“I didn’t become a cop because I need control,” he says. “I did it because I want to help people.”
“I know that now.”
“Now?” His eyebrow lifts.
Heat floods my cheeks. “Well… Kaleb always said you liked being the one in charge growing up.”
A muscle jumps in his jaw. “Kaleb talks a lot.”
“He’s your best friend,” I say weakly. “I figured he’d know what he’s talking about.”
“He doesn’t.” Jake’s eyes stay locked on mine. “Not about me.”
My mouth suddenly feels dry. And the way he’s looking at me isn’t helping. At all.
I lick my lips, and his gaze immediately drops to the movement before snapping back to my eyes. Oh God. Why are my armpits sweating? Do not fan your armpits.
“You okay?” Jake quirks an eyebrow.
“Fine,” I say too quickly.
His mouth twitches like he doesn’t believe me. “You look a little warm.”
“I’m not warm.”
He shifts a step closer, not touching me, but close enough that I feel the heat of him. The blood rushing in my ears is so loud that I no longer hear the hum of the refrigerator.
“Emily?”
My stomach flips. “What?”
“You’re blushing.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
A corner of his mouth lifts. “You always did.”
My heart stutters, and I hate that he still knows exactly how to get under my skin.
He inhales, and his eyes almost glow. “Is that my mom’s soup?”
“Yes.” I relax my shoulders as we venture to a safe topic.
“God, I missed her cooking while I was gone.” He glances from the stove back to me. “Almost as much….” He clears his throat, swallows hard, and blinks as if he’s pushing back a thought. “Where’s Kaleb?”
“He’s on his way to a fire.” I walk over to the stove, lift the lid, and stir the soup with a wooden spoon. “He was supposed to relieve me so I could go to work. Shit.” I drop the spoon onto the white porcelain holder and return the lid to the pot. “I’ve got to call work.” I drag my phone out of my back pocket.
“Stop.” Before I can dial the number, Jake places his hand on my shoulder. I glance at him, nearly swallowing my tongue. The man is beautiful and smells like musk and sex.
If he thinks his mom’s cooking is good, he has no idea what he does to me. If someone served him up on a silver platter, I’d eat him up. God, that’s ridiculous.
But the man really should be on the cover of a magazine. Rugged good looks. Sexy 5 o’clock shadow. Lips that look like they could kiss for days.
Stop. Remember. He blew you off and never saw you as anything but Kaleb’s pesky, little, annoying sister. If he realizes you’re still drooling over him, he’s going to pity you.
“What?” I shift sideways to put distance between us, causing his arm to drop to his side.
“I’ll stay with your mom. I’m trained in any emergency that could happen. I’m strong enough to get her up if she needs help.” He waves to the stove. “Food is ready, so I don’t have to worry about cooking for her.” One side of his mouth quirks upward. “Which is good because Aurora probably prefers something better than canned soup. That’s all I was going to have tonight.”
