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Jagger laughed, leaned forward, and flexed. “Eat your heart out, Bee.”
She dramatically covered her eyes as Paul and Hays both looked to be hiding smiles.
“You are indecent and have no shame. Oh, my, goodness gracious! ‘When you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can endure it.’” She nodded to herself. “I need a way out. Paul, let’s go. Is it eight o’clock yet? I’ll be waiting in the Jeep.”
She uncovered her eyes, gave Jagger an impertinent glower, tilted her chin up regally, and swept from the kitchen, angling for the garage entrance.
Jagger dashed in front of her. She reared to a stop, her gaze focused on his chest. He held his hands up, knowing that would make his muscles engage. He was being a jerk, but she had started it. They were fire and fire. Never ice. Not with his Bee.
“I apologize, Miss Ralphs, if I offended you with my lack of apparel and my teasing line.” He made an attempt to play for the cameras that they didn’t know each other, but any idiot could see through the thin veneer. He couldn’t believe she’d called him Satan last night. Might as well live up to the devil tempting her.
“You darn well should apologize.” Her blue eyes rose to his face, and she shook her head. “You’re far too handsome for anybody’s heart health. Now shoo. Go take a shower and get dressed. I’m leaving to win my million dollars.”
Jagger couldn’t stop smiling. Things were a nightmare between them, but she was so much fun. He’d known fourteen years ago he could spend a lifetime laughing, teasing, fighting, and loving with her. It was still a hundred percent true. If only he could taste some of her sweet, honeyed lips.
Last night had shaken him to the core. He was putting on a tough show, but he was scared she’d never let him into her heart again. How could he break through to her?
“Good luck,” he said, hiding his pain as he always did.
“You don’t want to wish me luck,” she hurled at him, but her voice wasn’t angry; it was teasing. “Besides, I don’t need your luck. I’ve got heaven’s strength and blessings to guide and lift me. ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.’”
Jagger shook his head, cracking his knuckles. “That voice behind you today will be me, not your favorite scriptures.”
“You wish, and don’t you mock my scriptures.” Her blue eyes flashed a warning at him.
“I wouldn’t dare.” Though he was annoyed with her ‘faith’ and her father pulling them apart, it was only one of the many reasons they’d been separated. He wouldn’t fight about it right now. Not when she was semi-teasing with him and at least responding to him.
He bowed to her. “Catch you soon.”
She wrinkled her nose and shoved at his chest.
Jagger filled with joy and warmth at her touch, even though she wasn’t trying to be soft and sweet with him. Not at all. But then his bee would always sting first; he knew that.
He wrapped his hands around hers and held them to his chest. He didn’t pull her in, though he wanted to. He was face to face with a lioness, and she could devour him the way only Bee could. She could rip his old wound wide open, and the pain would be even more intense this time. But he wouldn’t back down. That’s who he was, the man who never backed down from a challenge, especially one as important as figuring out if he and Bee could ever bury their past and have a future.
Somehow this week he would break down all her barriers, find out why she cheated on him, and see if they stood a chance. Even if it ripped him apart.
Right now, he would be patient. He held her small, warm hands in his and smiled down at her.
“All right. I’m at your mercy,” she gritted out. “You, Captain Jagger Lemuel, are beautifully muscled, at the top of your military world, and any woman would fall to her knees and beg you for a kiss. What do you want from me?”
“Any woman?” His entire body filled with hope. He lowered his voice, eased closer to her, and whispered for only her to hear, “You’re the only woman I want begging for a kiss, Bee. Will you share sweet honey with me?”
Leaning back enough to see her gorgeous face, he prayed she’d admit she would, in fact, kiss him. He didn’t care if Hays, Paul, and the cameras were watching. When he and Bee kissed, he’d be transported to another world and only the two of them would exist. That sweet honey would be worth the lioness ripping him apart, his Bee stinging him over and over again.
Her blue eyes suddenly widened and filled with indignation. She yanked her hands free and hollered at him, “Don’t you try your sugary tricks on me.” Then she dodged around him and ran for the garage, slamming the door after her.
Jagger couldn’t quite figure out how that moment had imploded. He thought his line was tender, romantic, and telling. He hadn’t tried his ‘sugary tricks’ on any other woman, not since her.
He glanced over to where Hays was watching him with a perceptive stare and Paul was hurriedly shoving drinks into the cooler.
“I’m going to shower,” he said.
Hays nodded.
Running up the stairs so he didn’t have to talk to either of them, he mulled over the interaction with Bee.
He mulled it over while he and Hays ate breakfast, planned out their strategy, and headed out in separate Jeeps. Hays hadn’t asked him about Bee at breakfast. He was a stellar friend. He knew Jagger would talk when he was ready.
