Page 13 of A Girl Like Janet

As the shock of his words washed over her, Janet knew what it must feel like to die. She was unbelievably calm, almost numb.

Reese frowned, watching the expression on her face.

His gaze was hypnotic and Janet couldn’t force her eyes away. “I’m not one of your blondes.”

Reese closed his eyes and opened them again before inhaling a sharp breath. “I thought we’d already determined that. Janet,

listen.” Hands cupping her face, he brought her lips to his with an infinite gentleness, kissing her tenderly, threatening

to overwhelm her. “I’ve wanted you for weeks,” he whispered, his voice ragged. “Can’t you see you’re driving me crazy?”

Hands on his chest, Janet could feel the powerful beat of his heart against the palms of her hands.

“You want me too, don’t deny it.”

She couldn’t. It was true. “Yes, I... I want you, but I can’t. I can’t.” She wrenched herself out of his embrace and backed

away, her arms cradling her middle. Reese didn’t know what it was to truly love someone. He didn’t want commitment. She had

watched him for two years, had witnessed the progression of women in and out of his life. The pattern was always the same.

He’d wait until his latest flame would show signs of falling in love with him, then sever the relationship. Reese didn’t want

love, he wanted... the word refused to form in her mind.

“Why not?” He didn’t attempt to bring her back into his arms. “If you want me and I want you then what’s there to stop us?

You’re over twenty-one. We can keep this relationship confidential and out of the office.”

“That’s not it.” She took another step backward because he was beginning to make sense. Because she realized how much she

desired him. “I... I’ve been raised with high moral values I...” She paused and dropped her hands, forming tight fists

of resolve. “I just can’t. I’d hate myself in the morning. What seems so right tonight would be sordid and ugly when we wake

up.”

“It wouldn’t,” Reese argued. “You’ll wake in my arms and I’ll kiss away any doubts.”

“Reese, no.” Her voice was shaking. “Please accept that. I can’t, I just can’t.”

His dark head nodded, his blue eyes clear. “All right, I agree. Maybe it is too soon. We’ll give it time, test this thing.”

Janet was more unsure than ever. How could they possibly maintain a working relationship with a strong sexual current running

between them?

He opened her car door for her, but before she could climb inside he took her into his arms and gently kissed her. It was

sweet and beautiful, and Janet felt herself transcended, reaching heights of awareness she had never known existed. If he

had been rough or demanding, Janet wouldn’t have had any difficulty pushing him away. But this infinite tenderness weakened

her.

She lay awake for a long time analyzing her feelings. Was she in love with Reese Edwards? Her mind didn’t seem to have an

answer. She was strongly attracted to him, more than she had ever been to any man. But she couldn’t confuse physical attraction

with love.

Janet was grateful it was Friday when she woke with the alarm early the next morning. Glad, but not for the normal reasons.

She dressed carefully, fearing that whatever she chose would be read as some unspoken invitation.

As was his habit, Reese was already in his office when she arrived. The door between their rooms was open.

After the coffee had finished brewing she took a cup in to him and set it on the corner of his desk. “Good morning,” she said

crisply.

“Good morning, Janet.” He replied in the same businesslike tone, but when he raised his eyes to her he was smiling.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Wonderfully.” Liar, liar, her mind accused. “And you?”

“Restless, very restless.” The corners of his mouth quivered with the effort of suppressing a smile.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” She strived to sound aloof and uncaring.

“Not sorry enough,” he murmured under his breath, and Janet inhaled sharply. Her back rigid she removed a stack of files from

the out-basket and turned.

“Janet,” he called her and when she swung around he winked. “Relax, will you?”

Releasing the breath she’d unconsciously been holding, she nodded. “Yes, Mr. Edwards.”

The morning passed pleasantly, much to Janet’s surprise. She felt as though she’d been walking on eggshells for so long that

any release in the terrible tension was bound to help.

Gail noted Janet’s renewed appetite at lunch. “Do you actually mean you’re going to order something more than the soup du

jour? My ears must be deceiving me. Food, solid food.”

“Oh, Gail, cut it out,” Janet said and laughed. “You seem pretty chipper yourself. Something good must be happening.”

Gail arched both finely shaped brows and grinned. Janet regarded her closely. “All right, Gail Templeton, you look like a

Cheshire cat grinning at me. Something’s happened and you’re bursting to tell me.”

Her dark eyes sparkled as Gail scooted closer to the table. “Well, actually I guess you could say something wonderful’s happened.

Ben asked me to marry him last night.” Her own happiness at the news was reflected on her face.

“Congratulations! Not that I’m surprised. You’ve been seeing a lot of one another lately.”

“We haven’t got the rings yet, so don’t say anything. Ben wants to talk to my parents first. I know they’ll approve; Mom and

Dad have always liked Ben. I’m so lucky, Janet. There isn’t anyone in the world I’d rather have than Ben, I love him so much.”

“How’d you know you were in love with him?” Janet’s fingers curled around the water glass. It sounded like an unusual question

and she felt uneasy. “I mean, when did you realize what you felt for Ben was love?”

Gail sighed and her shoulders slouched forward slightly. “I’m not exactly sure when. It’s not like I could put an actual date

on it. Ben and I had been dating now and then. Sort of the way you and Gary have in the past. I liked him, but he wasn’t special.”

“What changed?”

Gail shrugged and swept the palm of her hand in front of her. “I’m not really sure. I liked Ben as a friend and gradually

that friendship matured into love. You might say it caught on fire because we’ve been seeing each other almost every night

for weeks now.”

“I know,” Janet teased.

“After we talk to my parents, we’re going to ask your father if he’ll marry us.”

“Dad would be honored.” Janet recalled her father’s mentioning several months before that he wouldn’t be surprised if Gail

and Ben decided to marry. Janet hadn’t thought much of the comment. Yet he’d known even before they did.

Malcolm Hayes was in Reese’s office when Janet returned from lunch, and the connecting door was closed.

The phone rang and Janet picked up the receiver. “Mr. Edwards’ office.”

“Hello, Miss Montgomery, this is Bunny. Can I speak to Reese?”

The familiar sugar-coated voice sent chills straight up Janet’s spine. “I’m sorry, Bunny, but Mr. Edwards is in a meeting.

Can I take a message?”

“Tell him I called. And, Miss Montgomery, please tell him its very, very important.”

Janet’s pen flew across the pink memo pad. “I’ll do that.” Replacing the receiver a moment later, she underlined the large

capital letters: VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

The call troubled her most of the afternoon. She should be grateful, she chided herself angrily as she replaced a file. Bunny

Jacobs’ call helped her put things into perspective. She wasn’t one of Reese’s empty-headed dates. She had brains, brains

enough to know there was nothing but heartache ahead if she allowed herself to become entangled by his charms.

Other than the necessary office dialogue, Janet didn’t speak to Reese for the remainder of the afternoon. She cleared her

desk at quitting time and was waiting for Gail when Reese moved into the front of the office.

“Have a nice weekend, Janet.” His deep blue eyes did a lazy appraisal of her.

“Thank you,” she murmured nervously. “I will.” Janet relaxed when Reese returned to his office. What had she expected? Did

she think he was going to suggest a date for the weekend? She should be grateful he hadn’t. Yet a nagging sense of disappointment

came over her. What did it matter? Janet asked herself. She had long ago decided to say no to any suggestion he offered.

Gail and Ben were going to Gail’s parents’ home for dinner, and Janet was left to her own devices for the evening. Reading

over the menu, she noted a movie that looked interesting and popped a frozen pizza in the oven. She hated to cook, and Gail

was much better at it.

Fifteen minutes later the timer dinged and Janet pulled out the cookie sheet. She had no sooner set it on top of the counter

than the doorbell chimed. Wiping her hands on her apron, she walked across the room and looked through the peephole. Reese.

She closed her eyes a moment and expelled a long, shuddering breath before opening the door.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her breath fast and uneven. She was accustomed to seeing Reese in business suits, and

now he was dressed casually in dark slacks and a burgundy pullover sweater. One look at the compelling male figure and Janet

knew she was fighting a losing battle. She wouldn’t be honest if she refused to admit she was pleased to see him.

“I’ve come to see you,” he said, and the grooves around his mouth deepened into a smile. “Have you eaten?”

Her poise cracking, Janet gestured toward the kitchen. “I... I was just about to have something. You’re welcome to share

a bite if you’d like.”

“Oh, I’d like all right,” he mumbled, but his gaze was centered on her mouth.

Nervously Janet moistened her lips with her tongue and with a muted groan Reese pulled her into his arms.

Calling herself every kind of fool, Janet wrapped her arms around his neck without restraint. Their mouths strained against

one another as if they couldn’t give, couldn’t receive enough.

Janet’s legs were no steadier than the autumn leaves falling to the earth in the world outside her door.