Grant watched Jenna shiver, despite the heat of the blaze that scorched his back. He didn't know why she wasn't warming up more quickly. Between the fire and the smoking hot woman in front of him, he might have to venture out into the blizzard himself to cool down. His stupid, clueless body didn't care how lame her story was.
"How long have you known my sister?" His family was a subject that could kill his libido if anything could.
"Several years. I met her when I first moved to Florida. Recently, I took one of the classes she teaches at the community center."
He nodded neutrally. He didn't care about the damn classes.
"You shouldn't blame Kate for anything I do," Jenna added. "She doesn't think I should be let out after dark without a keeper."
He eyed her bedraggled state. "She might have a point—"
"Hey! I did not pop out of a cake! I am not your singing birthday telegram! So you can just stop eyeing me like I'm your playmate du jour." She bolted upright and her feet hit the floor.
"Calm down." He moved after her as she stood, and caught her arm. He was a little appalled at the sense of dismay that had whipped through him when she started to leave. "You can't go. There's a terrible storm out there."
"I came in from that storm, and I can go right back out in it. I'm every bit as tough as I look."
He couldn't help laughing. "You don't look tough at all." Long, golden brown hair, curling a bit now that it was drying. Big brown eyes that managed to look both uncertain and inviting at the same time. And lips as full as Cupid's arched bow. Just waiting to strike and slay a man.
She wrenched her arm from his hand. "And don't patronize me."
He held up a hand and pantomimed wiping the smile off his face. "Okay then. You are tougher than that ten line algorithm I've been working on over there." He jerked his head towards his computer. "Lord knows it doesn't talk back like you do."
She stifled a giggle.
But he didn't feel like laughing any more. Her arm had still been cold and, when he considered the state of her clothes, he couldn't be surprised.
"There won't be any cabs out there, anyway," he reminded her.
"I got a cab to come here." She edged away from him.
He grasped her arm again, surprised at his own determination to keep her. "That cab driver was real anxious to hit the road and get home. He said the only good thing about this weather was that the streets are deserted."
"There's the subway."
"They have problems in bad weather, too. Besides, the way you're dressed you can't go anywhere." His eyes strayed to her tits for the hundredth time since she'd appeared. Though he tried not to be obvious, a woman couldn't dress like she did and not expect a man to look.
"You could lend me a sweatshirt."
He eyed her sexy sandals. Aside from their complete inability to protect her from the snow, he damn well knew what the message was. As would any other man who saw her in them. "I can't help you with your footwear. And a sweatshirt with your bare legs sticking out—" He shook his head. "Not safe for public viewing."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Are you kidding? You must know you have fabulous legs."
"A leg man, are you?"
"Nope. More of a boobs and butts guy myself. Since you asked." He couldn't help grinning at her flustered face. "But I like anything and everything on the right woman."
"I am not the right woman for—for whatever you might be implying."
"Don't be so defensive. You can't go anywhere 'til you warm up." He slung his arm around her shoulders. "I've got some body heat to share." He tugged her to his side.
Wow, she smelled good. Snow and roses. A potent combination. Especially when combined with a barely-there outfit, a rack to die for, and those legs.
He tried to inhale discreetly. She was up to something more than what she'd told him. He knew that for a fact. But he'd been holed up in his apartment for days, working like the devil, and he could definitely use a break. Besides, he really couldn't send her back out into the blizzard.
He glanced out the window where the snow fell silently out of the dark sky, backlit by city lights. Its beauty didn't hide its dangers. She had no money, no clothes, and nowhere to go, unless he chose to believe her story about the friend she could call. Which he didn't.
But, even if she was a liar, what harm could she do him? He might as well take advantage of the opportunity fate had dropped into his lap. So to speak. Because his lap was the part insisting as loudly as possible that Jenna should stay at least until it got some relief.
She tilted her head up to look him in the eye. "Your body heat line is not a good one. Let's find another subject."
"Okay." But whether or not she liked the line, he was going to share his warmth. Pressing gently on her shoulders, he eased her back down onto the sofa and dropped beside her. "You first."
"Can we talk about Kate?"
He muttered a curse under his breath. "I'd rather not." Would any sane man talk about family problems when he had a siren like Jenna practically in his arms?
"Kate is kind of upset that you won't stay in touch with her or anyone else in the family."
He stifled a sigh. Just like a woman. Couldn't stop talking and yapping about things that didn't matter. He hadn't spoken to Kate in five years. He could go another five. He could.
"I don't have any interest in all that socializing shit she loves. Facebook. Yakking on the phone." He waved a hand. "Girly stuff."
"Girly stuff, hmmm. Talking to your sister?"
"Aw, you know what I mean." He pressed a little closer. "Of course, there is some girly stuff I have a great interest in." He lowered his gaze to her cleavage.
"Now that is just rude and crude. Stop staring at me."
"Staring? I'm appreciating. Big difference."
"Not to me."
She crossed one bare leg over the other, as if to barricade what he wanted. But then she began to bob her top leg. Up. Down. Up. Down. The fuck-me heels dangled off her toes. Was she nervous? Or tormenting him on purpose?
Either way, if she looked in his lap, she'd know his appreciation had transformed itself into something far cruder than a peek at her boobs.
"I should probably call my friend now," she said.
"You can't go out in that storm." He pressed a little closer to her softness. As long as she'd quit talking about Kate, he really wanted her to stay. "It's supposed to snow for days."
"Days?" She stiffened. "Then the sooner I leave, the better."
"Not 'til you're warm." He grabbed her swinging leg and captured one of her feet. "Your toes are still freezing."
He wrapped both hands around her foot and began rubbing slowly. She had pretty feet, long and narrow and the pink polish on her toes made him want to suck on them. He stole a glance down at her profile. Yeah, she was cuddled up against him like a cozy kitten, but it was too soon for any sucking. He repressed a sigh.
He pulled her foot into his lap, widening the spread of his legs to get a good angle. He continued the massage, moving both his thumbs to her big toe and pressing down firmly. She practically oozed into relaxation against his side.
He moved to the next toe. A sound emerged from her throat and her eyes flew open. "That feels good," she murmured, and he knew her words were intended to hide her moan. He hid his smile as he moved down the line of her toes. Then the arch of her foot. Finally her heel. He resisted the urge to move to her ankles. All in good time.
He gently dropped her left foot into his lap and reached over to adjust her posture. "If you lean back against the arm of the sofa," he said, "I can work on your other foot."
Letting her eyes flutter closed, she lifted her right leg and relaxed her body back against the broad arm of the sofa. Yeah, that gave him a fine view of her tits. He almost groaned himself. He picked up her right foot and rubbed his hands over it to warm it up. Her left leg twitched and damn if it didn't end up an inch closer to his crotch. Had that move been deliberate?
Of course, it could just be him that was doing the moving, his damn dick expanding with every breath he took. He didn't think she knew the state he was in, though, or she wouldn't be lying there so peacefully. She'd be manning the barricades.
He glanced at her lips, where a small smile curved up the corners. Damn, if he wasn't going to kiss that smile before much more time passed.