Page 110 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

“So what?” she asked. “I believe the occasional day of hooky is necessary for both adults and children. Everyone needs a break. A day of escape from their routine.”

“I’d be willing to bet you still don’t play hooky,” he accused. “I bet you haven’t taken a day off since you began teaching.”

“Wrong,” she retorted. “Once, I took two days off in a row.”

“For what?”

“I had the flu,” she answered.

“That doesn’t count.” Jared shook his head. “There’s no hooky in sick days.”

“Says you,” she replied.

“Yeah, says me.” He winked at her.

Cat felt herself smile in return. Heavens, he had the most beautiful smile. Full lips parted over strong white teeth that were framed by a devastatingly deep pair of dimples. That was the kind of smile a woman lost her head over, not to mention a few of her more passionate body parts.

“So where does Gerard fit into the picture?”

“When I met the big...Matthew – I really should stop calling him names,” she said.

“Why?” Jared scowled. “If the name fits.”

Cat snorted.

“When you met him, was it love at first sight?” Jared asked, shifting his gaze to Lucy.

“No.” Cat shook her head. “He was too practical for that. But he was the first guy to show that kind of interest in me, and I was very flattered. I think I grew to love him, but it was more the love of a friend. I figured he was the only man who would ever ask me to marry him, so when he did, I said yes.”

“That’s the dopiest thing I’ve ever heard.” Jared glared at her. “Why would you think no one else would ever ask you?”

“I’m sorry, did you miss the part where he was my first boyfriend?” Cat narrowed her eyes to match his. “I had no frame of reference for how these things were supposed to go so when he asked I said yes.”

“Well, it was ridiculous,” he growled.

“Thank you very much,” Cat snarled, turning away to face the window. “Remind me not to tell you anything ever again.”

“Fine,” he agreed and looked up to see the traffic beginning to move. Starting the engine, he flowed in with the other vehicles, relieved that Cat no longer seemed interested in him or his life story. Except it didn’t feel like relief. If he didn’t know better, he’d have guessed that he was feeling disappointed but that was ridiculous.

When they landed in Effingham, Illinois, for their third night on the road, Cat was still stewing. Jared McLean was the most aggravating, irritating, attractive man she’d ever known. Absolutely the wrong man for her to get involved with, and still, she wanted him. With that thought in mind, she traded in her cotton pajamas for a frilly negligee. He didn’t even flinch. She debated stripping naked and streaking around the motel room, but decided if he didn’t notice, the humiliation might just kill her.

The air conditioner hummed, and Cat tossed and turned, tangling up the light sheet that covered her. She could hear Jared’s deep, even breathing and felt resentment swell within her. He’d hardly spoken to her since the traffic jam, he ignored her negligee, and to top it off, he snored! If he was going to ruin her night’s sleep, the least he could do was be quiet about it.

Furious, she thrust the sheet aside and climbed out of bed. She didn’t pause to consider her actions. She jerked the makeshift curtain aside and glared at the sleeping man before her.

Moonlight peeped through the window blinds, and Cat caught her breath as she gazed at the beautiful masculine form before her. She gulped. He was lying on his back, the thin motel sheet was wadded up around his waist, leaving his arms and the broad expanse of his chest bare. Wow!

Common sense told her to get back on her side of the curtain. Cat wasn’t listening. Entranced, she sat beside the seductively warm sleeping body. She laid a hand on his shoulder and shook him, trying to rouse him without shocking him.

He grunted and rolled over, giving Cat a clear view of his back. It was warm and wide and hard, tapering down to a slim waist. Her fingers twitched when she reached for his shoulder. His skin was hot against her fingers and she sighed. He let out a deep nasal snore. The noise made her jump and then frown. That did it!

She reached across him, grabbed the extra pillow and smacked him on the head with it.

“Jared, wake up!”

“Huh?” He grabbed the pillow with one hand and her waist with the other. His fingers tightened and then stilled as if registering the feel of her through the flimsy fabric she wore. His eyes popped open, his eyebrows shot up two notches, and he snapped upright, bringing his face within inches of hers.

“What are you doing on my side of the curtain?” he shouted.