In The Enemy's Embrace

The frown was back on his face. She watched his chest rise and fall with a deep breath, tried not to notice how his black polo shirt clung to the breadth of his physique.

She should have learned her lesson twelve years ago. Nick saw her merely as the daughter of a business partner. She was the one who kept getting mixed up, reading more into a look or touch than was actually there. It wasn’t his fault that he was born with the kind of looks that naturally made a woman fantasize, forget who, what and where she was.

But Jessica needed to remember.

In his eyes, they would never be on an equal footing. She’d be the kid and he’d be the guy her parents had asked to watch over her.

And that simply wasn’t acceptable.

He nodded and turned away from her. “I’ll show you to your room.”

FOR THE FIRST TIME in years, Nick overslept. Shrugging into his suit jacket, he finished knotting his tie as he went down the stairs. He was debating whether to head on out the front door and grab coffee at the office, or take the time to drink it here when he heard voices and laughter coming from the kitchen.

Jessica’s sultry, unrestrained laughter, and the deeper, carefree chortle of his younger brother, Chase.

He’d forgotten that Chase was due home for his annual visit. At twenty-five, his brother had yet to settle on what he wanted to be when he grew up. At present, he fancied himself a carefree playboy, with Europe as his playground of choice.

Well, that wasn’t exactly so, or fair. Chase raced cars and yachts and made a fortune at it. He was the kind of guy who’d wither away if he had to sit behind a desk or preside over meetings all day.

Jealousy speared Nick right in the solar plexus when he stopped in the kitchen doorway. It was a new emotion and it bothered him.

Jessica, still wearing the clothes Nick had given her last night—minus the robe, he noted—was sitting at the kitchen table chatting with Chase. They were both the same age, so easily enjoyed a good laugh. Just watching them made Nick feel sixty-three, instead of thirty-three.

For as long as he could remember, he’d been the responsible one, the sensible one, the driven one. Had he ever let himself laugh the way Chase was doing now?

And what the hell was so funny, anyway? He didn’t like this feeling of being on the outside.

“You’re up and about early this morning,” he said.

Chase looked up and grinned. “And you’re late, big brother.” Chase stood and enveloped Nick in a hug. “Good to see you slacking off a bit. And with such beautiful company.”

“She’s not company.”

“Oh? Sorry, I didn’t know you were living with somebody.”

“I’m not—”

“Oh, stop teasing him, Chase,” Jessica said. “He’s pulling your chain, Nick. I already told him about the fire.”

Nick moved over to the coffeepot and poured himself a cup. He needed a shot of caffeine to clear his head.

“It made the paper,” Chase said. “Our Jess is a heroine. Saved a kid and his cat.”

“The media exaggerates.” Jessica scooted the newspaper aside. She’d done what needed to be done, didn’t want the accolades the paper had given her, didn’t want to think about what might have happened if she hadn’t seen Timmy Matheson trip and fall. The fearlessness of children, she thought. While everyone else had been scrambling for an exit, Timmy had ignored his mother’s screams and charged back toward their burning apartment.

“Did the papers say how the fire started?” Nick asked.

“Paint cans too close to a water heater.”

“That’ll do it. You’ll want to call your folks. Chances are the story made the Bridle paper, as well.”

“I already called.” She resisted the urge to tack on sir. “And I called the office this morning, too. Steve’s going to get the ball rolling with the insurance company and check on the painting contractor’s coverage, as well.” Steve Tyler worked in accounting at Coleman-Grayson.

“Busy girl.”

“I usually am.” Not that he would know that firsthand, given the way he’d been avoiding the office lately. Ever since she’d come to work there. “By the way, I’m taking the day off to shop for a replacement wardrobe. I’ve already called Rhonda to let her know I won’t be in.”

“If I didn’t have a prior commitment,” Chase said, “I’d offer to go with you and carry your packages.”

“A man who actually likes to shop? Be still my heart.” She glanced at Nick. “Are you sure the two of you are brothers? Mr. All Business Nick probably wouldn’t think of taking time off to carry a woman’s shopping bags.”

“On the contrary,” Nick said, leaning back against the counter, “I’d enjoy a day at the mall.”

Caught off guard, Jessica’s jaw dropped.

Amusement and satisfaction danced in his eyes. “A good business lesson, Red. Never make a firm statement that you can’t back up with fact. How does nine-forty-five suit you?”

She regained her composure. “It suits me, um, fine—provided I can find something decent to wear in public.” She’d thrown away her smoke-drenched pajamas, and the only thing she had left was what she was wearing—the drawstring shorts and T-shirt Nick had lent her to sleep in.

“You look pretty decent to me,” Chase commented with a waggle of his eyebrows.

“Don’t you have someplace you need to be?” Nick asked him.

Chase grinned. “Yeah. I guess I should go check in with the folks, let them know I’m in town. I imagine they’ll want to get us all together for dinner.”

Nick nodded. “Just let me know when.”

“Will do.” Chase lifted Jessica’s hand and gallantly bowed over it, placing a kiss on her knuckles. “It was great to see you again, Jess. Really great. I’ll call you.”

“I’ll hold you to it,” she said.

Nick had trouble swallowing his coffee and was barely civilized enough to shake Chase’s hand as his brother left.

What was Chase thinking? Had he forgotten that they’d both made a pact not to date friends of the family? Three years ago Chase had been engaged to the daughter of their mother’s best friend. Everything had been fine until the relationship shattered. Ugly words and accusations had flown from both sides. There were squabbles over money, the diamond engagement ring and who was at fault. Both families had been dragged into the fray, each forced to choose sides, effectively ruining a long-standing friendship.

When it came to Jessica, not only did they risk ruining another friendship, but a business partnership, as well.

“There’s that charming expression I’ve come to know and love,” Jessica said as she got up from the table and walked toward him. She brushed a finger over his forehead, and he jerked back so fast he nearly spilled his coffee.

She grinned. “Got any girl clothes around here?”

“None that come to mind. If you want, you can rummage through my closet and see if anything will fit. I’ve got workout clothes you can probably make do with.”

“See how well we’re doing with our truce? I’m sleeping in your bed and wearing your clothes—all in the space of a day. Pretty darn good if you ask me.”

Nick choked on a swallow of hot coffee. Jessica helpfully thumped him on the back and sashayed out of the room.

God almighty, he wasn’t sure he’d survive that woman.