She Who Dares, Wins by Candace Havens

they liked without getting serious and no on ever said a word. Katie didn’t like the double standard.
    Peeking around the corner, she checked on Mac, who was continuing his run. Hell, she had met a man. One who turned her inside out and made her body ache with need for him.
    She’d certainly never met anyone like Mac in the Bronx. Katie loved the place, but she had no desire to return. Her life in Texas was far from perfect, but it was her own. Well, except for these daily phone calls, which even a dead phone couldn’t keep away.
    â€œIf you work all the time, you’re never going to meet a nice boy—Katie, are you listening to me?”
    â€œYes, Mom.”
    â€œNow, like I was telling you…”
    The professor had finished his workout on the treadmill and moved to the weights. She watched as he lifted the weights over his head, the muscles so strong. Tensing, taut and powerful.
    Her mother had paused, and Katie realized she hadn’t been listening. “Uh-huh,” she said, hoping that would suffice.
    Her mother’s prattling went on, but at the mention of the pub she paid attention again. “Your GJ threatened to sell the pub if your dad didn’t start taking care of himself.”
    â€œWait, what? What happened to Pops?” She and her father didn’t always see eye to eye on the choices Katie made in her life, but they loved each other. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for the man. She’d been Daddy’s little girl, until she turned sixteen and decided she had a mind of her own.
    â€œThat’s what I was telling you. He had a small episode and the doctors are worried about his heart. That’s how we met that cute young Italian doctor I want you to meet. That man will have beautiful children, I tell you.”
    Katie rolled her eyes. “Mom, focus. What did they say about Pops’s heart? Why didn’t you say that in the beginning?”
    â€œAngina. Said he has to cut the fat out of his diet. The doctor gave me a list of the foods he can eat, and I’m trying to figure out how to make his favorites healthier. It’s not easy, mind you. Using lean turkey instead of sausage and beef to make lasagna is unnatural, but I’m doing my best.”
    Her dad was sick. Katie’s big fear when she took the job in Texas was that as soon as she moved away something bad would happen to someone in her family. If GJ was upset, that meant Pops hadn’t slowed down his schedule at the pub. He had plenty of help, but he was a man who liked to do things himself. He never leaned on anyone, and he was the strongest man she’d ever met—well, besides GJ. They were cut from the same mold, those two.
    â€œIs he there?”
    â€œYour father’s resting. GJ insisted between one and four every day your father take a siesta. Of course it leaves me with three hours of walking around on eggshells while he sleeps. Don’t know how I’m supposed to cook without clanking pans around.”
    Katie took a deep breath. “Maybe you could do some of the cooking down in the pub kitchen,” she offered. “You always liked those ovens better anyway.”
    â€œGood idea, Katie girl.”
    Finally, some praise.
    The professor had finished his workout and was headed toward her.
    â€œMom, I’ve got to go. I have a meeting in a half hour and I need to get a shower.”
    â€œFine,” her mother huffed. “But you call me or text Danny when you get your phone fixed so I know you’re okay.”
    â€œI promise. Give my love to everyone.”
    She hit the off button on the hotel phone.
    â€œIs everything okay?” The professor’s T-shirt clung to those hard ab muscles she’d explored the night before. He had that sexy, earthy smell of a man who had just done something physical. “You looked worried for a moment.”
    â€œFine. My mom was concerned because she couldn’t get in touch