Free Bachelor’s Return by Clarissa Yip Page B

work as a research assistant at the college.”
    “Still sticking your head between books?” James opened the trunk door, and she moved back, making sure she wouldn’t accidentally touch him. His musky cologne wafted to her nose, and she couldn’t help drawing in a deep breath. It was a mix of soap and his masculinity. She’d always loved his scent, even as a child.
    “I like books. I wasn’t into the whole getting drunk and sleeping with whoever was available like you were.”
    James piled up box after box, but instead of picking them up, he turned around and leaned on the bumper of the car. “Still mad at me?”
    Startled, she frowned. His blue eyes twinkled, and she felt the urge to smack him. “Why would I be mad at you?”
    “Oh, you know, the usual. Getting on your nerves. Saving you from your stupid actions.”
    She should smack him. He’d already ruined her for everyone else. Every guy she dated, she started to look for qualities that reminded her of James, and now she was still single. She had to get him out of her system.
    Once and for all.
    Her hands fisted at her side, but she gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, but I thought you liked making me miserable, since there’s no one else’s life you wanted to destroy.”
    James smiled. “Aww, come on, brat. You know that’s not true. I treated your sister the same way. How is Kerry doing?”
    “She’s fine. Engaged. Don’t you see her in the city?” A stab of jealousy gutted her. He was always nice to Kerry, but with her…
    “No, I haven’t had the time to call her up. When’s the wedding?”
    “Next year. Her and her fiancé decided that it was better if Mark made partner at the accounting firm before they married. Kerry should be here on Thursday.”
    “How’s your mom?”
    Annoyance stung her. She hated the small talk. It was always about her family or his. Shit was getting old. “She’s fine. You should go over and visit her. Mom’s home. I think she’s going to a movie with your mom tonight.”
    As if he knew he was annoying her, he grinned. Her skin tingled under his gaze. “So, you’re still the third wheel then? I know how much our moms love having you on their girl outings.”
    Any free time she had, she spent working and studying for her Master’s. There wasn’t time. She glared. “I have better things to do.”
    “It’s okay that you only hang out with our moms and my sister,” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
    She ignored him and moved to carry the boxes in herself. James stopped her with a hand at her elbow and a shot of heat sprang up her arm. Her breath caught, and she stared up him.
    Frowning, James dropped his hand. “I got it.”
    She waited until he lifted the boxes, then she closed the trunk as he headed inside.
    Glaring at his back, she pocketed her keys.
    James Bauer will pay for all he’s done.

Chapter 2
    James wished he’d invested in a pair of earplugs.
    “She’s really pretty and you’ll like her and…” His mother went on and on about whomever, he didn’t care. Another matchmaking attempt.
    He tuned out his mother’s nagging voice and took a swig of his ice cold beer, eyes trained on the flat screen in front of him. The baseball game had started twenty minutes ago, the same amount of time his ears had been ringing.
    “James, are you listening?” his mother asked.
    He nodded, without hearing, out of reflex. His patience was thinning, but he willed strength. She’d gotten the nagging out of the way, now she was on to blind dates. He estimated another good twenty minutes before she’d decide to take a break.
    “I promise, you’ll like her. Kathy’s daughter is a knockout. A model for some big brand magazine.”
    “Aunt Beth, did you want me to take the chicken out of the oven? I think I smell it burning.”
    His mother gasped and shot up off the couch. James glanced at the doorway of the living room as his mother scurried past Melissa. His torture session was cut