kissing a pretty girl. I plan my wedding. I name my kids.”
“You’re weird, Clint.” They laughed together. “What do you work toward in your free time?”
Clint sat up and looked really interested. “I have an important project. I’m attempting to invent a system to harness the energy of a hurricane.”
“Whoa. That would be a cool trick. How’s it coming?”
“Pretty good, actually. A Japanese company is interested in one of my prototypes.” Clint wondered how Jensen would react to that news. He wanted her to know he wasn’t just a blockheaded jock.
“One final question, Clint. What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume?”
“Oh, that’s easy. My mother taught me to cook a good meal and keep a clean house. I know how to treat a woman. I’m kind to animals. I can do my own laundry and change a baby’s diaper. Bottom line, I’m the man who will make some lucky lady very happy.”
Nicky laughed uproariously and gave Clint a high five. “And you heard it here, folks. Thank you, Mr. Clint Wilder – a great catch – on or off the field.”
When the interview was over, Jensen sat very still. She couldn’t help but feel he’d been directing most of his answers straight to her. When she stood to her feet, she held her hand over her heart to steady the beating. Nicky was right, the man was a catch. Not only was he a nice guy, he was the real deal. Any woman would be lucky to have him. Pity – she wouldn’t be that woman.
Hurrying to the kitchen, she put her coffee cup in the sink and gathered her things. She’d almost let time get away from her. If she were going to make her appointment, she needed to leave now. Glancing out the window, she didn’t see anyone. They were probably in the front yard by now. Nicky would be putting away his camera and Clint would be unloading whatever equipment he brought to move those confounded rocks.
As she opened the back door, ready to slip down the covered walk to the garage, Jensen felt a little guilty about her eavesdropping escapade. She’d no sooner than stepped down the stairs before she became aware of someone blocking her path.
Clint.
“Going somewhere?”
“Hello, Clint.” Jensen found herself blushing hotly. “I’m on the way to have my eyes checked. Did you finish Nicky’s interview?”
“Yes, as I’m sure you know.”
Jensen didn’t answer. “Thanks for humoring him and thank you for being willing to move those rocks. How much do I owe you?” She found herself looking everywhere but at his face.
“You want to pay me?”
“Yes, of course.” Although, she fully expected him to refuse. “I intended to hire someone to move them all along.”
“I don’t want your money. Tell me something. Did you arrange your doctor’s visit in order to be at home when I arrived?”
“No.” She frowned. “My secretary noticed my headaches and made it without consulting me.”
“That was presumptuous.”
“Not really. She cares about me.”
“Ah.” He nodded his head. “That’s nice.”
Jensen felt her chest tighten. She could feel the animosity rolling from him in waves. “Clint, what do you want from me?”
He snorted softly. “Hell, if I know. You’re turning me inside out. One minute I want to lay you down and love you – the next I want to turn you over my knee.”
Both ideas made Jensen tingle. She felt frustrated and helpless, wanting to give him something and having nothing to give – but friendship. “Would you like to be friends?”
Clint scoffed and moved an inch or two closer. “Friendship is not what I want from you.”
Jensen raised her chin and looked him in the eye. “I’m sorry. That’s all I have to offer.”
“I don’t believe you.” His gaze raked over her face and down her body. “Your pulse is fluttering like a butterfly and I can smell your arousal. You want to be with me.”
She didn’t immediately deny it. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t.”
“Clint…please.”
Jensen tried to push past him, but Clint detained her with the softest of touches. “Do you hate me? Do I repulse you?”
“No, of course not.” She turned her head to the side and looked at the ground.
“Am I crazy?” He could feel her trembling. “There’s something between us, I can feel it. You can’t deny it. I’m right, aren’t I?”
“There’s no use, Clint. It’s impossible.”
“Dammit, you frustrate the hell out of me, did you know that? The memory of how it feels to touch you, kiss you,