Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack (Siren Publishing Classic) (5 page)

Julianna opened her eyes and turned to look at him, abashed. “He talked about me?”

“All the time. You might not have been here, but we all knew when you got your degrees. Your dad bragged about the great steps you were taking in education.” Jeff gave her a gentle half-smile and wiped the tears off her face with the pad of his thumb.

Julianna didn’t know what surprised her more, her dad talking about her to Jeff Lightfoot or Jeff gently smoothing her tears.
I’d have paid a king’s ransom for him to do this to me when I was a girl
.

She gave him a tremulous smile and took a deep breath.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

He squeezed her hand again, and his words gave her the strength to face the rest of the reception with graciousness. Many people told funny stories of her father, and the group laughed heartily. A pattern emerged of a man well-liked and humorous, who gave back to the community and showed his respect to everyone he knew. She hadn’t been present for many of the events in her father’s life, and it saddened her that she’d missed so much when she’d run away.

I’m sorry, Dad. I won’t run ever again.

Julianna didn’t look at Jeff when her breath began to hitch again, but she felt his support and strength through the hand he still held beneath the table. She ached to feel his arms around her once more, but she contented herself with his comforting grip. It was more than she’d ever expected or hoped for.

As the stories continued, she noticed several women in the crowd, some significantly younger than her, giving her venomous glances and aggressive grimaces rather than smiles. Her anger kindled once again, and she wanted to bare her teeth at them.
What the hell is their problem?
She hadn’t stolen a boyfriend or something equally as heinous. She’d only been in town for a month, and she’d barely been out of the house. The scent of their enmity nearly gagged her, but she focused on the next speaker and sipped her whiskey stoically after each toast.

At last the speeches ended, and the mourners shifted toward the buffet.

“Glad that’s finally done,” her mother murmured with a sigh. “Are you hungry? I’ll get us something to eat, shall I?”

“Oh, Mom, I—” Julianna began, but Beth slipped out of the booth and walked away. “Well, crap.”

“Sorry?” Jeff asked in surprise.

Julianna laughed in spite of herself. “Nothing. I just need to use the ladies’ room.”

He raised his eyebrows, but he released her hand, and she scooted to the edge of the booth before she rose to her feet. The hand he’d held felt cold without his warmth, but she told herself she was being ridiculous. Still, she felt his gaze on her back the whole way to the restroom, and it only encouraged her inner romantic.

I really
am
pathetic. I should let him go. He’s only being nice to me because I’m grieving. I shouldn’t read too much into it.

When she returned to the table, Jeff was chatting with Sebrina, the Paiute woman, and some of the other mourners who’d stopped by the table. He never paused in his conversation as she slid in beside him again, but he recaptured her hand, sending excited delight skittering along her nerve endings. She glanced at him with wide eyes, but he just smiled at her absently and continued to discuss the likelihood of a decrease in property taxes in Pershing County.

Julianna’s attention wandered around the bar as her mother returned with some food, searching for someone she knew to distract her. A striking woman with white-blond hair, pale blue eyes, and the figure of a well-endowed fashion model stood beside the bar. Her stylish black dress fell to just above her knees with a neckline showing enough cleavage to remind anyone else they were of lesser stature. Many men in the bar looked after her wistfully, even some of the married ones.

“Mom, do you know who that is?”

Beth nodded slowly. “Oh, that’s Brenda Solaris, Lily Waters’ niece from Los Angeles. She’s an ad executive, I think.”

“Why is she here? Did she know Dad?”

“I don’t think so. I think she’s here for Lily, really.”

Julianna remembered Lily had been Gerry’s high school sweetheart. “Lily’s broken up over Dad, even after all these years?”

Beth just gave a sharp nod. “They stayed friends.”

“And that was okay?”

“It was after I made it clear he was mine for good. We even became friends after a fashion. I think she always loved your dad, but she accepted his choice in a mate.”

The word
mate
ricocheted through Julianna. It seemed an odd word choice for her mother to use. She wanted to ask about it, but by then the blonde woman stood before the table, displeasure in every line of her body.

The scent of anger and overwhelming disdain flooded over Julianna, and she resisted the urge to wrinkle her nose with distaste. Brenda focused on Jeff, and her expression softened into sympathy. Julianna’s temper rose again.

“I am so sorry for your loss,” Brenda cooed at Jeff, as if
he’d
lost someone. “I hope your sorrows will pass soon.”

Before Jeff could comment, Julianna stated, “Thank you. I’m sure they will.”

The light blue eyes hit her with a bolt of pure outrage before the emotion was smothered by pity, and Brenda smiled tightly. She returned her attention to Jeff. He nodded just slightly, as if acknowledging her efforts. She inclined hers and smiled sweetly before sashaying toward the bar.

Rival bitch!
her Sister’s voice snarled. Julianna couldn’t agree more.

She suddenly felt tired and stretched out, like taffy being pulled apart. God, she was so sick of putting up a front.

“Still okay?” Jeff touched her hand.

“Actually, I’m a little tired.” She turned to her mother. “Mom, I think I’m going to go.”

“What? Why?” Beth’s face creased with concern.

“I’m tired, and I just need to be alone.” She shrugged uncomfortably. “Too many people around for me.”

“Do you want a ride home?” Jeff’s voice promised comfort and sweet intimacy, but his expression showed only friendly concern.

“No, thank you, I can drive myself. But can you take my mom home? We came in my car.” She began to push her way out of the booth. Her mother moved aside, and Jeff followed, making her heart flutter with excitement despite her fatigue.

“Of course. I’d be happy to do that.”

“Thanks, Mr. Lightfoot.”

He stiffened with surprise at her formality and pulled her to face him. His nostrils flared as a tremor shifted through her body with his touch.

“Call me Jeff. ‘Mr. Lightfoot’ is too formal for friends.”

“
Are
we friends, Jeff?”

He cocked his head, thoughtfully. “I always thought we were. Didn’t you?”

Can we be friends with benefits?

“Sure.”

“‘Sure’ as in you’re humoring me, or ‘sure, you guessed it’?”

“The latter.”

His eyes narrowed. “But that isn’t what you want? To be friends?”

Boldness bubbled up and she lifted her chin. “No, it isn’t.”

“Ouch!” He thumped himself in the chest with one hand. “What
do
you want, then?”

“Do you really have to ask? I thought it was pretty obvious from my pathetic efforts to throw myself at you all those years ago.”

His eyes turned gold as he grasped one hand, squeezing unconsciously. “You were my little sister’s friend. It didn’t seem right to court you then.”

She raised her eyebrows dubiously. “Is that your excuse?”

He laughed. “Not an excuse, a reason. You’re still bold as ever, though.”

“I’m still six years younger, Jeff, even if I’m no longer your sister’s friend. Has anything really changed?”

“You have.” His hand squeezed hers again. “You’ve changed a lot.”

“Actually, I haven’t,” she stated with a disappointed smile. “I’m still the same girl who threw herself at you all those years ago. I’m just older.”

Julianna pulled her hand free and shook her head, sorrow sliding through her. She wished she was different, more exciting or glamorous. But at the end of the day, she was still Julianna Morris, the girl with the larger-than-life-crush on Jeff Lightfoot. If he hadn’t seen it then, why would he see it now? She stuffed her disappointment down deep and smoothed her features, turning to her mother.

“Please say good-bye to everyone for me. I’ll see you at home.”

“All right, dear one,” Beth agreed reluctantly, hugging her. “Take care of yourself and drink some tea. That always helped me when the grief got to be too much.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“I’ll walk you out to your car,” Jeff offered, his eyes still golden.

“You don’t have to. I remember where I parked.”

“I
want
to.”

“All right.”

He nodded and gestured for Julianna to precede him through the bar. The atmosphere changed immediately. Scents of sharp surprise and anger slammed into her. The hostility returned to the expressions of the younger women when Jeff’s hand settled on the small of her back.
Damn, what is so wrong?
She felt the heat and tingle of his touch all the way through her dress, and it buoyed her confidence. She lifted her chin, but kept her gaze on the door.

I can get out of here in one piece. Just a few more steps.

She barely managed to nod and say good-bye to the people she passed as they headed out the door and into the early evening sunshine. Relief poured over her, and she took a deep breath, scenting the hot pavement, the dry wind, and Jeff’s protection. She
had
to find out what kind of cologne he wore. She remembered to get her keys out of her purse as they approached the Camaro before she got caught sniffing him.

“That’s a pretty sweet ride,” he mused with a sexy smile.

“I got it because of you,” she blurted out before her brain could catch up with her mouth.

“Because of me?”

She shrugged uncomfortably. “I loved your black Camaro. I thought it was the coolest car I’d ever seen when I was a girl. When I got the opportunity to have this one, I snatched at it.”

She opened the door to let out the heated air. At least it no longer smelled like Terence. Her nose had twitched for weeks at the competing scents of his cheap cologne and the feminine perfumes worn by his string of mistresses.

“Wow, tan leather interior,” Jeff remarked as he looked inside. “Nice.”

“Only the best. Never got to see the interior of your Camaro. Was it leather, too?”

“Oh, yeah. Black leather. I loved the scent of it every time I opened the door.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I still have that old hunk of junk, but I think this one is sexier.”

“You think it’s sexy?”

“Very sexy.” His look turned predatory.

“Good. Maybe you’ll notice me now.” She met his eyes in challenge.

“I already have.”

His answer sent pleasure zinging down her back.
Damn, he’s so good at that
. She stiffened her spine and gave him a hard half-smile.

“Took you long enough. Now you’ll get a taste of what I felt.” She moved toward the open car door, intending to get in. “Thanks for walking me out.”

“My pleasure. It’s good to see you again, Julianna.”

The words rippled through her hair near her ear, and she realized he’d stepped in close behind her, her back to his chest. Heat and arousal flooded through her body, and she shivered at the contact.
Holy God, what is he doing to me?
Her tongue felt like it was swollen too large for her mouth, and she could barely get her breath.

“Goddess, you smell great,” he murmured, his hands resting on her hips. “You always smelled good, but it’s never been this wonderful.”

The sound of his voice pushed lust through her, and she almost rubbed her butt against his groin in appreciation. But her rational mind finally kicked in.
I smelled good before, but he did nothing about it? What the hell?

“Thanks, Jeff,” she offered as she pushed his hands from her hips. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me today. Hitting the floor would’ve been embarrassing. I think I’ll go home for some tea like my mom suggested.”

He let her slide into the warm leather seat, but its heat was nothing compared to his.

Dammit all to hell, let it go. He’s an arrogant guy who only wants me because I’m not throwing myself at him now. He doesn’t want me for me. He never noticed me! Besides, I have that fuzzy problem, remember?

“Get better soon so I don’t have to sweep you off your feet again, okay?” His gaze burned just short of smoldering, and she had the sense he’d grab her and seduce her right there in the parking lot if no one else could see them.

She gave him a tight smile. “Right.”

He pushed back from the car reluctantly.

“It really
is
great to see you, Julianna. If you’re feeling up to it, we’re having a party Friday night at my parents’ place, and you’re more than welcome to come. The attire is dressy casual, as Tawny likes to say, but I’d still like you to be there.”