Page 122 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

He leaned his forehead against hers. His breathing was uneven, and his hands shook as they trailed her spine. He had to come clean now, before he got even more carried away with her. Cupping her face with his palms, he drew a steadying breath and tried to ignore her heavy-lidded, passionate gaze.

“Cat, I have to be honest with you,” he began.

She nodded, as if unable to speak.

“It’s about Cameron,” he began.

“What about Cam?” She went still, and Jared lowered his hands to grip her hips.

“About three weeks ago, he called me to ask a favor.” Cat siffened, but Jared continued, “I agreed to do the favor because he’s my best friend.”

“What favor?” she asked in clipped tones.

“I think you know,” he said, watching her eyes turn blue with fury.

“Tell me,” she demanded. “I want to hear you say it.”

“He asked me to drive out west with his somewhat absentminded sister.”

“You don’t hitchhike, do you?” she asked.

Jared shook his head.

“And you don’t have a place in Maine?”

“No,” he admitted ruefully.

She shoved his arms aside and glared at him. “So this was to soften the blow?”

“No. I was trying to let you know how I feel about you.” He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

“How do you feel about me?” she snapped. “Never mind, it’s obvious. You think I’m a scatterbrained nitwit who couldn’t find her way out of a closet with the door open.”

The hurt in her eyes hit Jared like a punch in the gut. He’d have preferred a punch – at least it would assuage some of the guilt he felt.

“I care about you,” he said.

The veracity in his deep blue gaze was unmistakable, and Cat knew he was being honest. But it was too little, too late.

“Why?” she asked, her throat tight with angry tears. “Why did you lie to me? Do I really seem so feeble-brained that I can’t be let out on my own?”

“No.” Jared’s voice was gruff. “Damn it, I never wanted to hurt you. But Cam asked me to protect you, and he’s my friend.”

“So your friendship with my brother is more important than being honest with me. Well, that tells me where I stand.”

“It’s not that simple,” he protested.

“Isn’t it?” she asked.

“I’m sorry, Cat,” he said.

“Me, too.” Pulling away from him, she climbed back into the van and slammed the door in his face.

They arrived in Gallup, New Mexico, well after dark. This would be their last night together. Cat tried to feel better about that, but it just depressed her. She was supposed to have gotten Jared to make love to her by now. Ha!

They’d hardly exchanged two words all afternoon. Despite Jared’s apology, she was still furious. She’d been duped. First by Cameron and then by Jared. It was like trying to swallow an aspirin that was lodged in her throat. A very bitter pill.

She’d thought Jared was different. He had seemed to believe she was just fine the way she was. But it had all been one big, fat whopping lie.