Night Heat by Brenda Jackson Page A

scent. And both were doing crazy things to her mind as well as to her body. She was experiencing that tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach again.
    â€œIf you were one of my brothers I would challenge you to a game of basketball. Working off your frustrations can help.”
    She tipped her head to the side and looked at him. “I take it that whatever game you’re involved in, you play to win.”
    â€œYes, just about.”
    She couldn’t help wondering how often he played any games. From what she’d seen in the past twodays the man spent most of his time working. She was dying to know how he relieved stress.
    â€œOkay, since you think I need to work off my frustrations, I have the perfect game.”
    He lifted his brow. “What?”
    â€œFollow me.”
    She led him through the kitchen to the basement, and when he reached the bottom stair he stopped, grinned and let out a long whistle. The place resembled a sports bar with a huge plasma television screen on the wall, a wraparound bar with wooden stools as well as several pinball machines, a huge dartboard and a card table. And you couldn’t miss the bold neon sign that read Jim’s Place.
    She must have read the question in his eyes because she said, “You know what a sports fanatic dad was, especially when it came to football. When I bought this house I decided to turn this room into a place where he and his cronies could hang out and enjoy whatever game they were into.”
    She chuckled. “On the weekends it became a regular hangout for him because there was always some game or another to watch on that huge television over there. It was nice seeing him and his friends have so much fun, and it felt good having him underfoot.”
    She swiped at the tears that suddenly appeared in her eyes and swore. “Damn, but I’m going to miss him.”
    Bas was across the room in a flash and gently pulled Jocelyn into his arms. “Hey, it’s going to be okay. And it’s all right to miss him. He was a good man and from what I can tell you were a good daughter. He had to have been proud of this place that you provided here for him, his own entertainment spot. That was pretty nice of you considering I bet Jim and his buddies could get rather loud at times,” he said flicking her a teasing smile.
    She chuckled. “If only you knew. I would be upstairs in bed reading with my ear plugs in. Still, it felt good knowing he was having a good time. They will be memories I will cherish forever, Bas.”
    â€œAnd you should. My parents retired a few years ago to move to Florida and left me and my brothers in charge. My first thought was good riddance, we wouldn’t have to put up with Dad constantly checking our decisions or Mom forcing us to Sunday dinner. But they hadn’t been gone two weeks and we were all missing them like crazy. We even thought about calling and telling them to move back. But then we decided it would have been selfish on our part. It was their time to enjoy life.”
    He squeezed her hand in assurance. “And from what I can see, you did that, Jocelyn. You gave Jim a chance to enjoy life.”
    â€œEveryone should,” she said, moving around himto cross the room when she began feeling hot and tingly again. She stopped when she came to one of the pinball machines and turned around.
    Her breath caught in her throat. He was looking at her the same way he’d been looking at her right before he had kissed her last night…and that wasn’t good. She tried getting her bearings and said, “So, are you ready to play a game?”
    He leaned against the bar and she watched his eyes darken. “And just what sort of game do you have in mind?”
    Evidently not the one you’re thinking about, she wanted to say. She might not have a lot of experience with men but she definitely could recognize one with heat in his eyes. “How about a game of