Love And Games: Taste The Heat Part 6

"I know." He lifted his shoulder in a show of indifference. "It'll be a summer fling."

Colby's eyes lit up at the word fling. "That, sir, may just be the best idea I've ever heard." Smas.h.i.+ng her mouth against his, she sealed their agreement with a kiss.

Victory tasted like citrus. He did it. He bought himself an entire summer with Colby, and maybe, just maybe, it would convince her to stay. He could be very persuasive when he needed to be.

And if his best friend ever found out what he just did, Jason would have his a.s.s kicked.

Chapter Eight.

Jason slid into his usual booth at Grits & Stuff, his gut a knot of twisted energy. The clink and clatter of cutlery all around him didn't help. Cane had called this afternoon, asking to meet. After the look in his best friend's eyes when Jason had suggested that very thing earlier in the week, he was justifiably cautious, and with the summer agreement he'd struck with Colby still fresh in his ears, more than a little concerned. Thankfully, he and Colby had agreed to delay their official kickoff for a time when his preteen daughter wasn't within listening distance, or his concern with meeting her brother tonight would be in full-out panic mode.

At the table along the far wall sat the teacher Jason had met doing a safety presentation at the elementary school last week. Across the scuffed tile floor, one of his students from the gym lifted his hand in greeting. He knew or recognized most of the patrons in the cramped cafe, and the majority of the remaining tables were filled-not that surprising, even despite the after dinner hour, when it was a Sunday night and the only other restaurant in town closed at eight.

The manager of that establishment plopped a few quarters into the retro-style jukebox in the corner of the room and then slipped into the bench seat across from him, nodding to the server who dropped off two waters and menus. Admittedly, the all-night cafe wasn't the best place to have a discussion. It was loud, chaotic, and smelled faintly of a dirty dishcloth. But it would have to do. Jason was about to go on a twenty-four-hour s.h.i.+ft and he couldn't wait that long to find out what was on Cane's mind. Or to see if the town's rumor mill had worked against him.

"How's my favorite G.o.dchild doing?" Cane asked, picking up one of the peeling menus.

Why he bothered reading it was anybody's guess because Cane always ordered the same thing-a tall stack of pancakes, a gla.s.s of sweet tea, and Hank Williams on the jukebox. The man liked his structure, for everything to stay the same. He'd been that way even in the days at Little Lambs Preschool where they first met. It was one of the reasons Jason was sweating Cane's finding out about his summer relations.h.i.+p with Colby so much, and it was just one of many quirks that went against his friend's rebellious appearance.

Where Jason was lean, he was broad and bulky. Cane's uniform was an array of black T-s.h.i.+rts, dark wash jeans, and a battered black leather jacket. With his strong jawline, hair that defied grooming, and collection of tattoos, an outsider wouldn't expect that the man was turned on by numbers. Or that he balanced budgets for kicks. The fact that Cane would one day manage Rob.i.+.c.heaux's had never been a question when they were growing up. And, after graduating with a double major in business and accounting, that's exactly what he began doing.

Under Cane's management, the restaurant thrived; well, at least it did until they unexpectedly lost their head chef. Their father had an apparent issue with delegation, and the kitchen staff Cane had been left with included a bunch of clueless line cooks, and a sous-chef who'd bailed the first week after promotion. But with Colby back where she belonged, everything would be better. For the restaurant, for the Rob.i.+.c.heaux family, and for him, Jason thought, shredding the wrapper on his straw.

"Emma's good," Jason answered, straightening the matching set of salt and pepper shakers and lining them up with the ketchup. "She's ready for school to be over. Just another week and a half to go. I dropped her off at my parents' house before coming here."

Cane nodded and pursed his lips at the appetizers list. Jason drummed a beat on the Formica tabletop. d.a.m.n, he was nervous. His friend wanted to catch up-that shouldn't be cause for alarm. The chance Cane had any clue about his plans with Colby were highly unlikely. Jason was being ridiculous.

Cane craned an eyebrow, his focus s.h.i.+fting to shoot his friend's musical hands a pointed look, and Jason busied himself with the water-spotted silverware instead.

He couldn't remember the last time he let anxiety get to him like this. Actually, that was a lie. He knew exactly when-the day he had to tell Ashleigh's parents that she was pregnant and ask their permission to marry her. That had been some seriously scary s.h.i.+t. But even though her father hadn't been a chump by any means, the older man had nothing on the kind of beat down his best friend could give him if he wanted. Jason should know; he trained Cane himself at the gym.

Maybe talk of his G.o.ddaughter would soften his buddy up. "She's looking forward to her movie date with Uncle Cane," Jason said, and when Cane's mouth lifted into a smile, he couldn't help adding, "I can't believe you're taking her to see that c.r.a.p."

Flipping a page in the menu, Cane shrugged his ma.s.sive shoulders. "It's our birthday tradition."

"That's just your cover," he said, swiping his sweaty palms along the sides of his jeans. "The real reason you go is because you secretly read all that teen book s.h.i.+t."

His friend lifted the third finger on his right hand, still without looking up from his menu. Jason laughed, feeling a small part of his apprehension fade. They both knew that he was only busting Cane's b.a.l.l.s. Over the years, especially during the last four, Jason had tried and ultimately failed to express exactly what it meant to him that his friend cared so much about Emma. That he was willing to sit through two plus hours of hormonal teen angst just to make his daughter happy.

Cane was a good honorary uncle, a great friend, and an even better brother. But it was that last one that had the muscles in Jason's legs tensed, on high alert.

Flipping the menu to the back page, Cane raised his gla.s.s of ice water. He lifted it to his lips, but before taking a sip he asked, "You about ready to man up yet?"

He asked it so casually that Jason almost missed it. But when he caught the questioning slant of his friend's eyebrows he flinched, and his knee whacked the underside of the table. Water from his own gla.s.s sloshed along the surface. "Excuse me?"

Cane swallowed the sip he'd taken and slowly lowered the unnecessary menu with a chuckle. "You do know we live in Magnolia Springs, right?" he asked. "And that I work at Rob.i.+.c.heaux's?"

s.h.i.+t. He knew. Or at least had his suspicions. Jason shouldn't be surprised. Before he knew who Colby was, he'd flirted with her in front of the whole d.a.m.n town. And Sherry was his other sister; if Cane had avoided the rumors from that day, he still would have heard her romanticized theories. Jason cleared his throat, trying to think of the best way to begin, and how much to reveal, but Cane continued before he could.

"I thought I'd made my stance on this clear the other day, but I guess not. I'm in charge of payroll, Jase. I know when people trade s.h.i.+fts. And when that person happens to be my workaholic sister, I'm gonna look into it." He folded his thick arms on the table, flexing the ink on his bicep. "So I repeat, are you ready to man up?"

Jason felt his heart rate kick into overdrive.

Cane's question was meant to be provoking. And if the man hadn't been his best friend, it would've been an entirely different story. But Cane had every right to be on edge. Jason considered explaining that Emma had been the one to invite Colby, and that she'd only agreed because it was for his daughter's birthday, but that wouldn't exactly be the truth. Emma may've been the one to ask, but Jason had wanted Colby there just as badly. And from the way Colby had responded to their kiss last night, it was possible she'd had additional motives of her own.

"All right," Jason said, cracking his knuckles. "I admit it." He scooted to the edge of the bench, on the off chance the tables around them weren't already eavesdropping on their entire conversation. "I'm attracted to Colby."

Their server approached the table and Jason sat back in his seat. A muscle twitched in his friend's jaw. He could've waved the woman away, but he needed a moment to figure out where in the h.e.l.l to go from there. Did he give Cane the full truth, or only part? Did he say it was just a summer fling, or would that just make him angrier?

Which option was the least likely to get his a.s.s kicked?

Jason glanced up at the newly hired waitress and just managed to avoid rolling his eyes. For all the woman knew, he might as well have not even been there-her suggestive smile was solely fixated on Cane. Not that Jason was surprised. It was like this wherever they went. Women were attracted to the bad boy image his friend naturally exuded. Little did the women know that a math nerd lay hidden behind the rough exterior.

But the waitress-Mandi with an I and unsubtle innuendos-was out of luck, because all of her seductive glances were wasted. Cane never took his attention away from Jason, rattling off his usual order and handing back the menu without even breaking eye contact. With a small huff, Mandi sashayed toward the kitchen, grumbling under her breath.

The moment she was out of earshot, Jason leaned forward again. "Look, man, here's the deal. I don't need your permission to date Colby. We're both adults, and if we want to spend time together, there's nothing standing in our way. Not as long as Emma adores her, which you should know that she does. It was her idea for Colby to come with us on the trip."

Cane didn't so much as blink at the mention of his G.o.ddaughter. Evoking Emma's name wasn't softening the big guy as much as he'd hoped. Jason exhaled a breath. Putting it all out there, he lowered his voice and raised his chin. "Man to man, you're my best friend. You're Emma's G.o.dfather and Colby's brother. I know I don't need your blessing..." He looked at his friend of more than thirty years dead in the eyes. "But I sure as h.e.l.l would like it."

The jukebox shuffled and David Allan Coe's "You Never Even Called Me by My Name" poured through the speakers. Around them, diners and friends sang along to the played-out country tune. But he and Cane remained silent, although they both knew the words-it was basic Mardi Gras karaoke.

Cane narrowed his eyes but gave no other visible reaction to Jason's announcement. And for the first time in the history of their friends.h.i.+p, Jason realized he had no clue what the man was thinking.

Would he actually say no? Refuse to give Jason his support? And if he did, what would Jason do then? He didn't really have a contingency plan here. Everything pretty much hinged on this conversation going the way he'd hoped.

Cane cracked his neck. Taking his elbows off the table he said, "I don't get to play the big brother card often. Colby split years ago, and Sherry goes through guys so quickly that half the time I don't hear about one until she's onto the next. But I love my sisters. And I'll come after anyone who hurts them."

Jason nodded, in total agreement. Sherry wasn't his biological sister but if he got wind of a guy breaking her heart, he'd take enjoyment in inflicting some pain of his own. And as for Colby, well, the heat coursing through his body at the mere thought of the s.e.xy chef was anything but brotherly, but he did feel protective of her. Just twenty-four hours ago, he'd held her in his arms, consoling her as she'd relived her most painful memories. If Jason were ever the cause of Colby feeling like that, Cane wouldn't even have to look for him. He'd gladly offer his a.s.s up for a smack down. He'd deserve it. "You have my word that I will never hurt her."

Cane looked at him and rubbed his hand over his face. "All right, here's the deal. You're a good guy. I couldn't ask for a better friend, and you're a great dad. You've been through h.e.l.l and back but you never gave up. I admire the s.h.i.+t out of you. But, man, let's just be real. You're not ready to move on. You've barely looked at a chick since Ashleigh died. With Emma, you're all heart, but with women-h.e.l.l even with your friends to some degree-you protect yourself. And I get it. No one should have to go through what you did. It changes you. But Jase, Colby is my sister. And friend or not, if things go bad and her heart gets broken, we will have a problem."

Jason had never seen that particular look in his friend's eyes before. At least not directed at him. And of course, he was right about everything. Cane wasn't known for heartfelt speeches, but when it was important, if it was something he felt strongly about, the man didn't pull any punches.

After Ashleigh died, Jason had changed. And if he hadn't learned that Colby was just as cautious as he was, they wouldn't even be having this conversation. He wouldn't pursue her. But that's what made them perfect for each other. Neither of them was looking for love. They'd both been there and gotten the battle scars to show for it.

"I hear what you're saying, man," Jason told him. "And you're right. But Colby told me her plans to leave at the end of the summer. We're keeping it casual, just two friends hanging out."

He picked up his water gla.s.s and drained half its contents in one gulp. He conveniently left out that if she changed her mind, and stayed in Magnolia Springs permanently, all the better. Odd that a summer of hooking up was better than the truth.

"Good." Cane s.h.i.+fted in his seat, stiff vinyl cracking under his weight. His thick eyebrows drew together. "Colby's trust level with men has been shot to h.e.l.l. I have my suspicions as to why, but let's just say my sister doesn't believe in white picket fences anymore. I'd hate to see you or my G.o.dchild hurt expecting more."

Jason schooled his features, giving nothing away. But could he know about, or at least suspect, their father's infidelity? If not, it would do his friend no good to learn of it now. As curious as he was, Jason left the words unsaid and simply told Cane, "I know what I'm doing."

For several long moments, Cane didn't say anything, his emotionless eyes giving nothing away. Then the pensive look faded from his friend's features and Jason smiled, finally feeling like things were going his way. The coiled muscles in his neck and shoulders relaxed.

Taking a needed breath, he looked again across the crowded diner and saw a familiar redhead walk through the front entrance.

Angelle was one of the new volunteers at the station, a sweet girl who was a transplant from Cajun country. She'd only been with them for two months, but after a bit of a shaky and hesitant start, she was turning out to show impressive determination. Her deep-set eyes scanned the crowded cafe and when they landed on Jason's booth, they widened in delight.

"Who is that?" Cane asked, craning his neck around to see what held Jason's attention.

"A new recruit at the station." Casual or not, the last thing Jason wanted was for his friend to think he was messing around behind Colby's back. "Angelle's just a friend."

"That's good to know." Cane's head tilted as he watched Angelle maneuver her way around the crammed tables and chairs, needless apologies falling out of her mouth. Her purse strap caught on a man's chair and yanked her back after a few steps. Jason could hear the grin in his buddy's voice when he said, "Then introduce me to your friend."

Cane turned his body in the seat to get a better look at Angelle moving across the floor. Although Jason couldn't see his face, he knew the instant the two of them made eye contact.

It wasn't that the normal reaction flashed across the woman's pretty face; it was actually far from it. Normally, women turned into a puddle of goo whenever they set their sights on his best friend, much like Mandi did earlier. But Jason's newest volunteer shortened her steps, almost as if she were debating turning back the way that she came. The wideness of her eyes turned from one of happiness to one of apprehension, and her slim shoulders seemed to shrink into themselves. Jason couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. Apparently, there was at least one woman in town who was immune to Cane's charm.

"Hey, Angelle," he said, watching her take the last few steps as if her feet were weighted with lead. He shouldn't be so amused, but he was. "I'd like you to meet a friend of mine, Cane Rob.i.+.c.heaux."

Cane did what he always did when he actually gave a s.h.i.+t about a girl; he leaned back and leisurely lifted his gaze to look in her eyes as he dropped the bomb-the slow build to a grin that unveiled his biggest a.s.set, the dimple in his left cheek. Women swooned over it every time. But Angelle was quickly becoming Jason's favorite person in the world because she didn't let out a breathy whimper, or play with her hair. Nope, she looked like she wanted to throw up.

Jason snickered and Cane's grin dropped. This night had definitely taken a turn for the interesting.

Angelle shoved her red hair behind her ear, exposing the ink on the inside of her wrist. Cane's admiring appraisal flicked to the one-word tattoo: Chance. She mumbled a quick h.e.l.lo, then focused her attention back on Jason with a wild look in her eyes.

"I won't interrupt your dinner," she said, her words coming out unnaturally fast and tight. "I just saw your truck outside and since Rob and I traded s.h.i.+fts, and I knew I wouldn't see you at the station tomorrow, I wanted you to know that I've decided to join your cla.s.s."

Jason blinked from the verbal explosion. It was a good thing he had years of experience deciphering fast-paced Emma-speak. "My cla.s.s?" he asked. "You mean at the gym?"

She nodded. "It's tomorrow night, right?"

"Ah, well, yeah," he said, more than a little surprised. The woman had changed a lot from the meek girl he'd met a couple months ago, but enrolling in ninja-style martial arts was a bigger step than he would've expected. Angelle's hopeful smile seemed to fade at his hesitation and he quickly added, "That's great, Ang. I won't be there-I'll be on s.h.i.+ft-but my a.s.sistant is excellent. I think you'll really enjoy it."

The full-watt smile returned, and her gaze flitted to Cane. It was so quick it was as if she did it on instinct, then she took a step closer to Jason. Lowering her voice to a throaty register she said, "If it's with you, I'm sure I will."

Now it was Jason's turn to widen his eyes. He immediately turned to Cane, lifting his palms up in a show of innocence, and found his friend studying them both with avid interest.

What the h.e.l.l? In the two months he'd known the kid-h.e.l.l, he guessed Angelle wasn't a kid; he was pretty sure her paperwork said she was twenty-six-she'd never once come on to him or made a flirtatious comment. The first few weeks she had barely talked at all. And he knew for d.a.m.n sure he'd never made a pa.s.s at her. The woman was cute, but she wasn't his type.

So then why did she choose tonight, in front of Colby's brother of all people, to make a move?

Oblivious to his distress, Angelle s.h.i.+fted her shoulders back and smiled, her eyes dancing with pride like she'd just performed a dare. "I'm looking forward to sweating with you in the future," she declared before turning and promptly tripping over her own two feet.

The moment Angelle was a table length away, Jason looked at Cane and a.s.sured his friend as emphatically as he could, "Dude, I swear nothing's going on with her."

Cane didn't acknowledge him. He just turned his head to watch the redhead weave back around the restaurant. But when she reached the door and bit her lower lip, a rare glimpse of the unsure girl Jason had met two months ago resurfacing, he heard Cane say, "I think I'm in love."

Chapter Nine.

"A fling with a fireman," Colby said aloud to the empty kitchen of Rob.i.+.c.heaux's as she formed another meatball with her gloved hands. The stainless steel range hood reflected back her giddy grin. "When exactly did my life morph into the plot of a romance novel?"

The question, of course, was rhetorical. Not only because she was alone and didn't expect the walls to answer, but also because she already knew the exact moment she transformed from a spinster chef into a thirty-year-old woman with a raging libido. It was at the campground three nights ago, when her childhood crush wiped the mascara from her eyes, pulled her into his strong arms, and kissed the ever-loving stuffing out of her.

A delicious s.h.i.+ver ran down Colby's spine at the memory.

Things like that, sensual and erotic encounters, didn't happen to her. Neither did agreements of friends-with-benefits. Wild affairs were her sister's domain-Colby was the cautious one. The boring one. And lately, the hard up one. She never leaped without a thorough examination and game plan (which explained why she thought of nothing else for the last seventy-two hours), and never when her heart was in danger of being put on the line. Love wasn't an option, so she steered clear of anyone who could want more than she was willing to give-or anyone who might tempt her to believe in the fairy tales she grew up reading. Staying away from the whole mess was Self-preservation 101. But when it came to Jason, Colby was discovering that her standard mode of operation no longer held as much appeal.

She reached her hand into the gleaming silver bowl and pinched off another portion of flavorful meat, tuning out the nagging voice that warned an affair with Jason wouldn't be enough. That at the end of the summer, regardless of their agreement, she'd be tempted to stay, to ask him for more. She nudged the radio with her elbow, hoping the peppy Carrie Underwood song admonis.h.i.+ng a good girl would drown out the decidedly unhelpful thoughts.

Besides, she'd heard Jason's story. Regardless of what her long-buried, inner-romantic may lead her to want later, the man had battle scars of his own. He wasn't looking for a long-term relations.h.i.+p. And he knew she was jetting back to Vegas in a few months. So really, this was the closest thing to a safe scenario she could get. And the icing on the cake was that the man in question was Jason-the epitome of every childhood fantasy she'd ever had. If Colby didn't take advantage of this opportunity, she'd kick herself for the rest of her lonely, pathetic, celibate life. As it was now, she had a pretty decent hunch she was headed toward life as the eccentric cat lady, known by the neighborhood kids for her delicious hot and spicy gumbo. Gumbo she couldn't even bring herself to eat.

The only real question left in the equation was Emma. Colby wasn't stupid, or blind. She saw the way the girl watched her, saw the smiles Emma thought she hid as she blatantly played Cupid between her father and Colby. The preteen could give Sherry a run for her matchmaking dollars. And Colby totally got it. Jason was doing an amazing job, but it was natural for the girl to want a woman, a mother in her life-but that wasn't a role meant for her. She didn't know the first thing about raising kids, and she had no plans of changing that.

Nope, the way Colby saw it, she could only agree to a casual fling with Jason on the condition that from here on out, they kept their relations.h.i.+p completely platonic in front of Emma. No more camping trips or cozy dinners with just the three of them. She couldn't stomach the young girl getting her hopes up, or being the reason she was hurt again.

With a decisive nod, Colby set the last rolled meatball on the tray. Prep time always cleared her head. She covered the platter with plastic wrap and shoved it into the walk in. Then, after making sure Rhonda had everything she needed for the new menu items, she whipped off her gloves and tossed the latex in the trash. Combing through her bag, she found her favorite lotion and squirted two dollops into her cupped hands, thinking again she needed to buy stock in the stuff. One of the drawbacks of wearing gloves all day and constantly plunging your hands into hot water was skin that occasionally felt as luxurious and enticing as a rhino's b.u.t.t.

As Colby ma.s.saged the soothing cocoa b.u.t.ter into her rough hands, the faint scent of chocolate filling her head, her mind tripped back to her fireside make-out session with Jason. And the way his hands had felt kneading her skin. Her legs tingled and she closed her eyes, leaning her hip against the counter.

d.a.m.n, that man could kiss. Better than any daydream she'd ever had about him, that was for sure. She opened her eyes as a slow smile crossed over her face. And now that they'd struck their agreement, hopefully she'd discover other things the Captain could do well, too.

An hour later, Colby pulled into the packed parking lot of Magnolia Springs Elementary. Staring up at the familiar two-story building brought back a flood of memories. Days of science fairs and field days, quiz bowls and the school paper. Colby had never really found her niche until high school where they finally had home economics-now that, she rocked.

She planted a black stiletto onto the steaming concrete and walked up to the entrance with purposeful strides. The click of her shoes on the pavement matched the rhythm of her pounding heart. She was running later than she would've liked-and she despised being late. But, as luck would have it, her unreliable car had decided today would be a great day to be difficult. That's what she got for asking her sister to have a car waiting for her when she arrived, instead of just renting one herself.

When Emma had called her the night before, inviting her to the Recognition a.s.sembly, Colby had been conflicted. It was sweet to be included, and she wanted to be Emma's friend. But she didn't want to confuse the young girl. Would going only serve to lead her on? Events like these were for family members, not a woman about to be secretly hooking up with a student's dad. In the end, Colby knew what a big deal this a.s.sembly was within the school and the community, so she accepted. She just hoped she made the right choice.

Taking a quick moment to peer inside the gla.s.s double doors of the main building, Colby noticed that everything looked exactly as it did when she was a student there. Beige linoleum floors, light blue cinder block walls, and bright red lockers on either side of the hall. A poster declared The Frogs Are Fierce, because, sadly, that was the elementary school's mascot.

Beware the fearsome frogs.

Chuckling softly, she continued toward the cafegymatorium, which she had no doubt still smelled faintly of spaghetti sauce, regardless of what the staff had made for lunch. She yanked open the door and inhaled the basil. A sea of multi-colored plastic chairs stood before the makes.h.i.+ft stage, making the room look as if a rainbow had thrown up. Colby shook her head, a nostalgic smile tugging at her lips. Then she searched the room for Jason.

With a population of just over a thousand people, the town never felt the need to divide the students into a middle school or junior high, which meant that all the children in Magnolia Springs from preschool to preteen pa.s.sed through these doors. That was a lot of families. It also meant that they were in for a long ceremony today. Colby didn't mind. Looking at the adorable faces on the stage, she couldn't help remembering all the years she'd sat up there waiting for her own awards. Searching for her parents watching in the crowd, proud smiles pasted on their faces.

The pang that hit Colby's heart was double-edged. The turmoil was expected; her emotions always got twisted when she remembered her dad in happier times. But now a strange ache in her chest accompanied the confusion. She would never know what it was like to sit in the rainbow throw-up chairs and smile as her children received an award. It was one of the consequences of giving up relations.h.i.+ps that she rarely let herself think about. And spotting Jason in the front row, she decided today was not the day to start.

As Colby made her way toward the front of the room, sidestepping purses and protruding feet in the aisle, Jason's handsome face lit up in a welcoming smile. Fine lines around his eyes crinkled. His gaze lowered to her mouth, and that toe-curling grin turned wicked. Colby's breath faltered, and a wave of heat rushed over her.

Forget People magazine. Jason was hands down the s.e.xiest man she had ever seen. Today he was dressed in pressed pants and a dark green b.u.t.ton down, and he looked positively scrumptious. It was unfair for a man to look this good in everything he wore; there had to be a few men in town who'd appreciate him sharing the wealth. Jason's toffee eyes danced with devilish intentions, confirming the decision she made on their camping trip. Now it was only a matter of getting him alone...

She came to a stop before the open seat he had saved for her, loving the way he looked into her eyes as if he really saw her. He held her gaze for a long, delicious beat, then pressed a warm hand against her lower back as he turned them both to reintroduce her to his parents. A thrill skipped over her skin.

Waving away the introduction, Colby smiled at the woman seated in front of her and said, "Mrs. Landry, it's been way too long."