With a curt nod, she walked toward him with brisk, no-nonsense steps. Obviously she had the same concept of distance in mind. He forcibly stopped his smile from turning into a full-fledged grin. Her curt stride, accompanied by her baggy green pants and top exuded a professional demeanor, one she no doubt intended to use to put him off.
He understood. He’d tossed and turned last night, knowing she was asleep in another room in the same apartment, remembering the kiss and knowing he would have liked to take it further—to make love to her and satisfy the yearning she inspired.
She stopped in front of him and let out a huge sigh. “Boy, am I beat.”
Before Jake could respond, Norton bolted into the room and ran across the floor, coming to a sliding halt in front of her. If she hadn’t been in his way, he’d have hit the elevator doors behind her with a resounding thud.
Brianne grinned and bent down to
scratch behind his ear. “Hiya, Norton. How are you? I missed you today.”
Jake groaned. Leave it to the mutt to thaw the chill. He wished she’d missed him half as much—then realized he was jealous of the dog. He shook his head, as disgusted with himself as he was impressed with Brianne, an exhausted woman with a soft spot for a lonely pet.
“I’m sure he missed you, too. With Rina gone, he’s at loose ends. He either whines nonstop, or I can’t find him anywhere. Like last night. I think he must’ve curled up somewhere that reminded him of Rina. A pile of clothes or someplace I haven’t found yet.” He shrugged with his one good shoulder.
“He was with me.”
He glanced up, surprised. An adorable smile tugged at her lips.
“He weighs a ton. I couldn’t move, couldn’t roll over. Once he lay down next to me on my blanket, I couldn’t budge him, not even with all my body weight. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about since he must have slept with you before I moved in.”
“No, he sat at the foot of the bed whining all night.” Jake shook his head and swallowed hard. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. While he’d lain awake fantasizing about Brianne, the damn dog had been living Jake’s dreams. He eyed Norton, who lay at her feet, with an annoyed scowl.
“Really? Hmm.” She stretched and yawned all at the same time and quickly clasped an embarrassed hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m just low on energy. Add to that the tossing and turning I tried to do last night and…well…sorry.” A beautiful blush stained her cheeks. “I’m just tired. And hungry.”
In that instant, Jake decided everything, including being jealous of Norton and keeping his distance, could wait. She appeared more exhausted than he’d remembered seeing her. Then again, he hadn’t had too many up-close-and-personal conversations, something that would change now that they lived under one roof. Looking at her tired face, he had a very strong desire to wrap Brianne in his arms and keep her safe—from the outside world, and from her own life which was so obviously wearing on her.
As a cop, he’d always had an overactive protective instinct, but what he felt now went beyond a professional impulse to protect. “Can I get you anything to drink? A glass of soda or water?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No, thanks. Just food. I know we never discussed the details of this living arrangement, but I did some food shopping during my lunch hour and I thought I’d put together a quick dinner. Can I…should I…” Her voice trailed off, professionalism giving way to uncertainty, barriers crumbling in light of awkward reality.
He found her uncertainty endearing and a refreshing change from her consummate forced demeanor. To hell with the cop and his secrets, Jake thought. The man in him wanted to ease her stress. “Actually, I called in for pizza before jumping into the shower. It’s already in the kitchen. You’re welcome to share.”
“Thank you. I love pizza and, to be honest, I’m so exhausted, cooking’s the last thing I want to do.” Her enthusiasm was so tangible he wanted to taste it—and her.
She turned, her ponytail bobbing as she bounded toward the kitchen, Norton hot on her trail. Jake followed a short distance behind. She tossed a canvas bag on the floor by one of Rina’s decorator wrought-iron, ladder-back kitchen chairs, rested her hands on the table, and inhaled deeply.
“Mmm. That smells delicious. I haven’t had a slice in ages.”
“How come?”
She turned to face him. “How come what?”
“If you love pizza so much, why haven’t you had any lately? You work two jobs, long hours, and you said yourself you’re exhausted. Every single New Yorker knows take-out’s easier than cooking.”
“It also gets expensive.”
He debated for a moment, then decided to ask. “Two jobs must bring in a good salary. What does the money go for, if you don’t mind my asking?” Once again, it wasn’t the cop’s need for answers but personal curiosity that drove him now. A need to get to know her better.
She eased herself into a chair, her hands curling around the gleaming chrome handles. “My parents died when I was twenty. My brother was nine, and I’ve raised him ever since.”
Her lonely existence touched the heart he’d closed off after his ex-wife left. “I’m sorry.”
He came up beside her, placing what he meant to be a supportive hand on her shoulder. But when it came to Brianne, no touch was simple. Heat exploded beneath his fingertips, but he left his hand in place, unable and unwilling to break contact.
“It’s been a long time, but thanks. Marc, my brother, he’s special, unbelievably bright, and it would have been a disservice to him and his abilities to keep him in public school. Everything I earn has been split between his education and making ends meet.”
Jake stared, grateful for the insight and amazed at her generous spirit. She’d given and sacrificed everything for her sibling, and, though Jake would do the same for Rina, his heart twisted with the notion that he’d been right—Brianne was an incredible woman. “Your brother’s lucky to have you.”