Read Meant To Be for Free Online Page B

school. And Nicky had to know that.
    * * * *
    "This is harder than I thought it'd be,” Jessica admitted as she shut her laptop. “Sure wish I'd taken typing classes in high school."
    Nick winked at her. “Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Lots of people ‘hunt and peck'."
    Not for the first time, Jessica thought what a handsome guy Nick Jamison was. Almost as handsome as his infuriating brother. She cast a quick glance at Garrett who glared daggers at the both of them.
    "I don't know about that,” she said, “but I appreciate your help. I'd like to make some extra money, and since I have a lot of spare time, I thought medical transcription might be up my alley."
    "It won't make you rich, but it's nice to be able to work from home. And if you have any questions, give me a call. I don't leave for New York till the end of August."
    Jessica followed Nick into the kitchen, Garrett right on her heels.
    "That long, huh?” Garrett walked past them both and opened the back door. The rain fell even harder now, and the sky had darkened considerably.
    Nicky laughed and clapped his brother on the back. “Aw, come on, admit it. You're going to miss me."
    "Yeah,” Garrett grumbled, “like a hangover."
    Shaking her head, Jessica walked up and kissed Nick on the cheek. “Thanks, I owe you.” She could practically feel the heat of Garrett's displeasure. She wouldn't have taken him for the jealous type, but his possessive behavior couldn't be described as anything but.
    "Careful, I just may take you up on that,” Nick said. Then he glanced up at the sky and dashed out the door.
    Garrett swung the door shut with a muttered, “Good riddance."
    Jessica rounded on him. “What in the world is your problem?"
    "Don't play coy. You're using Nicky to piss me off, and you know it."
    She stabbed a finger toward the door and snapped, “Get the hell out of my house, you arrogant jackass."
    Garrett's jaw worked back and forth, his frustration evident. He took a step toward her.
    Jessica held up a hand to ward him off. “Uh-uh. I don't think so."
    "Can't we just get back to where we were before Nicky got here?"
    Even as annoyed as she was, Jessica's pulse picked up speed. He was possibly the most obnoxious man on the planet, but she wanted him more than she'd ever wanted anyone. And that was exactly why she couldn't get involved with him. She knew without a doubt her heart would end up on the line, and no way could she allow that to happen. Not again. Nope, she'd tried love and had failed miserably.
    Unfortunately, she'd failed at pretty much everything else, too.
    She dropped her hand, and Garrett moved toward her, reaching out to take her in his arms. And Lord, how she wanted him to. More than anything, she wanted him to pick her up and carry her off to her bedroom. It had been so long since she'd felt the comfort of a lover's arms.
    "I ... I think maybe we should just keep things platonic. I don't want any complications in my life right now."
    Garrett ran a gentle hand down her cheek to her chin, along her throat, then slowly back up again. “I'm not asking you to marry me, Jess. But it's obvious we want each other. Why should we deny ourselves?"
    He continued to tease the tender flesh just below her ear, and Jessica's eyes lowered in response. She snapped them back open. “Sex can lead to other things. I don't want to hurt you, Garrett, but I'm serious when I say I don't want any complications in my life."
    Frustration flickered across his face. “That makes two of us, then. All I was hoping for was some mutual satisfaction."
    "Friends with benefits?” God, how she hated the sound of that.
    He reached out again, but this time curled his big hand around the back of the neck and pulled her against his broad chest. “I couldn't have said it better myself.” Then he captured her lips in a near savage kiss.
    Jessica was saved from melting into a puddle on the floor by his strong arms. Meeting his tongue thrust for thrust, she