Don't Tempt Me

“I’ll keep an eye on things until the garbage truck comes by and picks it up in another hour. But you should get a lid for your can. That’ll take care of it.”

“I will.” She searched the yard and spotted Colt. “Thank you,” she called out to him.

Dropping a few things back into her can, he waved her off with a friendly smile.

Honor sighed. “He is such a great kid.”

“Yeah, he is.” Smiling, Jason added, “But he doesn’t much like being called a kid.”

He had the most gorgeous smile that put sexy little dents in his whisker-rough cheeks and crinkled the corners of his dark-as-sin eyes. That smile had the effect of making Honor smile, too. “I’ll try to remember that.” She back-stepped toward her car. “And the lid to the can.”

Jason nodded.

And she’d especially remember to close her car door quietly from now on. Very, very quietly.

3

PROUD OF HERSELF for coming up with such a great scheme, Lexie arrived a few minutes before Honor should be there. As soon as she pulled up, she spotted Jason in the garage, hammering away on something that looked like a small house.

Perfect.

Honor deserved a nice but hunky guy, someone to pay attention to her, lighten her load a little and make her feel as special as Lexie knew her to be. Jason, with his simmering gaze and hot bod, seemed like a great candidate. From what Lexie had seen so far, the chemistry was strong. Enough sparks had bounced between them to start a forest fire.

With the top up on her convertible, she circled to the back passenger door. When she opened it, the stems of the large bird-of-paradise plant flopped out. Getting the thing in there had taken two men from the garden center and some creative stuffing.

Pushing her sunglasses to the top of her head, Lexie put on her best helpless face, glanced around, then zeroed in on Jason—willing him to look up.

“Excuse me.”

Startled, she followed the sound of that smooth, deep voice and found herself staring into incredible cobalt-blue eyes...

...in a stop-your-heart handsome face.

...with an oh-my-God physique.

Done with her up, down and sideways analysis of his fine self, she smiled. “Hi there.”

Dressed in loose athletic pants, running shoes and a snug-fitting T-shirt, he asked, “Did you need some help?”

She needed all kinds of things...

He nodded to the plant.

Forgetting all about Jason and her plan, Lexie quickly agreed. “Yes. Please. Thank you.”

His polite expression never faltered—unlike her pulse.

Inhaling, Lexie looked him over again. Straight black hair, neatly trimmed but not overly styled. A firm mouth, strong jaw and those incendiary eyes. A lean, tall, finely honed body. “Where did you come from?”

“I live across the street.”

He could’ve said heaven and she would have believed him.

Wearing a quizzical frown, he glanced at Honor’s house. “I take it you’re my new neighbor?”

Oh, she wished. It’d be worth giving up her very nice downtown apartment overlooking the river. The views around Honor’s house were definitely better.

“My best friend is, actually.” Belatedly she held out a hand. “I’m Lexie Perkins.”

“Sullivan Dean.” He carefully took her hand, his touch gentle and somehow more familiar because of it. “It’s nice to meet you, Lexie.”

Liking the sound of her name on his lips, she tried to hold on to him, but other than a long look, he didn’t play along. Bummer.

From behind her, Jason said, “Hey, Lexie.”

She turned—and couldn’t help looking Jason over, too. Honor had struck gold with her location.

And to think she’d once considered the neighborhood old and stuffy.

“Jason, just the guy I was hoping to see.”

Wearing his intense, enigmatic expression and not wearing a shirt, Jason shifted his gaze to Sullivan.

Oh, crap. Lexie definitely didn’t want Sullivan—please let him be available—to get the wrong idea. She had zero carnal interest in Jason...especially since Honor had already staked a claim, even if Honor didn’t realize it and would never admit it.

To clear up any misconceptions, she explained, “I was going to ask you to carry in the plant I got for Honor. It’s a housewarming gift. But it’s a monster. No way can I get it up to her porch and in the house on my own.”

Once she got Jason inside, maybe she could convince him to stay. If he got to know Honor, if he understood why she forced the issue of independence, Lexie felt sure he’d adore her as much as she did.

Things didn’t go quite right when Sullivan stepped forward. “I’ve got it.” In a beautiful display of muscles and fluid strength, he lifted the plant as if it were a bag of sugar. “Where to?”

Oh, those glorious biceps...

While Lexie quickly considered the twist to her plans, Honor pulled up. Exhaustion gave way to confusion as she hurriedly left her car and trotted toward them. “Lexie? What did you do? What’s going on?”

Sullivan stared at Honor, smiled slightly and said, “I see. Now it makes more sense.”

Jason shot him a look but quickly returned his attention to Honor.

Lexie had no idea what that odd exchange meant, and with so much accusation in Honor’s tone, she couldn’t figure it out right now. Given half a chance, Honor would send them all packing.

Her friend didn’t like gifts any more than she liked help.

“Surprise!” Unwilling to let Honor put a damper on things, Lexie grabbed her hand and started hauling her toward the house. “Come on. Sullivan’s carrying your housewarming plant for me and I don’t want to test his goodwill. It weighs a ton.”

“Sullivan?” Honor asked.

“Your smoking-hot neighbor from across the street.”

Honor glanced back at him. So did Lexie.

Amused by the praise, Sullivan smiled at them both. “Hello.”

Honor swallowed. “Hi.”

Jason said nothing. He just watched Honor with near-predatory intent.

Lexie understood his expression, though it clearly went straight over Honor’s head.

Pleased with things so far, Lexie continued to rush Honor until she got the door unlocked. Lexie stood back to hold the door open and Sullivan carried in the plant, bending his knees as he went over the threshold to keep from damaging the top leaves.

Jason still stood in the driveway.

Cocking out a hip, Lexie shook her head and said, “Come on, slowpoke. We might need your help. And even if we don’t, you’re the reason I’m here, so—”

“Lexie.”

As Honor’s fretful voice emerged from the house, Jason grinned and ambled up the drive to join them. Sweat gleamed on his naked shoulders, and muscles flexed in his thighs.

She understood exactly how he so easily flustered Honor. Most women would react the same.

Until he came in, Lexie hadn’t yet looked around, but as soon as he cleared the doorway she did, and it blew her away. Honor had arranged everything so that the small room felt more spacious. Fresh paint on the walls brightened things and even her makeshift sheet curtains looked smooth and crisp and coordinated.

Lexie turned a complete circle before saying, “Wow. You’ve been a busy girl, Honor. It looks great.”

Jason nodded his agreement. “The colors are really nice.”

“Thank you.” The praise took some of the tension from Honor’s shoulders. “I like a lot of color, so I researched what would be right for this type of home. I wanted to stay true to the Cape Cod style.”

“Perfect choices. It looks terrific.”

She smiled with relief, then touched one leaf of the plant. “You shouldn’t have, Lex.”

Knowing it wasn’t the problem, Lexie said, “If you don’t like it, I can take it back and pick you out another.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“It fits okay? Not too big?”

“It’s perfect.” She turned to Sullivan. “Thank you for carrying it in.”

“Carrying in a plant was as good an excuse as any to meet you.” He held out his hand. “Sullivan Dean. I live across the street from you.”

Smiling, Honor indulged the requisite handshake. “Honor Brown. It’s very nice to meet you.”

He enclosed her hand in both of his. “I’ll admit I was curious. We were all at Screwy Louie’s the other night when Jason mentioned we had a new neighbor. With all the rain, I hadn’t yet seen you.”

She tipped her head. “Screwy Louie’s? Is that a local place?”

“It’s a bar and grill a few blocks down in the commercial area. You haven’t been?”

“No.”

“We’ll definitely have to remedy that. Anytime you need a bump up from fast food, go to Screwy Louie’s. Best food around.”

“They have takeout?”

“Sure.”

Still holding hands? “Sounds fun,” Lexie said, making sure she wouldn’t get left out. “Maybe we could all meet up there sometime.”

“Since we go every week,” Jason rumbled in a low voice, “I’m sure we could make it happen.”

“Definitely.” Sullivan finally let her go.

“So...” Honor shot a glance at Jason, then turned back to Sullivan. “You said Jason mentioned me?”

“With the trouble still in the area, he wanted to make sure we were aware of you.”

“We?” Lexie asked.

“Nathan and me.”

Honor wrinkled her nose. “Because I’m a woman alone?”

“A block or so down, there are a few older widowed women who’ve been in the area for twenty years or more. But yeah, a woman like you...”

“Like me?”

“Younger, single and attractive.” He hitched a brow. “I think you’re the first. If you ever need anything, feel free to give me a yell.”

Lexie didn’t miss a thing, including the territorial way Jason moved closer to the pair. She shivered. Alpha guys were so hot. It also struck her that Honor was again her usual bubbly, friendly self.

But when around Jason, she was very different.

“Why, thank you. I appreciate that,” Honor said to Sullivan. “So far, so good, though. I think I’ve got it covered. And honestly I’m enjoying figuring out everything on my own.”

Keeping her plan in mind, Lexie said, “I brought some snacks and drinks. Why don’t you both stay and visit for a bit?”

Sullivan checked a thick black watch on his wrist. “I have thirty minutes before I need to take off.”

Before she thought better of it, Lexie asked, “Hot date?”

His slow smile sent a spike of heat through her core. “Actually, no.”

Lexie noted that her boldness didn’t throw him, but it did turn his gaze speculative.

“I have an evening class and won’t be back until late.”

“So we’ll make do with thirty.” She’d find out about the class stuff later. “What about you, Jason? Got a little free time?”

Honor made a point of studiously examining the leaves on the plant, so she missed the way Jason checked her out—specifically her behind in her snug jeans.

When he realized Lexie was watching him, he drew his attention away to ask, “What?”

Around a laugh, Lexie said, “I’m going to take that as a yes.”

His gaze went right back to Honor. “Yeah, do that.”

“Perfect. I’ll run out and grab the stuff from my trunk.”

“Need a hand?” Sullivan asked.

“I’ll take both, please.” Lexie hooked her arm through his, taking him with her while saying over her shoulder, “You two behave, now. We’ll be right back.”

Jason’s chuckles followed her out the door, but Honor just groaned.

Snickering, Lexie said, “She is so funny.”

Without making a big deal of it, Sullivan freed his arm but put his palm at the small of her back. “Your friend Honor?”

“Yes.” He had big hands. Even through her shirt she felt the heat of his palm. She wasn’t Honor; a single touch didn’t usually make her giddy.

But damn it, this time it did.

She looked up at his profile. “When Honor first showed up, you said ‘I see,’ as if you just understood something.”

He shrugged strong shoulders. “At first I thought you were her and it didn’t make sense.”

“What didn’t?”

“Jason’s interest.”

At her car, Lexie stopped and turned to face him. Hand on her hip, she pretended a show of attitude. “You can’t see him being interested in me?”

With his smile going cocky, Sullivan shook his head. “Not really, no.”

Why that disgruntled her, Lexie wasn’t sure. “Why ever not?”

He pinched her chin. “Let’s just say she’s better suited to Jason.”

“No, let’s don’t.” Lexie made a “bring it” gesture in the air. “Let’s hear it. Why am I so unsuitable?”

“Unsuitable for Jason,” he clarified, still all cocky and amused. “See, he’s the home-and-hearth type and I figure you for a one-and-done kind of girl. You party, you have fun, you get what you need and then you move on.”

Her jaw loosened. Wow. “You nailed me.”

“Not yet.” That hot blue gaze turned seductive. “But I’m not opposed to the idea.”

Lexie started to speak, realized she had no idea what to say and sighed instead. “We need to table this discussion for now, at least until I get my bearings.”

“All right. How about we get into it more next week? I can get out early one day.”

“Early from what?”

She could tell he thought twice about sharing, then gave a mental shrug.

“I have a studio where I teach martial arts.”

“That’s pretty cool.” And explained his shredded physique. Her thoughts jumped ahead and she asked, “Who can sign up? I mean, do you need previous training?”

“I do the training, so no. I have beginner classes up to pros.”

Yeah, she was starting to like this idea. “You could teach me to kick butt?”

More serious than her, he gave one nod. “Sure. But I also teach how to avoid being in situations where you need to physically engage. My school is as much about motivation and quiet confidence as it is life skills.”

Lexie daringly looked him over. “Bet you have a lot of ladies in your classes.”

He deliberately misunderstood that. “I train plenty of adults, but what I really enjoy is working with kids.” Changing the subject, Sullivan glanced back at the house. “I know Jason’s glad the place was bought, but your friend has a hell of a job ahead of her.”

“Honor is strong.” Too strong, in Lexie’s opinion, because she’d always had to be. “She’ll figure it out.”

“She looked a little overwhelmed to me.”

Lexie popped the trunk. “I think that was because of Jason. Honor’s not really shy, but around him...well, it’s like seeing her in high school again.”

“You’ve known each other that long?”

She lifted out the big bag of mixed munchies and left the cooler for Sullivan. “Since middle school. She was always superconscientious about things, but these days she spends all her time working and sorting out problems for her family. She never has time to date.” Thinking he’d appreciate her cleverness, Lexie leaned closer to him. “I’m trying to lend a hand.”

He lifted out the heavy cooler one-handed, then closed her trunk. “How’s that?”

“The plant I brought over? I deliberately got one big enough that we’d need to ask for Jason’s help.”

Wearing a slight frown, his midnight eyes unreadable, Sullivan looked down at her. “So you manipulated things, but then I stepped in and ruined your plans?”

She didn’t like the way he worded that. “It’s okay. I think this will work out even better.”

“How so?” He made no move to leave the curb.

The evening sun cast long shadows in the yard. Birds sang overhead. A fly buzzed near her ear.

And Sullivan stood there—more or less calling her manipulative.

Which, okay, was mostly true.

A little bemused, Lexie readjusted the bag in her arms. “A small group is less intimate, and that takes the pressure off her.”

Still watching her, he said, “So we’re avoiding intimacy?”

Lexie opened her mouth, closed it, then laughed. “You keep beating me at my own game.”

“Flirting?”

“I was,” she admitted. “Are you?” Something about Sullivan made it difficult to tell.

“I haven’t quite decided yet.” With his hand returned to the small of her back, he got her walking again.

Now, wait a minute! She stopped, but he didn’t, so she had to hustle to catch up. She wanted to finish this discussion before they got inside with the other two.

“What is that supposed to mean?” If he thought she’d hang around, waiting and hopeful, he could think again.

“You like games,” he stated, as if he knew her. “Me, not so much.”

Lexie caught his arm to slow him down. “You were playing along with me,” she reminded him, and then wondered if he’d admit it.

“I was.” They reached the door.

“Well, then?”

He shocked her by cupping one hand to her face. “I think you’re dangerous.”

Dangerous? Her heart tripped as she stared up at him. “To a big, strong guy like you?”

“To a serious guy like me.” His thumb brushed the corner of her mouth. “But hey. I did ask you about getting together next week. You never answered.”

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, we should get together.”

The small smile turned into a grin of satisfaction. “Let’s exchange numbers, then, and we’ll work it out.”

* * *

Lexie’s matchmaking efforts were like getting run over by a bus. If Honor could get her alone, she’d give her a cease-and-desist order. But so far, Lexie had stuck close to Sullivan.

At first, when she found herself alone with Jason, Honor had made the quick excuse of needing to change clothes. She had dye on her fingertips, and she knew she smelled like perm solution thanks to one of her older clients.

But while out of the room, she’d also brushed her hair and cleaned her teeth and freshened up the best she could without a shower. Then she’d lingered, but so had Lexie and Sullivan.

Finally she’d had no option but to reemerge.

In her absence, Jason had looked around her kitchen, pantry and living room. She’d found him examining the leaky sink, and when he came out from under the cabinet, the leak was gone.

Honor had stammered her gratitude.

Taking pity on her, Jason had mostly talked about the house. In fact, other than a few too many, too-long glances, she’d enjoyed chatting with him.

She was lucky that the furnace and air, the electrical and the plumping were all in decent working order. He’d checked the warped back door and told her what needed to be done so that it would open and close properly. He’d even offered to do the work.

She’d politely declined.

And finally Lexie and Sullivan had rejoined them. Together they chatted about the renovation of the neighborhood, local venues of interest and the endless rain.

There was a slight lull when Jason told her, “You look tired.”

Conversation died around them and Honor quickly swallowed her drink of cola, then choked.

Patiently Jason patted her on the back—and seriously that did not help. Honor didn’t know what it was about the man, but he touched her and all the oxygen sucked out of the room, leaving her breathless.

“I’m okay,” she wheezed, setting aside her drink. “Went down the wrong pipe.”

“You do look tuckered out, Honor.” Lexie gave her the critical once-over. “Have you been getting any sleep at all?”

Not much. “Of course.”

“I don’t see how,” Jason said. “Not with the strange hours you keep.”

That caught Sullivan’s interest. “Strange hours?”

Before this got out of hand, Honor pointed at Lexie and said a firm, undeniable “No.”

Full of mock innocence, Lexie blinked at her and played dumb. “What?”

“Not a word, Lex. I mean it.”

Silently agreeing, Lexie pretended to lock her lips and throw away the key.

“A mystery.” Sullivan smiled. “I don’t know about you, Jason, but now I’m twice as curious about what she’s been up to.” He pushed back his chair at the little dinette table and stood. “Too bad I need to head out or I’d try my skills at interrogation.”

Lexie unzipped her lips real quick, blast her. “You could interrogate me.” Coy, she murmured, “I’m known to cave easily.”

“Something else for me to think about.” He nodded to Honor. “Remember what I told you. If you need anything—”

“I’m right next door,” Jason finished for him.

At that, Sullivan almost laughed but instead turned it into a cough. “Right.”

“I’ll walk you out.” As Lexie followed Sullivan, she used both hands to make a squeezing gesture in the air near his rear, then looked over her shoulder at Honor and Jason to mouth, Oh my God!

Jason laughed. “How does she know I won’t tell him?”

“She’s nuts and probably wouldn’t care.” Honor stared after them, even when the front door opened and closed.

“Honor.”

That deep, dark voice drew her gaze back to Jason’s. He looked both concerned and determined.

Idly turning his Coke can, he asked, “Will you tell me what’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” She knew exactly what he meant. In a too-high, evasive voice, she claimed, “Nothing’s going on.” Her follow-up, negligent laugh sounded more like a nervous admission.

Jason’s gaze sharpened as if he could read her thoughts. “You are such a mystery.”

“No, I’m not.” Mysteries sounded intriguing and exciting. Sadly Honor knew she was neither.

Even though his mouth stayed firm, his dark eyes teased her. “You know, sometimes I think you just like being contrary.”

“No, I don’t.”

This time, he gave in to the laughter.

Great. Now she had him laughing at her.

Except that when he looked at her, there was nothing mocking in his gaze, and he was so devastatingly focused on her that she forgot to be annoyed.

As they stared at each other, the humor faded away to a slight, sexy smile. “Come on, Honor. Where do you go in the middle of the night, and what difference does it make if Lexie tells anyone?”

No way would she go into detail with him, but this time she couldn’t think of an excuse to dodge out.

Trying not to sound rude, she said, “It’s just...it’s complicated.”

Jason sat back in his seat and looked at her, his expression hooded, his inky lashes at half-mast.

When she finally escaped his gaze, her attention went all over his body instead. His flat, firm abdomen was pretty darn sexy, especially with that downy line of dark hair trailing from his navel down into his loose-waisted shorts.

He was the most casual, comfortable man she’d ever met.

She tried to get her gaze northward, but only got as far as his pecs. How nice would it feel to rest her cheek against that lightly furred chest?

“Honor?”

“Hmm?”

“Keep looking at me like that and I’m going to get ideas.”

Her gaze shot to his.

Lifting a brow, he corrected, “More ideas, I should have said.”

Wondering if he meant that to be teasing, Honor stared at him. Could he be as fascinated with her as she was with him? She licked her lips. “More ideas?”

“I’ve had a few already.”

So had she. Too many ideas. Impossible ideas. “Oh.” Smooth, Honor. Real smooth.

Keeping her gaze captive in his, he sat forward again, one strong forearm resting on the table, his other hand reaching out...

She held perfectly still.

He tucked her hair back. “You honestly do look exhausted. What’s going on?”

He sat so close she could smell the scent of his big, semibare body.

His brows twitched. “Are you holding your breath?”

Oh, shoot. She released it in a long sigh. “I’m sorry.” Regret put a stranglehold on her. It would be so nice to flirt as Lexie did, to be cavalier about an involvement. But she didn’t know how. “You shouldn’t do things like that to me.”

He turned his head, and his voice went all sexy deep. “Things like what?”

Like touching her, but she wouldn’t state the obvious. He knew what she meant. “It rattles me.”

“Can’t have that.”

She started to relax.

“Can’t swear it won’t happen again, either.”