Breaking His Rules (Feeling the Heat #4) (4 page)

“Well, bringing you to the wedding is better than Paige’s idea. She wanted to trip her as she walked down the aisle and then post the video on the internet.”

Jake let out a snort of laughter. “That sounds like something Justin would come up with.”

“Justin? He’s your older brother, right? The cop?”

“Yep,” he said. “He’s back undercover. My mom is going nuts.”

“I can imagine. Especially since he got shot last December.”

“He was lucky it was just a flesh wound,” Jake said, and thought of the still unsolved shooting that had occurred not long after Justin had been wounded in the course of his last undercover operation. That shooting had almost gotten their mother and sister-in-law killed. His brother was sure the shooters were tied to an auto-theft ring he’d infiltrated a year or so ago, but as of yet, he’d been unable to prove it.

“So you said you had a couple of things you wanted to discuss.” Melissa tilted her head and gave him a questioning look. “Is the other thing my training schedule?”

“No.” Jake opened his desk drawer. “You’ve heard of
Get Healthy Sacramento
, right?” he asked as he pulled the magazine from the drawer.

“Yes. I’m a subscriber.” She gave the magazine a cursory glance. “They have great motivational articles. And I appreciate that they use real people, not models, in their photos.”

“That’s one of the reasons I subscribe as well.” Jake set the magazine in front of him. “But what I really admire them for is not pushing the latest fad diets. Most people can’t sustain those diets over long periods of time.”

“I know. I’ve tried a few of them over the years.”

“The deadline for their annual transformational issue is Friday, and with your permission, I’d like to submit you for consideration.”

Melissa’s jaw dropped. “Submit me? Why? I’m still considered overweight by most insurance charts.”

“Perhaps, but those charts don’t take into consideration your overall health and body type. The transformational issue is about perseverance, motivation and changing your lifestyle. You’re a shining example of all of those things. And by the time the selections are made, you’ll probably be at the goal weight you’ve set for yourself. Or very close to it.”

Her eyes clouded with doubt. “But what if I’m not?”

Jake wished Melissa and his other clients weren’t so fixated on the scale. He’d learned a long time ago that there was no such thing as a perfect weight and, although many of his peers adopted a hardline approach to clean eating and working out, he wasn’t one of them. “It doesn’t change what you’ve accomplished, Melissa. Fifty pounds is a lot of weight to lose. Don’t minimize that.”

“I’m not.” She grabbed her gym bag and pushed up from the chair. A smile curved her lips. “But I couldn’t have done it if I didn’t have you as my trainer. You’ve made the difference.”

Jake stood and reached for her cup. “Don’t give me all the credit. The healthy habits you’ve adopted are your successes, not mine,” he said, and held the cup toward her.

“When you put it that way. I guess I
am
pretty awesome, aren’t I?” She gave him a cheeky grin. Her fingers brushed his as she took her smoothie. His skin pricked with awareness and it wasn’t lost on him that Valerie and her overt sexuality hadn’t provoked a similar reaction.

“Yes. You are.” Shaking off his physical response, he put his hands on his hips and leveled his gaze at her. “And now that you’ve admitted it, you have to let me submit your name and your story to the magazine.”

Melissa shrugged. “Why not? Besides, I’d love to see the look on Shauna’s face if they select me to be in the issue. My mom told me she’s trying to get a spread in
Sacramento Bride
magazine. She actually wants them to send a photographer to Pebble Beach. And with Uncle Darren’s connections, she might get her wish.”

“I almost feel sorry for the groom. Shauna seems to be extremely high maintenance.”

Her brows knitted as she frowned. “Don’t feel sorry for Kurt. From my limited interaction with him, he appears to be every bit as pretentious as Shauna.”

“Ah, a match made in heaven.”

Melissa grinned. “More like hell.”

Not long after Melissa left his office, Jake sat at his desk validating the invoice from one of his juice bar suppliers. Unfortunately, he found it hard to concentrate. Inviting Melissa to the Blaze game on Sunday had taken him by surprise, and wasn’t necessary to discuss keeping their stories straight at the wedding. A meeting at Starbucks, or even a closed-door meeting in his office would have sufficed.

So why had he done it?

Not willing to explore his motivations when it came to Melissa, Jake pushed his chair back and grabbed his gym bag. A strenuous workout was just what he needed. Maybe then he could make sense of what he was feeling.

Chapter Four

Early Saturday morning, Melissa had just finished loading her breakfast dishes into the dishwasher when she heard the sound of the front door opening, and then closing. Seconds later, Paige dashed into the kitchen and headed straight for the refrigerator.

“Did you forget your water again?” Melissa closed the dishwasher as Paige flung open the fridge and pulled out a plastic bottle.

“It didn’t seem that warm when I left,” Paige said, then removed the cap from the bottle and took a long gulping drink.

Melissa glanced at the clock on the microwave. “Probably because you usually run before six. It’s almost eight-thirty.” She picked up the dishtowel and wiped a few stray water droplets off the tile counter she hoped to someday replace. Their townhouse was nice and located within the desirable Land Park area of Sacramento. Its only drawback was that it didn’t have the most up-to-date kitchen. Still, the old-school tile was clean (even the grout) and matched the white cupboards and appliances. When she and Paige had bought the place they’d painted every room themselves. At first, she’d balked at Paige’s idea to paint the kitchen a light shade of blue (she preferred green), but the end result was lovely, and the small nook that looked out onto the flower garden Melissa took great pains with every spring was a relaxing space to enjoy their meals.

“I slept in,” Paige said, after wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “I wasn’t going to run at all, but then I remembered that when I’m in the academy I won’t have a choice. Better to get used to it now than suffer later.”

“Smart thinking.” Melissa hung the dishtowel on the handle of the stove. “Do you have to work today?”

Paige nodded and used her foot to close the refrigerator door. “I have to be at the store by two.” She inclined her head. “What are your plans? The shelter?”

“Yes, and then afterward I’m going to stop by the nursery to get a few plants for the backyard. If I’m feeling adventurous, I might even try my hand at putting up that trellis I bought last month.”

Paige’s brow furrowed. “Don’t you just stick it in the ground?”

“I could, but I don’t want the wind or the weight of the vines when they grow to dislodge it. If I attach it to the house, it’ll be a lot sturdier.”

“Does this project involve power tools?” her sister asked with a dubious expression. “If so, I’m glad I won’t be around. The last time you wielded a drill I almost lost an eye.”

Melissa pointed at her. “That was your fault. You don’t sneak up on someone when they’re holding a power tool.”

Paige tugged at her sweat-drenched tank top and gave her a good-natured grin. “I wasn’t sneaking. You just couldn’t hear me over that God-awful music you listen to.” Amusement danced in her eyes. “No one would ever guess the Beastie Boys are your all-time favorite group.”

“And no one would ever guess
you
have a Britney Spears greatest hits CD in your collection,” Melissa shot back with a superior smile. Two could play this game.

“Hey. Watch it,” Paige said, obviously offended. “‘Oops! I Did it Again’ is a classic.”

“So is ‘Shake Your Rump.’”

Paige rolled her eyes and held up her hand. “We’re not getting into this debate again.”

“Because you know I’ll win,” Melissa said, and moved to the far counter to grab her purse. “You may sing better, but I have better taste in music.”

“Says the woman who wanted to marry one of the Hanson brothers and played ‘MMMBop’ so many times I thought I was going to lose my freaking mind.”

Melissa slung her purse strap over her shoulder and grinned. “That doesn’t count. I was like...what? Ten?” She scooped her keys from the counter. “And to a ten-year-old girl those Hanson brothers were like catnip. We couldn’t get enough.”

Paige let out a derisive snort as Melissa turned and headed for the living room. “Speak for yourself.”

Three hours later, Melissa stepped back from the animal shelter’s bulletin board and admired her handiwork. The large black board with its dark red frame had been updated with the latest pictures and descriptions of the staff’s adoption picks of the week. Today there were four cats and three dogs, and as she looked at their adorable faces she wished so badly she could take them all home with her.

Working at the shelter was fulfilling, but it could also be heartbreaking. There were so many dogs and cats that needed forever homes, but not nearly enough people looked for their forever companion in a shelter. She didn’t have to be a math major to figure out that most of them would never be adopted. The sad part was the majority of animals at the shelter were healthy and friendly. They would make wonderful pets. To see them wait week after week for a new family sometimes brought tears to her eyes.

“Nice job.”

Melissa acknowledged the compliment with a smile. “Thanks, Helen,” she said, and turned to look at the older woman who also volunteered on Saturdays. “I enlarged the photos so the people coming in can see them better.”

Helen swiveled her chair all the way around and stared up at the board. “Did you take those pictures with your phone?” she asked in a voice that sounded like she’d smoked way too many cigarettes in her life.

“Yes.” Melissa glanced at the photo of one of her favorite dogs and chuckled to herself at how the angle of his head made it seem like he was grinning. She’d snapped that particular photo at just the right moment. Mikey looked adorable. “And they turned out pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.”

“My granddaughter bought me one of those smartphones.” Helen’s expression changed to one of annoyance. “I still can’t make heads or tails of the blasted contraption. She’s going to show me how to text the next time I see her.” Her brows puckered together making the crease between her eyebrows even deeper. “I don’t know why. Seems to me, it’d be a lot easier to call someone than to type out everything you want to say on that itsy-bitsy keyboard.”

“I see your point.” Melissa moved to stand next to Helen and put a hand on her shoulder. Despite Helen’s cantankerous ways, the elderly woman reminded her of her favorite grandmother who’d passed away a few years ago. Helen had the same gun-metal gray hair and penchant for rolling her knee-high stockings down around her ankles. She also smelled like Nana—an odd mixture of Jean Naté body splash and denture cream. “Are you ready for your break?” Melissa asked.

“You betcha.” She paused as Melissa helped her stand. “Thank you, dear.” Helen patted her hand gently. “You’re so good to me.”

Despite her age, Helen was still fairly spry and got around without the aid of a cane or a walker. As she disappeared from sight, Melissa sank to the chair and pulled it up to the counter. As usual, Helen’s work area was neat and tidy. Helen was a stickler for neatness. She was also a germaphobe, as evidenced by a bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel and a box of wipes she used to clean the desk and phone several times a day.

For the next twenty minutes, Melissa answered several phone calls and greeted a couple who’d come in looking for their lost cat. After she’d called another volunteer up to escort them to the back to see if their pet had been brought in, she felt the vibration of her cell phone in the back pocket of her denim skirt. Pulling it out, her heart did a little flip when she saw the text from Jake.

Are you at the shelter this morning?

She typed yes, hit Send and then waited. Seconds later, her phone vibrated again.

Mind if I come by? I’m in the area and thinking of getting a friend for Max.

As soon as she fired off her response Melissa’s heart did more than a little flip, it hammered against her ribs. She’d planned on seeing Jake tomorrow as scheduled for the Blaze game, but not today. Today she wasn’t prepared
at all.
Her hair was a hot mess, and her only makeup was a swipe of gloss on her lips that had probably worn off by now.

Taking a breath, she forced herself to calm the hell down. Since when did she have to prepare herself to see Jake? He’d seen her at her worst. And she didn’t mean just fifty pounds ago. Unlike a few women at the gym, she wasn’t one to apply makeup or style her hair before she worked out. It made no sense whatsoever. By the end of her training sessions she was dripping with sweat. Jake was used to seeing her in unglamorous mode.

Just as Helen reappeared, Melissa saw Jake’s SUV pull into a parking space in front of the building. Even if she wanted to spruce herself up, there was no time. Besides, it didn’t matter what she looked like. She and Jake were friends. That’s all.

“That is one fine-looking young man heading our way.” Helen’s voice penetrated her thoughts.

Melissa stared at Jake through the glass door. Walking toward them with a purposeful stride, he looked so damn good looking it was impossible not to stare. Maybe he’d taken the whole weekend off. He wasn’t wearing his usual khaki pants and white polo. Instead, in his slightly faded jeans and short-sleeved navy blue Henley T-shirt, he looked like he’d stepped right out of an L.L.Bean catalog.

“Mind if I sit?” Melissa jerked her head up to see a sardonic gleam in the older woman’s eyes.

“Oh. I’m sorry.” She pushed the chair back, got to her feet and stepped away from the counter. “I was distracted.”

“I can see why,” Helen said as she gingerly lowered herself onto the chair. “I may be old, but I’m not dead.”

Melissa stifled a giggle as Jake pushed through the double doors. “Hey,” she said, rounding the reception desk to stand next to him. “That was fast.”

“I was a block away when I texted,” he said as the doors closed behind him.

“You’re not supposed to text and drive,” Helen interjected sternly. “It’s dangerous.”

Jake looked at Helen and smiled his most charming smile. If that didn’t melt Helen’s granny panties, Melissa was sure nothing would. “I was stopped at the light,” he said, his tone respectful. “I agree with you though, it’s dangerous to use a phone while driving.”

Helen gave him a grudging nod. “I suppose that’s okay then.” She looked at Melissa with a speculative gleam in her eyes. “Is this your boyfriend?”

“What?” Melissa asked, then shook her head. “Oh. No. This is Jake Sawyer. My trainer at the gym. Remember I told you how he’s been helping me lose weight?”

Helen’s eyes grew round. “So
you’re
the trainer from hell.”

Melissa’s cheeks warmed as Jake laughed. She’d never thought a laugh could be sexy. Until now.

“That’s me,” he said. “And you are?”

“Just call me Helen,” she said, then nodded approvingly. “I’m pleased as punch at how much you’ve helped our dear sweet Melissa. It wasn’t healthy, her carrying that extra weight around.”

“She did all the work,” Jake said, modestly. “There’s only so much a trainer can do.”

“So you’re thinking of adopting another dog?” Melissa asked before Helen started in with the matchmaking. She’d already tried to hook Melissa up with her grandson. Unfortunately, he was forty-two. A little
too
mature for Melissa’s liking.

At Jake’s nod, she gestured toward the back. “I’ll show you around and then you can take a look at the dogs.” She moved toward the doorway that led to the offices and kennels.

“What do you do here?” he asked, following her.

“A little bit of everything,” she said as he fell into step beside her and they moved past the administrative offices. Melissa nodded to one of the other volunteers who passed them in the hallway. As they got closer to the area where the animals were housed, the raucous barking of the dogs grew louder. Melissa had long since gotten used to the continuous barking, but for new volunteers, especially ones that hadn’t worked in a shelter or kennel before, it was an adjustment. “I really enjoy bathing the dogs and cats.”

“You bathe cats?” Jake asked with surprise, and followed her as she made a left and entered the grooming area. “And they actually go for that?”

She laughed at the astonished tone in his voice. “It’s not their favorite thing, but we try to keep the animals clean and presentable. It helps them get adopted. Of course,
they
don’t know that. If they did, I don’t think they’d mind being groomed.”

“How do you get them to keep still?” Jake asked, his expression inquisitive.

Melissa halted in front of one of the stainless steel bathing units. “Well, this unit is specifically made for bathing larger dogs.” She set her hand on the ledge. “The door opens and I can guide them inside. When I close the door, there’s a special seal that won’t leak when the tub is filled with water. Once they’re in the tub, they usually accept their fate and let me do my thing.” She gestured toward the faucet area. “And that nifty spray nozzle comes in really handy.”

Jake surveyed the rest of the room. “Is that unit for cats?” he asked, pointing to a similar, smaller bathing station.

“Yes. And for small dogs. Most cats don’t care for water, so I usually attach a collar and short leash to make it easier to handle them.” She held out her arm, wrist side up. “See that?” She pointed to the thin, red four-inch scar that ran diagonally across her skin. “I got this from a cat I bathed last week. He was not happy with me at all.”

“Did it hurt?” Jake touched the scar as he asked the question. His light caress caused a shiver of awareness to wash over her.

“Yes.” He stood so close she could feel the heat from his body. Her pulse, already erratic, skittered alarmingly as he lightly traced the scar with gentle fingers. She imagined him touching her in other places and felt her cheeks start to burn.

Just then, he looked up. Their eyes collided and her heart did that annoying flip-flop thing again. His fingers were warm on her skin. She swallowed hard as electricity pulsed between them.

“You really love all the animals here, don’t you?” he asked in a low voice.

“That’s why I volunteer,” she said, still aware of his gentle touch on her arm. “There are days when it breaks my heart, but I’ve got to do my part to help them find their forever home.”

“Forever home,” he echoed. “I like the sound of that.”

* * *

Jake let Melissa precede him out of the kennel area and wished he could adopt all the dogs he’d seen today. He couldn’t fathom how Melissa was able to work at the shelter weekend after weekend and still be so upbeat and positive. The sad truth was all the dogs and cats in the shelter had been abandoned. For one reason or another, their owners hadn’t wanted them and dropped them off so they wouldn’t have to deal with them anymore. Worse than that were the cruel individuals who drove their pets to unfamiliar parts of the city and let them out of their vehicles to fend for themselves. The lucky ones were found and brought to the shelter, but others weren’t so lucky. He could imagine their fate and it pissed him off.