Free Tango in Paradise by Donna Kauffman Page B

personal.
    And in that respect, she had to admit her reaction was way out of the ordinary. In fact, she’d neverdone anything like it before. After her pride had been destroyed during the harassment trial, April had shied away from all relationships. Gradually she’d learned to trust again, but by then building the resort had taken over her life. Her immediate reaction to Jack had taken some getting used to.
    The grin she’d been suppressing slowly spread across her face. Jack Tango liked being in control. She perfectly understood that need. She hadn’t had much chance to put it into practice relationship-wise, but she’d vowed the day she decided to come forward with her charges against Markham that any relationship she did have would be equal risk and aboveboard—with no chance of one person holding the upper hand. It was the only way to remain safe.
    Safe. That word didn’t seem to fit Jack. Always cool, sexy, and so damned sure of his charm. But unless she was completely off the mark, her little speech just now had actually made Jack Tango nervous.
    The very idea made her skin tingle.
    Jack punched his key card into the lock slot on the bungalow door. Once inside he went directly to the kitchen. He methodically began sorting through the contents of the basket he’d packed earlier, forcing himself to concentrate on making sure he hadn’t forgotten anything. It was no use.He slammed the wicker lid down and paced around the room. After several paths to the window and back he collapsed onto the small couch.
    No matter how he tried, he couldn’t reconcile the troubled, skittish woman he’d comforted in his arms on this very couch two days ago with the sexy, confident lady who’d looked into his eyes not five minutes ago and basically stated she wanted him as badly as he wanted her.
    He was having a hard enough time figuring out what to do with all these new protective feelings she inspired in him. He’d known from the moment he’d decided to pursue her she’d need the kid-glove treatment. Something was eating at her, and he knew he’d better damn sure take it slow if he wanted to keep her from shutting him out. So what in the Sam Hill was she doing telling him it was okay to all but make love to her under a tree in broad daylight for chrissakes?
    Jack groaned and let his head drop back on the edge of the couch. “Women.” Minutes later he opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. “Franklin, you owe me for this one.”
    “What does Franklin have to do with this?”
    Jack snapped his head up. April was standing in the doorway. “How did you get in here? Never mind, stupid question,” he added, seeing the master card in her hand. It bothered him that he’d somehow lost the upper hand.
    “Have a seat.” She lifted her brow just slightly at his curt command, but she moved to sit down, choosing a seat across from him. Very telling. He smiled. Apparently her assertiveness had faded somewhat, along with the arousal. Good.
    “Who is Franklin?”
    “A friend. Colleague, actually.” Jack’s response was automatic. He was busy watching the light play across her hair, deciding which filter would be most flattering. Nah, she didn’t need any help, she’d photograph beautifully under even the harshest light.
    “I remember you blaming him earlier, when I first met you. For being here, I mean. Does it have something to do with your job?”
    Jack dragged his attention back to the conversation. He propped his feet up on the coffee table, telling himself he was glad she was providing them both with a reprieve. The new position didn’t ease his discomfort, but maybe he could at least hide his condition from her view.
    Reprieve or not, her deep, steady voice made it difficult to forget there was a big queen-size bed in the next room. “My job?” he answered, hoping he remembered the question. “Well, sort of. I guess you could say I tend to be a bit aggressive about my work. Somehow I let Franklin manage to