My historyvis à vislightning bolts was not something I discussed. Ever. Just thinking about it sent my pulse into hyperdrive.
“Could we talk about you hiring an assistant?” I went on the offensive. If I had learned one thing from having three older brothers, it was the importance of a solid offense. “Playing social secretary with all this media attention around you has been difficult.”
“An assistant? I should think not. I will simply ignore this madness.”
I choke-snorted . . . ehr, I chorted. “Easy for you to say when you aren’t the one getting midnight calls from a woman named Candy.”
“Candy, eh?” Jack’s laugh lit up the car. “Intriguing.”
“Jack.” My tone warning.
He waved a dismissive hand, his fingers flying into the car roof. “Public opinion is fleeting, Chiara. This interest will quickly fade away.”
“Do you have any facts to back up that statement? Cause from where I’m sitting, I’m not so sure. People love a mystery and you’ve presented a potent mix: lost treasure, ocean adventure and dashing drama all topped with a healthy dollop of sexy British lord. It’s not going away.”
More silence.
Jack dropped his voice a full register, moving into throaty territory. “You think I’m sexy?”
Face palm.
“That’syour takeaway from my little speech?” I locked eyes with him in the mirror. My heart did that stuttering thing again, zings of sensation flying down my spine.
Jack grinned, stretching out his arms and lacing his fingers behind his head, nearly sending his elbow out the window. “Yep. It was the most salient point, truth be told. And”—he raised his eyebrows—“you haven’t denied it.”
Stupid man. So what if he was sexy? Could he be any more full of himself?
“Could youbeany more full of yourself?” The words escaped my mouth before I could stop them.
Mentally, I cringed.
Filters, Chiara. Work on your filters. Don’t say the first thing that pops into your head.
Jack pulled a wispy hand from behind his head and stared at it. “Why yes, I do believe I could. Another fifty percent of me would be greatly appreciated. I think you telling me I’m sexy would definitely help with that.”
Right to snark. That was the Jack I knew.
Once again, I asked why I let Jack bother me so much? Despite his teasing, Jack was a good man. Iknewthis. So why did I constantly rise to his baiting?
I darted another glance at him in the mirror, my eyes tracing the clear line of his jaw, the shadowy stubble on his cheek.
Sensing my eyes, Jack brought his gaze to mine.
I flinched and look away.
Jack chuckled and leaned toward me. “Youstillhaven’t denied that I’m hot.”
Grrrr.
“I don’t think you’re sexy,” I deadpanned.
“You’re lying.”
I was totally lying.
But whatever. He was being insufferable.
“Am not.”
