Page 32 of Jaked

"You promised me answers," I reminded him.

His gaze met mine. "That makes two of us."

I looked around. "It seems to me, you've got more to talk about than I do."

"This?" he said, glancing toward the massive windows. "It's nothing."

"You are so full of it," I said.

"Am I?"

I couldn't help it. I justhadto ask. "Is all this really yours?" I made a sweeping gesture with my hand. "This place. The car. The furniture. The fancy clothes." I shook my head. "I don't get it."

Frowning, he looked down at his tattered shirt. "Fancy?"

"Fancy. Expensive. Whatever. I saw the tags." Either the guy was living well beyond his means, or he had one hell of a story to tell. I'd get it out of him sooner or later.

Jake looked down. Soon, I heard a low chuckle.

"What's so funny?" I said.

"Most girls kiss my ass."

No surprise there. From the hints that I'd seen, his ass was infinitely kissable. Yet somehow, I didn't think that's what he meant.

"Is that what you really want?" I asked. Sure, I could see the appeal short-term. But wouldn’t that get old after a while?

He flashed me a grin that somehow didn't meet his eyes. "Sure. Why not?"

"Oh forget it," I said.

"Done."

Damn it. He wasn't really supposed to forget it. But then, something else jumped to the forefront of my mind. "Wait a minute," I said, recalling an earlier comment. "What'd you mean about no one messing with your family?"

He gave me a good, long look. "You really don't know?"

"I don't know what?" I said. "You and I aren't related." I swallowed. "Are we?"Oh God, please say no. Or at least be a really distant cousin, like five times removed, whatever that meant.

"The funny thing is," he said, "we are."

Damn it.

"Or at least," he added, "wewillbe."

"Huh?"

"Get this." He gave a laugh devoid of any real amusement. "My brother? Your sister? Wanna know what they did?"

I shrugged. "What?"

"They went and got engaged."

My jaw dropped. "Really? When?"

"Valentine's Day." His voice grew sarcastic. "Isn't that romantic?"

"Oh my God," I breathed. "That was weeks ago." My heart sank. "And no one told me?"