2

Chapter 2

To make the room even more intimidating, Jason sat at the table, clicking the keys of his laptop and speaking into the microphone of a headset he wore. He looked up, lifted a finger to indicate he’d be a moment, and finished his conversation. As he spoke, she drank in the sight of him, resisting the urge to squirm as she took a seat. Jason was fit and tanned, with handsome features that had a rougher edge than Josh’s still immature facial appearance.

Get a grip. It was crazy to lust after Josh’s father. She reminded herself he was fifteen years older than she was and unlikely to find her at all appealing. He was too virile and male to seem like anyone’s father, especially since he could pass for someone in his early thirties. No doubt, Jason had his pick of women, so why would he want someone like Lanie?

When he’d finished his conversation, he looked up. His gaze encompassed both of them, but she couldn’t help feeling as if his eyes were boring directly into her, probing her deepest secrets. She blinked to shield her eyes, though the action was superstitious.

“I’m sorry, but you were down earlier than I’d expected.”

“Lanie’s not your typical girl,” said Josh, touching her shoulder carelessly. “She doesn’t take forever to get ready.”

Lanie grinned. “Josh takes longer to get ready in the mornings than I do.”

The arrival of an older woman interrupted the conversation, but she thought Jason stiffened for just a moment. When Lanie turned her head to look fully at him, his attention was on the tray the woman held.

“Lanie, this is Mrs. Donner,” said Josh as he carelessly reached for one of the papaya wraps on the tray.

“It’s Vera.” She pulled the tray away from Josh’s reach to offer it to Lanie.

“Hello.” After taking a wrap, Lanie eyed the other woman as Vera served Jason before offering the tray to Josh. She speculated about Vera’s relationship with Jason, deciding the other woman might be in her mid-forties but was still very attractive. Of course, there was a Mr. Donner, so she probably wasn’t sleeping with Jason.

Lanie frowned, exasperated her thoughts had once again turned to Jason and contemplating his sex life. What would it be like to have sex with him? Goosebumps bloomed on her arms as she imagined how it would be to wrap herself around his body.

She forced her attention back to Josh and Jason after Vera brought in colorful salads. The men were engaged in conversation, and Jason’s attention seemed fixed on his son, but she still felt watched.

It was difficult to eat when she couldn’t shake the sensation Jason was covertly examining her, carefully weighing her every action, judging her and finding her wanting. Lanie tried to be sensible and tell herself she was imagining things, that her own insecurity made her feel that way, not his actions. It was still difficult to choke down anything.

“Is there something wrong with your dinner?” asked Jason unexpectedly during the main course, as he abruptly turned toward her.

She shook her head. “Not at all. The tuna sashimi is delicious.”

“Hmm. You’ve barely touched anything. If you prefer something else—”

Again, she shook her head. “No, thanks. I think I’m just tired from the trip.”

“Maybe it’s jet lag,” Josh said with a grin. “That flight from Atlanta can be a killer. It takes at least four hours, with stopovers and boarding the seaplane.”

“Ha ha.” Lanie almost stuck her tongue out at him, but resisted the urge.

“I’m sure a night in bed will make you feel better,” said Jason.

Whose bed? She gasped lightly at the idea of uttering that question. She was definitely losing it, especially since she was projecting a double meaning into his words and a slightly throaty tone to his voice.

His brow furrowed. “Are you okay?”

Lanie nodded, not explaining the gasp. How could she? Instead, she tried changing the subject. “This is an elegant room. Did you decorate it, Mr. Masters?”

“Jason.” He shook his head. “It was a design firm in Miami. I’ve always found the room kind of stiff, but I haven’t bothered to redecorate.” He shrugged. “I eat most of my meals on the patio.”

“That sounds nice.” She sipped the iced fruit juice, wishing they were outside right now, since she was overheated, despite the temperature being closely regulated for comfort.

“We eat out on the balcony a lot,” said Josh. “Our kitchen table is covered with Lanie’s supplies.”

Jason set down his fork carefully. “You two live together?”

Lanie froze, sure she wasn’t imagining the icy inflection in his voice.

Josh seemed oblivious. “Yep. My last roommate left without notice, and Lanie’s rent had just gone up, so we decided to live together.”

“You don’t need a roommate,” said Jason. “I’d be happy to buy you a condo.”

Josh frowned. “No, thanks. I want to do it on my own.”

“You can pay me back when you graduate.”

Lanie saw Josh’s shoulders stiffen. “No, thanks,” he said again, sounding resolute.

“Josh, I want to help—“

“I don’t want your help, Dad.”

Jason sipped water before asking in a light tone, “Should I cancel the check for your fall tuition then?”

His fork clattered to the plate, and Josh balled his fists on either side of his plate. “Dammit, Dad, that’s different.”

“How? You’ll let me pay for college, but not support you? That’s nuts.”

Lanie tried to remain absolutely still, wondering if they felt as awkward having what she’d heard was a typical conversation as she did having to hear it.

“Your help comes with too many strings, Dad.”

Jason frowned. “I’ll never ask more of you than you’re capable of doing.”

Josh sighed. “Can we drop this?” He shot a meaningful look at Lanie, and she squirmed as both their gazes skirted over her.

After a pause, Jason returned to his meal and Josh did the same. Lanie attempted to give the appearance of eating in the stiff silence.

“How long have you been living with Josh?” asked Jason. His tone was bland, but he seemed on edge.

“A few months.” Why did his question make her feel so guilty? She wasn’t sleeping with Josh, and even if she were, they were both adults. Trying to suppress the irrational response, she added, “I love Josh’s apartment. It’s so much nicer than the one I lived in before, on my own.”

He nodded, his blue eyes glittering with an emotion she couldn’t identify. “I imagine it must be a step up.”

“I was lucky to find that place,” said Josh. “The price was amazing.”

“Very lucky,” said Jason before taking another drink of water.

Lanie eyed him thoughtfully for a moment, unable to hold back a slight smile. Nothing in Jason’s posture betrayed him, but somehow, she knew he was the one who’d helped Jason find such a great deal—whether he owned the apartment and rented it to his son through a third party, or just paid some of the rent, she didn’t know. It was obvious Josh had no clue.

He met her gaze, his appraising, and then he nodded slightly, recognizing she had guessed his secret. “Do you enjoy living so close to the beach, Lanie?”

Josh laughed. “You can hardly get her to go, Dad. She’s either busy with school or designing.”

“What do you design?” His gaze raked over the cheap sundress. “Clothes?”

Lanie shook her head, wishing the conversation hadn’t shifted focus to her. “Jewelry.”

“Stick out your tongue.”

Jason arched a brow at his son’s request. “Excuse me?”

Lanie slowly extended her tongue, leaning slightly closer to Jason. The action was intimate in a way she couldn’t describe, bringing a flush of heat to her body.