In The Enemy's Embrace

He looked up, became aware that his brows were indeed drawn together in a frown, then promptly lost his entire train of thought.

She wore a white bathrobe he kept for guests who came to swim. He could see the collar of his T-shirt he’d lent her beneath the plunging V of the robe. Her legs and feet were bare and he wondered if she was wearing the drawstring shorts he’d laid out for her. Her long red hair was a mass of damp curls, framing her face and sliding over her shoulders. Her face was void of makeup, making her look even younger. That should have had the effect of ice water dumped over his head, but it didn’t.

Although she was perfectly decent, his body was humming as if she’d walked into the room stark naked.

Nerves crowded when she sauntered over to him, reached out and brushed his forehead with her finger.

“It’s your skin, but seems a shame to promote early wrinkles like this.” She plucked the brandy glass out of his hand, sipped, her gaze still on his.

Her eyes were unique, one green and the other blue—something he’d never seen on anyone before. That was the kind of thing that sticks in a man’s mind. It’d stuck in his since the day he first laid eyes on her.

“Did you want a glass?” he asked.

“This one’s fine. Why don’t you just pour yourself another?”

Not many people came into his home and told him what to do. They wouldn’t dare. Obviously Jessica Coleman dared.

He might have called a halt to it, but the sultry pitch of her voice, the seduction in those unique eyes, was rendering him stupid.

Determined to break the spell, he got down another crystal glass and poured brandy in it, putting distance between them in the process.

“Did you want me to show you to your room?”

She grinned. “Are you trying to tell me it’s past my bedtime?”

“Do you have to challenge everything I say?”

“Habit, I suppose.”

“Well, suppose you can break it?”

“A truce works two ways, you know.”

He wasn’t sure how a man could be annoyed and want to smile at the same time. Jessica Coleman just flat out confounded him.

“I’m game if you are,” he said.

“Are you sure you don’t want to give me a lift to the nearest hotel? I mean, practically tripping over each other like this will likely cramp both our styles.”

“It’s a big place. I doubt we’ll trip.”

“We’ll definitely be aware of each other, though. And I, at least, have a fairly active social life.”

“And what makes you think I don’t?”

She shrugged. “I guess it’s just hard to imagine. You’re stuffy, all business. You never knew how to enjoy what was offered.”

He saw the quickly masked distress in her eyes, knew she hadn’t meant to blurt those words, knew that she was referring to that long-ago kiss. He knew he’d hurt her, but until now, hadn’t realized the depth of that pain.

But damn it, she’d been jailbait back then, and he’d hated the pull of attraction he felt for the kid, fought it like crazy. All it had taken was a long look into those intriguing eyes filled with curiosity and mystery—yes, even at that young age, Jessica Coleman had exuded an innocent sensuality that promised bliss. She’d scared the hell out of him. And because of that, he’d mishandled her tender feelings, crushed her spirit.

But she was no longer a girl of thirteen, and the man in him had been goaded just about enough.

Obviously her crushed spirit had only been a temporary setback.

Chapter Two

Jessica’s heart pounded as Nick deliberately stepped toward her, his dark eyes filled with intent. He crowded her, trapped her between his body and the kitchen cabinets, twined a finger around one of her damp curls and toyed with the end where it just brushed the slope of her breast, all the while holding her gaze with his.

“Careful how you taunt, cowgirl. We’re all grownup now.”

Dear heaven, she hadn’t realized how difficult it would be to keep up this act. She could well be out-matched, but she was darned if she’d give it up now.

“So nice of you to notice,” she said, and neatly ducked beneath his arms. “Too bad I’m no longer interested.”

“Is that a dare?”

Jessica tucked her hair behind her ear, fought to get the jolt of awareness under control. She knew she was playing with fire and needed to backtrack in a hurry. Nick Grayson was a worthy opponent, not someone to underestimate. “Of course not.”

“Sounded that way to me. A statement of disinterest is practically an open invitation to prove just the opposite.”

“Oh, for Pete’s sake. Chill out, would you?” Actually, she was the one who needed to chill out. The man oozed seduction and danger from every masculine pore. She was fast finding herself in over her head. And that was not a position she wanted to be in.

She held up her hands to form a T. “Truce, okay? We’ve known each other for years. There’s no reason in the world why we can’t get along just fine as temporary roommates. I’ll contact the insurance people in the morning and see if the contents of the apartment were covered.”

“Since Coleman-Grayson owns the building, I don’t imagine you’ll have any trouble settling.”

“Fine, then. As soon as I can find a new apartment and new furniture and stuff, I’ll be out of your hair. Until then…” She moved forward and held out her hand. “Friends?”

He enveloped her hand in both of his. His palms were wide and warm, and she felt the oddest vibration shimmy up her arm.

“Friends,” he agreed. “As for the house rules, make yourself at home—though I expect you to respect my privacy and go easy on the loud music and wild parties.”

“Likewise.” Why wasn’t he letting go of her hand? And why was he staring into her eyes like that? The word that came to mind was hungry. She licked her lips. “If you have a date or want to bring a lady home, I’ll make myself scarce. Just warn me in advance.”

He took a step closer. “So, I’m not too stuffy to date and have women friends?” His voice was soft and deep and filled with a sensuality she didn’t quite know how to respond to.

What was going on here? Sparks were literally zinging between them. Oh, she’d wanted to make Nick Grayson drool. But she hadn’t counted on this sneak attack he seemed to be waging, setting her off balance.

Instead of answering his question, she said, “Look…uh, I think we’re both tired. I don’t know about you, but being rudely wakened to find your house on fire is enough to…” Her voice hitched and she cleared it. “Enough to…” Oh, Lord, she was going to cry. She could feel it and she was mortified. Her nose and throat burned, and her eyes stung.

She tried to back away, but Nick used their joined hands to pull her right into the comforting width of his chest.

“I wondered when that was going to catch up with you,” he murmured, stroking her hair, her back, soothing her with the sweep of his wide palm. “Shh, you’re safe with me now, kiddo.”

Jessica stiffened. Kiddo. She didn’t want him thinking about her as a kid, but obviously he did.

She stepped back. “I’m fine. Really. I think I’ll just turn in.”