An Impractical Match (Match #2) Page 7

  “I am,” she agreed. Funny how it happened on only two glasses of champagne. But, happily, between now and when she sobered up, she could feel free to think all the fantastic, ridiculous, erotic things she liked about Devlin.

  She smiled. It would all be back to normal in the morning.

  Chapter Five

  Devlin would have bet money that five days was plenty of time to forget about a kiss, any kiss. If he’d done that, he’d have lost.

  Jogging along the park pathway in the early morning, he barely noticed the ducks and geese taking flight from the pond in front of him. His brain kept taking him back to the pool deck in Seattle when he’d kissed Jillian and time seemed to stop. It had started up again, and by all accounts the world carried on as normal¸ but someplace deep inside had turned his life into before and after that kiss.

  Before seemed fuzzy now. While after seemed acutely focused.

  “Devlin!” shouted Riley, sounding like he was falling behind.

  Devlin twisted his head to see he’d gained about a hundred yards on the teenager. Spike was even farther back on the trail that followed the edge of the pond. Griffin and Katie were mere specks in the distance. Luke was jogging cleanup today, taking it easy a ways behind the kids.

  He slowed his pace.

  “What’s up with you?” Riley demanded as he gained ground. “You showin’ off or just tryin’ to kill us?”

  “You’re not going to jog yourself to death.”

  The kids hadn’t been thrilled with Devlin’s newly instituted cardiovascular routine, but he was taking Josh’s advice from the King’s Cross party. He knew conditioning was the best thing to take them to the next level in their riding. So, they were jogging three mornings a week and doing weights and strength training at the gym on weekends, in addition to their regular riding practice.

  “We could die of heat stroke,” Riley complained as he caught up to him.

  “Drink some water.” The words reminded Devlin that he should drink as well. He reached for the plastic bottle in his belt holder and squirted some of the tepid liquid into his mouth.

  “You know you’re going to thank me for this,” said Devlin. “When you cross that finish line in the top ten, you’re going to thank me for hauling your sorry ass out of bed and improving your heart and lung function.”

  “I’d thank you if you bought me some beer.”

  “You’re sixteen years old. Besides, beer will make you fat and lazy.”

  “You drink beer,” he challenged.

  “On occasion. In moderation. And I’m not planning on competing in an NMAC event next month.”

  “I don’t have a chance in hell.”

  “Not with that attitude, you don’t.”

  As Josh had pointed out, with the race being a late entry into the schedule, and being out of the regular points tally, the number of riders likely to show up at the Desert Heat event would be reduced. Some of the top-ranked riders were likely to skip, leaving the field open for the second tier and possibly the locals. Riley hadn’t figured it out yet, but his talent could take him beyond local or even state events. That was, if he could get his conditioning and attitude right.

  “Are we racin’ here or what?” huffed Spike, catching up behind them.

  “I’m showing you guys who’s still the boss,” Devlin called back.

  Truth was, he was attempting to combat his sexual frustration with exhaustion. He’d be seeing Jillian tonight for the first time since Seattle, and he needed some kind of buffer between her and his hormones. He planned to go to the gym at lunchtime, and he’d do some practice laps later at the motocross track. With any luck, he’d barely be able to walk by the time he saw her. That should dampen his lust a little.

  “You getting intimidated by us, Devlin?” Riley teased, making a show of eyeing Devlin up.

  Riley had hit a growth spurt this summer. He was coming up on six feet, just a couple of inches shorter than Devlin and nearly tied with Luke. At the same time, testosterone was hitting his system, filling out his shoulders and arms. And Devlin had noticed he’d started shaving every day.

  Since Riley was the son of a single mother, it occurred to Devlin that he might want to have one of those life chats with him. The kid was obviously going to understand the mechanics of sex already. But there were other things he needed to think about, such as respect and judgment, understanding the responsibility that came along with strength and stamina.

  He had a good relationship with Riley’s mom. Over the years, she’d wholeheartedly encouraged the relationship between Riley and Devlin.

  “I can still wax your ass,” he told Riley, increasing his pace as the parking lot came into view.

  Riley sped up to challenge him, and soon they were both sprinting. Devlin won easily, but they both ended up gasping for air, steadying themselves on the parking lot fence, neither able to speak and tease the other.

  “I think my heart rate is above the optimal zone,” Riley finally managed.

  “That was a great run,” Devlin complimented. “You keep that competitive spirit in mind when you’re racing.”

  “The other riders don’t piss me off the way you do,” Riley told him with a cocky grin.

  “Then pick a fight with one of them.”

  Riley sobered. “Is that seriously your advice?”

  “No.” Devlin was adamant. “I was just joking around. Forget I ever said anything. Don’t pick fights. Not ever.”

  “Okay,” Riley agreed. “Though, theoretically...”

  “No,” Devlin repeated, regretting the joke.

  “You two are crazy,” called Spike as he jogged into the parking lot. “It’s freakin’ hot out here.”

  The sun was solidly up in the sky now, the rays getting stronger by the minute.

  “My heart and lungs are thanking me.” Riley’s breathing was already recovering. It was a sign that the fitness regime was working.

  Luke had moved up behind Griffin and Katie, obviously urging them along. It took a few more minutes for them to make it to the parking lot. But then it was time for everyone to hit the showers.

  “He gave you a run for your money,” Luke mumbled as he came to a halt next to Devlin.

  Devlin was happy to see Riley and Spike congratulating the other two. Griffin seemed a bit frustrated, but Katie looked happy with her performance. The kids took off for the water fountains and restrooms.

  “He’s coming along,” said Devlin, watching Riley as he trotted down the short trail. “He’s got all the right stuff. But we need to work on that competitive spirit without turning him into an asshole.”

  “What about you? How are you doing?” asked Luke.

  “Fine, why?”

  “I don’t know.” Luke critically searched his expression. “You seem a little edgy today.”

  “Not edgy. Just busy. Shari Sharp is back in town, so Hank and I are meeting with UpNext tonight.”

  “You need help with that yet?”

  Thus far, Luke had been an arm’s length from the project. He hadn’t yet met Jillian or Shari.

  “As a matter of fact,” said Devlin, “the excavation crew starts tomorrow. Jillian has this idea that we should put down a bunch of floor pads and cover them with tents. Hank could probably use someone to oversee the project.”

  Plus, Devlin could use an extra person in the room. The bigger the buffer between him and Jillian tonight, the better.

  “Did she get that idea in Seattle?”

  “I think so. If her e-mails are anything to go by, she’s off in a thousand different directions on the project.”

  Devlin didn’t mention that she was also exchanging e-mails at a furious rate with his sister, Amelia, somehow managing to fit a significant level of wedding planning into the mix. At the moment, they were discussing cakes. Pound cake, fruit cake, chocolate cake, and whether to go full-on tiered or have cupcakes instead.

  His personal preference was for chocolate. And he liked the idea of cupcakes. Of course, h
e was keeping his opinions to himself. He had no idea why they kept copying him on the e-mails. Morgan was listed, too, but he wasn’t answering, apparently also keeping his opinions to himself.

  “You still fighting with Jillian?”

  The question took Devlin by surprise. “Who said I was fighting with Jillian?”

  Luke’s brow furrowed in puzzlement. “Uh, you.”

  “It’s not so much fighting.”

  “You said she was a neurotic snob who couldn’t keep her tight-assed opinions to herself.”

  As Luke said them out loud, Devlin remembered the words, but he waved them off. “That was before.”

  “Before what?”

  “Before I got to know her better. While we were in Seattle.”

  Luke grinned unabashedly and waggled his brows. “You got to know her better.”

  “Not like that.” But then Devlin paused, thinking that sharing with Luke might just put the thing into perspective. Letting it churn endlessly around in his brain sure wasn’t helping at all. “Well, kinda like that. But nothing happened. I just kissed her.”

  “You kissed her.”

  “I did.”

  “Did she slap your face?”

  Devlin frowned. “No.”

  “You did—and I’m quoting here—once say she stared down her snooty, little patrician nose as if you were something stuck to the bottom of her shoe.”

  “She didn’t slap my face.” Devlin was already rethinking his plan to confide in Luke.

  “So, what’s the deal?”

  “Deal?”

  “What happens next?”

  “Nothing happens next. It was a one-off, an isolated incident. It was in a public place, and she went back to her hotel room. Neither of us mentioned it on the plane.”

  Devlin had been tempted, but there had been no easy way to bring it up. Besides, he didn’t even know what he wanted to say. And he sure didn’t know if he wanted to hear anything she might say, like she was slumming, or she was drunk, or she regretted letting him touch her.

  Luke waved a hand in front of his face. “Earth to Devlin.”

  The kids were scampering back to the parking lot, full of life and energy, fully recovered from the run.

  “I guess we’ll find out tonight,” Devlin said to Luke. “If she puts on that prim little smile and gives me that cool blue, distant gaze, I’ll know we’re right back where we started.”

  He started to turn away, but Luke put a hand on his shoulder. Devlin turned back.

  All traces of humor were gone from Luke’s expression. “If she snubs you, will you care?”

  “I guess we’ll find out tonight,” Devlin answered honestly.

  o o o o

  “I don’t see him,” Shari sang in Jillian’s ear as they entered on the pathway closest to the office building at Desert Heat.

  “He’s on the track.” Jillian had spotted Devlin right away.

  He and another man were at the start-finish line, talking to four riders who were each straddling a silent motorbike. Devlin was making a point with hand gestures. If she had to guess, she’d say he was giving tips on how to hold the handlebars while going over moguls.

  “He and Luke spend a lot of time with those kids,” said Hank, meeting the two women in front of the office.

  “Hi, Hank,” Jillian greeted.

  Over the past couple of weeks, she’d come to admire the middle-aged man. He was practical and down-to-earth, and completely dedicated to the riders who used his track. She still didn’t know how this NMAC opportunity had come his way, but she thought he was very deserving.

  “Who’s Luke?” asked Shari.

  “He’s one of our riders. He’s also a track sponsor, like Devlin. Owns a couple of car dealerships in town.”

  “Devlin’s mentioned him before,” said Jillian, finding herself watching Devlin closely.

  He made the kids laugh, and his answering smile triggered one in her. Then she realized her chest had tightened, and her stomach had contracted around a buzz of sensual awareness. She hated to acknowledge it, but it felt awfully good to see him again.

  “Well?” Shari whispered in her ear, clearly wondering how Jillian was reacting to seeing Devlin again in light of their kiss.

  “It’s not good,” she muttered back.

  “Shall we go down and say hi?” asked Hank. “Luke’s offered to supervise the excavation project.”

  “Does he have any experience?” asked Shari.

  Hank laughed. “Experience is the one thing none of us have in all this.”

  Jillian had to admit it was true.

  “Do you think we’d be better off with an experienced person?” Shari pressed.

  “I think we’re better off with someone who’ll work for free,” said Hank. “There’s not a lot of flex in the budget, and I’d rather spend it on backhoe time than on someone to supervise the backhoe.”

  As they drew closer to the group, Jillian realized one of the teenage riders was a girl. She’d learned there were junior events for girls, but she honestly couldn’t understand what kind of parents would encourage their daughter to compete in such a dangerous sport.

  Devlin obviously caught sight of them, and he turned. His gaze went straight to Jillian, and she felt as if a jolt of electricity arced between them.

  Not good. She schooled her features, hoping he couldn’t see how strongly he’d affected her. If she was reacting like this at fifty feet away, what on earth was going to happen when he spoke or, heaven help her, they touched?

  “Steady on,” Shari muttered, a clear edge of laughter in her tone.

  “I’m fine,” Jillian lied. “Walk in the park.”

  “Luke,” Hank opened in a hearty voice. “Here are Shari Sharp and Jillian Korrigan. Ladies, this is Luke Norris. He’s offered to give us a hand.”

  Jillian was relieved to have an excuse to shift her attention.

  She stepped forward to shake Luke’s hand. “I’m Jillian.”

  “I’ve heard a lot about you,” he offered as he shook.

  “Some of it good, I hope,” she joked.

  He shrugged. “Mixed bag.”

  “Stop it,” Hank ordered.

  Luke nodded to Shari. “Nice to meet you, too.”

  “Quit picking on my friend,” said Shari.

  “Bad habit,” he admitted. “I hear you’re both new to motocross.”

  Shari didn’t miss a beat. “I hear you’re new to excavation.”

  Jillian braved a look at Devlin, holding her emotions in tight check. “Hello, Devlin.”

  “Hello, Jillian.” His response was equally cool and careful, and she didn’t know whether to be relieved or hurt.

  She quickly moved her attention to the kids standing slightly behind him.

  Devlin picked up on the hint. “This is Spike, Riley, Griffin and Katie.”

  “Hi, there.” Her greeting included them all, but she couldn’t help focusing on Katie.

  She was a pretty little thing. Maybe five-feet-four, slim, with short, dirty-blond hair, lovely blue eyes, and the cutest light spray of freckles across her nose.

  “You enjoy riding with the boys?” Jillian asked.

  The girl’s expression immediately became defensive, and her slim shoulders went square. “Yes.”

  Jillian quickly regretted the question. “That’s great,” she noted, backpedaling. “It seems like it would be a lot of work.”

  “I’m in good shape,” Katie stated.

  “You must be,” Jillian admitted. “I’ve seen the juniors ride, and it’s an impressive feat.”

  Katie’s shoulders relaxed a little.

  “That’s it for today,” Devlin said to the kids.

  Luke turned his attention to the group. “Gym at nine tomorrow morning.”

  There was a collective groan of protest from the three boys, though Katie remained silent. Jillian’s question had obviously triggered some kind of sensitivity. She wished she could call it all back.

  As the k
ids each dug in to push their bikes through the exit, she mouthed the word “sorry” to Devlin.

  “Don’t worry about it,” he told her, moving closer so that he was talking to her alone.

  “I didn’t mean to upset her.”

  “She’s a girl in a boys’ world. It comes with the territory.”

  The motorbike engines started from a distance. Still, they temporarily made it impossible to speak.

  “What do her parents think of her participation?” Jillian asked as the bikes moved away and the noise died down.

  “They haven’t been to a single event. None of her family has.”

  Jillian felt even worse, and something inside her rose to Katie’s defense. “That’s terrible.”

  “Her mother’s, well...” Devlin gave a wry, half smile. “Like you.”

  Ouch.

  “She tries to talk Katie into ballet or cheerleading with some regularity. She obviously wishes Katie would spend her weekends picking out clothes and makeup. Deep down inside, I think she’s scared.”

  “That Katie will get hurt?” Jillian could understand that.

  Devlin nodded. “She thinks this is a phase. She’s terrified that Katie will get injured, maybe disfigured, and she’ll regret it for the rest of her life. As I understand it, her mother parlayed beauty into wealth and status.”

  “By getting married?”

  “Some people still use it as a tool.”

  “Do you want to talk up in the office?” Hank asked the group. “Or do we need to walk around and look at something?”

  Jillian realized how easily she’d become focused on Devlin, practically forgetting that anyone else was there. That couldn’t possibly be good.

  “Luke and I should look at tent sites,” she quickly put in, dragging her attention from Devlin again. “I have some ideas and some photos from Seattle.”

  “Sure.” Luke seemed to easily agree, though he did glance briefly at Devlin.

  “I was thinking medical beside the mechanical area,” said Jillian, moving determinedly down the pathway beside the track.

  Luke hustled to catch her.

  “I’ve talked to a couple of tent rental places,” she continued. “Prices are reasonable, and setup takes about a week. They can lay down wooden flooring as long as the area is flat.”