But as she opened the door she practically collided with Smitty.

“Jessie Ann—”

“Don’t.”

“But—”

She walked away from him and into the main room. She forced a smile since everyone was still standing around looking confused. “The kids are going home. But I’m starving. What are we ordering for dinner?”

Smitty sat back and watched them stand around a menu for a local Chinese restaurant and place their orders. Jessie acted like butter wouldn’t melt. Cold, indifferent, and trying to pretend like it didn’t mean anything to her.

But it had meant a hell of a lot to the woman he had pinned up against that wall. And if Jessie Ann really thought it would be that easy to shake him, she had so very much to learn.

Chapter 10

Jess sat at her desk, staring out the big office window, her feet up and resting on the small ledge. She had no idea how long she’d been sitting there. How long she’d let herself waste precious business hours by thinking about the disaster that was her life. But she couldn’t stop herself. She couldn’t stop thinking about that goddamn kiss and the goddamn wolf who’d done this to her. She really should hate the man. If she had any sense, she’d keep as far away from him as humanly possible. But something told her it wouldn’t be that easy. Smitty wouldn’t let it be. Not because he cared about her or wanted her for his very own, but because his ego wouldn’t allow for anything else. He had something to prove, and he seemed intent on proving it with her.

She knew she couldn’t let that happen. She knew she couldn’t let her heart take over here. Bobby Ray Smith was and always would be the one man who could break Jess’s heart. He’d done it once; she wouldn’t let him do it again.

“Jessica!”

Jess blinked and looked away from the window. She had no idea how long May had been standing there calling her name, probably a while. “Hey, hon. What’s up? Are you okay?”

It had not been an easy night for May either, but Danny had taken care of her. Like he always had. The two of them fit together so perfectly Jess found herself happy for them and sometimes bitterly jealous. After all these years and five kids, they still meant the world to each other. Jess, however, had a very healthy relationship with the Pack’s pet dogs. They were very good snugglers.

“I’m fine. You scared my daughter to death, though.”

Jess winced. “Sorry about that. I just... I just couldn’t have her yelling what she saw across the room in front of all those people.”

May dropped onto a chair. “What did you do?”

“The ol’ snarl and snap. It’s still quite effective.”

“That it is.”

“Sorry about that. Is she okay?”

May waved her concerns away. “Don’t apologize. Y’all havespoiled her. She needed a good snarl and snap. Of course my question now is what exactly did my baby see... and should we get her therapy?”

Jess cringed and looked down at her desk.

“That bad, huh?”

“Nothing she’ll end up on Jerry Springer for, but... ” Jess’s eyes crossed.

May rested her elbows on the desk and her chin on her fist. “Can I make a suggestion?”

“Does it require me to humiliate myself any more than I already have?”

“Jessica Ann—we’re dogs! Tolerating humiliation is what we do.”

And Jess knew May was only joking... a little.

“Do you think I’m pretty?”

Smitty glanced away from the computer screen he’d been staring at for the last three hours, looked at his sister, and shook his head. “No.”

“What do ya mean no?”

“You asked. Sorry if you didn’t like the answer. I always thought you were funny lookin’. Asked momma, ‘What is that thing laying in your bed?’ And she said, ‘I found it hiding under a car, you be nice to it now.’”

“Bobby Ray Smith! What is wrong with you? You’re as mean as a cat.”

“Is there a reason you’re here, Sissy Mae? I thought we sent you out on a job.”

He wasn’t in a good mood. He’d been up all night thinking about Jessie. Worrying about her and what she might be hiding from him. And worst of all, thinking about that goddamn kiss. Not surprisingly, thoughts of that kiss led to all sorts of other thoughts about Jessie Ann and what she could do with that mouth of hers.

His sister stretched across his desk, heedless of the file folders under her, and reached into the Navy mug he had filled with Hershey’s Kisses. “That job’s boring. I want something more interesting than checking out some company’s safety.”

“That’s our bread and butter. So stop whining and do your job.”

“I did. It took me no time. And I’m bored. How come you don’t give me anything more interesting?”

Smitty sighed and leaned back in his chair. “You don’t want to have this conversation, Sissy Mae.”

“Yes, I do. Spit it out. I can handle most of this bullshit better than you and Mace. So what’s your problem?”

With a shrug, he answered, “You are.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you. I’ve never known anyone who could start shit faster than you do.”

“That’s not fair, Bobby Ray.”

“Maybe not, but we both know it’s accurate. I love you, baby sister. But you are trouble. I need people who can defuse situations and get everyone out safely. You, however, are an instigator. You turn complicated situations into national news.”