Whirlwind by Robin DeJarnett

waiter left, and Jason faced me again.
     
    “So how many of those do you have?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
     
    He inspected the tablecloth and actually blushed. “Do you really want to know?”
     
    Is he embarrassed? How could he be after that display?
     
    “Yes. No-nonsense, remember?” It would be better to end this delusion now, before it went any further. I’d already considered checking into the hotel, just so I could hand him a key. I was pathetic.
     
    Jason reached into his right jacket pocket and retrieved not one, but four keys—and a handful of notes, which he crumpled into a tight ball.
     
    Damn. I’m such a loser.
     
    “I see. So how do you know which key goes with which note?” I asked flatly. The number of propositions shouldn’t have surprised me; a girl would have to be both blind and deaf to not be attracted to Jason. His frankness with that fact did surprise me.
     
    “I don’t care. I have no intention of ever contacting any of these women.” He set the ball of paper on a passing busboy’s tray and re-pocketed the cards. “I’ll drop these off at the front desk.” He looked at me again, anticipating the next question.
     
    “So what’s in the other pocket—underwear?” My words came out unnecessarily sharp, and I immediately slapped my hand over my mouth.
     
    Jason’s eyebrows rose, along with the corners of his perfect lips.
     
    “I’m sorry. That was rude. There’s no delete button in person, is there?” I shook my head and clamped my mouth shut before I could say anything else obnoxious.
     
    He laughed. “No, I guess not.” Jason’s smile shrank, and he captured my gaze with his. “I only put important things in my left pocket,” he said, his smooth voice challenging me.
     
    Now my eyebrows crept up. “Really…” The sarcasm slipped out before I could stop myself.
     
    “Would you like to see?” He stretched his jacket toward me, inviting me to put my hand in and check for myself. I rolled my eyes when he waved the coat seductively.
     
    It didn’t take long for curiosity to get the best of me, and I carefully reached into his pocket. I couldn’t feel a thing—it was empty. His hand followed mine into the space, weaving our fingers together and sending my heart to my throat. “Only things I care about go in this pocket,” he murmured and gently pressed my hand a little farther in.
     
    Again I had trouble breathing.
     
    Before I could respond, Chase’s voice startled me. “Jason, the DJ says he’s ready when we are,” he said from behind me. Jason nodded and slowly released my hand.
     
    “I’ll be back for that,” he said, his eyes flickering to my hand, still suspended where he’d released it. “Stay right here, okay? I’ll just be a minute or two.”
     
    “All right,” I croaked.
     
    Chase said something and pulled out the chair next to me, but I was too busy pinching myself to pay attention. I had to be dreaming. This couldn’t be real.
     
    “Hurry back,” Linda said as she sat down, making me jump—again.
     
    “What’s going on?” I asked after deciding that if I was asleep, waking up was a really bad idea.
     
    “We have a special gift for Mitch and Ann. You’ll see,” Chase said, smiling at Linda. He caressed her cheek with one finger before following Jason across the dance floor.
     
    Smugness shadowed her face like a veil; she knew what they were up to. She just pointed after the guys, refusing to speak.
     
    Next to the DJ’s table a polished baby grand had gone untouched until Jason propped open its lid. He settled himself at the instrument and gently tapped on the microphone mounted in front of him. A guitar appeared in Chase’s hands, and he picked a few notes. With a nod to Jason, he gave the DJ a thumbs up.
     
    The music died, and the DJ’s voice boomed over the speakers. “At this time, I invite you to clear the dance floor for the bride and groom. Mitch and Ann, could you please take center