“Too bad for you she only gets worse.”

“Nah. All she needs is an orgasm or two, and she’ll forget all about that time-out corner.” He palmed her breasts. “Let me prove it...”

CHAPTER TWENTY

I CAN DO THIS. I’ve got this. Except I probably can’t do this, and I most likely don’t have this.

Brook Lynn marched down Fragaria Street, heading toward Lintz Automotive, giving herself the best-worst pep talk of all time. She’d never had to reject someone before. It’s not about saying all the right things when there’s nothing right to say. It’s about believing I won’t destroy his self-esteem even though I probably will.

Jase walked at her side, his steps clipped, his posture tense.

He’d stayed the entire night. Anytime she’d inadvertently rolled away from him, he’d begun to toss and turn. When she’d snuggled up close, he’d calmed. They’d woken up wrapped in each other’s arms and made love again. It had been thrilling and satisfying—but still she couldn’t shake the sensation that something had been missing.

She’d expected him to head home, but he had errands in town, he’d said, and would escort her to the auto shop. When she’d refused to ride with him—no need to encourage him—he’d followed her. He wanted to ensure she made it to Brad’s safely, and she understood that. But waves of anger pulsed from him, and she found herself wondering what he’d do to the guy if they ever came face-to-face.

“Go,” she said, waving him away.

“Not till you’re at the door.”

“Don’t think I’ll do as ordered?”

“There’s just something I need to do—ah, finally,” he said and wrapped his arm around her waist.

The contact startled her, and she gasped.

Charlene Burns had just turned the corner, she realized, her steps stuttering when she spotted them. She pasted a smile on her face and skipped the rest of the way over.

“I didn’t realize you’d be bringing your assistant to our meeting,” she said, not sparing Brook Lynn a glance.

What! What meeting?

Jase kissed Brook Lynn on the temple and said, “I didn’t. I brought my girlfriend.”

Charlene gaped at him. “Oh, that’s...lovely.” Her tone suggested lovely was the new word for craptastic.

Warmth spilled through Brook Lynn as she realized what, exactly, was going on. Charlene must have turned her sights to Jase, and this was his way of letting her know nothing was going to happen. Meanwhile, though he had no idea he was doing it, he was proving Charlene’s “use her and lose her” comment wrong.

Just like that, Brook Lynn forgave him for his brutishness last night.

“Just wanted to thank you for those muffins,” Jase said. “The tin is in my car.” He kissed Brook Lynn again, smack on the lips, and said, “I’ll be at the house when you’re done, and I’ll be missing you every second, honey.” He gently caressed her cheek before walking off with Charlene.

I am going to fall so hard for this man.

Charlene looked so envious, Brook Lynn actually felt sorry for her. She patted the girl’s arm, saying, “Everything will be okay. I’ll see you later, Charlene.”

Charlene jolted away from her and hissed.

Brook Lynn didn’t let it affect her, just ambled away. About to turn the corner, her step faltered. Not because she’d reached her destination, but because she caught the reflection of a man in a store window, barreling toward her from behind. She attempted to sidestep him, but she wasn’t fast enough, and he plowed into her. She tripped, landing on her knees. The pavement cut into her skin, and her purse thumped heavily against her hip.

The man stopped to help her up. “I’m so sorry...was in a hurry...didn’t see you.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She hooked her purse strap over her shoulder, letting it crisscross over her middle. “I’m fine.”

As he looked her up and down, she recognized him as the tourist who’d entered her shop only to leave without saying a word. “Your poor knees. They’re bleeding.”

“They’ll be fine.” Up close like this, she could tell he was roughly her age. He had sandy-colored hair and eyes as dark as slate, but he appeared sickly. His skin had a yellow tint, and there were bags under his bloodshot eyes. His button-up and slacks were ill-fitting, with several stains.

“Well,” he said, staring at her so intensely she shifted uncomfortably. “I should be going.” He turned on his heel and rushed off.

O-kay, then. Weird.

Brook Lynn continued on to Brad’s shop. When she stood at the door, she withdrew the sandwich she’d made for him from her purse and drew in a deep breath. I can do this. Maybe.

Cool air enveloped her as she entered the lobby. She bypassed reception and slipped into the garage. Brad was a few cars down, twisting something under the hood of a car. He wore his work coveralls, and his hands were stained with grease.

What am I going to say to him?

Her mind drifted back to the breakfast she’d shared with Jessie Kay while Jase showered. As they’d munched on a fruit platter she’d bought to sample for Tessa’s party, she’d explained her dilemma to her sister, asking, “How can I let Brad down easy?”

“Tell him you’ll give him another chance if he’ll consider a penile-enlargement surgery, and boom, he’ll be done with you.”