your first clue?”
She’d known he was trouble the first time he walked into her office and nothing that happened since had changed her opinion. “Is there anything I can do?”
“If you have any experience with explosives, you could put this piece of trash out of its misery.”
“So the trouble is chronic.”
“In for maintenance or repair every other week,” he confirmed. “I’ve got the tow company on speed dial. They’re en route as we speak.”
She hesitated, knowing she’d hate herself, but finally said, “Do you need a ride home?”
“I could call a cab, but…” He walked closer, then leaned down until their eyes met. “I wouldn’t have to wait for one. Would you mind?”
In more ways than he could possibly know. But it was too late to take back the offer. “Hop in.”
About thirty minutes later his car had been towed. Jake had given her directions to his house in the upscale Lakes area of Las Vegas and she pulled into the semicircular drive.She admired the front of his sprawling home where floodlights illuminated the large yard and stately exterior.
“There’s enough light out here to do vascular surgery without eyewear enhancement.” She slid a wry look at him. “If that was a prison there’d be no chance of escape, what with the way it’s lit up.”
“I’m glad you like it. Want to come inside and see how the inmates live?” The questioning look in his gray eyes had a challenge around the edges.
Excitement skipped down her spine and for that very reason she should say no. Unfortunately that’s not what came out of her mouth. “I’ve never been in a McMansion before.”
“I’m happy to be your first.”
The remark was casual, teasing. Was she the only one thinking it had sexual overtones? Adrenaline surged through every last one of her nerve endings. This was a bad idea, but there was no way to retreat that wouldn’t show weakness. Jake was the kind of guy who could smell vulnerability and pounce. Quick tour, she told herself, then she was out of there.
After Jake unlocked the door and disabled the security system on the wall just inside, she followed him into the impressive, two-story entryway. The floor was neutral beige travertine that separated the living and dining rooms.
Trailing after him, she found herself in his big kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a granite-covered island big enough for its own zip code.
Adjacent to that was what he called the “media room.” It looked a lot like a family room to her, but she wasn’t a person who needed gadgets to make it look, feel and sound like a war zone. In her opinion, there was enough real in reality and making it feel more authentic in your own home wasn’t entertaining.
Five beautiful bedrooms and four baths later they were standing in the master suite. Through floor-to-ceiling windows she could see the huge backyard with pool and patio area lit up as brightly as the front. A king-size four-poster oak bed sat in the center of the longest wall with nightstands on either side. The doctor didn’t make his bed as evidenced by the comforter, blanket and sheet that were bunched at the foot, with pillows tossed haphazardly in the center of the mattress. A matching oak dresser and armoire were arranged around the room.
There was a step-down area with a cozy love seat arranged in front of a fireplace, without a single TV or home entertainment center in sight. She could easily imagine the sexy sort of entertaining he did in here. Part of her envied the woman lucky enough to be involved in that entertainment.
She took a steadying breath before looking at him and saying, “So, other than not making your bed, you have the perfect place to hang your hat and a pricey set of wheels that can’t be relied on to get you here. What’s up with that?”
“At least I own the clunker in question.” He loosened his tie, an incredibly masculine movement. His silver eyes shimmered with teasing, and something more
She’d known he was trouble the first time he walked into her office and nothing that happened since had changed her opinion. “Is there anything I can do?”
“If you have any experience with explosives, you could put this piece of trash out of its misery.”
“So the trouble is chronic.”
“In for maintenance or repair every other week,” he confirmed. “I’ve got the tow company on speed dial. They’re en route as we speak.”
She hesitated, knowing she’d hate herself, but finally said, “Do you need a ride home?”
“I could call a cab, but…” He walked closer, then leaned down until their eyes met. “I wouldn’t have to wait for one. Would you mind?”
In more ways than he could possibly know. But it was too late to take back the offer. “Hop in.”
About thirty minutes later his car had been towed. Jake had given her directions to his house in the upscale Lakes area of Las Vegas and she pulled into the semicircular drive.She admired the front of his sprawling home where floodlights illuminated the large yard and stately exterior.
“There’s enough light out here to do vascular surgery without eyewear enhancement.” She slid a wry look at him. “If that was a prison there’d be no chance of escape, what with the way it’s lit up.”
“I’m glad you like it. Want to come inside and see how the inmates live?” The questioning look in his gray eyes had a challenge around the edges.
Excitement skipped down her spine and for that very reason she should say no. Unfortunately that’s not what came out of her mouth. “I’ve never been in a McMansion before.”
“I’m happy to be your first.”
The remark was casual, teasing. Was she the only one thinking it had sexual overtones? Adrenaline surged through every last one of her nerve endings. This was a bad idea, but there was no way to retreat that wouldn’t show weakness. Jake was the kind of guy who could smell vulnerability and pounce. Quick tour, she told herself, then she was out of there.
After Jake unlocked the door and disabled the security system on the wall just inside, she followed him into the impressive, two-story entryway. The floor was neutral beige travertine that separated the living and dining rooms.
Trailing after him, she found herself in his big kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a granite-covered island big enough for its own zip code.
Adjacent to that was what he called the “media room.” It looked a lot like a family room to her, but she wasn’t a person who needed gadgets to make it look, feel and sound like a war zone. In her opinion, there was enough real in reality and making it feel more authentic in your own home wasn’t entertaining.
Five beautiful bedrooms and four baths later they were standing in the master suite. Through floor-to-ceiling windows she could see the huge backyard with pool and patio area lit up as brightly as the front. A king-size four-poster oak bed sat in the center of the longest wall with nightstands on either side. The doctor didn’t make his bed as evidenced by the comforter, blanket and sheet that were bunched at the foot, with pillows tossed haphazardly in the center of the mattress. A matching oak dresser and armoire were arranged around the room.
There was a step-down area with a cozy love seat arranged in front of a fireplace, without a single TV or home entertainment center in sight. She could easily imagine the sexy sort of entertaining he did in here. Part of her envied the woman lucky enough to be involved in that entertainment.
She took a steadying breath before looking at him and saying, “So, other than not making your bed, you have the perfect place to hang your hat and a pricey set of wheels that can’t be relied on to get you here. What’s up with that?”
“At least I own the clunker in question.” He loosened his tie, an incredibly masculine movement. His silver eyes shimmered with teasing, and something more
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