Page 49 of Jack

He had never intended to let anyone getthis close; to pierce the armor he had built so meticulously over theyears. Yet she had done just that, slipping through the cracks andembedding herself in his very being. He knew he was in trouble. Thiswasn't just a fleeting attraction; it was something much moreprofound, something that frightened him as much as it exhilaratedhim.

Emerging from the shower, he toweled offand dressed mechanically, his mind still locked on her. He had to seeher again, had to understand what was happening between them. Wasthis just a passing storm, or something that would alter the courseof their lives forever?

Dragging restless fingers through his hair,he felt the desperate need for a cigar. He had given up the habityears ago, but for the first time in a while, he felt the pressingneed for one. It might help to calm his nerves. And also help tocontrol the terrible yearning that was churning inside his body.

Uttering several curses, he made his way tohis son's room.

Jason sat up straight as his father walkedinto the room, peering behind his back.

"She had to run. Said to tell you, shewill call," Jack stood there in the middle of the room and feltthe ugly memories assailing him. This had been his bedroom when hewas growing up and being in here was giving him an itch.

"Did you say something to make herleave?"

Forcing the memories away, he gave the boyhis attention. "No. She just had to leave." He moved to siton the edge of the bed and gave the boy a contemplative look.

"You have a crush on her."

Jason felt the blush staining his cheeksand cursed himself for the lack of control. No doubt his father woulddespise him for allowing his feelings to surface like that. Somethinghe was certain; Jack Hadley would never allow to happen to him.

"I like her," he respondedmutinously. Plucking at the sheets, he did not notice the slightsmile curving his father's lips.

"I take it, she's your first crush?"

Jason's eyes lifted in astonishment. Thetone was mellow and the expression on the man's face was not one hewas used to seeing. For a minute, all he could do was stare. It tookhim another few seconds to realize that he had not answered thequestion.

"Er-yes. No," he shook his headin confusion.

"Which is it? Yes or no?"

"It's not a crush."

Jack's brows lifted. "Are you afraidI'm going to punish you for it? You're a young man and she'sbeautiful. It's natural for you to notice." He rose and walkedover to the smooth mahogany chest of drawers. The furnishings weremore or less the same with a few additions.

"This used to be my room," hemurmured absently.

Jason watched him curiously, suddenlyfeeling the unease as the tension built. His grandmother had told himsome of what his father had gone through.

"I know."

Jack passed a hand over the smooth surfaceslowly. There was a slight nick in the wood where his father hadheaved a heavy crystal ashtray at him. He remembered the incidentclearly. He had been studying for a test that was coming up the nextmorning when his father came in without knocking as usual. Thecontention had been a spillover from the day before. Something to dowith a birthday party he wanted to attend.

Jack had made the mistake of defying theold man and had paid for it in spades.

"Dad?"

Shaking his head, he turned to look at theboy propped up on the pillows, a concerned look on his face. Not forthe first time did he notice the uncanny resemblance between them,but it was the first time he felt actual pride.

Shaking his head again, he went to the edgeof the bed and reached out a hand, touching him briefly on the arm."Sleep well." With that, he left the room, with Jasonstaring after him in astonishment and hope.

*****

She was not so nonchalant when she gothome. In fact, she had shed that layer as soon as she entered thecar. Her hands gripped the steering wheel, and it took her a fewminutes to gather her composure so she could drive out of the long,curving driveway. Nothing made an impression on her-not the sweepingmagnificence of the manicured lawn, with the lush green grass cut insuch a precise manner, it was as if the gardener had used a ruler toget the exact measurement. Nor the rioting blooms offlowers-oleanders, baby's breath, patches of rose bushes and the palmtrees waving in the breeze.

The windows were closed against the stiffspring breeze that had sprung up and because of the close confines,she could scent his cologne on her. She had managed to twist her hairinto some semblance of order but could not get rid of the scent. Itsmelled woodsy and masculine-pure animal magnetism, something sheassociated with him.

And she could not stop shaking. She hadagreed to see him tomorrow night, which meant she was going to haveto make up some excuses to her brother. She couldnotvery well tell him that she was having a secret assignation with JackHadley. He would no doubt think she had gone completely and utterlymad. And he would probably disown her and never speak to her again.

Easing out a breath, she shied away fromthinking ahead. Jack Hadley was not your regular Joe. He was nevergoing to offer her marriage and a family. She had seen the bafflementon his hard and cynical face and the fact that he resented what hefelt for her.

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