One in a Million Read Free Page B

sense.
    She was so busy trying, and failing, to excuse her body’s extreme response to his touch, she almost missed his reaction to the pregnancy claim. Fleetingly his face paled, his lips formed an unspoken curse-word. Then his pallor receded and he shook out his fingers, as if discarding the redhead’s allegation.
    â€œThe lady might be pregnant,” he drawled, “but not by me.”
    The steel beneath the lazy tone was clearly intended to nix further argument. But if he was as careless in his relationships as Caleb said he was on the track… That poor girl’s baby needed a father. Jen squared her shoulders. “She seems quite categorical about your, uh, role in the proceedings and the, uh, consequence. Maybe you should come see her, just to be sure?”
    His smile was relaxed, but the gaze that settled on her was emerald-hard. “I missed the spring race here due to injury, which means I haven’t been in the area for a year.” Hescratched the back of his head. “Remind me, how long does it take for a baby to grow after a man and a woman…?”
    Heat, stupid and naive, climbed Jen’s cheeks. Pathetic, after the explicit speculation she’d listened to in the office all week without blushing. But something about Eli even hinting at sex… She wrapped her arms around her middle and forced herself to sound calm. “I’m sure you don’t need me to explain the facts of life, Mr. Ward.”
    She was one hundred percent certain that he possessed far more of those facts than she did.
    â€œYou sound like one of my ninth grade English teachers,” Eli said appreciatively. “ One of them? You were expelled?” Her newly lurid mind envisaged all kinds of inappropriate behavior. Good grief, how did he have this effect on her? “I’m sorry,” she said quickly, “it’s none of my business.”
    Unexpectedly one side of his mouth kicked up. “You’re not related to Gil Sizemore, are you? Did he send you to spy on me?”
    Jen didn’t know much about NASCAR, but she did know Gil Sizemore was Eli’s team owner. “No,” she said. Why on earth would Mr. Sizemore want to spy on his own driver?
    â€œPhew.” Eli thumped a fist to his chest. “You had me worried. That puritanical streak of yours has a real Sizemore flavor.”
    Guilt nudged her. Much as she loved the grandparents who’d raised her, she tried not to indulge in their habit of assuming the worst of everyone. “I’m sorry,” she said again. “I was just worried about the lady in Bob’s office, and I’m sure you’d agree that even with the best of protection, accidents can happen.” Aargh! Now I’m lecturing him about contraception.
    Jen clamped her lips tight before she blurted something even more tactless.
    Those hypnotic green eyes sparkled. Surely that wasn’t his natural eye color?
    â€œI hope not,” Eli said.
    She parted her lips just enough to say, “Excuse me?”
    â€œYou said accidents happen. I can’t afford another crash this weekend.”
    Grateful that he’d let her off the hook, she said sympathetically, “I heard you’re not doing too well.”
    When Eli gaped, she realized she’d misspoken again.
    â€œI can’t decide if your bluntness is refreshing, or just blunt,” he said. “Are you always this…honest?”
    â€œIt’s the best policy,” she said seriously. “Though I try not to cause offence.”
    He chuckled. His gaze roamed her face. “Even your skin looks honest.”
    â€œI—skin can’t look honest!” She grabbed hold of the counter, her fingers fumbling against a socket set. He was doing it again, turning her topsy-turvy. Her skin, her body, prickled all over. And he knew it, judging by the laughter in his eyes. She was hopelessly out of her depth. “Mr. Ward,” she said firmly,