Playing for Keeps/Body Check (Rules of the Game) Read Online Free Page A

relieved to find that he was equally unnerved.
    "It's been a long time, Jen." He grabbed her hand and drew her close. "You're too beautiful."
    And then, just like that, he kissed her full on the mouth, deep and hard, shocking her with the force of his touch.
    Her body reacted before her mind. Jenna responded in kind, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him back with equal fervor.  
    Once her brain registered that they were standing in the middle of a café full of customers who were openly gaping at them, Jenna snapped out of her fog of pleasure.
    She pulled away from him, swaying as if under a spell. One of Nick's brows raised and that charming smile of his nearly pushed her the rest of the way.
    "Ah, it's good to be back in Brooklyn." Nick's eyes twinkled with mirth.   And something else. Sarcasm.   "I bet you're happy to be home too, aren’t you, Red?"
    He was dressed impeccably, in black slacks and pearl gray pullover, a leather jacket completing his look. His hair was styled short and neat, and his oh so handsome, clean shaven face framed eyes the color of espresso. His eyelashes were long and thick, and as Jenna almost thought, too pretty to belong to a man. But on Nick they worked.
    Jenna looked around her. All eyes were focused on her and Nick, apparently waiting to see what came next.   She took the arm that wasn’t secured in a sling, and led him to an alcove outside the kitchen. Prying eyes and ears would not be involved in this conversation.
    Jenna was nervous, excited and frightened all at once. She turned and faced him. "I thought you were in California?"
    "Is that all you have to say to me, Red?"
    He was standing too close, looking too gorgeous, and waiting for answers, it seemed. Jenna crossed her arms over her chest and took deep breaths.   I should have expected this day would come, she thought. But this was not the time, nor the place.
    "Yes, Nico, right now that's all I have to say.   Look, this is my place of business. So, if you'd like to stay and have dinner on the house, please be my guest, but I'm not discussing our personal life here."
    He stood with his legs apart, about to say something, but he stood silent for a moment, meeting her eyes, smile gone. Then he nodded.
    "Yes, you're right, sorry. It's great to see you, and I do want to talk to you alone, soon. And I'd love dinner." He looked around the room. "This place is gorgeous, Red. Congratulations."
    Jenna allowed herself to relax. "Thanks, Nico. It's good to see you too."
      Suddenly, the air around her grew still. His smile vanished when he leaned into her again.
    "This is not a friendly social visit, Red. I'll be home for a while, and we will talk. I want and need answers, and I'm not going back to California till we hash this out. It's been twelve fucking long years since you sent me away, not allowing me to help you. You sent me packing, divorced me with no explanation other than to say you were letting me go and…"
    Jenna shook her head. "Keep your voice down!" she ordered, then admonished herself for being so harsh. "I'm sorry, but I can't do this now. Please sit down and enjoy dinner. If you'd like to talk, we'll talk, but not tonight, and certainly not here."
    He nodded, his eyes still focused on hers. "Fine, but I will get the answers I want."        
    Jenna didn’t want to talk to him. Hell, his kiss was still present on her mouth. She could still taste him, smell him, that seed of familiarity growing quickly in her heart.
    This was not a good idea, but she was not going to make a scene in her establishment. She'd make him a meal, and then hopefully, he'd leave and go back to California where he belonged.
    The past has to stay in the past where it belongs.
    "Fine, let me show you to a table," she said, slipping back into café owner mode. "Try the veal, it cuts like butter."
    He smiled but didn’t budge. "I will. Hey, Red, it is really great to see you, really."
    She exhaled a breath and nodded, managed a