Catch Me a Catch Read online

  Jack hadn’t tried to hide his fury. He wasn’t capable of hiding it. He’d really thought she was living with David. Which she was, but not in the way he seemed to think.

  The room was empty when she strode back in. She dropped the cloth over the spreading pool of water, then sank down onto her knees rubbing it ferociously. Jack and David were talking in the sitting room. Bloody male bonding. She picked up the cloth and tossed it into the sink. He needn’t think I’m going to be so easy to talk around. She walked to the fridge and pulled out a beer, turning to rifle the drawer for the bottle opener.

  “It’s here.” She hadn’t heard him come in, still steaming at the unfairness of being unjustly accused. “We had it next door.”

  He approached her, crowded into her personal space, and she backed up against the fridge. Without looking he took the bottle from her hand and carefully placed it on the counter, the heat of his thighs against hers seeping through the cotton of her dress.

  She moved, but he was quicker. He placed his hands flat against the fridge’s surface on either side of her face, and moved so close his mouth was bare millimeters from hers.

  “I’m sorry.” He kissed her gently, lovingly, and despite her hurt she couldn’t resist him, her mouth softening under his. “I’m sorry,” he said again, against her lips before deepening the pressure. The flame burned out of control between them again and she ran her fingers around the back of his head, holding him desperately.

  “I can’t believe you thought David and I were living together.”

  “You are.”

  “You know what I mean,” she glowered. “You thought David was my lover and I was sleeping with you. How could you think that?”

  “I’ve told you I’m sorry, I don’t know what else I can say. It was a stupid mistake.”

  “I thought you trusted me.” Of all of the things he might have believed her capable of, this was the one thing which hurt most. After being on the receiving end, she’d never cheat on someone.

  “Why would I even pretend to be your girlfriend if I had a boyfriend of my own?”

  “You told me you were a different person in Durna, had a different life.”

  “Yes, I guess I did, didn’t I?” Pain burned in her chest. It was a lifetime ago. Before they’d slept together and everything changed completely. For her anyway. She’d thought things had moved to another level. He’d wanted her to go to New York with him for a visit. But he didn’t trust her. His response to David proved it. Once again she’d made the mistake of thinking she knew what was in another persons heart. They never should have moved from a pretend relationship to a real one.

  “David’s in the sitting room.” She suddenly remembered her cousin. “We’re supposed to be all having dinner together.”

  “He said he’s decided to take his girlfriend out for a meal. He called her, and has gone to change.” She didn’t trust the innocence of his gaze for a second.

  “Did you…” she started.

  “He made the decision all by himself. He told me he didn’t fancy my chances after the way I acted earlier.” He rubbed his hand across his jaw line, looking embarrassed. “He said he reckoned he’d escape the fireworks.”

  “Yeah, well, David and I have shared a flat for a long time,” she nodded. “And I haven’t forgiven you yet.” She squeezed out from beneath his arm, putting distance between them and running her hands down the skirt of her dress, trying to look at least vaguely respectable.

  “Annie?” David called tentatively from the sitting room.

  “He sounds scared,” Jack said.

  “Like I said, he knows me.” Annie pushed open the door from the kitchen, knowing without looking that Jack was following her.

  “I’ve called Sophie and we’re having dinner out. I’m going to stay with her tonight.” His voice lowered. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, fine.” She reached up to kiss her cousin on his cheek. “I’m going back to Durna tomorrow for the ceili, are you coming up?”

  “Maybe. If I can drag Sophie away, otherwise I’ll stay down here.” He turned to Jack, “There’s nothing worse than a ceili if you’re on your own.”

  “I’ll be going with her,” Jack grabbed David’s proffered hand. “Hopefully see you tomorrow then.”

  “Right,” David said then turned to Annie. “Don’t forget to call home; Bull should be back from the pub.”

  “I’ll call them now.” Annie patted her cousin on the back.

  He grabbed his jacket from the chair and left.

  ****

  Jack sank down on the sofa. Silence stretched between them. Annie fiddled with her hair. She was uncomfortable with him, now they were alone together. He rubbed his hands over his jean-clad thighs. His over-the-top reaction to David had ruined a potentially wonderful night.

  “So, can I help you with dinner?”

  “You can do more than that.” She grinned. “You can do it, while I call Bull.” He pulled a face, obviously she loved cooking as much as he did then.

  “It’s easy. We got a selection of stuff from the deli. I was going to pretend I cooked it, but you better know everything at this stage.” She ran her hand through her hair, pushing it back from her face. “I’m a rotten cook. It’s a well known fact my specialty is ‘heat and serve’.”

  “My favorite. Is everything in the fridge?” He strode towards the kitchen relieved to have something to occupy him. A few moments apart to let the awkwardness dissipate couldn’t be a bad thing.

  “All ready to go in foil containers.” She nodded, reaching for the phone.

  Her voice drifted in from the sitting room as he opened the containers and heated the oven. She was laughing, reliving the telephone call she’d received earlier in the day in all its glory. He lingered in the kitchen until she was finished.

  Ten minutes later, she joined him.

  “Your parents must be delighted,” he said.

  “They are. Bull said I must be on a winning streak, what with winning the Chocolate Oscar and landing a boyfriend in the same week.” There was something in her eyes, sadness maybe?

  “I didn’t tell him we were only pretending.”

  “Because we’re not.” They’d moved way past pretending. Even when he’d thought she was with another man he’d not been prepared to let her go. He was going to fight for Annie. If she didn’t know that now, then she soon would.

  “Because I don’t really know what we’re doing, I can’t believe you thought me capable of living with someone and making love to you.” Her hands clenched into fists and her determined gaze challenged him to keep his distance.

  It wasn’t finished then. He breathed in. He was about to dive into dangerous waters without the benefit of a spear gun or a safety cage to keep him safe.

  “I can’t explain it.” Jack shrugged his shoulders; he really didn’t have an excuse. He’d behaved like a caveman.

  “I can apologize for it, but I’m not denying when I saw him outside with his arm around your shoulders, and watched him open the door with his key, coherent thought took a back seat.” She seemed a fraction more approachable. He took in a deep breath and opened his heart.

  “I was jealous. So jealous I couldn’t see straight. I’ve never had a woman affect me like you do.” He held his breath. Nothing mattered if Annie didn’t forgive him. He’d come to Ireland looking for somewhere to belong. The truth hit him like a lightning bolt. He belonged with Annie.

  “It was a surprise.” She took a step nearer.

  “You can say that again.” He pulled her close, breathing in her potent scent. His body jolted into life with her soft warmth in his arms. “You smell of vanilla.” He sniffed the skin of her neck.

  “It’s body lotion, I put some on after my vanilla bubble bath. Vanilla’s my favorite.”

  “Mine too.” He reached for her hand and pulled her into the kitchen with him to turn off the oven. “Let’s eat later.” He nuzzled her neck. Her fingers reached for the bottom of his tee shirt,
pulling it roughly up so she could stroke his stomach.

  “I’m too hungry for you to bother with food.”

  “Oh, you sweet talker,” she replied. She pulled his tee shirt up and over his head. Reached for his belt buckle.

  “Bedroom.” Relief flooded through him, relief that she’d understood, relief she’d given him a second chance. He picked her up, striding from the kitchen with the sharp nip of her teeth at his neck inflaming him. His arms tightened behind the soft skin of her knees.

  “Slow down.” He stumbled as she licked his throat and barely made it to the bed. “There’s a limit to what I can take.”

  “No good at multitasking, Jack?” She wriggled out of her dress with a half smile that turned his knees to jelly. He dropped his jeans to the ground and quickly stripped off his socks and shoes.

  “I admit it,” he growled. She unfastened her bra and tossed it in the direction of the lamp. “I’m only human.”

  “Very human.”

  He peeled off his white briefs to stand naked before her and her eyes widened at the proof of how very human he was.

  “Come here.”

  “Impatient, sweetheart?” He ran his hands up her thighs to hook his fingers into the lacy scrap she doubtless called panties.

  “Okay, you got me.” She moaned as his lips followed the path of his hands, kissing her stomach. “I’m burning up for you.”

  “Good.” He moved to a nipple, swirling his tongue around its hardening tip, sucking hard. She gasped, and her legs edged wider under his as his length nudged her.

  “I love the way you smell.” His lips trailed over her neck. His nostrils filled with the subtle scent of vanilla again and he breathed it in deeply. She arched under him, her body eloquently transmitting her desperate desire to him. “And the way your skin feels, so soft and warm.” He nipped her ear lobe gently and her hands ran feverishly over his back.

  “I think I’m going to explode,” she whispered. “I want you now, Jack.”

  “Not yet. Have you any more of the body lotion?”

  Her eyes widened. She pointed to the bottle on the bedside table.

  “Now,” he said slowly, “you’ve done quite a good job, but there are some parts you missed.”

  “There are?” She grinned. “I was pretty thorough.”

  “Maybe you thought you were being thorough, but believe me, you missed a bit, and you should always make sure you moisturize properly after a bath.” He poured the lotion into his palm. The subtle fragrance of vanilla permeated the air.

  “Did you rub it on your stomach?” The muscles on his face twitched with the effort of keeping his face straight.

  “I may have forgotten.” His hands smoothed over the soft skin. She moaned and squirmed under his hands.

  “Thought so.” He knelt next to her and his fingers worked their magic.

  “Just relax,” he whispered. Her fists clutched at the bedspread. His hands swept over her thighs, then up to caress her breasts, carefully working the lotion into them.

  “Jack,” she moaned. He carefully turned her over, pouring more lotion into his hands.

  “You can’t have done here.” His hands were gliding over her back, slipping lower to caress her bottom.

  “My legs…” His fingers stilled for an enchanted moment, then slid down the back of her thighs, massaging them firmly.

  “Just your feet now.” He reached for the bottle again, but she captured his wrist with an impatient hand, turning in the circle of his arms.

  “My feet can wait.” She reached up and pulled his head down to hers.

  “But I can’t.” She nipped his bottom lip, and the ravenous need she was feeling blazed through him as their mouths met hungrily.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jack’s arm tightened around Annie in sleep. If there’s anything better than this, I don’t know what it is. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was late, and they hadn’t eaten. Her stomach grumbled loudly in protest. God, I’m starving!

  “Are we being attacked by the Hound of the Baskervilles, or are you hungry?” Jack’s big body flexed. She wanted him again. How on earth was that possible?

  “Hungry.” She wriggled out from under his arm and pulled on her bathrobe. “I’m going to heat up dinner, I missed lunch.”

  He linked his fingers behind his head and smiled at her.

  “You look good in there.” If truth be told, he looked right there in her bed. Her stomach growled loudly again and she covered it with her outspread fingers in embarrassment.

  “But food calls, right?” he teased. “Go heat it up and I’ll have a quick shower.”

  She nodded, and escaped into the kitchen. If she waited to see him climb out of bed there was no way she would be able to resist climbing right back into bed with him.

  She pulled the salad things from the fridge and mixed balsamic vinegar and olive oil into a vinaigrette. Her mouth watered as she chopped avocado and tomatoes, and ripped lettuce, arranging it all in a colorful bowl and adding a handful of flaked almonds before drizzling the vinaigrette over.

  Time was running out. Only one more week and then the festival would end with the festival party. With a start she remembered Jack’s meeting. Her fingers stilled. She hadn’t even asked him about the presentation. She’d been so distracted by the vision of his eyes blazing as he challenged David, and then… Annie caught a glance of herself in the mirrored front of the microwave, and peered closer. Her hair was standing on end and she had the stupidest smile plastered over her face. She ran fingers through her hair, trying to smooth it.

  “There’s no point, it’s beyond repair.” Jack was fully dressed again. The wet hair combed back from his face accentuating killer cheekbones.

  “I didn’t ask you about the meeting.” She pulled the food out of the oven and set it up on the pine table, while he pulled out two plates and cutlery.

  “I got it.” He said quietly. “We’re going to be handling the account. I went to see Mary afterwards. I wanted to talk to her doctor about moving her to New York.”

  “I’m really happy for you, Jack; it looks like your trip across the Atlantic was worth it then.”

  “It was definitely worth it, Annie. Without the lightning strike, I never would have stopped at Durna.”

  “And ended up at a matchmaking festival.” She laughed shakily. He was planning to take Mary away with him. There’d be no need for him to stay. Emotion burned through her chest at the thought of Jack leaving, back to his life and work in New York. “It’ll make one hell of a dinner party story.”

  His eyes flashed and he crowded into the space between them. “You and me are no dinner party story.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard. So hard she was breathless.

  “I didn’t mean…”

  “What did you mean?” his eyebrows lowered and anger flared in his eyes, transmuting them to navy. “It sounded like you were saying what we had was only a temporary thing.” His eyes narrowed. “Have you had enough of me?”

  There was something about the set of his shoulders and the way he held himself. As if steeling himself for a blow. He was closed off and defensive, protecting himself.

  From me? From something I’d say?

  She laid her palm flat on his chest, feeling the constricted muscles twitch under her palm.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever have enough of you,” she admitted huskily.

  His eyes locked with hers, questioning then believing the truth of her words. The tension in his features released, and the Jack she knew re- emerged. The Jack, who in so few days had become so achingly familiar. So vital, somehow, to her survival.

  Her arms slid around his neck, pulling him down for her kiss. The light caress was so tender she felt the prick of tears behind her closed lids.

  She sighed, as his fingers cupped her nape.

  “Do you have your passport?”

  The sudden change of subject jolted her. Her eyes shot open and she stared up at him, uncom
prehending.

  “Passport?”

  “I’ve booked us on a flight tomorrow lunchtime.” He walked across the room and flicked on the kettle, all business now. “You can pack in the morning and then we can pick up my bags from the hotel.”

  “To New York,” she whispered weakly.

  “I’ve a few things to organize.” He measured coffee grounds into the cafetiere, and followed it with boiling water. “I have to get this problem with Mecredi Cars sorted out.”

  “Mecredi Cars?” She shook her head, trying to spark her speech centre into consciousness, all it seemed to be capable of was parroting whatever he said.

  “My client.” He took milk out of the fridge. “I have to make a new presentation.”

  Her mouth gaped. Jack had covered miles while she progressed by inches, and the unbelievable leaps he’d made without even consulting her rendered her speechless.

  He poured coffee into two mugs and held one out for her. She took it from him soundlessly. It was all moving too fast. Out of control. He wanted her to come with him, but she couldn’t leave now. It was impossible.

  “I can’t go,” she declared. “There’s no way. The ceili is tomorrow and it’s such a lot of work we have to get everyone involved to help. I promised Da I’d be there for it.”

  “It’s just a dance, isn’t it? I’m sure someone else can help.” He brushed it off like lint from a jacket.

  “The presentation for the Chocolate Oscars is on Friday.” The culmination of all her hard work. The pinnacle of professional achievement.

  “Do you have to go?”

  “Yes, I have to go!” How could he not know what winning meant to her?

  “It’s my life, Jack. It’s everything I’ve worked toward. Everything I’ve dreamed about!” And Jack wants me to forget all about it; it doesn’t matter to him at all.

  He’d spoken about moving his grandmother. Had he even asked Mary what she wanted, or had he made a unilateral decision there too?

  “You talked to your grandmother’s doctor. About moving her to America.”