Free All Jacked Up by Lorelei James Page B

Jack’s eyes was hot enough to melt cinderblocks. He wanted her. Keely knew if she stayed in this room, he’d have her the second he ended the call. His way.
    And she wouldn’t do a damn thing to stop him.
    Keely listened to her inner voice advising retreat. Keeping their gazes locked, she saluted with the bottle and backtracked into her bedroom. She leaned against the door and locked it, trying to calm her racing heart.
    But over the rapid lub-dub lub-dub lub-dub , she swore she heard the sound of Jack…clucking.

    The next morning Keely was up and out of the apartment before Jack stopped snoring in the guest bedroom.
    Once again she hadn’t beaten Dr. Joely Monroe into the office. The doc’s door was wide open and a regular old coffeepot—not some fancy-schmancy French-Chinese hybrid—was brimming with fresh, hot, strong coffee. Keely grabbed a cup and plopped across from the doc.
    “Make yourself comfy.”
    “I am, Doc. Thank you.”
    Dr. Monroe’s eyes glommed onto Keely’s left hand. “Nice ring. New, isn’t it?”
    Keely had been freelancing in the clinic as a physical and occupational therapist for more than two years. From the start Doc Monroe had encouraged Keely’s dream to own a physical therapy clinic. She’d offered advice and a recommendation to the Rural Medical Initiative about funding the venture. But Keely didn’t feel comfortable talking to the doctor about her personal life.
    Sometimes Keely wondered why she kept her life compartmentalized; she told AJ about her love life, Ramona about her career issues, her brothers and parents the entertaining tidbits, but no one knew all sides of her. How refreshing would it be to just be herself with one person? How bizarre would it be if that person was…Jack?
    “Yes, it’s brand spankin’ new.”
    “I keep secrets for a living, McKay. We work together two, three days a week. You couldn’t have given me a hint you were seriously involved with someone?”
    “Umm. He’s from out of town.”
    “What’s his name?”
    Satan. “Jack Donohue. In my own defense, it was sudden. And no, I’m not pregnant.”
    “How’d you meet?”
    “He’s Carter’s best friend, so I’ve known him forever. He’s also an architect specializing in restoration and his business is based out of Denver. He’s supervising my building remodel.”

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    Lorelei James
    “Mmm-hmm.” The doc blew across her coffee. “I suppose that’s why you’ve been gone so much?
    Hooking up with him in Denver?”
    “Partially. But the VA consultant fee is three times what you pay me. Can’t blame a girl for making a living.” She offered an impish smile.
    “I don’t. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
    “With Jack or with the building?”
    “Both. Now that you’ve begun the process of readying a space for a clinic, I’d hate to see you abandon your dream and move to the big city to be some hotshot architect’s wife.”
    Keely scalded her tongue with coffee to keep from refuting the statement.
    The doc asked, “Are Chet and Remy doing the remodel?”
    “I wouldn’t trust it to anyone else.”
    “Smart girl. Maybe I’ll swing by and check out the progress. I’ve been debating whether to remodel my kitchen.”
    “You’re never home long enough to eat a meal, let alone cook one.”
    Doc’s gaze fell to her coffee cup. “Maybe I’m seeking changes in my life too. I’m tired of all work and no play.”
    “If you’re looking for a man to play with, I can hook you up with one of my cousins.”
    “Just one?”
    Keely blinked at her. “How many do you need?”
    Dr. Monroe’s sly smile gave her a younger, playful appearance. “Enough to keep me from getting bored.” She drained her coffee. “Let’s see what torturous schedule Brenda lined up for us today.”

    Hours later, Keely kicked the foot exerciser beneath the bench in the PT room. She glanced at the clock and handed her last client of the day a towel. “I’ll see