Page 33 of Someone to Tempt
She inhales then releases a shaky breath. “Then my mom fell in love. Or lust.” Her smile wobbles. “It’s hard to tell the difference with her. Always was.”
I refrain from admitting that’s relatable at the moment. I’m not looking to get the family jewels kicked into my throat.
I brush my fingers over the back of her hand when she draws in a shaky breath, like the memory isn’t one she wants to revisit. But I need to know. “Keep talking.”
“Mom chose Jodi’s father as the object of her affection that time around. An admired, married family man beloved by the entire town.”
“That’s unfortunate,” I murmur. “But he was the one who cheated. Your mom didn’t do what she did by herself.”
“That didn’t matter. We had no history here, other than the trouble Nick got into with you. And my mom was never good at female friendships, so she had no one–literally not one person–to take her side.”
“Which meant you didn’t either,” I say and my gut twists. Because Iris should have had someone. Her brother. Or me. Definitely me, but I’d let Nick drag us both into trouble and–no–I can’t blame him. I was reeling after losing Mike, and my appetite for self-destruction eclipsed what I felt for Iris. Guilt and grief blotted out everything good in my life for far too long. I hate knowing Iris was part of the collateral damage.
“Sloane stuck by my side, and I’ll always be grateful for that.” Her chin tips higher. “There was also a video. A sex tape, before those were a thing. His wife found it and subsequently showed several members of the town council. Jodi’s dad was forced to resign, so it wasn’t like he didn’t deal with consequences. But the scandal consumed the community, and instead of owning up to her role or trying to make some kind of amends, Mom did her usual and exited stage left.”
“Taking you with her.”
“And my connection to a place that finally felt like home.”
As much as I want to reach for her, I hold back. It looks like the slightest touch will shatter her into a million pieces. That’s the last thing I want, but it doesn’t explain her random request. “What does any of that have to do with me?”
“Jodi’s cousin has decided to run against me in the upcoming election. Scandal aside, the Moores have a long history in this town. Jodi’s uncle was universally loved. I’m not and my history here is shady at best. I’m going to need Jodi’s help to win the election. She likes you.”
“She doesn’t know me.”
Iris shrugs off that little fact. “She wants to. She promised to stop messing with my reputation if I promise not to mess with her chances with you.”
“Would it be rude to bring up the fact that she has a snowball’s chance in hell with me?”
“You might like her. She’s fun. You’re fun.”
“I like your kind of fun.”
“I’m not your speed, Jake. We both know it.”
“How do you know my speed?”
“It’s fast.”
“I can take things slow when slow is what gets the job done. How do you like it, Iris? Fast or slow, hard or soft. Or my favorite selection, all of the above.”
She snorts, but an adorable blush rises to her cheeks. “I like staying focused on the goal.”
“Which is?”
“Showing people I’m not the grim reaper of fun and Skylark’s reputation as one of the happiest towns in the country is safe with me.”
“You’re good for this town.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I know you.” I give in to temptation and trace one finger along the edge of her jaw.
She shivers but then rolls her eyes so hard it’s a wonder they don’t hit the ceiling. “Go out with Jodi. You said you’d do anything.” She swats away my hand. “Anything, Jake.”
Damn it. I did say that. And I’m a man of my word. Or at least I’m trying to be. Grandpa is putting me through the paces at the foundation, but I’m going to show him I can stick for the people who matter. I want to prove it to Iris, too.
“Fine. I’ll ask out your friend.”
