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table, looking at the drawing there.
    “This is lovely.” He touched the edge of the table.
    “Thanks,” Iona said right behind him.
    He hadn’t heard her approach. Jackson turned, glancing down, and noted that she was barefoot except for some really colorful socks. He looked up and met her gaze. “I like the socks.”
    “Knee socks. I have a place I go to buy them from over on York Avenue. They design and make them custom. I had them use the logo for my company and make me some.” Iona put one leg forward. “Today I felt like hawks.”
    Jackson squatted by her foot and recognized the hawks. The depiction of them made them look like they were alive and would fly off the sock at any moment. He put his hand on the back of her calf. Iona placed her hands on his shoulder to brace herself. Jackson glanced up at her and Iona’s gaze still was cool.
    “Why are you acting so cold?”
    “Seems like you had a problem with me working on Sunday. I do work on weekends sometimes. Although I prefer to take my work home so I can do it in the comfort of my home.” Iona studied him then said firmly, “If you agree to this arrangement, sometimes I will have to work while you are there, or if we are at your place. If that is a problem for you then we’d better not do this. I don’t need the drama of you pouting because I can’t cater to you every moment.”
    “Pout?” Jackson stroked his hands up the back of her calf. “I don’t pout. And we already established we are both busy and this is not a relationship. Even if it was, I don’t need any woman catering to me every moment. It would bore me and make me want to leave. I only asked if you were working because I was surprised. You looked a little tired at the restaurant so I thought you would go home to get some rest.”
    “Most women, especially one who wants to have sex with a man, don’t like to hear that they look tired. Makes it sound like they are unattractive.” Iona smirked.
    “It’s a good thing you’re not like most women.” Jackson squeezed her calf gently then rose, leaving a minuscule space between them. “Can you do your work from home?”
    “Sure. Why?”
    “Do you mind getting it together and doing that?” Jackson rubbed his finger along her cheek. “I want to spend some time with you. Preferably somewhere where we can relax. I’ll make you dinner.”
    “You cook?”
    “I do. Don’t sound so surprised,” Jackson whispered. “Don’t tell Chandler. He thinks I can’t and I let him so he can feed me.”
    “Why do you do that?”
    “It’s fun watching him cook. He gets so intense about it and swears a lot.”
    “Chandler?”
    “Yep. He doesn’t even know he is doing it. He’s a perfectionist and when he thinks his cooking isn’t going how he wants to, he gets agitated. It always tastes delicious when he is done. But the performance as he cooks is the most fun part.”
    “Hmmm…I’ll have to see him do it.” Iona lifted an eyebrow. “About Chandler, he called me a little while after I spoke with you about coming here. It started out friendly enough until he threatened me if I hurt you.”
    “He what?”
    “Warned me if I hurt you, he will make my life hell. Well, he didn’t say that in so many words but the threat was there.” Iona chuckled. “I never knew his voice could get so arctic. And that is what it was—I couldn’t even call it cold since it was so much more. He cares about you.”
    “Damn man. He did the same to me about you.” Jackson scowled. “You do know there will be many of our friends and family who will butt in if we do this.”
    “It’s no one’s business but our own. Since it is in the bedroom, not many people would know anyway.” Iona shrugged.
    “It’s going to be beyond the bedroom.”
    “What do you mean?” Iona looked leery.
    “I don’t share. If we do this, I’d want to go out together, spend time together and wouldn’t want to act in public like you are not mine.”
    “I’m not