Free Cherish her: Laws of Seduction, Book 4 by Ava Hayworth Page B

late.” I can still hear James’s laugh as I turn on the water for the shower.
    Stepping up behind me, James wraps his arms around my waist and nuzzles my ear. “We can save time by showering together.”
    I slap away his arms and step into the shower. “Oh no we won’t!” I shower as quickly as possible and gratefully accept the towel that James holds out to me when I am finished. Moving as if he has all the time in the world, he steps into the shower after me. Men of course need only a fraction of the time that women do to get ready. Dashing to the closet, I pull on a short yellow skirt and a navy-and-white striped knit top. James is stepping out of the shower as I rush to the sink to apply some make-up and deal with my hair. Despite my need to hurry, I can’t resist sneaking peeks at his toned abs and chest. Meeting my eyes in the mirror, James winks, and I know that I have been caught. I watch as he wraps his towel low on his hips and saunters to the closet to find some clothes. With the show over, I return to the task of getting ready.
    By silent mutual agreement, we shelve the disturbing topics from the night before. Instead, James prods me to tell him a few stories from my childhood. I oblige him by describing a few of the scenes enacted by my parents at various family events. The night before, he had seemed surprised by my mother’s rancor towards my father. It is probably best if I prepare him some for my family’s craziness. To tell the truth, I think my parents enjoy the hostility, and the rest of us view it more as entertainment than anything else. I have just finished relating the fiasco that took place at Jarod’s graduation from college when we arrive at the hotel.
    Considering our late start, I am amazed that we are only 15 minutes late. My mother and Jett are waiting for us, and we head down the street to one of the many restaurants offering Sunday brunch. The weather is slightly cooler and less muggy than usual due to the rain from the day before, and we select a café where we can sit outside. James once again easily charms my mother as we order and wait for our food. As anticipated, Jett gives no indication that his attitude is thawing. The waitress sets my order of eggs benedict down in front of me, and after a few delicious bites, I turn to Jett. I figure it can’t hurt to plead our case one last time − I didn’t go to law school for nothing. In a whisper meant for Jett’s ears only, I ask, “Are you ever going to give James a chance?”
    With his concentration on his plate in front of him, Jett takes a moment before responding. “I know this isn’t easy for you, Lainey. I don’t mean to be difficult, but I can’’t just let go of ten years of mistrust and resentment overnight.”
    “Does that mean you think you could get over it eventually?”
    “I don’t know. I’m working on it. Any guy who wants my little sister is going to have to work damned hard to earn my approval. If it’’s James McAllister, then he’ll have to work even harder.”
    I notice James glance in our direction at the mention of his name, but he doesn’t let it interrupt his conversation with my mother. “You didn’t give Mark a hard time.””
    Jett’s lips quirk up with amusement. “That wasn’t going to last.”
    I sputter in outrage. “How would you know? I might have married him.” Heat rushes to my face as I realize how defensive I sound. I am also a little flustered when I see that James and my mother have stopped speaking and are staring at me.
    Jett gives a snort of laughter. “You weren’t that into him.”
    I give him a disgruntled look. It is a little hard to swallow the fact that my brother had had a better understanding of my past relationship than I.
    After a relaxed brunch, we all walk back to the hotel. As we are saying our goodbyes, my mother gives me a warm hug and whispers in my ear. “I like him, Lainey.”
    Pulling back, I search her face, looking for further clues to her