Free Just One Look by Joan Reeves Page B

her disturbing presence, he managed to remember the title of the song at least.
    He looked at the books on the coffee table and wondered how things had gotten out of hand so quickly. Yes, it had been a long time since he'd had an intimate relationship with a woman, but that was no excuse. Something about Jennifer created a fever in him that could only be quenched with her touch.
    With this interruption, he had time to reconsider his actions and try to bring the relationship between him and Jennifer back to an unemotional level. The trouble was, he thought, standing and walking to look out the window, he didn't want to relate to her on a professional unemotional level. He wanted to finish what they'd started.
    He could hear her quietly speaking to her friend at the door but couldn't quite make out the words. He closed his eyes and let her husky voice wash over him. It brushed his nerve endings and heightened his desire for her.
    "What do you want, Alva?" Jennifer hissed at her friend.
    "What do I want? Well, that's a fine thank you. You're the one that insisted I come over here at seven, remember?" Alva hissed back. She craned to look over Jennifer's shoulder. "What's going on in there? Who is that?"
    Jennifer moved to block her view. "Nothing's going on. I have a visitor. It's just someone who stopped by for a, uh, counseling session."
    Alva cocked her head and looked Jennifer over shrewdly. Then she giggled. "I've never heard it called that before." She chuckled again. "Your dress is sliding off one shoulder, and your hair looks as if you've been participating in a no-holds-barred wrestling match on your living room couch."
    Jennifer blushed hotly. Her hands flew to straighten her neckline and then to smooth down her hair. "Well, thanks for stopping by, Alva," she said loudly enough for Matt to hear.
    Alva grinned, damn her, and ignored the hint. "Well you're welcome," she said, just as loudly. Then her voice dropped to a conspirator's whisper. "Now tell me what's going on? What are you doing? You might as well tell me because I'm not leaving until I find out. Besides, you said you needed rescuing. So give."
    Jennifer sighed. "Please go home, Alva. I'll tell you everything. Maybe. Tomorrow."
    "Not good enough, Jen," Alva said in a singsong voice.
    "Well, it'll have to do for now. Leave," she hissed.
    Alva suddenly ducked under Jennifer's arm and walked into the living room. "Dr. Penrose, what a surprise."
    Her voice held no surprise, but her rounded eyes that she focused on Jennifer did.
    Matt nodded and walked over to her. "Miss Hernandez."
    Alva waved her hands airily. "Oh, let's not stand on formality. Call me Alva." She grinned up at him. "And I'll call you Dr. Hunk."
    He laughed, and Jennifer scowled at Alva's flirtatious manner.
    "Why not call me Matt?" He suggested.
    Alva nodded. "I didn't know you and Jennifer were that well acquainted." Her eyes lit up when she saw the wine glasses on the coffee table. "Oh, wine. That looks good. I think I'll pour me a glass. I always enjoy a glass with dinner." She smiled and excused herself.
    From the kitchen doorway, she called back, "Oh, by the way, Jen, what are you cooking for dinner? I've so looked forward to tonight."
    Oh, she was going to get Alva for this, Jennifer decided. She'd make her go fishing with her, and she'd force Alva to bait her own hook or maybe make her clean a fish. Somehow, she'd get back at her for this.
    Jennifer stared at Matt. He was pulling his car keys from his pocket.
    "Are you leaving?" She couldn't keep the disappointment from her voice.
    He shrugged. "I guess so since you have dinner plans."
    Jennifer could have kicked herself for the dumb conspiracy she'd dreamed up. "I'm sorry. I forgot about Alva." That was certainly the truth.
    Matt smiled crookedly. "That's okay. Maybe it's for the best."
    "Do you two want a refill?" Alva called from the kitchen.
    "No, we're fine." Jennifer said through gritted teeth.
    Matt took her hand and pulled her close.