Kaylie helped her pull her shirt over the trashy Hooter's top. She was wiping away the tears that came from nowhere when she caught Jack staring at her. She narrowed her eyes at him, not in the mood for his disapproval.

"What?"

"What do you do that for?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Yes. You do."

She looked away, suddenly feeling more exposed than she had in the restaurant. The funny thing was, she did know. He wanted to know why she craved the attention. She licked her lips, unsure how to answer.

"You okay, Jan?"

Kaylie was back, putting her arm around Janet's shoulders. She nodded and stood up straight. No harm done. She would just have to find a job somewhere else.

"I'm good, thanks."

Devlin looked relieved that she wasn't going to cry anymore. She almost smiled at the way he was already treating her like an older brother.

"We better go. I need to get these two little missies home to their mamas."

Kaylie giggled at Devlin as he pulled her into his arms for a kiss.

Janet opened her mouth and said something that surprised even her.

"Jack is taking me."

Kaylie's mouth dropped open before widening into a huge grin. Devlin looked thrilled. She slid her eyes sideways, peeking at the huge man standing beside her. Jack hadn't said a word but Dev and Kaylie's big smiles had clearly irritated him. Devlin slapped him on the back. Hard.

"Alright man! Have a good night."

And then they were gone, leaving Janet standing all alone with Jack in the Mall parking lot. He shifted his eyes toward her and raised an eyebrow. She lifted her chin. She wasn't going to let him intimidate her.

"So? Are we just going to stand here all night?"

He grunted and grabbed her arm, pulling her toward his bike.

Jack stared straight ahead, trying to focus on the road. He'd never ridden with anyone on the back of his bike before. He could feel her slender arms wrapped around his waist with surprising strength. She had a good grip for such a tiny thing.

That's right. Kaylie had said she'd been a dancer. It made sense with the graceful way she moved with him on the bike, unconsciously leaning into the turns with him.

He'd given her his helmet and thrust her onto the seat, trying not to stare at her spread thighs beneath him. Then he'd climbed on and started the bike without hesitation. He made sure she understood that he was annoyed with her. That this ride was a one time thing.

All without saying a word.

The mall was a half an hour from town, which gave him plenty of time to enjoy her body pressed against his back. And he was enjoying it. A lot. He groaned inwardly. It was his front he'd like her pressed against. He wanted her. Badly. He might as well stop lying to himself about it. The little minx was getting to him whether he liked it or not.

Perhaps he should bed her. He'd make it clear that it was just the once. Or maybe a couple of times, all in one night. That would give him time to explore her, to take her all the different ways he wanted to... He'd taste her first. Then once she was writhing in ecstasy, he'd slide into her body and wrap those long, elegant legs around his hips. Then he'd ride her, as hard as he wanted to. He'd show her that he wasn't the sort of man to be trifled with. Afterwards he'd tell her to wait until he wanted her again. It probably wouldn't take too long, given the state she'd put him in these last couple of days.

He'd take her from behind the next time. So he could see that sweet little a.s.s up close. He almost lost his focus on the road at the thought. His mind wandered again. Toward the end of the night he'd be gentle with her. Maybe he'd even let her be on top. She'd look good riding him. Then he'd drop her off somewhere and that would be it. She'd be out of his system.

It was an excellent idea.

It was a terrible idea.

He knew Dev wouldn't like it if he treated his old lady's best friend as a disposable lay. h.e.l.l, he wouldn't like it either. The girl deserved more than that. She was proud. He didn't want to humble her. That surprised him. He'd never thought about a woman's feelings before. Or his own.

Jack didn't allow himself to have feelings at all.

Best to leave her alone. It'd be safer for everyone. She was too delicate to handle what he wanted to dish out on her. And he didn't want to make those beautiful aqua eyes fill up with tears when he was done with her.

But when he parked in front of her house and stood up, his good intentions fled. She was staring up at him as she struggled to remove her helmet. He reached out and brushed her hands aside, easily opening the latch. Her hands stilled underneath his at the look on his face. He could tell she was feeling it too- whatever this crazy feeling was.

Before he knew it, he'd hauled her up off the bike and into his arms. He grunted as her tight little body pressed against the hard wall of his chest. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed into him as her eyes opened wide. His mouth was on hers before either one of them knew what was happened.

Dear G.o.d.

White hot l.u.s.t pierced him as he plundered her sweet, willing mouth with his tongue. His hands were all over her, caressing, touching, feeling, until they settled on her bottom. He yanked her against his erection with tremendous force. She made a startled little sound beneath him and reality came crashing back in. He tore his mouth away from hers with a soft curse and climbed back onto his bike. He felt her hand on his shoulder but shook it off.

"Wait- your helmet."

"Keep it."

He didn't turn to look at her. He realized suddenly that he was afraid to. Afraid of what he might do.

"Jack- why are you angry at me? I- I like you."

Her soft admission sent an odd feeling to the pit of his stomach. He pushed it down as hard as he could.

"You don't want to mess with a guy like me."

"What if I do?"

"Trust me. You don't."

He drove away without a backward glance. He wouldn't see her again. If Dev asked him to escort her somewhere again, he'd explain that he didn't like the girl. That she got on his nerves with her flashy ways and girlish laughter. It was better that way. He drove away, satisfied that the matter was behind him.

There was just one thing that was bothering him.

She'd been kissing him back like she wanted him as badly as he wanted her.

He knew where she lived.

That was the first thought Janet had as she watched him ride away. He'd known without asking.

But what did it mean?

Janet had a sinking feeling that she was in terrible trouble. Not just her life, which was a mess and d.a.m.n if that wasn't a well known fact. But now she had a strong certainty that she wasn't going to forget Jack, his eyes, or his kiss any time soon.

If ever.

He wanted her as much as she wanted him. Of that she was sure. She could feel it in the way he held her, touched her, kissed her with an urgency that had taken her breath away. And yet he was the one who'd pulled back when they both knew she wouldn't have stopped him from going further.

She would have climbed on that bike and followed him straight to h.e.l.l if he'd asked her.

Maybe it was a good thing he hadn't. Maybe he was trying to protect her from him, the lifestyle, everything.

But who was going to protect her from herself and her foolish wish to be near him? She stared down at the helmet in her hands. She'd loved riding with him. His confidence on the road had been incredibly attractive. Everything about him was appealing to her. Not just his strong masculine body or soulful eyes. Not just the way he smelled like leather and smoke. Not just his long hair or bad boy tattoos. Him.

All of him.

She walked into the house and straight into her room. She kicked off her shoes and crawled into the bed, still cradling the helmet.

She was in trouble.

But what was she going to do about it?

4.

Janet leaned back on the blanket and thumbed through the brochure. In the back there were a few pages that had blank s.p.a.ces for her to fill out. If she had the courage to.

'Application for Physical Therapist Program'

She sighed. It was a two year program at the State School. The same one Kaylie attended. It wasn't cheap and she wouldn't qualify for student aid. Not with her grades and her parents wealth. She wasn't sure her parents were going to help her at this point however. Her mother had already hinted that they planned to cut her off. They'd never been particularly affectionate, but they had been proud of her dancing career. Before the accident. Now they didn't seem to know what to do with her.

Or even care.

Janet rolled over onto her back and smoothed down her floral sundress to cover her knees. She'd just have to get a job and go to school. Maybe she and Kaylie could get an apartment together. She needed to get out of the house, that much was for sure.

"What am I going to do Kaylie?"

Her friend sat beside her, taking notes for her history exam. She put her book down and sipped some lemonade.

"You'll figure something out Jan. I'll help you."

"Yeah... but what?"

"You'll get a job and apply to the program and then we'll see. I believe in miracles you know."

Janet rolled her eyes and turned onto her side.

"Right. Just like that."

She snapped her fingers. Kaylie giggled and squirted lemonade at her through her straw.

"Hey! And I was going to ask you to move in with me!"

Kaylie sobered quickly and looked away. Janet's eyes widened.

"What is it? You don't want to be my roommate?"

"No. It's not that. It's just that- well, Dev asked me to move in with him."

Janet squealed and threw her arms around Kaylie.

"Oh my G.o.d! That's amazing!"

"I don't know. It's kind of a big step. And then my mother would be alone."

"Maybe I can move in with her instead."

Janet flopped back onto her back and stared up at the sky. Kaylie laughed.

"Sometimes I think I'm too young but other times... I love him so much you know?"

"I can tell. He loved you too. You are really lucky."

"Come on Jan, don't tell me you didn't find someone at school. You're gorgeous! I mean you always were pretty, but now, you look like a movie star!"

Janet rolled her eyes.

"Jack doesn't think so."

"Oooooh.... I knew something was going on!"

"Unfortunately that is not the case."

"Do you like him? I could have sworn I saw some sparks flying."

"I thought I did. But he has no interest in me whatsoever."

"I wouldn't be too sure. Jack's the most loyal person I know. He hides his feelings though. Still waters run deep."

Janet just snorted. That's one way to put it. Kaylie nudged her in the shoulder.

"What happened? Tell me!"

Janet sighed. She might as well tell Kaylie. At least then she might feel like it really happened, instead of feeling like some sort of dream.