“Of course you would.” And he’d get himself another invitation. He hoped. “Give me your key. I’ll help you get the door.”
Her expression turned wary.
“Friends help friends, okay?”
She reached into her pocket.
“Let’s meet up for breakfast and discuss what you learned about Lederman. He left a message saying he’ll be back the day after tomorrow and I’d like to be prepared.” Although Jack was frustrated by the continued delay, part of him was grateful for the extra time alone with Mallory that Lederman’s absence provided.
“Can we make it lunch? I’m beat.” She pressed her card key into his palm.
“Sure thing.” Then, knowing exactly how she’d respond, he picked her up once more and tossing her over his shoulder, headed for her door.
She didn’t fight him. Instead she ran her fingers through his hair. “You’ll pay for that,” she murmured.
“That’s what I was hoping for.”
THANKS TO MALLORY, Jack awoke early, something that was becoming a habit on this pseudo-vacation. After carrying her into her room and depositing her on the bed, he’d stayed for one lingering good-night kiss before making himself scarce.
But part of him wished they’d never met up at the hotel bar last night. Both the jealousy and caveman routine were foreign to him. He hadn’t recognized the blatant anger or possessive feelings Mallory aroused in him. Even as he’d realized her intent was to gain information from the bartender, the primal urge to carry her out and make an ass of himself had taken over.
After a long morning workout and soothing shower, Jack headed for the restaurant to meet Mallory. He took what had become his usual seat in the café, ordered black coffee, and rubbed a hand over his face, wondering when sanity would return.
When he caught sight of her talking with the hostess, he realized the answer was a resounding never. Jack was destined to live in this perplexing, arousing hell created by one Mallory Sinclair.
This morning she’d exchanged her navy dress for a gray one, and the bun for a clip that held her hair away from her face in an equally severe style.
He shook his head. Jack saw Mallory’s beauty inside and out, and his desire was no longer diminished by her deliberately harsh daytime appearance, yet his level of frustration with her duality grew.
Few male heads turned as she made her way to his table, and though Jack took pleasure in the fact that only he knew Mallory the seductress, a perverse part of him wanted other men to envy him for having this incredible woman by his side. He found himself wishing she’d show herself for the sensual woman she really was.
He was determined to find out the reasons behind the change.
True, she wanted to make partner in their male-dominated firm and saw downplaying herself as the means. And considering the old guard distrusted women and only grudgingly gave Mallory their respect, Jack understood. But he didn’t have to like it. She deserved to be acknowledged for her abilities and accepted as the woman he knew her to be—nothing hidden, nothing feigned.
Although why he cared so much about how she chose to handle herself, her appearance and career remained a mystery to him. So did the reasons she kept up the charade here and now.
“Hi.” As she slid into the chair across from him, the desire to free her hair and watch it spill over her shoulders grew stronger.
“Hi, yourself.”
She set her bag down by her side. “I’d kill for a cup of coffee.”
He slid his freshly poured, untouched cup across the table. “Go ahead, it’s on me.”
She treated him to a grateful smile, one that transformed her face with an ethereal glow and put light into her eyes. He wondered if he was the only one who could see beyond the heavy black frames to the sparkling blue gaze beneath.
“No contacts today?” he asked.
“Nope.” She shook the napkin out and placed it in her lap.
“Because it’s daytime.”
“Correct. What are you having for breakfast?”
“An omelette.” He didn’t want her to change the subject before he could dig deeper. “Would you wear contacts if you were on vacation?”
She shrugged. “I’m not on vacation, I’m working.”