t even slurred her words, had she?

“Unca Gabe is gonna tell Twavis a bedtime story. But I want you to tell me one. The one about the pwincess.” A look of eager anticipation crossed her tiny face.

Janie’s heart melted as she stared at her sweet little niece. Then she shot Gabe a sideways glance. “She loves my bedtime stories.”

“Speaking of bedtime,” Sara said, pushing her chair back and standing. “It’s getting to be that time. Travis, why don’t you take your sister upstairs and get your pajamas on.”

“Aw, Mom,” Travis whined. “Tonight’s a special night. Uncle Gabe is here.”

This time Gabe was the one to shoot Janie a look, but she pretended not to notice.

“I