Page 51 of Jack
"Then stop behaving like one. Itoccurred to me that it might not be only the kid, but the father aswell. And if that's the case, you're a complete idiot." His eyeswere glowing with temper. "That man is way out of your league.Yes, you're by far the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and Iam not saying it because you're my sister. Iama man, and I admire beauty. So is Hadley. But he has a reputation fordiscarding women like yesterday's newspaper." He made a broadsweep of his hand to encompass her tidy space. "We live on topof a bar. Yes, we're doing pretty well, but the man is a frickingmoney king! And not a nice one at that." His eyes bored intohers as if he was trying to get at the truth.
Everything he said to her resonated andsent shards of pain slicing into her heart. She had thought thosevery things herself.
"You're getting ahead of yourself."It took considerable effort for her to rise gracefully as if she hadno care in the world, while her heart was weeping. "I am justconcerned about the kid and that's it." She moved around theroom, taking up bits and pieces of clothing to put them in thehamper. "I am sure you are running late for whatever it is youdo at this time of the night, and I am tired. I have inventory to doearly in the morning." She gave him a pointed look beforeswinging her gaze to the door.
He rose and stood there looking at her fora few minutes. "If he hurts you, he answers to me. I don't givea crap about his money or status. If he breaks your heart, I am goingto make his life a living hell."
"I need sleep." Her voicethreatened to break, and she could feel the tears threatening.
He continued to look at her for another fewseconds before turning away and heading out without saying anotherword. Zuri did something she had not done in a very long time. Sherushed forward and locked the door, sliding down and burying her facebetween her knees.
Her tears flowed silently, soaking the silkrobe she had wrapped around herself. Zuri felt the weight of herbrother's words pressing down on her, squeezing her heart and makingit difficult to breathe. Firming her lips, she lifted her head. Shewas allowing her doubts and her brother's words to drive her crazy.And she was stepping ahead of herself. There was no need to jump offthe damn cliff. She was an adult and had been taking care of herselfsince God knows when. She was not some naïve schoolgirl who waseasily dazzled. She could hold her own. Pushing herself up, she madea vow. Jack Hadley was going to fall in love with her. She was not adamn victim after all.
*****
Sitting on his balcony, Jack ground out thehalf-smoked cigar in the ashtray on the table next to the chaiselounge. He was restless, irritated and angry. He had emotionschurning inside him that were unfamiliar. And his bed was empty. Sowas his bloody life, he mused. For the first time he was thinkingbeyond work and the simple yet fleeting pleasure of taking a willingwoman to bed.
Ever since he had met Zuri Bennett, thewoman had turned his life into one big ball of flaming hell andindecision. He was not used to that. Right now, he was sitting andmooning like a damn schoolboy. It would not do, he decided savagely.Some ground rules had to be set, and she had better bloody well abideby them.
Chapter13
Jazmine watched as he prowled from one endof the bed to the next, a frown marring his brow. He had swung bylater than she expected and apologized profusely. Now he was movingaround restlessly as if something was under his skin.
"You're wearing a hole in my very niceand slightly expensive rug," she pointed out as he made anotherround. "I wish you would come to bed and let me smooth out thoseknots in your shoulders."
He glanced over at her, eyes roving overthe lovely picture she made in what looked like lavender lace. It waspractically transparent, with holes large enough for him to see skin.
Abandoning his restless wandering, he cameand sat on the edge of the bed. Taking one delicate hand in his, hegazed at the contrast. He was of a darker shade than his sister,having spent years of his life working on a construction site beforehe took over the bar and found himself wondering if he was gettingtoo high-minded. He was berating his sister for her interest in JackHadley when here he was with a white woman who had more money than hedid.
The scale was unbalanced, and he was notsure he liked it one bit. He was not a man given to taking handoutsfrom anyone, especially not a woman. Jazmine had fixed the place upand it was looking elegant and completely spiffy. His apartment abovethe bar could not compare to this.
"Zach?"
Lifting his head from their joined hands,he studied her lovely face. The sweep of raven black hair was a vividcontrast against the ivory skin and her eyes large and veryappealing. Her lips- Shaking his head, he squeezed her fingers.
"I haven't been fair to Zoo," headmitted quietly.
"What do you mean?"
He shrugged one shoulder. "I lit intoher about being interested in Jack Hadley and told her the guy wasout of her league." Because he was watching her closely, he sawthe sudden flaring of her eyes and the way she slid her gaze awayfrom his. And he knew her well enough to realize that she was hidingsomething.
"What is it?"
"Nothing. Why don't you take off yourclothes-"
"Why don't you tell me what is goingon."
"It's nothing," she muttered andtried to pull her hand away.
"I am not going to stop asking untilyou tell me," he warned.
With a sigh, she curled her fingers againsthis and gave him a helpless look. "Zoo is my best friend."
"And I am your man. Although at thispoint, I am wondering if we are fooling ourselves."
Her brow knitted. "What is thatsupposed to mean?"
Letting go of her hand, he rose andwandered over to the mantle to lean against it. "This place isout of my price range, but you have no problem paying the lease."
