A Touch of Confidence Read Free Page B

hand disappeared, leaving Jack oddly bereft by its absence. Then his shoulders were cloaked with a light weight and her exquisite fragrance surrounded him, intoxicating him.
    He stared at her, noticed her bare neck for the first time, and wondered how she’d respond if he pressed the smallest of kisses to the exposed flesh.
    Then he wondered how he could think about kissing her at a time like this.
    He blinked. Minutes ago she’d worn a scarf. A long one that she’d wrapped around that neck and let the ends hang down over her breasts. Now it was gone. Which explained the feather-light wrap on his shoulders.
    “It’s not helping.” She sounded worried. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
    And then the statuesque Miss Jones was gone, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts and his fears.
    He lowered himself to the floor and scrubbed an exhausted hand over his face.
    Damn it. He didn’t want to be alone. Didn’t want to face what he’d so stoically avoided since his phone had rung. It would be so much easier to forget real life. To deny his grandfather had a problem. Perhaps if he lost himself to the subtle scent of roses and the not-so-subtle rise of full breasts and creamy white skin, he could forget the trauma of the night before.
    Long moments passed and there was Claire again, crouching in front of him, pressing a paper cup into his hand. He took it, and almost smiled at her attempts to look after him when she held her hand around the cup too, looping her fingers over his, making sure he didn’t drop it. Then she guided their hands towards his mouth, as if he were incapable.
    “Drink,” she insisted. “It’s tea, with lots of sugar. It’ll get you warm and help with the shock.”
    He frowned in disdain. “I’m not in shock. Men don’t go into shock.”
    Her replying nod showed exactly how much she believed him. “Yeah, okay. Drink the tea anyway.” She tilted her hand.
    Hot, milky liquid spilled into his mouth. Hot and very sweet. For someone who took his drinks without sugar, the taste almost made him retch. But to give the woman credit, the tea slid down his throat and landed in a warm puddle in his belly, and when Claire tilted the cup for a second time, he took another sip, and then a third without arguing.
    Three swallows were as much as he could handle. The next time she attempted to feed him, he shook his head and lowered both the cup and her hand. “Thank you. That’s enough.”
    She looked at him in disbelief.
    “Honestly, I don’t need more. I’m fine.” Again he became aware of the scarf around his shoulders filling his head with her beguiling scent.
    He set the cup on the floor, removing her fingers from it so it could balance.
    Claire shook her head. “You’re white as a sheet and icy cold. You did not respond once when I called your name and barely even noticed when I shook you.”
    “Delayed reaction is all,” he assured. “I’m fine.” And he felt it. Felt…calm again. Maybe the tea had helped. Although he suspected it was Miss Jones who had soothed his worries, not the hot drink.
    “You, my friend, are not fine. You’re in shock.” She shot him a look that dared him to disagree, and the patience and kindness in her eyes took his breath.
    He had a sudden, desperate urge to kiss her.
    He almost snorted aloud. Yeah, right. This was no time for a kiss. His grandfather was in hospital, he’d just fucked up a lease agreement, and she was madder than hell and threatening legal action.
    His thoughts sobered him. Maybe the woman was right. Maybe he had just experienced a delayed shock reaction.
    “Would you like to talk about it?” Her voice was gentle, nothing like the irate firecracker who’d stood before him threatening to contact her lawyer.
    He shrugged, pulling himself together. Yes, his grandfather was unwell. But he could cope with it. He didn’t have a choice. “There’s nothing to talk about. He had a heart attack. He’s in the hospital. They’re looking after