Strictly Business Page 7

  He rolled his eyes at her. “You’ve been gone less than two weeks. Why don’t you try pulling the other one.”

  She grimaced.

  “Tell me what’s up. I’ve known you for over a decade, and I’ve never seen you cry. So, what the hell is going on up here?”

  Jess knew she had to tell him. But she didn’t want him to quit this job. She needed him here. She needed a friend, not to mention the best construction foreman she’d ever met, if she was going to get this done on deadline. “Okay, but you can’t quit. Promise?” He nodded, and made the little ‘cross your heart’ motions. “The landowner, our client, is an ass. Of epic proportions. He thought I was a man, was furious and tried to fire me when he found out I wasn’t. And, he brings out the worst in me. I spend most of my time yelling at him.”

  Mike lifted his eyebrows, like he couldn’t believe it.

  “Yes, I know. But trust me, I’ve never met a client like him. He’s horrible! Just awful. And I think, just seeing you actually here, knowing that I have a friend, just kind of, I don’t know... I think it was just relief.” She took a deep breath, and looked over at him. “So, do you hate me for dragging you into this project?”

  Mike leaned over, and kissed her head again. “Nope, not at all. I get to build a log cabin. And I’ve never been to Wyoming.” He smiled at her. “So, I see you have on your standard ‘don’t even look at me’ attire. Aren’t you hot? And the eyes? Isn’t it tough wearing those damn contacts all the time? It seems a little dusty out here.”

  She looked at him, her smile getting all watery again. She was so glad to have a friend here. “You have no idea. I don’t take my contacts out until at least midnight, and I’m always hot. I have the thinnest shirts I own up here, but it’s still too much. And don’t even get me started on my hair! I’m actually giving thought to cutting it for the first time ever. My hair has been up since I got here, and it’s giving me a massive headache.” She thought about her one night on the porch, talking to Cody. “There is one guy here I think you might like. Or, maybe there's more. I haven’t gotten to know any of the hands really, except Cody. He’s Jake’s best friend. He’s a rodeo rider, a great dancer and a terrible flirt. But he’s fun. I think he’s only here another couple weeks, but he’s at least nice to me.”

  “So, you hooked up with a cowboy? There are plenty of those in Texas, why’d you come all the way to Wyoming to nab one?”

  She laughed. “No. No cowboys. He’s one of those ‘gets everyone he wants’ kind of guys. But I don’t think he sees me like that. He’s actually just kind of nice to me. Not the hitting on me kind of nice, just plain old-fashioned nice.”

  After a long pause, which actually made Jess nervous coming from Mike, he finally spoke up again. “Jess, I bet I can tell you how to make this client be nicer to you. But you won’t like it.”

  “At this point, I’ll try anything. You really have no idea how horrible this is. I can’t even put it into words.”

  “Well, then. Quit hiding.”

  “What? I’m not hiding. Just because I avoid being in small confined spaces with him, where I might have to engage in conversation, does not mean I’m hiding!”

  Mike laughed. “Wow, it really is bad. But that’s not what I meant.” She glanced over at him. He was smirking. “I meant, take off the grandma clothes. Take down your hair, wear some of your more stylish clothes and take out the eyes.”

  “Mike, you know I don’t want to get ahead by using female trickery. That's why I dress the way I do. It just seems more civilized to work for what I achieve. Not to mention the attention my figure does draw is never good. And the eyes are creepy.”

  “Jess, it’s not trying to get ahead. You’ve already got the job. Your bosses aren’t here, so you can’t possibly be trying to earn your partnership that way. And maybe if he was busy drooling over you he’d be nicer to you.”

  She glared at him.

  He laughed again. “Babe, you’re beautiful and you’ve always covered it up. Everyone uses their assets, maybe it’s time you use yours. And your mother is wrong, sweetheart. You do not look cheap or trashy, or anything else she has ever said to you. She’s just jealous. Like I’ve told you before.”

  Jess thought about what he’d said. No one at work would ever have to know, they would still see her as the consummate professional. Would Jake be nicer to her if he found her to be an attractive woman? He was awfully nice to that girl, Bethany, at the bar. Of course, he was nice to everyone except her. Would it help? He had kissed her. But he hadn’t been real happy about it afterward. She also remembered the furious expression he’d had when he’d ripped off her flannel in the barn. Somehow, she didn’t think he’d be any nicer. She looked sideways at Mike. “I’ll think about it.”

  When they finally got to the ranch, it was just after noon. She took Mike in to Marsha and asked which room to put him in. She was beginning to understand the need for all the guest rooms at the new house. Mike took the last available bedroom in this one. Once he was unpacked, she led him outside to show him the horses. Especially Lady.

  As they got closer to the stables, she spotted Ben, Cody and Jake all in the ring with the most beautiful chestnut horse she’d ever seen. He wasn’t huge, maybe sixteen hands, but strong. “That has to be Demon,” she muttered under her breath.

  Mike looked over at her. “Demon? They named a horse Demon?” Just then the horse reared up on his hind legs, nearly bringing them down on Cody, who quickly rolled out of the way. Jake grabbed the reins, yanking the horse's head back around, talking to him in a soothing voice as he quieted back down.

  Jake handed the reins over to Ben. “Take him in, cool him down.” Then he turned his glare on Jess. “He doesn’t take well to people. There’s a reason I told you to stay the hell away from him.”

  Mike started forward, most likely to try and defend Jess, but she put a hand across his stomach, saying in a cool detached voice, “I’m so terribly sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just thought you might want to meet your foreman before he breaks ground on your new home.” She waited a half a beat, then, “Of course, if you would rather he build your house without your ever meeting him, that can be arranged.” She muttered under her breath, “It might make his life more pleasant.” Then she smiled at Jake.

  Jake glared at her for just a second. She could see the fury blazing out of his eyes. He then turned a calmer, more civilized expression toward Mike. “Call me Jake,” he said reaching out his hand. “Sorry about the horse. He’s temperamental,” he glanced over toward Jess, “a trait I thought was usually reserved for females.” Jess’s eyes flared and her forced smile turned to a glare. “Horses that is… female horses.”

  At that Jess couldn’t keep her mouth shut anymore. “And I thought that a horse’s ass was strictly reserved for horses as well. Apparently it can also be a human trait.” She turned on her heel and walked to the barn.

  Mike caught up with Jess in the barn, where she was petting Lady and sneaking her bites of apple. She turned when he walked in.

  Jess rolled her eyes. “Don’t say it. I know. Completely unprofessional. I can’t seem to stop myself. He just pisses me off.”

  Mike walked over, put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “Do you have a thing for him?”

  “What? No. God, no! I don’t even like him. He’s just horrible.”

  “Well, yeah, he doesn’t seem to be the nicest guy. I’ve never seen you go off like that, though.”

  “I know. Haven’t you ever met someone that just rubs you the wrong way? I just can’t stand him. Are you starting to understand my avoidance policy on this one?”

  Mike laughed, and pulled her into a hug. “Yeah, that might be best all the way around. I’ll tell you what, Saturday night let’s you and me go out. We’ll go to a nice dinner, get a hotel room somewhere totally swanky. You can take out the eyes, let your hair down. Relax a little. Maybe we’ll even do that spa crap you like so much on Sunday. What do you think?
”

  Even though she had just been in Evanston, the chance for a whole night away was just too tempting to pass up. “Yeah, that sounds good. My treat, okay? I owe you at least that much since I dragged you up here. Maybe while I spa you can get a massage. Meet some pretty little masseuse? You’re going to be here for the next few months, might as well have some fun.” She waggled her eyebrows at him.

  Mike freely admitted he was a little bit of a player, although always casual relationships. Jess just loved to tease him about it.

  “Ha ha! Now, let’s go take a look at those plans.”

  Jess ran back to the house, grabbed her sketches and the blueprints. They asked Bobby to saddle a horse for Mike while she saddled up Lady and they took off toward the home site. She showed him around, showed him the access road, he made his own notes and they headed back to the house.

  They were using a local construction crew and local contractors. Jess knew that Mike had already talked to all of them, told them when and where to be Tuesday morning. He didn’t like using crews he didn’t know, but these were reputable companies and they all came highly recommended. She had helped with the research as soon as she'd gotten here. Now that he’d seen the designs, he seemed almost as excited as Jess. It’s not often they got to do a high end house like this.

  Chapter 12

  Friday evening, Jess ran into town and rented a movie, picked up some microwave popcorn and settled down in the family room to watch the horror movie she’d picked. Mike and Cody came in with her, although Marsha declined saying she was “too old for that nonsense.” Jake and most of the other guys had gone out to the bar in town. Jess went in and changed into her pajamas, a camisole tank top and cotton pants. She left her bra on since Cody was there, but knowing it was just the three of them, she did finally take her hair down. God that felt good. She was standing in her room, with the door open, rubbing her head when Cody popped his head around the corner. He walked in and took over for her. At the pleasure of her hair loose, plus his fingers rubbing, she found herself leaning into him, moaning softly.

  “You have no idea how good that feels. My head is killing me from leaving it up all the time.”

  “So, leave it down. Your hair is beautiful, and this long, it’s sexy as hell.”

  “Cody Whitaker, are you flirting with me?” She smiled softly at him.

  He smiled back. “Nah, not right now. Just statin’ the facts. I actually wanted to talk to you, if you’ve got a minute?” He stepped backward, flopping down on her bed. It was really the only available surface in the room, so Jess sat next to him.

  “What’s up? Why didn’t you go into town with everyone tonight?” Jess had been wondering about that, but wasn’t sure she should pry.

  “Well, I wanted to talk to you. I’m leavin’ tomorrow morning. There’s a rodeo in Texas I was able to get into kind of last minute. So, I wanted to stay and say goodbye. I don’t always get back here that often, so I’m not sure I’m goin’ to see you again.”

  She leaned in and hugged him. “Cody, I’m really sorry you’re leaving. I’ve hardly gotten a chance to know you. Here…” she reached over and grabbed her business card off the desk, quickly scribbled her cell phone and address on the back…, “You call me when you’re down my way, and we’ll get together and do dinner or something.”

  Jess grabbed her hair tie off the desk as well, fighting back the sigh as she forced herself to twist her hair back into a knot, wishing she could simply leave it loose.

  “Sure, thanks. So, there’s somethin’ else I want to talk to you about.” Cody hesitated, seeming unsure for once. Finally he just kind of blurted out, “Be nice to Jake. Please?”

  Jess was stunned. “What?”

  “Look, I give him crap all the time and I tease him, 'cuz I can. He’s more brother than friend, so it’s kind of my job. I know he hasn’t been exactly nice to you, but I think… I think he’s kind of attracted to you.”

  At that Jess laughed out loud. She actually guffawed. A very unladylike sound. “Jake hates me. We can’t even be in the same room together. He is not attracted to me.” But the memory, the one she’d been trying to forget, rushed forward. Sitting on his lap, kissing him. Just thinking about it was enough to make her nipples tighten, her breath shorten.

  Despite her body's reaction, she recalled the end of that meeting as well. Anger rang through her next words. “He thinks we slept together. That first night after the bar? He thinks that I’m sleazy enough to sleep with you after I’d only known you for a few hours. Cody, he doesn’t like me, doesn’t respect me. If he does find me attractive, I’m sure the negative far outweighs the positive.”

  “Well, yeah. About that… Look, I kind of led him to believe we had slept together. Or rather, I didn’t correct him when he assumed that. I was just tryin’ to gauge his reaction, so I’m sorry about that.”

  She was trying to stay mad at him, but Cody was using that little boy with his hand in the cookie jar expression. She sighed, laughing despite herself. “Fine. It’s fine. I’ll tell him it’s not true.”

  “No, don’t. Not unless you actually care what he thinks of you. Personally, not professionally.”

  Her confusion must have shown, because he took a deep breath and continued. “He’s been married. Did you know that?” She shook her head ‘no’. “He was married for a little more than a year. There’s a lot to the story, but among other things, she cheated on him. He’s kind of been under the impression that all women sleep around since Karen. It’s not that he doesn’t respect you. So, what I’m trying to say is, if you aren’t interested in him, then don’t bother correcting his assumption.”

  “As his architect, his opinion of me matters. I don’t see how telling him the truth would hurt either way.”

  “Right now, he doesn’t trust you. He wants you.” Even as she shook her head, Cody continued, “Yes, Jess, he does. He wants you, but he doesn’t want to. Unless you actually have some feelings for him, too, leave it the way it stands. It’s less likely that you can hurt him if he doesn’t like you. So, are you interested in him?”

  The instantaneous no, was on the tip of her tongue. Then she thought of her body’s response to him. If she was being honest with Cody, and herself… “I don’t… I don’t know.”

  “Well, just think about it before you say anything. And, don’t tell him I told you about Karen. Okay? It’s just nice to see him interested in someone again.”

  He stood up, heading to her door. “Now, if I come back and you’ve decided that you’re not interested in Jake, well, then I will definitely flirt with you.” He smirked at her as he winked, causing her to go from confusion to laughter. He glanced down the hall, spotted something that made him smirk, then he turned back to Jess with one last wink and a snarky comment. “For now, I think there’s one too many men in your life already.”

  “What? What are you talking about?” Jess peeked around him, but the hall was empty.

  “Nothin’. Let’s go watch a movie. I’m up for some blood and guts.”

  * * * * *

  Jake walked in from the bar, spotted Jess curled in a ball, leaning against Mike. Cody was sitting on the other side of her, on the opposite piece of the sectional. Apparently Ms. Wythe was openly fickle with her affections. A glance at Cody told him he didn’t seem all that upset about it. Not surprising. He’d never had any staying power when it came to women.

  Cody looked over at him, the movement catching Jake's eye. He turned to look at his friend before he had a chance to wipe the glare off his face. Seeing Cody's smirk, Jake turned and headed to the kitchen. He'd prefer not to have this conversation in front of the foreman. Hell, he'd prefer not to have this conversation at all. Unfortunately, he heard Cody get up and follow him.

  “So, I’m leavin’ tomorrow morning.”

  “I know. I figured that’s why you stayed here tonight. Wanted one more night with Jess. Too bad you let the contractor butt in. Looks like she’s curled up with the wrong guy.” Jake
smirked a little, perfectly happy to redirect the topic back to Cody.

  “Yeah, it’s not like that. Not with me or the contractor. Although, I think he kind of wishes it were.”

  “And you don’t?” Jake needed to know the answer. It was suddenly imperative that his friend was not interested in Jess. Not really interested.

  “No, I don’t. Look, I shouldn’t even tell you this, you’re such an ass to her, but I never slept with her.”

  Jake raised his eyebrows. “Uh huh.”

  “No really. I hadn't planned to tell you, figured I'd let you stew in your own stupid assumptions. Jake, we sat on the porch and talked. That’s it. I only knew her for a couple hours. Did you seriously think we’d had sex?”

  Jake knew his expression gave him away with Cody's next comment. “Wow, you either don’t think much of her, or think way too much of me. Either way, you’re wrong. I’ve never touched her. Well, except for her hair. She has damn gorgeous hair.”

  Jake looked over at Cody. “It’s always in some sort of knot thing.”

  Cody looked surprised. “Wait, she’s been here almost two weeks and you’ve never seen her hair down?”

  Jake shook his head.

  “No wonder her head always hurts. Ask her to take it down sometime. It’ll be worth it. So, look, I have a thought.”

  Jake rolled his eyes, he could sense that some unwanted advice was about to be dispensed. “Yeah? A thought? Did it hurt?”

  “Ha ha, smart ass. I know you have a thing for her. Don’t bother with the denial, buddy, just listen. She’s actually pretty open and easy to talk to if you would just give her a chance. So, why don’t you try the opposite approach of what you’ve been doin’. Try being nice to her. I think you’d be surprised how she reacts.”

  Jake thought about arguing with Cody, telling him he wasn’t interested in her, but it just seemed easier to let it go. “I’ll keep it in mind.”