Part 21 (1/2)
She looked suspicious. ”Maybe. Tell me first.”
He couldn't help smiling at her caution. ”I know you're worried about Janet, but you don't have to be. She's not like anyone else I've been out with. Janet's different.”
”No kidding. She's way better.”
”Yes, she is. I'm not about to screw it up.”
She gave him a skeptical look. ”Promise?”
”Promise.”
”Good.” Her stern expression could have come from his own mother. She folded her arms, a younger version of her authoritative grandmother. ”But why should I believe you?”
He looked back at Janet, who stood with hands in her pockets, waiting, a hesitant smile on her beautiful face, wondering what he was saying to Libby.
The truth hit him-because he loved her.
He actually wasn't that surprised. He'd never been so infatuated with a woman before, and Janet Aims had more than lived up to his fantasies. But fantasies were just part of the chase. In the light of the morning after, they tended to wear off. Not this time, though. That didn't surprise him either. With Janet he only wanted more. What did surprise him was the urge to rip apart any man who stood in his way. He hadn't known he could love that quickly or that deeply. And he knew telling her would risk scaring her off forever.
He couldn't tell Libby. Not yet, not before he'd told Janet. He understood that on a cellular level. Janet would not appreciate having someone else hear it first. Actually, she wouldn't appreciate hearing it at all.
”Because she means a lot to me.” He put as much sincerity in it as he could. Libby searched his face, her narrow gaze unnervingly mature. He had the feeling she already understood men all too well, and could categorize them by acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. He very much wanted to be one of the good ones.
Her expression gradually softened to something kind and gentle. ”Good luck,” she told him. ”I hope she feels the same way.”
A tiny quiver of panic shot down his back, shaking his confidence. Libby knew Janet well. ”You think she might not?”
Libby shrugged, unconcerned with the possibility of his future heartbreak. ”It's always a risk, isn't it?”
He looked at her as if she'd suddenly grown a tail. ”G.o.d, you're tough. I think I feel sorry for the man who falls in love with you.”
As if he'd complimented her, she said, ”Really?”
”Definitely. Poor b.a.s.t.a.r.d.” He tousled her hair lightly to counteract the joking insult, even though she didn't seem to take it as one. She couldn't have looked more satisfied as they left. His last glimpse was of Libby firmly instructing Freddie to ”sit,” while pus.h.i.+ng his bottom into place. The pup wriggled but stayed, adoring eyes on Libby's face.
Rocky couldn't help but wonder how many men would be in Freddie's position before Libby found one who would ignore her orders, then choose to stay on his own initiative. Probably more than he cared to know. ”Poor b.a.s.t.a.r.d” was right.
Chapter.
Twelve.
Janet thought the day would never end. After chaperoning nose-to-nose introductions, she and Libby had spent the afternoon refereeing Freddie's exuberant pursuit of kitty friends.h.i.+p. The outcome was still pending. And Elizabeth had conveniently found reasons to leave the house, so Janet hadn't been able to corner her about Libby's insecurities. It'd been her primary concern right up until Rocky walked into the room and kissed her, wiping all thought from her mind. She was pathetic, like an addict getting her fix.
He probably wouldn't mean so much to her if he didn't represent her only chance to get out of the house, she told herself. It was a bonus that he was fun to be with and, as Libby's friend said, cute in a bad way. Oh h.e.l.l, who was she kidding? He was downright dangerous, and any woman with hormones knew it. But the real danger with Rocky was an emotional attachment that would just get her hurt in the end.
That danger was especially high tonight, judging by the hooded looks he kept shooting her way as he drove. She smiled, recognizing the route he was taking. ”Jack and Ellie's house?”
”Of course. I'm really worried about that fern being lonely while they're gone.”
”Oh, me, too,” she a.s.sured him.
”But if you don't mind, I'd like to stop at my place first, just to make sure nothing happened today. I'd like to think Easy Joey would give up on breaking in, but when the guy thinks he has a point to prove, nothing will dissuade him.”
”Okay.” She was content to let him lead tonight.
She watched him as he drove, not even trying to hide her interest. She noticed the way his hands held the wheel and imagined them touching her with the same casual competence. Then she noticed his legs, recalling the hard muscles of his thighs as he knelt between hers. It nearly made her blush, but it was impossible to ignore. She was obsessed, completely tuned in to his body and how he felt. Beside her, on top of her, inside her.
”If you keep looking at me like that, I'm going to pull over right here.”
”Just watch the road. I can watch whatever I want.”
His look promised payback.
Rocky kept Janet close as he checked out his alarm and the first floor. She let him check the upstairs alone while she poked through his CD collection and bookshelves. The man certainly had a broad range of interests. She wandered back to the kitchen, where memories. .h.i.t her. Not visions of the miniature explosion in the sink, but the thrill of being pressed against his refrigerator while he drove her crazy with desire. She remembered every touch, her body burning again as she did. She glanced at the kitchen counters, distracted by what he'd promised to do on them. Or on the floor.
She stood next to the countertop, stroking the granite, gauging the height. Nah, it could never work.
”Interesting thoughts?” He stood behind her with his arms crossed, his hip c.o.c.ked against the stove.
She smiled. If he didn't already know what she was thinking, he hadn't been paying attention. ”It's too high.”
”Maybe you're just not creative enough.”
”Whoa. Is that a challenge?”
”Could be.” He moved toward her, looking her over. His gaze changed as she watched, becoming hypnotic, his body moving as stealthily as a cat on the prowl.
She waited until he stood in front of her, so close she could feel the heat of his body inches from her own. She licked her lips. ”I don't know what you're thinking, but if you lead, I'll bet I can follow.”
”Bet you can,” he agreed, bending to nip at the delicate skin beneath her ear, sending s.h.i.+vers all the way down to her fingertips.
She tried to replicate the maneuver, but he moved his head and her lips. .h.i.t air. ”Uh-uh,” he said, giving her a thoughtful smile. ”You don't get to play this time.” Before she could protest, he slipped his hands around her waist and boosted her onto the corner of the counter above the lazy Susan. He pushed between her legs and leaned into her, holding her hands to the countertop. Her heart sped up a few dozen beats.
He leaned closer, his chest touching hers. ”I know you said you hate me, but I'm starting to think you lied.”
”That's just the pheromones.” She dismissed the subject. ”Are you planning to have your way with me or not?”
His smile was tolerant. ”It's more than pheromones.”
Because it felt dangerous, she hedged. ”What makes you think so?”
”I can feel your heart pounding.”
No kidding. She was surprised the whole counter wasn't vibrating. ”That's because you're so annoying. You gonna make a move here?”
He clicked his tongue disparagingly. ”You're too impatient. Making love is an art.”