Мишель Роуэн - Hot Spell

“Rumor has it that you were sent out on assignment with Jacob on Friday night. Late Friday night.” She waggled her eyebrows. “How’d that go?”

Amanda blanched. “It went…fine. Just fine. No problems.”

Did the whole office know about the assignment? Would they find out what had happened between her and Jacob? After all, everyone in the office had psychic abilities to one degree or another.

She forced herself to remain calm. The compulsion to tell the truth and read the other’s mind was only a manifestation of the curse. She reminded herself that abilities like that were not normal so she didn’t have to worry that her secret would get out. Some empaths might be able to sense something was going on, but when wasn’t there sexual tension in an office atmosphere between male and female coworkers?

“He is so delicious,” Vicky said dreamily. “If Jacob Caine was lunchmeat I would eat him every single day of the week and never get sick of the taste.”

Amanda twisted a nervous finger through her hair. “Lovely analogy.”

“Thanks, I thought so.” Vicky grinned. “You’re kind of moody today, aren’t you?”

Amanda laughed out loud at that. “I’m moody every day. You, of all people, should know that.”

“Good point. I hope you’re ready for your big party tomorrow night.”

“Who’s invited?”

“Just twenty or thirty of your closest friends. All really drunk and disorderly.”

“So, same as usual, then.” Amanda couldn’t help but smile at the mental image. Damn. She would miss everybody. She could barely believe that she was finally leaving.

“Will Jacob be coming?” Vicky asked.

“Not sure.”

“I hope he will.”

Amanda cringed at that. She’d almost forgotten about Vicky and Jacob’s date last month. The reminder of Jacob’s sexual prowess did not make her feel better.

In fact, it made something akin to jealousy twist in her gut.

Why would she feel jealous of any woman that Jacob had been with before her? He was an admitted womanizer. Hot men with commitment issues usually were. It shouldn’t bother her at all. Yet it did. It bothered her a lot .

“You should definitely try to hook up with him again,” Amanda forced herself to say, and the words left a bad taste in her mouth. “You two make a cute couple.”

Vicky sighed heavily.

“What?” Amanda looked up at the mournful sound.

Vicky shrugged. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

“Why not?”

“You know the rumors about him being a total stud muffin? A different woman every night?”

Amanda gave her a tight smile. “Mm-hmm.”

“I don’t think it’s true. Not completely, anyhow. I mean, I know when he first moved to town he worked his way through a lot of girls. But lately…I think he might be a little more selective. Or maybe he’s just in a dating slump.”

“He went out with you.”

“It was only dinner. Don’t tell anyone, but we didn’t actually… do anything.”

Amanda’s eyes widened. “You didn’t?”

Vicky set her jaw. “Not that I didn’t try. I guess he just wasn’t that into me.”

“Wow.” Amanda couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She’d been sure Vicky and Jacob had slept together. And, at the time, Vicky hadn’t said anything to make her think otherwise.

“It stung a bit,” Vicky continued. “But I’m totally over it. I’ve got it bad for Patrick now.”

“Our boss , Patrick?”

She nodded enthusiastically. “Yup.”

“He’s recovering from a spinal cord injury, you do realize.”

“And as soon as he’s mobile again I will be helping him with his rehabilitation. And by that I mean his sexual rehabilitation.”

Amanda laughed. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear that.”

She was still thinking about what Vicky had just said. She’d believed completely that Jacob slept with any woman who even glanced in his direction. But he hadn’t slept with Vicky when he’d had ample opportunity. Maybe Amanda had imagined the flush in her cheeks, the excitement from getting her hands on Jacob’s irresistible, hard-muscled body.

“Speak of the devil,” Vicky said.

Amanda pulled herself out of her thoughts of Jacob and his body. “What?”

“He’s headed this way.”

“Who?”

“Who do you think?” Vicky was looking out the door of Amanda’s office. “Hey, Jacob. Looking good.”

“Right back at you, Vicky,” Jacob said as he stepped into Amanda’s office. Then his attention was all on Amanda. “Can I speak to you in private?”

“I can take a hint,” Vicky said. “I’ll get back to work.”

“No!” Amanda protested a little too loudly. “Please. Uh…just stay here. I have to go over my current caseload with you, anyhow. Whatever Jacob needs to say he can say now or it can wait.”

“All right,” Vicky replied, but she sounded uncertain.

Jacob’s lips thinned. “I guess it can wait.”

“Okay.” Amanda forced a smile.

What is this? Jacob’s thoughts were projected very clearly in her head. Afraid to be alone with me now?

“Yes,” she said out loud, then kicked herself for her truth-telling compulsion. Damn. Did it even work when he simply thought the question? That was so unfair.

It was like she was acknowledging her uncontrollable need to touch him. To run her hands over his beautiful body. To taste his mouth, rip open his shirt, and lick a slow line down to his…

Damn.

At the moment, she was glad that he couldn’t read her mind.

“Please, Vicky, have a seat,” she said.

Jacob groaned with obvious frustration.

Goddammit , he thought. She’s afraid to be alone with me now. How am I supposed to tell her I think I’m falling in love with her?

Amanda’s mouth went dry and her gaze shot to his. His green eyes widened. Obviously he hadn’t meant her to hear that last thought.

“Amanda…I…” he began and then closed his mouth.

Vicky watched curiously. “Am I missing something here?”

“No,” Amanda said quietly, looking down at her desk.

Jacob swore softly under his breath. “I’ll see you around.”

Then he turned and left her office.

Amanda’s heart thudded hard in her chest. This wasn’t happening. It wasn’t . Jacob couldn’t be falling in love with her. That didn’t make any sense at all. It was part of the curse. He only thought he was falling in love with her.

“Wow,” Vicky said. “ That was intense.”

“That was nothing.” Her voice was barely audible.

“Yeah, right.” Vicky grinned. “Is there something between you two that I don’t know about? I thought you hated the guy.”

“I do.” But, of course, she didn’t. More lies he’d be able to see through with a well-placed question.

“Well, there is a thin line between love and hate, isn’t there? All it takes is a little push to stumble over to the other side.”

“It’s not like that.”

Vicky shrugged. “All I can say is that if I could get some guy to look at me that intensely, I’d be a happy girl.”

“You’re seeing things,” Amanda said firmly. “Now, let’s start going over my cases. Tomorrow’s my last day, after all.”

Vicky moved toward her and gave Amanda a big hug. “I’m going to miss you so much!”

Amanda hugged her back and felt her throat tighten. “I’ll miss you, too.”

“Are you absolutely sure you’re not going to change your mind and stay?”

“I’m sure. Everything’s in place. David will be back tomorrow before the party to help me move my stuff.”

Vicky made a face. “That David. He’s nice enough, I guess, but he’s just so boring.”