An Irresistible Bachelor by J. R. Ward Page A

fitting that ego of yours indoors?”
    He shook his head slowly. “Not in a place the size of Buona Fortuna. I’d probably have a hard time with a ranch or a split-level, though.”
    She opened her mouth to speak, but then a smile tugged at the corners of her lips and she turned back to the toolbox.
    Damn, but he wished she’d share the expression with him.
    Jack took a step toward her and then forced himself to stop. “Listen, there’s nothing wrong with pleasure, and most people, when they’re lucky enough to find it, don’t want to stop. Unless, of course, they’re already with someone or they’ve been hurt before, which brings me back to my point. You are one of the most defensive, closed women I’ve ever met. It makes me think that someone’s done a number on you.”
    She glanced at him over her shoulder and the smile was gone. “I have no intention of discussing my personal life with you. It’s none of your business as it doesn’t impact our professional relationship. And I am not defensive!”
    He cocked an eyebrow and smiled softly.
    She cleared her throat and looked away. “Maybe I’m just wary of strangers. Which is a very healthy thing.”
    â€œDoes that mean, if you knew me better, you wouldn’t be so cautious?”
    She laughed, and the rueful edge to the sound was a relief to him. “I’m always going to be wary of you.”
    â€œCallie. Look at me.”
    It was a while before she did.
    â€œI really am sorry. And you can trust me. With anything. With your life. I’m not going to hurt you.”
    She frowned and chewed her bottom lip. Seeing her white teeth come out over the softness of her mouth made him forget his good intentions for a split second.
    Her voice was almost a whisper when she finally spoke. “But you kissed me while knowing you were engaged. Didn’t you?”
    He shut his eyes. She had him on that one.
    She began taking small jars out of the toolbox and lining them up on the table. “Maybe we should wait for the painting to arrive before we go to the MFA. And I—ah, I think I’d like to get set up now.”
    It was an effective change of subject and suggested she wanted some time alone. He knew he couldn’t force her any further, but sure as hell hoped she took what he’d said to heart. In spite of his actions.
    â€œI’ll leave,” he said. “But I want you to know that I’m glad you’re staying. And that I really do want this to go well. For both of us.”
    When she didn’t respond, he walked across the room. Pausing at the head of the stairs, he said, “Callie?”
    She looked up. “What?”
    â€œAre you with someone?”
    As her face reddened, he told himself he was stepping over the line again.
    Although not as much as when he’d kissed her, he thought drily.
    â€œWhat I mean is, do you need time off? Or to have someone come visit?” He spoke casually, trying to cover his tracks.
    Because he wanted to know for himself, not to be gracious.
    She frowned before responding. “I was planning on working right through.”
    â€œAnd any visitors?”
    She went back to the toolbox, pulling out wooden sticks and wedges of cotton. “Ah—no. No visitors.”
    The shot of satisfaction that went through him made Jack want to curse.
    Get the hell out of here, you idiot.
    This time, he left quickly.

8
    AS JACK walked back to the house, he looked up at the dull, cloud-covered sky and knew that getting Callie to stay solved only part of the problem he’d created.
    What the hell was he going to tell Blair? The only explanation he could think of was that his self-control had slipped.
    Which was no explanation at all.
    Staying faithful to Blair had never been a problem before. When she’d asked him for monogamy a year ago, he’d agreed to the request and been faithful ever since. He’d wanted