Bachelor's Special by Christine Warner

face. She’d seen it so many times. Brows drawn tight, one side of her mouth quirked up and her nose wrinkled.
    “Well, you’re starting to sound like a guy.”
    Mel’s giggle assured Jill she still had her friend. Though, for some reason, Mel had lost her ability to be comforting.
    “Jill, its sex. Just sex. Sex, sex, sex. I hate to clue you in, but everyone’s doing it. You didn’t just invent it, you know?”
    “Thanks a lot.”
    “You’re welcome. A lot. Now listen, just because you sexed it up doesn’t mean you have to repeat it. Unless, of course, you want to. Be cool. Casual. If he thinks you’ve gone all hysterical on him, he’ll flee. And now that my matchmaking scheme has gotten to the good part, I don’t want you messing it up.”
    “You’re insane.”
    “I told you he was the perfect guy for you, and you’re the perfect girl for him. You’re both just slow to realize what Jared and I could see through a brick wall.”
    “Blah, blah, blah.”
    “Right back at you. You can thank me when you’re walking down the aisle all dressed in white.”
    “I’m going to hang up. You’re blinded by rose-colored glasses.”
    “And so are you, you just don’t know it.”
    Mel’s giggle jerked Jill to her senses.
    “You’re half right. I was crazy to call the person who got me into this predicament, but I’m also smart enough to realize I can handle this on my own.” Jill’s nerves eased, even her palms dried. Okay, she had this covered. She vacated her first plan of steering clear of Chet. They both needed to meet head on and discuss what happened between them like adults. Then she needed to put on her professional veneer and slap herself silly if she even dared to think about touching him again.
    Or heaven forbid kissing him. Or letting his hands…
    Ugh . He’s your boss! But the thought of his amazing lips against hers as his fingers wreaked havoc over her flesh enflamed her desire to an all-time high.
    “Are you okay now?” Mel’s nail file stopped.
    “I’m good. As long as I remember why I’m here.”
    “To find yourself some love.”
    “No, to gain the contacts I’ll need to get my business going with the help of my new friend—I mean boss.”
    Mel’s laughter pierced Jill’s ear.
    “Friend? Boss? Your glasses must be the deepest shade of red available. Definitely not boss, and friendship is over, you’ve moved to new territory.”
    “You’re wrong. We can be friends.”
    “With benefits.” Mel squashed back a chuckle, then sighed. “Listen, I’d love to hang on the line and torment you into reality, but Jared’s due to arrive in less than ten and I still need to paint my toenails.”
    “No worries, I’m good. I need to work out a conversation in my head, then say it aloud to Chet to make sure we’re still on the same page.”
    “Whatever, Jill. I hate to tell you, once you turn that page there’s no going back.”
    “Not if you’re determined.”
    “You honestly think once you’ve wrestled the snake you can be just friends?”
    “Yes.” Even as she spoke, Jill doubted the strength of her word. She’d been fooling herself and fighting an attraction that possessed sinewy muscles of power. No way would she ever be able to think of Chet in any other light but sexual. But damn it, she’d try.
    “Why fight it? What’s the aversion?” Mel’s voice grew serious, a rarity.
    “Several reasons.”
    “Just name me one.”
    “For starters, I’m working for him.”
    “I’d say it’s more of a you scratch his back, he’ll scratch yours type of deal.”
    “Plus, he’s not looking for ties that bind. I don’t want to chase someone who isn’t interested in being caught.”
    “You have him all wrong. He just doesn’t know he wants to be caught.”
    “Well, maybe I don’t want to catch him. Have you considered he might not be my type?” She almost laughed at her own lie, but bit her lip instead. Attractive, smart, funny, undeniably sexy men who turned her