The rain was pounding on the roof of the car and enveloping them in a rhythmic sound that had its own intimacy.
Intimacy. That was what Eve had been trying to avoid, and all of a sudden it was there, surrounding her.
“Thanks for the lift.” She reached for the handle of the door. “Good night.”
“It’s still pouring. Stay a minute until it lets up.”
“I have to get to bed. I have school tomorrow.”
“No mother waiting anxiously for her little girl?”
“No.”
“You were all bent out of shape when I mentioned drugs. You took it personally. Is she the user?”
She didn’t answer directly. “I hate what they do to you.”
He nodded. “She’s the user. I don’t like them, either. My uncle was on prescription drugs for a while, and it turned him into another person. Does she make it rough on you?”
“You mean, does she beat me? No, she’s not like that even when she’s on the stuff. She just wants everything pretty, and it looks that way to her when she sees it through a veil of crack. She doesn’t see that everything is really falling to pieces around her.”
“Not a good life for you.”
“I manage,” she said tersely. “Keep your pity, I don’t need it.”
“I don’t pity you.” He smiled. “I wouldn’t let myself. It might get in the way of getting what I want. I told you that was my main objective.”
“Why?” She looked straight ahead. “Why me? I’m not drop-dead gorgeous. I’m not even particularly pretty.”
“No, you’re not.” His smile vanished. “You’re too thin, and your face doesn’t look like some movie star’s. But I don’t want to stop looking at it. Do you know what I thought when I first got a good look at you when you were sitting on those stairs? You burn, Eve. Your hair was shining more red than brown under those lights, and your whole being was focused on Rosa and her baby. You were so alive and intense, I felt as if I’d scorch my fingers if I touched you.” He added softly, “And I couldn’t wait to feel the burn.”
She was feeling that burn, with every breath she took. She swallowed and pulled her gaze away. “That’s crazy. I don’t want this. Why are you bothering? Why don’t you go screw Teresa or someone else? When you get down to it, isn’t one girl as good as another to a guy? That’s what I’ve always heard.”
“That’s what I’ve always heard, too.” His lips twisted. “Hell, that’s what I’ve always believed. Sex is sex. Why not take it wherever you can?”
“So?”
“But it’s not working right now. There’s some kind of wild chemistry going on between us. I’ve heard about that happening, but I thought it was a bunch of bull. But I felt it the minute I saw you, and I think you felt it, too. I don’t want anyone else. It has to be you, Eve.”
“No, it doesn’t. Not if I don’t want it.” She said shakily, “And I don’t. It would get in my way. My mother had me when she was fifteen. I’ve seen girls my own age having babies and being left to raise them by themselves. And then they’re stuck in a rut that they can never climb out of. That’s not going to happen to me.”
“I’d protect you. I don’t want kids, either. I’m going to basic training in four weeks. Do you think I want to leave a kid behind? I have to be on my own.”
She shook her head. “Why are we even talking about this?”
“You started it.” His hands clenched on the steering wheel. “And I’m glad you did. I wanted to have everything aboveboard. I don’t want to hurt you, Eve. We can take what we need without hurting each other. Let me show you.”
“No.” She jumped out of the car. It was still raining, and she was wet in seconds. “You won’t hurt me because I won’t let you.” She started across the street. “I take care of myself.”
“I’ll pick you up at work tomorrow night, Eve.”
“Haven’t you been listening to me?”
“Every word. And you’ve been listening to me. That means progress.” He started the car. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
She slammed the heavy door of the entrance behind her.
Close him out. Close out the thoughts his words had brought rushing to the surface.
She couldn’t do it.
Every word he’d said was still with her. She was wet and should have been chilled, but she felt as if she had a fever.
Yes, that was it. That was exactly what John Gallo was.
A fever that would leave her if she didn’t let it take over her mind as well as her body.
It was clear that he’d had a lot of experience in sexual encounters. His interest in her was probably fleeting and would go away soon. Then she would not have to deal with these bizarre and disturbing feelings again.
All she had to do was hold on.
“HELLO, EVE.” HE WALKED UP TO the counter at ten forty the next evening. “I came a little early. I thought I might need to do a little repair work.”
“Repair work?”
“Haven’t you been trying to tear down everything that I tried to do last night?” He chuckled. “Don’t answer.”
She didn’t intend to answer. “I don’t need a ride home. You might as well leave.”
He shook his head. “I’ll stick around. You might change your mind.”
“I won’t.”
“Let me help you fill up those saltshakers, Eve.” Teresa was suddenly beside her, her gaze fixed on John Gallo. “Hi, I’m Teresa Maddel. Are you a friend of Eve’s?”
“I’m trying to be.” He smiled at Teresa. “John Gallo. Nice to meet you, Teresa.”
Teresa’s smile was brilliant. “Me, too. You wouldn’t have any trouble being friends with me. Eve has other fish to fry. She’s so serious, she even spends her breaks doing homework. Can you imagine that?”
“I can imagine.” His gaze was on Eve. “I can imagine all kinds of things about her.”
Eve could feel that now-familiar heat moving through her. She abruptly turned away. “You two get to know each other. I’ll go clean the soda machine.” She disappeared into the kitchen, and she kept busy doing preps for the next twenty minutes. She was aware of Teresa’s laughter and John’s voice, but avoided looking at them. It was only when she saw John leaving the restaurant that she came back out front to finish the counter fill-ups.
“Thanks for giving me my chance with him.” Teresa’s gaze was on John moving across the street toward his Chevy. “Damn, he’s sexy. Will you look at that tight butt?”
Eve automatically glanced at John, then hastily averted her eyes. She didn’t need Teresa drawing her attention to anything about him. “Did you make any progress?”
“Maybe. I gave him my telephone number.” She was still staring at him as he got in the car. “Of course, he wouldn’t make a move on me since he was here to see you. He said he’d wait outside for you.”
“Why don’t you go out to the car and talk to him? It’s eleven now. Clock out, and I’ll finish your side work.”
Teresa’s brows rose. “Are you kidding? Are you trying to get rid of him?”
“Yes.”
Teresa stared at her in disbelief. “You’ve got to be crazy. I knew the minute I saw him that he was a good time walking. He could give a girl a really good ride.”
“Then go have your good time.” Eve didn’t look at her as she finished filling the pepper. “Like you said, I’m too serious for him.”
“Well, I’m not.” Teresa clocked out and was heading for the door. “Thanks, Eve.”
Eve put the cap on the shaker. Don’t look out the window and see whether Teresa had been welcomed by John. Of course, she would be. She was pretty and sexy and very willing. Eve had done the right thing. Soon she wouldn’t have to worry about-
“Eve.” It was Mr. Kimble, frowning as he called her from the kitchen. “Phone call for you. It’s your mother. I’ve told you all that there are rules about receiving calls here unless it is an emergency.”