Hotter than Texas (Pecan Creek) - By Tina Leonard Page 0,48
marriage?”
He winced. “I really didn’t want to reveal that, Sugar. Call me a selfish bastard. I’m pretty focused on trying to keep things smooth between me and you, and I definitely don’t want to think about Kel’s problem. I didn’t know Kel was going to make a confession to you about it.”
She wasn’t soothed. “It’s horrible, Jake! You could have warned me.”
“What could I say? I think my buddy’s got the hots for your sister?” Jake shook his head. “No way. I just wanted the whole damn thing to go away.”
She wasn’t pleased with him. “It didn’t. It’s still here.”
“I get that. I need a beer.” He glanced around the patio. “Join me downstairs for a sneak beer. I can’t bring booze on the patio.”
She shook her head. “It’s dumb. I’m not going down to your secret lair to drink a beer like a teenager. Besides, I’ve got Paris here. She doesn’t like being left alone. One of us has to be in her sights all the time, or she thinks she’s getting abandoned again.”
“Bring her downstairs with us.” Jake looked completely worn out. “I’ve got chilled vodka in a secret stash, if that would make you feel less like a teenager sneaking the parents’ Coors.”
She looked at him. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea. I think you may have an honesty problem.”
“I don’t,” Jake said. “I have a Kel-is-not-my-problem problem. I seriously want it all to go away.”
“Letting Lucy get broadsided by some man’s wife is not a good idea, Jake. I assure you it would be an uncomfortable conversation for all.”
He nodded. “I know. I’m sorry as hell. I really am. For everyone.”
She softened at his heartfelt admission. “Okay, lead me to the dungeon.”
“Come on.” He walked off the patio, whistled to Paris, who jumped up immediately and followed him, her blonde plume tail wagging with joy.
“Traitor dog.” Sugar followed Jake too, and they went in a side door. “Everyone in your restaurant just watched you and me leave together.”
“Yep. The grapevine will go nuts.” He shut the door behind them. “Not as nuts as I am for you, though.” He backed her against the wall kissing her thoroughly, his mouth hard against hers, his tongue sweeping her mouth deliciously.
Then he pulled away, and Sugar breathed sanity again. “Wow.”
“That’s what I think every time I see you.” He looked at her blue sundress. “Just knowing that you’ll go off a tire swing without worrying about your hair and makeup and all kinds of girly stuff makes me go wow. Then you walk in my restaurant in that short, blue dress, and it hits me all over again. Wow.”
She smiled. “That’s sweet.”
“Yeah, I’m a sweet guy.” He went over to a cabinet, pulled out some glasses, then opened the fridge, pulling a bottle out. “Hiding behind the catsup and mustard for safety.”
Sugar slid onto a stool. Paris lay at her feet, curling into her tail with contentment. Jake handed her a glass with a vodka shot in it.
“I can get fancy and girly with that if you’d like. I have grape juice and lime juice.”
She shook her head. “A cucumber would be good.”
He blinked. “I don’t have a cucumber. A pickle, but if you’re drinking your vodka Swedish or Russian-style, we’ll have to make a run to the produce department.”
She smiled at him. “This is fine.”
He raised his glass. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.” They sipped their vodka. It flowed over Sugar’s tongue sharp and cool, so different from Jake’s kisses. He reached out a warm hand, running his palm from her ankle slowly up her leg, stopping just under her skirt. Sugar’s skin tingled. “What are you going to do about poor Kel?”
He sighed. “I haven’t figured it out yet. Right now he’s staying with me.”
She nodded. “Sounds reasonable. To be honest, I have a little issue of my own I’d like to run past you.”
“You and Kel in one day. I’m going to hang out a shingle for PC Shrink.”
She didn’t think he really minded because his hand slid just a little farther up her leg, just cresting the top of her knee, warming her but not intruding. “Maggie didn’t come home last night.”
He looked at her. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “In fact, ever since you took me to that honky-tonk, she’s been staying out all night.”
“Honky-tonk?” He frowned, thinking, then laughed. “Oh. Pecan Fanny’s? That wasn’t a honky-tonk. You want to see a real live Texas honky-tonk, I’ll take you to one of those.”