“It’s been a long time, but thanks. Marc, my brother, he’s special, unbelievably bright, and it would have been a disservice to him and his abilities to keep him in public school. Everything I earn has been split between his education and making ends meet.”

Jake stared, grateful for the insight and amazed at her generous spirit. She’d given and sacrificed everything for her sibling, and, though Jake would do the same for Rina, his heart twisted with the notion that he’d been right-Brianne was an incredible woman. “Your brother’s lucky to have you.”

A blush rose to her cheeks, and she waved away the compliment, as if what she’d done was inconsequential. “I’m lucky to have him. We’re like this-” She crossed her fingers to make her point.

He nodded, an unexpected lump in his throat. “Well, dig in.” He pointed to the white pizza box on the table. “Your days of deprivation are at an end.”

She grinned and did as he asked. For the duration of the short meal, he watched more than he ate, gaining his fill from her satisfied sighs and gratitude. Such a simple thing, and it broke down barriers far more than any come-on ever would. It was progress he hadn’t expected and it touched him more than he would have liked, especially for a man who couldn’t afford any involvement or distractions right now.

She wiped her mouth with a paper napkin and rose to clean the table. Used to fending for himself, Jake helped and, despite the size of the large kitchen, they bumped into one another often, the current between them charged.

Still, by the time she’d disposed of the garbage and turned back to him, she seemed calmer and more composed than he felt at the moment. “Ready to work?” she asked.

Professional, he thought again. But nothing could erase the confidence she’d shared or the heat they generated. Hell, he’d already caught the fragrant strawberry scent he associated with this woman-the one that turned him inside out and made him want more than he could put into words. But she was right. She was here to do a job, and he ought to let her do it.

“Ready to try and convince me?” He grinned. “It’s a gorgeous night out. Want to see the stars?”

“Pathetic pickup line,” she said.

He chuckled. “No joke. The whirlpool’s outside.” He deliberately waited a beat. “Under the stars.”

Although she blushed a furious shade of red, she held her ground and his gaze. He was still hoping to persuade her to get some rest, but if she insisted on working, he figured sexual innuendo would keep her on her guard-and at a distance. He couldn’t trust himself if they got too close, and heaven help him if her hands actually worked on his body. This woman could have him forgetting his own name, never mind Ramirez.

“It’s the whirlpool or the tub in the master bath,” he said lightly, referring to the water therapy she’d mentioned the other day.

She picked up her duffel bag. “I’ll need to see the extent of your injury and mobility before I can even think about the type of exercises you’ll need. Are you going to let me evaluate you?”

“Wouldn’t you rather take it easy? You said yourself you’re exhausted.” Although he had to admit, the food had put color back in her cheeks and she didn’t look as tired as she had earlier. He wondered if the sexual innuendo had anything to do with the flush in her face and the sudden energy.

“Nice stalling tactic, but it won’t work. Give me a chance, okay? First we’ll loosen the area with wet heat wrapped around your shoulder, and then I’ll check your mobility.”

“Wet heat, huh? Sounds interesting.” His gaze dropped to her lips. She’d licked them once and did so again, her nerves clearly showing despite her outward calm. And just thinking about breaching those walls again, this time feeling her melt in his arms, at his touch, did something to him deep inside.

“Moist heating pads,” she explained, “on the affected area.” If she’d been flustered before, the blush and body shifting increased now. “You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do.” He let out a mock long-suffering sigh. “No whirlpool?”

“I said water therapy’s always an option. I didn’t say I’d be using it on you.” She wagged her finger in front of him, scolding him for jumping to conclusions.

“What if I’m a good boy and cooperate? Then do I get the water treatment?” He offered her a pleading look and got a laugh for his effort.

Jake knew one thing for certain. No matter how much of a distraction she’d be, he wanted her in that whirlpool willingly before the summer was through. Not that he planned to give in to the need. Still, he reached for her, wrapping his palm around that finger. Surprised, her gaze met his, and his breath caught in his throat. Those warm, compelling green eyes turned the tables, giving her the control that should have been his.

He’d never been in danger of losing control before. Even when his tumultuous marriage was at its best and most sexually charged, he’d never experienced the chemistry he felt now, had never felt the desire to cede power and see where it took him.

She swallowed hard. “Tell you what. You cooperate, and I’ll consider the whirlpool.”

“Hardly a fair deal.”

“But it does give you something to work toward, doesn’t it? In case returning mobility isn’t enough of a motivator.” She met and held his gaze, assessing him. She took his measure, and, as she studied him, Jake knew he had a formidable adversary. One he wouldn’t be able to con for long.

He let out a slow groan. He couldn’t just walk away, and eventually he’d either be confiding in her and asking her to keep his secret or he’d be dead meat, his plan for the summer and Ramirez busted before it began. “Okay, then. I guess the gym would be the best place to start?”

“You have a gym?”

She wiggled her finger free, and he let her go. For now. “This place has all sorts of amenities. Rina didn’t show you?”

Brianne shook her head. “Not the gym.”

“I was hoping she’d venture back into that room again. But it was her husband’s favorite spot and it brings back too many memories.” Brianne’s eyes softened in understanding, and Jake let out a groan. “Come.” He grasped her bag with his good arm, ignoring her glare, feeling certain she wouldn’t get into a tug-of-war with a patient.

He gestured for her to follow, turned and headed for the incredible home gym his brother-in-law had created, stopping in the doorway. Large windows covered the walls and sunlight bounced off the chrome, state-of-the-art equipment. Where there were no windows there were floor-to-ceiling mirrors instead.

Brianne came up beside him. He sensed her presence, felt her body heat, and his own temperature rose in response.

“Nice setup,” she murmured.

“Personally I prefer the Village Gym.” He turned and saw how impressed she was. “My brother-in-law was more into glitz than necessity, but I can’t deny it’s perfect for what we need.” And the only room in this whole apartment where he felt completely at ease.

“You don’t live here.” It wasn’t a question, and he wasn’t surprised she’d drawn the correct conclusion. The papers he’d given her outlined his injury and how it was sustained. Common sense dictated a cop couldn’t afford such luxury.

“Disappointed?” He wished he’d withheld the bitterness from his voice, but the past still lived within him.

He’d met his ex-wife, Linda, at the city school where she’d been teaching, when he’d shown up for a talk to the kids about the hazards of drug use. They’d hit it off fast, sharing incredible chemistry, great sex and seemingly similar goals and desires. She’d seemed to be in awe of his badge and uniform, and had been more than happy to marry a cop with a steady income, if unpredictable hours. They both wanted to move out of the city, Linda so she could teach in a safer neighborhood, and Jake so he could enjoy a peaceful family life during his off-time.

But as soon as the honeymoon ended, everything she’d seemed to like and accept in Jake underwent a radical shift. His hours suddenly became too long compared to her friend’s professional husbands, while the money Jake made was insufficient for decorating the home they’d bought in the suburbs. Jake wasn’t a man who liked to overspend or overextend his credit, and for damn sure his salary hadn’t been able to support his wife’s sudden desire to stay at home and shop with the wealthier women she’d met in the area. She sure as hell hadn’t been able to deal with Rina and Robert’s luxurious lifestyle. Jake’s marriage had lasted three increasingly bitter years-years in which he and his wife grew further and further apart. She finally walked out.

Jake hadn’t realized that the past still haunted him so strongly, until faced with the possibility that Brianne might find him and his lifestyle lacking. Despite her willingness to sacrifice for her brother, why wouldn’t Brianne be impressed with this penthouse and disappointed that Jake wasn’t its owner?

“Am I disappointed you don’t own this place?” she asked.

“Or have the money to live here,” he muttered.

“That’s ridiculous. It’s not like I was after you for money.” What sounded like genuine hurt laced her tone. “It’s not like I was after you at all.”

Jake chose not to touch that statement, picking up on her emotion instead. He wanted to keep his distance, not hurt her in the process. “My comment was uncalled for.”

“Is that your masculine way of saying ‘I’m sorry’?” She faced him, her back to the door frame, her hands braced behind her.

He reached out and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “It’s my way of saying I’m an ass.”

“I couldn’t have put it better myself.” She laughed, and her breasts pushed temptingly against the soft cotton uniform she wore, rising and falling with each breath she took.

For a moment, the barriers she’d put up between them were gone, making him want to reach out to her, to hold her in his arms and…Without warning, gut-level fear took hold. He’d had his heart ripped to shreds over his lifestyle and his lack of money once before. He couldn’t go there again.

Although he had no idea how much money Rina was paying Brianne for her services, for her sacrifice-moving in and devoting her nights-he had no doubt she was being well compensated. And though Brianne’s reasons for needing money were altruistic and good, it didn’t mean that once she’d finished caring for her brother she wouldn’t desire more in life than she’d had before. And “more” demanded money, something a cop would never have in abundance.

“Would you believe I’m apartment-and dog-sitting for the summer?”

“Of course. You’ve been set up, just like me.” He didn’t miss the bitterness in her tone.

Obviously her anger at Rina hadn’t dissipated, and he couldn’t say he blamed her.

“Speaking of dog-sitting and setups, we need to keep him out of here so neither of us trip.”

Jake nodded, and because Norton had curled up in his crate while they ate, he was able to shut the gym door without creating a scene.

“Is there a sink in here?” Brianne asked next.

He nodded. “There’s a full bathroom back that way.” He gestured to the closed door across the room.

“How about a…”

“There’s a massage area in the corner,” he said, reading her mind. “Trust me, there’s nothing you’ll need that you won’t find here.”

She shook her head, her auburn ponytail falling over one shoulder. “Amazing.”

He clenched his fists to avoid giving in to the impulse to twirl her hair around his fingers…and feel the silken strands brushing over other aware body parts. Instead he focused on their surroundings and her reaction to them. “It’s called wealth, so enjoy it while it’s at your disposal.”

“If you say so.” Her smile was wary.

She grabbed the bag he’d deposited at his feet and headed for the bathroom. Soon the sound of running water reached his ears. His vision of wet heat involved slick bodies-hers and his-in the shower, out of the shower…He didn’t care as long as they were creating that moist, intense heat.

Friction and pleasure, he thought, and his body shook in reaction. He had to get himself in check. He couldn’t plan strategy or figure out how to keep her in the dark about his ability to move well until he got a feel for what she had in store. Jake had no idea what Brianne’s idea of therapy entailed, but he was about to find out.

BRIANNE CLOSED HERSELF in the bathroom and breathed deeply. She splashed cold water on her face before setting up her equipment for Jake. She re-entered the room, hoping she was more in control of her physical reactions to him. But she took one look at him fully clothed, realized she hadn’t told him to undress for therapy, and accepted that, given their situation, she’d rarely be in control.