He strode toward the door, then paused to shoot Cash a sharp look over his shoulder. “And remember what I said, McCoy. There’s a pool right downstairs.”

After Carson left, another silence fell over the room. Smothering a sigh, Jen studied Cash’s face, wishing she could make sense of that indescribable expression. He obviously wasn’t happy to see her, but she refused to spend the next three weeks tiptoeing around without clearing the air between them.

Her brows puckered into a deep frown as the silence dragged on. Finally, unable to stand it, she crossed her arms and said, “So why didn’t you call?”

Cash couldn’t f**king believe Jen was actually here. In his apartment. Standing right in front of him. Three steps and she’d be close enough to kiss. Twenty steps and they could be in his bed. Naked.

She’s Carson’s sister.

Despite the warning bells in his head, he couldn’t tear his gaze off her. Those tight-fitting jeans of hers were damn sexy, but the rest of her outfit was cute and girlie. Bright yellow T-shirt. A pair of flip-flops with yellow daisies on the toes. Her blonde hair was tied in a low ponytail, and she wore no makeup except for shiny pink lip gloss.

Cash gulped. Fuck, he wanted to kiss the gloss right off those sexy lips. To slide his hand underneath the hem of her shirt and stroke her smooth, tanned flesh. Squeeze that firm ass. Undo her ponytail and tangle his fingers through all that golden hair.

Jeez, there were so many things he wanted to do to this woman he didn’t even know which one to focus on.

But…he’d promised her brother he wouldn’t touch her.

Jen’s blue eyes darkened with displeasure. “You’re just going to avoid the question?”

He blinked out of his trance. “What?”

“Why didn’t you call? Not that I cried about it or anything, but I’m curious, especially since you gave me that whole speech about finishing what we started.”

“I lost your number,” he admitted.

She looked dubious.

“Well, technically, the rain washed your number away.” He shook his head in aggravation. “Trust me, I wasn’t too happy about that.”

Her expression relaxed. “So you really planned on calling?”

“I told you I would,” he said gruffly.

“Okay. Next question—why did you lie about your job?”

Discomfort curled around his spine. “Some women go a little nuts when they find out I’m a SEAL,” he confessed. “Like the chick I was hiding from that night. So I don’t always advertise what I do.” He shrugged sheepishly. “Sometimes I like knowing that the woman I’m with actually wants me for me, you know?”

She sighed. “I don’t like being lied to, but I get it. I’ve watched girls throw themselves at my brother for years all because he’s a SEAL.”

They both went quiet again.

Cash raked a hand through his hair, wanting to kick something. Fuck. The universe really did hate him. Here he was, standing in front of the woman he’d been fantasizing about for days, and he wasn’t allowed to touch her.

“Why do you look so pissed off?”

Her weary voice drew him from his thoughts. “I’m not pissed, I’m frustrated.”

“Why?”

He bit back a groan. “Because I really want to kiss you right now.”

Those blue eyes widened. “Oh.” She swallowed. “I probably wouldn’t mind if you did.”

He chuckled. “Probably?”

“Fine. I wouldn’t mind at all.”

Their eyes locked. The air between them sizzled.

The groan he’d been holding slipped out as he remembered how good her lips had felt pressed against his own. How sweet she’d tasted.

Jen took a timid step forward.

He took a speedy step back.

“But I can’t,” he said flatly. “We can’t get involved, Jen.”

She frowned. “May I ask why?”

“Because I promised your brother I wouldn’t.”

Her jaw fell open. “Are you joking?”

“I wish I was, but I’m dead serious. Carson made it crystal clear that I’m to keep my hands off you.”

She laughed in disbelief. “And I don’t get a say in it?”

Oh boy. Annoyance and anger had stained her cheeks red and her eyes glittered like bright blue diamonds. She looked really f**king hot when she was pissed off. Then again, it was probably impossible for her to not look hot. Hell, she turned him on by breathing.

Fuckin’ universe.

Clenching his fists at his sides, Cash cursed under his breath. “I know, okay? This sucks. Three days ago, I wanted nothing more than to tear your clothes off and—well, and you know. But three days ago, you were Jen, the amazing woman I met at the Tavern.”

She huffed out a breath. “I’m still Jen.”

“Yeah—Jen, Carson’s sister,” he said unhappily. “Which means you’re off-limits now.”

She arched one blonde eyebrow. “You’re seriously going to blow me off because you’re scared of my brother?”

“Yes. And I ain’t too manly to admit it—your brother scares the shit outta me.”

“Wow.” She shook her head in amazement. “You’re breaking up with me and we weren’t even dating.”

He narrowed his eyes as a thought occurred to him. “As I recall, you said you don’t date military men.”