"Don't worry. It's a new day."

She shook her head fast. "No. In the interest in friends.h.i.+p, I want complete disclosure."

His back tensed. The F word. Friends.h.i.+p. Jennifer was a mixed up ball of hotness and complications, different from him in every way. If he was a straight line, she was a wavy curve. He hadn't learned her last name until he read it on Dell's paperwork this morning. Jennifer Cantor.

"You were right about Richard. I've known it for a long time." Her mouth pressed a tight line. "He can be...overbearing."

"He thinks he owns you."

"I've never led him on." She folded on arm under her bust. "He was Peter's business partner, and there were estate issues to wind down. But, since then, he's taken it upon himself to guide me with every little thing whether I want his help or not."

He scowled at her, a bad mood coming on. "And now?"

"I've tried to politely let him know I'm not interested." She toed a twig on the ground seeming to choose her words with care. "I was headed to a fund raiser last night. At the last minute he told me he was going and he hoped to see me there. So, my car breaking down didn't bother me in the slightest." Her eyes glowed. "Because I met you."

A breeze cooled the snapping frisson inside him. "And last night happened."

It was easy to go from zero to s.e.xy in seconds with her. Jennifer's lips parted. The small black s.p.a.ce between her lips tempted him, an unspoken invite to kiss her. Their bodies had a way of taking over, not a bad thing. This was a matter of balancing hot appeal with growing affection.

She ducked her head, grinding the twig under foot. "Richard called last night because he was worried when I didn't show."

"So? He'll get over it."

"I know. That's the easy part."

"Good. Now tell me the hard part."

Her brown eyes. .h.i.t him. Gentle. Direct. A hint of mystery. "It's you."

"Me?" He tried to keep things light, but both arms slammed across his chest. "What are you talking about? I'm your new friend."

His heart sunk. Was Jennifer looking for a hook-up buddy?

CHAPTER FOUR.

Tendons stood out on AJ's neck. If she read him right, he was flummoxed by their sizzling chemistry. What made this different was liking each other so quickly. It was powerful. Overwhelming and mind-consuming. Conversation flowed naturally. She'd dumped her troubles at his feet last night without a second thought. AJ listened. And when things weren't hot and heavy, he was fun. She needed fun.

His long legs stretched out under her old table last night did things to her. Her nerves shot to life when predatory blue eyes tracked her movement in the kitchen. AJ was different. Comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. And his thoughtfulness with the herbs? She wanted to kiss every inch of skin on his body.

"No need to glower at me," she said. "You brought up how different we are last night right after I got into your truck."

His mouth's hard line softened. "That's what's bugging you?"

"It didn't bother me. Not at first. Then, after Richard's call, I wondered if I was making another bad decision." Her voice faded. "You were a great listener, but it crossed my mind that you were after one thing and one thing only."

AJ's crystalline blue eyes pierced her. "s.e.x."

The nicest s.h.i.+ver ran down her legs. "Yes."

Hot sun beat down on the rest of the world. It was August. Standing under the pepper tree, AJ was a tall, cool drink of water. Stained coveralls didn't put her off nor did his tattoo and the rough cadence of his speech. Under the gruff exterior was a real man with a good heart. He visually devoured her every time they'd crossed paths around town, and last night was no exception. But, could she be content with a s.e.x only fling?

"Well, that's a relief." Faint sarcasm edged his last word.

"What is?"

His steady gaze never wavered. "I thought you might be going in a different direction."

She c.o.c.ked her head. "Did you think I was about to give you the 'let's be friends' talk?"

"I thought you were about to give me the 'let's hook up for s.e.x only' talk."

"Oh AJ," she said around hiccups of laughter. Her cheeks burned. She shook her head, a little dazed. "I...I don't know what to say to that."

"It's not the first time a woman like you propositioned me."

Eyes rounding, she laughed at the absurdity. "I'm not propositioning you."

"Good because my answer would be no."

She'd come for lunch and conversation of the talking variety. A kiss or two was more than welcome, but they needed to slow down, let things simmer. AJ's forbidding frown told her some of Hidden Valley's well-shod women had dallied with him, and he was having no more of it. The town was an eclectic mix of gated communities, small farm-to-table co-ops and wineries. A lot of working cla.s.s people had lived here long before it was hip.

Hurt bloomed in her chest at the idea of any woman taking advantage of AJ's goodness. Or his body. His past was likely more colorful than hers, but his flat out refusal to hook up intrigued her. He'd messed around in the past. What made him change his mind?

"At least we have that cleared up." She hugged herself tighter. "I like you just the way you are, AJ," she said quietly. "I want to get to know you."

His eyes narrowed a fraction.

She brushed hair off her face more fl.u.s.tered. "You know, when I got up this morning, I thought this would be easier."

"I have it on good authority it's never easy when you really like someone. Everything's a risk. Exciting. Wonderful. A little b.u.mpy now and then."

"Who gave you this sage advice?"

"My mom."

How could he be so heart melting and real? AJ was street smarts and nice guy rolled into a six two package. He clearly enjoyed what he did for a living and he didn't give a rat's a.s.s what any of her friends or neighbors might think, but he did care about her. The lightness of it s.h.i.+ned from his keen eyes...when he wasn't ticked off.

She ran her fingers up and down the zippered flap of his coveralls. "You've surprised me twice in one hour. What else is tucked inside that rock hard body of yours?"

"Only one way to find out."

"That's why I'm here." Her feet sc.r.a.ped the ground, taking her closer to him. "Besides picking up my car."

His arms loosened on his chest. "What else did you come for?"

AJ's voice resonated inside her, smooth and baritone, the sound like rich caramel dripping slowly everywhere. Skin between her legs throbbed as readily as her heart. This was her moment of truth -to say what she wanted. But c.r.a.p. Her nerves frayed. She was sweating this.

"I came for you," she said to his chest, letting that sink in before her attention ventured to his Adam's Apple. "I want both, AJ. I want to be with you...spend time together. Nothing difficult or uncomfortable."

Be. It was basic, a two letter word to be with someone. It carried a wealth of promises to live in the present. Of simplicity. Of breathing and laughing and living each day as it came. The future would take care of itself. Telling AJ what she wanted emboldened her. Waiting for his response was something else. It left her tenuous as if she balanced on her tip toes and the fall could go either way.

"s.e.x and friends.h.i.+p," he said evenly.

Her gaze wandered up his square jaw higher to his mouth, discovering his upper lip was curvy and thin over a fuller lower lip before ending with his steely eyes.

"Dating rules according to AJ. Rule number one: You make up your own rules. Rule number two? I haven't worked out the details yet," she murmured.

"As long as there's no fine print with rule number two, I'm good." He cracked a smile. "We'll figure it out."

Giddy with relief, she tipped her forehead against his chest. "That was easier and harder than I thought."

AJ was a hard male wall, unbending little by little. His body hummed with tension. Standing close to him, she could feel it bounce off his chest and arms. Maybe he was just as thrown for loop by last night as she was.

She stepped back to give him some room. "I have an idea. A friend of mine owns a gallery in downtown San Diego, and she's hosting an art show on Sat.u.r.day night. I promised to help with the prep, so I'll be there at noon," she said in rush. "You could meet me there."

"An art show?"

"You might like it. It starts at seven." She nodded at the McMillan garage. "Sat.u.r.days, are they pretty busy?"

"Busiest day of the week."

"Then it works coming to the gallery at your convenience."

"Would this be the Subtext Gallery?"

"Yes." Her phone call with Richard. She angled her head, eyeing him under her lashes. So he caught that last night. She shouldn't be surprised. AJ was no Neanderthal. He was an attentive, thoughtful man who just happened to have a great body and a s.e.x drive she wanted to test.

"Is Richard going to be there?"

She hesitated. "Probably."

It was a doomed effort, inviting AJ to an art show not his comfort zone- and Richard would be there, a guy AJ didn't like even though the two had never met.

"Does this involve food and beer?" A ribbing note entered his voice.

"Uhhh, they'll serve wine and appetizers, but I can make sure there's beer."

His smile was a slash of white. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"Not really. It's a casual get together," she said too fast. "You can come and go when you want."

"Sounds like a date to me."

"AJ," she said, waggling his front zipper. "I'm already nervous."

He folded her hand in his. "Don't be." His touch was rea.s.suring. "If you're there, I'll stare at art all you want."

They walked into the suns.h.i.+ne, heading slowly for the picnic table where Sean and another guy were eating. She could tell he wanted the table all to themselves. Company would be good. It'd make them keep their hands to themselves.

"You'll be okay with Richard there?"

"Don't worry. I can play nice. I look forward to meeting the man."

His confident smile warmed her. She'd glimpsed a little of AJ's world today. He'd soon glimpse hers. Sat.u.r.day night would be one more bead on the brand new string connecting them.

What could possibly go wrong with that?

CHAPTER FIVE.

Jennifer steadied herself under his touch, her eyes dark pools in her face. He brushed five fingers along her collarbone at the top of her black s.h.i.+rt.

"You'll have to tell me how you got so tan?" He pictured a skimpy bikini.

"Gardening. That's where I get my tan."

"Naked?"

"No. But, I can cook naked for you."

His groin tightened.

"This is the best idea. Who knew star gazing could be so much fun?" She stretched beside him oblivious to the effect arching her back, pointing her t.i.ts at the sky did to him.

He toyed with gold-brown hair slipping over her shoulder. "When you don't have two dimes to rub together, you get creative."

He searched her. Would that get a reaction? Jennifer scooted closer. "I'm getting cold. Star gazing while lying beside you in the back of your truck. Ingenious."

He grinned at the heavens. Better than he thought. She cozied up to him, resting her head on his shoulder, petting his chest. They'd had lunch with Sean and Jennifer left when the hour was up. Sean and Jake, the other mechanic at the table, ribbed him all afternoon that he'd better not mess this one up. He'd spent two hours on a one hour oil change and he knew he was well and truly a goner. Out of his depth with Jennifer yet content. This was real and it hadn't been twenty-four hours.

"Does this work with the ladies?" She traced the inch scar under his chin she'd discovered two minutes ago.

"You mean get me laid?"

She giggled and kissed the scar. "Yes."

"I didn't bring you out here for s.e.x," he said, kissing the top of his head. "I called you to save the embarra.s.sment of asking me out twice."