LITMIR.BIZ

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to work exclusively for one family. I’d like to think all that learning could help others, too.”

      Bella laid her hand on his forehead. “My Lord, something has come over you. What is it?”

      “I believe it’s called maturing.” Rising to his feet, he looked down at his sister’s worried face. “Now, what do you say about having spaghetti for supper? After the day she’s been through, Sassy could probably use a decent meal.”

      “Are you cooking?”

      “I am.”

      Grinning impishly, she said, “Then it sounds great.”

      * * *

      A few minutes later, after changing into clean clothes, Jett left his bedroom and was walking down the hallway when Sassy suddenly stepped through her bedroom door and straight into his path.

      Trying to stop his forward motion without bowling her over, he grabbed her by the shoulders and rocked back on his heels. “Whoa, Sassy! I didn’t see you coming.”

      Reaching out to steady herself, her palms landed on his chest. “Jett! Oh, I’m sorry—I wasn’t looking.”

      “No harm done.” Easing his grip on her shoulders, his hands slipped to her upper arms. As she looked up at him, he took a moment to survey her lovely face, and the notion suddenly struck him that he couldn’t recall the last time he’d enjoyed looking at a woman and touching her, even in the simplest of ways. But he was definitely enjoying it now. “I guess this must be my day to stop you from falling.”

      “Let’s hope tomorrow improves,” she said jokingly. “I’ll try my best to stay on my feet.”

      A pale pink color warmed her cheeks, and on closer inspection he noticed that faint freckles were scattered across the bridge of her nose. Her lashes were so long they created crescent-shape shadows beneath her eyes, yet it was her lips that completely stole Jett’s attention. They were wide and soft, and he figured that once a man kissed them, he’d want to do it again and again.

      Clearing his throat, he forced his gaze to the cascade of fiery curls falling around her head and onto her shoulders. “Oh, I don’t know,” he told her. “This is starting to get fun.”

      The color on her face deepened. “I seriously doubt that.”

      He wanted to ask her what she meant, but kept the question to himself. Just because he found her attractive didn’t mean she was feeling any magnetic pull toward him.

      And why would you want her to feel anything toward you, Jett? Wasn’t Erica enough punishment for you? You don’t need a woman messing up your life again and making you crazy.

      He needed to heed the voice of warning in his head, he told himself. Just because Sassy was stirring up a hot yearning in him didn’t mean he should forget the painful lessons he’d learned in his broken marriage. But, oh, she was tempting him, making him want to believe that a woman couldn’t lead him back into hellish misery.

      In an attempt to get his mind off the urges in his body, he changed the subject. “Feel like eating? I’m about to start supper.”

      Faintly surprised, her blue eyes swept over him. “You’re going to cook?”

      “Sure. I’ll even wash my hands before I start.”

      She suddenly chuckled, and for a brief moment she looked happy. The sight warmed him.

      “You’re a funny man.”

      “I’m glad you think so,” he said softly. “Because I like hearing you laugh.”

      Her head bent, causing her next words to be slightly muffled. “Normally, I laugh a lot. But lately—well, things have been a little rocky.”

      For a moment she didn’t stir, and Jett was telling himself that he needed to release his hold on her and be on his way, but having her close to him felt far too good and before he could stop himself, he slid his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close against him.

      She didn’t resist. Instead, her body settled against his as though it had found a perfect niche. Encouraged by her reaction, he said, “I’d like to change that for you, Sassy.”

      Her head tilted backward, allowing her gaze to connect with his. “How? You can’t change the course of my life.”

      “You might be surprised about that.”

      Uncertainty flickered in her eyes. “Jett, I think—”

      Her words suddenly halted as his thumb and forefinger wrapped around her chin. “You probably won’t understand this, Sassy, but I’m very glad that you’re here.”

      “How can you be?” she asked, her voice little more than a breathy whisper. “You didn’t ask for all this trouble.”

      “I’m beginning to think you’re just the kind of trouble I need.”

      She started to make some sort of reply, but Jett didn’t allow her words to escape. Instead, he lowered his head and covered her soft lips with his.

      Chapter Three

      Jett Sundell was kissing her!

      Even though the shocking realization was zipping through Sassy’s mind, her body refused to back away and put an end to the contact. Instead, she stood motionless in the circle of his arms and drank in the taste of his lips as they rocked gently over hers.

      After what seemed like a long, long minute, his head finally eased back, and by then Sassy was so rattled she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry or race back to the safety of her bedroom.

      Fighting all three urges, she forced herself to stand her ground and face him. “Is this the kind of treatment you give all your houseguests?” she demanded, once she’d managed to catch her breath.

      Expecting him to be somewhat ashamed, she was amazed to see a sly grin spread across his face. “I’ve never had a houseguest like you.”

      “So you’ve not yet learned to mind your manners?”

      He chuckled then, and a part of Sassy melted at the warm sound. For the past two months she’d felt dead and frozen inside. This man made her want to believe her life could be simple again. But those days were over. She was going to have a baby, and that would change every aspect of her life.

      “I’m sorry, Sassy.” He gently released his hold on her. “I don’t normally behave like this. But you’re just so darned pretty. And—” Shaking his head, he touched a forefinger to her cheek. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt the urge to kiss a woman.”

      Sassy found that hard to believe. He’d kissed her like it was something he practiced every day. And with his dark, rugged looks, he’d never have trouble snaring a woman’s attention.

      Stepping back to put a measure of space between them, she refused to give in to the impulse to lick her lips. The last thing she wanted was for Jett to think she was still savoring the taste of him. Even though she was.

      “Don’t you have a girlfriend somewhere waiting for you to kiss her?” She muttered the question.

      “No girlfriend. No one special.”

      All sorts of questions raced through her mind, but she kept them to herself. Jett Sundell’s personal life was no concern of hers. The sooner she could get that through her head, the better off she’d be.

      “Thank goodness I don’t have to feel guilty about that.” She started to step around him, but he caught her lightly by the arm to prevent her escape.

      “You’re a young, beautiful, unattached woman,” he said gently. “Why should you feel guilty about kissing me?”

      “I’m going to have a baby.” As soon as she’d blurted out the words, she recognized how inane that sounded. But she couldn’t help

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