Page 57 of Lead Me On
Jane put her hands flat to her thighs and pressed. “So how did you get into the job of blowing things up?”
“That’s not all I do!” he protested.
“Yeah, I get it. You’re the owner. But blowing things up is what you love, right? Your eyes are sparkling like disco lights.”
“Ha! Okay, yes, I love it. I started working construction when I was sixteen. The first time I saw a blast… I was in awe. I couldn’t believe that was actually someone’sjob.I wheedled my way onto the excavation team, and that was that.”
“Well, I’m awfully glad you found a way to use your powers for good.”
He winked. “The other side of that coin wouldn’t be pretty. Luckily, I’m one of the good guys.”
Yes, he was. He really was. And his goodness was beginning to seep into her, sneaking through her pores when she was trying to have meaningless sex with him. She’d tried so hard to feel this kind of comfort with Greg. And with Mitch. And with all the socially acceptable men she’d dated before them. But when she was with those men, she felt as if she was working. On guard. Always careful.
With Chase she feltalive.The way she felt alive when she boxed. But danger made some people feel alive. So did drugs. Shoplifting. Reckless sex. Those kinds of feelings didn’t mean something was good for you.
“This should do it,” Chase said as he backed the truck underneath a big maple tree. The new leaves fluttered around them, turning the sunlight into glitter.
Chase got out to open her door again. But he surprised her this time by lifting her up as soon as her feet touched the ground.
“Oh!”
He set her on the hood of the truck. “This’ll give us a better view.” His hands rested on her thighs, both easing close to a very interesting place.
“Good,” she murmured, breath coming a little faster at that harmless touch.
“Scoot over?”
She slid across the hot hood of his truck and found a comfortable spot to lean against the windshield.
“Leave your sunglasses on just in case there’s any debris,” he instructed as he slid his own shades into place and leaned back, his shoulder nestled comfortably against hers. She wasn’t truly surprised when his big hand slid under hers and he laced their fingers together. She wasn’tsurprised,but it did shock something deep in her chest. Something warm and melty and frighteningly soft.
“So what do you love?” he asked.
Fear trembled up from that place he’d just warmed.“What?”
“I love blasting through rock. What do you love?”
“Oh. I guess…” She shuffled nervously through her thoughts. What did she love? She liked boxing, but she didn’t think it made her eyes light up. It was just an outlet. “I… I love my job.”
She saw his head turn toward her, but Jane kept staring straight ahead.
“Being a secretary? You mean like…answering phones and stuff?”
“No, I mean… I like knowing that I’m good at something. Being shown respect. Being valued. Can I tell you a secret?”
“Yes!” he said as if he’d been sitting on the edge of his seat for days.
Jane flashed him a smile. “You won’t tell anyone?”
“You know I won’t, Jane. You can tell me.”
She nodded. “Okay. Here’s the truth. I’m not just the secretary. I own part of Jennings Architecture.”
Well, she’d shocked him. She couldn’t see past his sunglasses, but his mouth had fallen open. There. That would teach him to hide his success behind dirty jeans and ragged T-shirts.
“It’s true. Mr. Jennings couldn’t pay much when he first started out, so he offered me a share in the profits. I’m the secretary and receptionist and office manager, but I’m more than that, too. Mr. Jennings consults me about the direction of the company, or risks he might take, or partnerships he enters into. He values my opinion. I never thought I’d…” Jane paused in the face of her vulnerability. “It’s not explosions and dynamite, but… I really, really love it.”
A piercing tone cut through the stillness around them.
