Page 11 of Desperate Temptations

“We just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

She was utterly astonished at their show of concern.

“Than...” She cleared the lump of emotion from her throat that threatened to cut off her breath. “Thank you for being concerned, but I really am fine.”

Jessa wanted to kick herself. All this time, she thought she’d been alone. She had been so consumed with grief after the accident, she never contemplated that the people around her might care about her. She introduced Cain to them and quickly explained his relationship with Drew. She didn’t tell them why he was there to see her, and thankfully, nobody asked. Everyone but Leona looked convinced. Jessa thanked them one at a time as they filed away and showed each her appreciation. She walked to Leona and impulsively hugged her.

“Thank you, I really do appreciate your concern.”

Leona hugged her back and smiled.

“I’ll always worry about you, dear.”

Moisture collected in the corner of Jessa’s eyes. She had known Leona for four years, and this was the first time they had talked about anything besides work. She turned and waved over her shoulder as Cain directed her out of the office with a hand at the small of her back. He walked her to her Rover and made sure she was belted.

“I’ll meet you at your house.”

He walked away and climbed into a large black truck. Jessa’s eyes kept glancing back at him as he followed her out of the parking lot. She headed down the main boulevard, being careful as she drove in rush-hour traffic.

Jessa glanced in the rearview mirror and watched as he made a sharp turn down a side street. Jessa sighed and relaxed back in her seat. Maybe something came up, she thought. She smiled and took a relieved breath. She hoped that meant she was off the hook that night. She needed to put some space between them. The ache in her body was getting more intense the longer she was around him.

Jessa’s mouth turned down. If she gave in to her desire to touch him, she worried the guilt would overtake her and wrench her back into the dark void of depression she just pulled herself out of recently. She didn’t think she was strong enough to move on yet.

Chapter Seven

Not quite an hour later there was a knock at the door.

“Dammit!” she said under her breath as she sauntered to the door and peeked out the curtains on the door-side window. She’d guessed wrong. It looked like she was out of time.

“Open the door, Jessa,” a muffled voice said through the thick wood.

Jessa frowned down at herself. She’d been home for a while when she decided he wasn’t going to come, so she’d changed into comfortably worn jeans with rips in them and an old college t-shirt. The hair clip holding her hair up at work was gone. Her hair was flowing down her back in a messy tangle because she hadn’t thought to brush it. Not that she cared what she looked like, of course. At least she didn’t want to care.

“Jessa,” impatience laced his voice.

She sighed and opened the door. A pleasant aroma hit her in the face. Cain walked in carrying a white sack from one of her favorite restaurants, making her mouth water.

“I thought we’d eat while we talked. Okay with you? You haven’t eaten yet? I would have called, but I don’t have your cell phone number.”

She shook her head, closed the door, and followed him into the kitchen. She walked to her cupboards, pulled down two plates, and grabbed silverware.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Do you have a beer?”

“Yeah, I’ve got a beer.” She wanted to laugh at the astonished but happy look that crossed his face. Did he think beer was beneath her or something?

They sat in silence, putting food on their plates and digging in. They didn’t talk as they ate, enjoying the spicy Chinese dish she usually ordered.

When she’d had her fill, she pushed her plate back and sighed contentedly. She looked up to find Cain staring at her. She smiled nervously.

“Thank you for dinner. It’s one of my favorites.”

Cain pushed his own plate away and wiped his mouth with the napkin. He leaned back in his chair and took a long swallow of beer.

Jessa watched his throat work and wondered how he could make swallowing sexy. Her eyes roamed over his muscular chest, down his roped and chiseled arms to his large, powerful hands. He was such a masculine man. His hands alone made her tingle, thinking about them on her body, on her skin. She raised her eyes to find him watching her study him. Oh, Lord. Jessa felt the heat of a blush steal over her face and creep down her neck, which made him chuckle.

She lowered her eyes, embarrassed. She cleared her throat and concentrated on the napkin she was tearing into little bits.

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