No Love in Return-Chapter Six: He's an Icky Man!

That night, Eve berates herself for being dumb and horny. It's pretty obvious that she totally wants him, but she refuses to let herself have him if he won't love her. This can be solved once Jack realizes that he does love her, but we've still got five chapters after this one, so that won't happen too soon.

The next day, Eve takes forever getting ready in the morning to delay seeing Jack. Eventually, she goes downstairs and he's sitting alone at the breakfast table. He pours her coffee while Eve tries to avoid looking at his face. Jack tells her to man up because if she acts differently around him now, Ted and Lucie will want to know why. He suggests that she remain angry with him; that'll make it all better.

When Eve returns home, she thinks about how anger and resentment are more comfortable and safer than confusion and embarrassment. Yes, let the hatred grow. I think Eve's drifting toward the dark side of the Force. Anyway, Eve decides to stay angry and get really busy so she's got no time to dwell on the feeling of his lips on her skin and whatnot. Also, back at Stonegate, she had written Ted a huge check so he could buy Lucie a really nice diamond ring. Eventually, Ted accepted it. That gives Eve another reason to work like a crazy person. To be busy, she's got to attend “go-sees” which could be a real modeling term. Maybe. It's where the advertising company checks her teeth, metaphorically, and looks at pictures of her past work to see if she's a good fit for their company. It's awful, being judged on your appearance, and Eve hates these things. You know, that's why she continues to be a model. We don't get any description of these things. Verisimilitude details are fine, I guess. I hope this comes up at some point, though. Anyway. Eve gets a good amount of new jobs from this and is kept busy for the rest of the summer.

At some point during the summer, Lucie comes to New York to do wedding stuff and invites Eve to stay in Jack's apartment with her. Because Jack won't be there, Eve eventually agrees. This apartment is as rich and cold as Jack. Also, it's got no personality. Lucie notices Eve's discomfort in the apartment and says it shows the worst side of Jack. You know, he's totally got more to him than cold and hard. Oh, Lucie. “Ted and I have been talking about it, and both of us think you and Jack really do seem ideal for each other.” I had to put the book down and laugh. The man who doesn't believe in love and the romantic, ideal for each other? Egads. It seems Ted knows Eve about as well as Eve knows Ted. This is a bit more depressing because I'm sure Eve and Jack end up together, but she's got to change him first. At least Eve isn't saying that she can change him...yet. Anyway, Eve shoots down Lucie's suggestion and they move on.

Then, one Friday afternoon in early September, Jack sends a limo to Eve's work with a note summoning her. She just had a long day. Apparently it was mentally draining as well as being physically exhausting. I'm not sure how modeling can be mentally draining, but I've never modeled, so I wouldn't know. Anyway, she gets in the stranger's car and goes to Jack's office to see him. She was too tired to un-model-ify herself so she gets some looks when she walks in. Oh, the reception area of the office looks just like Jack's penthouse. He's spreading his personality-less decorating scheme all over! Eve is deposited in Jack's office and he comes in shortly after.

Jack just looks so sexy in his businessman outfit. He's wearing pinstripes, but his jacket is off, his tie is loosened and his waistcoat is buttoned. His hair is a mess, like he's been running his fingers through it in impatience or frustration. Nope, he can't love at all. Not even close. Jack thinks she's on her way out for the evening and he says he won't keep her long. She's totally demonstrated before that she goes out and has wild parties. Not that other thing. Eve decides not to correct him and sits down.

Jack says that Lucie tried to set him and Eve up when he had lunch with the engaged couple. Then he insinuates that Eve is trying to marry him for his money. It seems like Jack might be happier if he were poor. Then he wouldn't freak out all the time about people wanting his money. Eve accuses him of not having a heart, it's really business as usual. Jack's phone rings and he answers it. He tells whoever he'll be ready for some people soon. Eve starts leaving when Jack tells her she shouldn't have spent so much for Lucie's ring. He doesn't want her spending so much because she should give a little thought to herself. Eve tells Jack to keep his nose out of her business, throws the door open and slams it shut behind her. Then she sees the businessmen waiting for Jack. Well, whateves. Let Jack explain it. She squares her shoulders and leaves.

I think that went well, don't you?

No Love in Return-Chapter Five: She's Too Expensive

Ted and Lucie start talking about their own future, since Eve is so insistent hers is boring. They have lunch and Ted and Lucie start frolicking in the swimming pool. Eve didn't bring a suit, since someone didn't give her much time to pack, so she watches them until she realizes this is boring. She gets up and goes to the garden. Eve finds the serenity she lost when Lucie came tumbling out of the house and she wanders around the garden for awhile until Jack walks up and starts talking to her.

Eve says gardens are magic places. Jack replies with, “Yes, and I don't know what could be more appropriate than finding Eve in the garden.” I have been waiting 71 pages for that. They yammer on some more and Jack asks if it had occurred to Eve that he might want to be alone in life. Eve replies that she can't think of anyone preferring to be alone, just making the best of it. Hermits are so hyped up; they don't really leave society and live all alone. Jack gets bored of this conversation, or something, so he changes the subject to the gardens. There's this totally sweet knot garden that Eve hasn't seen yet. Jack takes her to look at it and starts talking about his family.

You see, his grandma liked planting gardens. At first, the knot garden didn't look nearly as pretty as the rose bushes that had been there before. Little Jack complained about this to his grandma, and she told him to be patient. Gardens teach you patience, you know. Eve remarks that the gardens “must have given her such pleasure...” Yes, it had to be phrased like that. Jack replies that the gardens were the only thing that made his grandma happy. She lived separate from her husband and she was probably lonely. The gardens were the only thing that made her happy! Sob

Then Jack keeps going with the family backstory. His grandma said his momma needed a garden to make her happy and make all those distractions unnecessary. Yes, “those distractions” are men other than her husband. I keep finding new favorite lines, but this one is up there, “I'm the last in a long line of misogynists.” Thanks, Jack. We know you're a jerk. I'm not convinced he's a misogynist, though. Anyway, his grandparents' marriage left its ruins all around Stonegate but at least they made a sweet collection of gardens. Jack's momma, after she had Jack, decided to have affairs. Jack's dad didn't care as long as she was discreet. Jack thinks Lucie could be a bastard, but he might love her more because of that possibility. Huh? Whateves. Anyway, Jack's mom just wanted love, but she kept choosing guys who wouldn't give that to her. Jack's almost-wife “saw the writing on the wall” and took off. Apparently, she's been married happily and is much better off than if she'd married Jack. Because, you know, he's a violent and rude man. Why doesn't Eve find someone else?

Anyway, Jack admits that he doesn't understand love. Just as Eve guessed, he is a hard man. Oh, here's another great line: “I'm third generation hard.” Hah! This book... Anyway, Eve would do well to remember that Jack doesn't know what love is. So, wait, what he's saying is: “I wanna know what love is! I want you to show me. I wanna feel what love is! I know you can show me.” Right? After making this clear, or not, Jack spins on his heel and stalks back into the house.

At dinner, Jack is brooding and staring at Eve. Wow! That's exactly what she wants, right? I mean, she's a romantic. Anyway, Eve agrees to be the maid of honor because she didn't want to admit she was pondering the mystery that is Jackson Sinclair. When she learns what she agreed to, Eve asks if they really want her to be maid of honor and Lucie says of course they do! If it weren't for Eve, this wouldn't have happened as nicely as it did. Jack supports this view, saying, “She has amazing powers of persuasion.” Really? After all that talk about how he changed his own damn mind. Really, Jack?

After dinner, Lucie and Ted go out somewhere and Jack says he has some calls to make. Eve goes to her room and reads, but she's just so restless. So, she goes out to the garden for a walk. Then she stares into a pond for awhile. Seriously, she's meditating in the garden. Can we just be up front about that? She looks up at the windows of the house and sees a shadow at one of the windows. That's totally Jack working at his desk, not watching her. Yup. Then Eve tells herself that she's a fool. It's just physical attraction and the mystique of Jackson Sinclair. Well, then run with it. If you're both okay with it... Except she wants a man that understands real love. Wow, there are so many song references I can make with this book.

After she's done meditating, Eve walks back to the house and stands in the shadows to look at the garden. Guess who else is standing in the shadows? If you guessed a kidnapper, a murderer or a salesman who's had one too many rejections, you're making this far too exciting. It's Jack. He mentions how Lucie wants to get married in the ruins of their grandparents' marriage. Well, maybe they're Lucie's grandparents. Whateves. But Eve can totally understand that because she's a romantic. Jack asks, discreetly, if Eve has a boyfriend. By that, I mean he says, “Don't you have many opportunities to put your romantic impulses to work? No men madly in love with you?” Eve says there aren't because they only want what they can get out of a relationship or, Jack finishes for her, they're not interested in her at all. It seems more and more likely that Tony is gay. Oh, also, she said nothing about wanting love, so Jack fits her criteria of “a good relationship”. That's a little scary.

Then Jack pressures her into joining him for a drink. He takes her to his office for the drink. You know, his private place. D'aw, he's so into her...and too commanding to make a real partnership. Anyway, Jack asserts that he feels ancient, he's nine years older than Eve after all. Then he tells her to turn around. No, seriously, that's how that bit of dialogue goes. Eve, bewildered, turns around and lets Jack pull the hairpins out and drop them haphazardly on the floor. He runs his fingers through her hair and turns her back around. He tells her she shouldn't wear her hair up. It should be loose, free to tumble and fall everywhere. “There's no use being Eve in the garden if you don't look the part. But you tempted me all the same. You still do.” Aw ye-ah. If you couldn't tell where this was going when he took out her hair pins, I'm sure you get it now. Although, his kiss has “nothing to do with how he felt about her and everything to do with how he wanted her to feel.” She says please, but he makes her say that he tempts her before he kisses her passionately. He says he totally wants her, then he takes off her dress and they start exploring each other. They both want more, they want everything! So, you know, they want sex. They get on a couch and start...the writing is vague so they could be having sex or they could still be doing foreplay. Whichever makes you happier, I suppose.

Then Eve hears Ted and Lucie start walking down the hall. She says no and tries to free herself from him because the happy couple will see them. Jack says they're totally fine because no one comes in there unless they're told to. He kisses her until they leave and seems to think that was the end of it. Psh! Why would what a woman says have only one layer of meaning? Eve says, “We can't do this!” Jack, the charmer, replies, “Of course we can...We're doing it, Eve.”

Then she flat out says no and twists away. She says it doesn't mean anything to him. Jack gets all pissy and protective of his money and replies, “It doesn't mean marriage if that's what you're talking about...” Psh! Marriage! She's not every girl, and she don't need no man to take care of her. Sure you got a job, sure you got a car, sure you can pay your own rent. Don't wanna dance if it is not in her heart. That song's lyrics are in first person if you want to find it. Anyway, Eve wants love from him before she'll have sex with him. They both ask each other not to ask more than they can give and Eve puts her dress back on. Eve says she thought there was more and Jack snaps back that there isn't. Then he pours himself a drink and says he's been as honest with her as he knows how to be. Oh, another great line: “All I ask is love, and if that's more than you can give, find some other woman to tempt you and be good with you! My price is higher than that.” Hah. Eve just called herself a whore for love. As she leaves the room, Jack kills the pain with another swig of booze.

So, Jack, you don't know what love is. I'm pretty sure you're feeling it. I mean, it's possible you're just in lust with this girl, but it sure seems to be more than that. How about you go have a nice meditation in the garden and think about this? Yes, you can have an ice cream sundae first.

No Love in Return-Chapter Four: A Whirlwind Weekend

Despite my hopes, Jack says, “It must have been quite a party.” He also failed to imply that Eve had someone stashed in her bed. Shame. All right, anyway, he barges into Eve's apartment at 2 in the morning and tells Eve to put on a robe because, you know, sexual tension and whatnot. [Later in the chapter, I learn that it probably was 2 PM. You'll see.] Once she's done that, she comes back and starts talking. Jack interrupts her and starts ranting about this note that Lucie left him. It's a hastily written note, saying that she and Ted were going to be married in two weeks instead of the approximate year they'd said before. Hey, they are catching on! Jack doesn't give Eve a chance to explain again and says that she was involved with this because he told her he was going to wait it out. Clearly, Eve is a mastermind at fortune hunting or something.

Then Jack states that he and Eve will go to Stonegate now to figure this out with Ted and Lucie. He doesn't ask Eve anything, he just commands. Seriously, she says, “I'm not going anywhere with you.” Jack's response: “Yes, you are.” It's a family matter and Jack thinks women all have an innate knowledge of planning weddings. Then comes my favorite line: “If she continued to refuse, she was afraid he might actually use physical force.” Really? This is the guy you end up with. Eve, you have options. Tell him no and to get out. If he doesn't, call the cops. If that's too scary, then say you'll pack and lock yourself in your room. Then, if he threatens you, you can call the cops. I mean, really. You don't have to go on a plane ride with the rich asshole to his private estate. She totally does. By the way, while Eve's packing, Jane comes back and meets Jack. This might be important later. Maybe.

When they get to Stonegate, Jack sends Eve off to her room and says Lucie and Ted will be there in two hours. It's nap time! Eve comes back downstairs two hours later to notice a conspicuous lack of Lucie and Ted. Jack is snippy about his plan failing and Eve taunts him. He tells her not to be clever because it doesn't suit her. I have to ask again: Really? This is the guy you end up with, Eve?

Then Jack stops harshing Eve's buzz quite so much and disarms her with a smile. Eve accuses Jack of having women throwing themselves at his feet and he points out that she hasn't. Eve retorts that she never will. Really? I'm gonna hold you to that one, Eve. Also, I doubt women throw themselves at Jack. He isn't a famous rich guy and, as previously stated, he's kind of an asshole. He may be hot, but if the girls don't know he's loaded, they won't care as much. Does Jack even go to parties or other places where ditzy bimbos would have the chance to throw themselves at him? I don't think he does, but only Mrs. Barnes can answer that.

Jack and Eve go to dinner. Also, I totally got the timing wrong. Unless it takes forever to get from wherever Eve lives on the West coast to Boston-ish, then it was 2 PM that Jack barged into her apartment. That's slightly better, I suppose. Anyway, Eve feels less cranky after eating. She only had a sweet roll today, so that makes sense. For whatever reason, Eve starts to feel a higher sense of general well-being as dinner continues. When Jack's talking about impersonal topics and giving the hungry girl booze, he seems like a great guy. I assume Eve knows not to drink on an empty stomach, but it isn't specified.

After dinner, Jack leaves Eve alone in the library. He's going to try to reach Ted or Lucie again. Eve wonders if it's wise to feel so comfortable with Jack. But that's why it's so right! I'll answer your question, Eve: No.

Jack got a hold of either Ted or Lucie to find out they'd gone out for the weekend. Those scheming schemers! They didn't think he'd want to talk about this so soon, apparently. A two week deadline leaves plenty of time for mulling things over, so says Lucie. Then Eve says something that makes me smile, “This is getting to be a melodrama.” Getting to be?

Jack admits she's right, but he just wonders: what is love? Baby, don't hurt me. Don't hurt me no more. Well, part of that, anyway. Oh, important detail, Jack was not broken-hearted by being left at the altar. He was not madly in love. I'm guessing she got preggers and he felt marrying her would be the right thing to do, but Jack doesn't tell us any details for us to make sense of his story.

Jack admits that Eve has “a softening influence” on him as he brushes some hair off her face. Oh yeah, this is a romance novel and not just a book about people bickering. Eve replies that he's always angry with her, but “there was no anger now in the way the tips of his fingers were tracing the curve of her cheek.” Remember when she was worried he'd use violence to get his way earlier this same day? Just wondering if I'm the only one who does. Jack asks why Eve didn't tell him she'd been gone a week, then immediately starts kissing different spots on her face. Finally, she tells him he didn't give her a chance to respond. Wait, which time? They keep talking until we get to a description I think sums up their whole relationship: “moulding her body against the hard line of his.”

Then they kiss and Jack gets to second base! To be clear, I mean he totally gets to touch girl-boob. Jack says they have a problem that they won't solve tonight, then kisses Eve again. Then he sends her off to bed, “...with a twisted smile, 'before I forget to be wise!'” I'm worried about Eve. Even if Ted and Lucie show up later, she's still falling for someone who's a couple of ranks below Edward Cullen on my creep-o-meter.

The next day, Eve is enjoying a lovely, tranquil breakfast alone on the terrace, enjoying the spring delights of the garden when Lucie runs out of the house and throws herself on Eve. Lucie is bubbly, Ted is standoffish and Eve reveals Jack started talking about planning for the wedding. Then Jack shows up and says Eve totally didn't change his mind. He wanted to change it! Although, he still doesn't understand why they're getting married so early. Ted, with remarkable poise, explains that his fieldwork got moved up. It would be terrible for him and Lucie to be separated for so long and unacceptable for her to come along if they weren't married. Eve is shocked at her brother's social graces enough that I wonder if she really knows him. He says “sir” in all the right places and everything!

Also, Ted and Lucie had discussed how they'll feel after “the novelty wears off.” Ted admits that Lucie is too cheerful for most men, but he's totes okay with it because he's been alone and he likes the warmth and enthusiasm. Ted also admits that he has some “scholarly idiosyncrasies” but Lucie's had to be adaptable her whole life, so why stop now? Yes, Ted, but it is so strange that you call every date a mating ritual.

Jack is convinced that because they've talked about it, they'll be fine (probably true, if their communication stays that sincere) and throws in that he couldn't stand either of them for long. Thanks, Jack. You just said that to your sister and your future brother-in-law. What a jerk.

Jack folds and dictates some terms. He'll announce their engagement properly and then they'll have a wedding at Stonegate. It won't be a formal wedding, but it'll be, “in good taste and properly done...” So, does “formal wedding” mean it involves a Catholic mass? I'm a little lost. Either way, it means that a Star Wars themed wedding is probably out of the picture. Damn.

Lucie points out that kind of wedding (whatever “that kind” means) is a lot of work and Jack offers up Eve's services...if she's willing of course! Or, ya know, there are people one can hire. Either way. In closing, Jack promises his continued emotional and monetary support and Ted assures him the second is not necessary, but welcomed anyway. Jack says the equivalent of “whateves” and leaves.

Well, that went well. Lucie thinks they opened a wound because Jack's wedding got called off at the last minute and blah, blah, Eve will you just ask for details already? Jack said he didn't really care, but I know it's going to keep coming up until we get his side. Anyway, then Lucie and Ted start saying that Jack totally digs Eve. Eve denies it, despite substantial evidence, more of which is provided by Lucie and Ted including the bullet-proof: “I've seen the way he looks at you, the way he watches you.” “Every Breath You Take” by the Police just started playing in my head.

Anyway, Eve totes likes to spar with Jack, even if she won't admit it. She and Jack can meet as equals, and there's not many men about whom that's true. Because, you know, he's so different and whatnot. Eve says she's never met anyone like Jack before and, “He's far too domineering and autocratic for my taste.” Just to be sure, I looked up domineering and dictionary.com said it means “inclined to rule arbitrarily or despotically; overbearing; tyrannical”. That sounds about right. Tyrants rule by force or threat of it. So, I guess if Eve realizes this I can't yell at her too much for hanging out with Jack. She's not blind, just stupid.

No Love in Return-Chapter Three: He's Not Human! He is...Robocop!

Because of various logistics including the placement of airports, Jack decides that he'll take Eve back home after the weekend and Ted and Lucie can drive themselves. Of course, Jack and Lucie leave on Saturday to beat the weekend traffic and Jack and Eve are going to leave the following morning at four. Egads. Eve could find no objection to this plan, but I can.

Anyway, Eve and Jack spend a pleasant evening together, shooting the breeze and such. Then, after dinner, Jack asks if Eve wants to know why he had her stay. Well, because she's dying of curiosity, of course. Eve says she decided not to ask why Jack wasn't an overwhelming pissant about Ted and Lucie. So there. Then Eve notices, “Their isolation in this part of the house, coupled with dim light, soft music and the warmth of the fire was creating an uncomfortable sense of intimacy.” He's not doing it right if she feels uncomfortable.

Jack kind of apologizes for his actions and says he rarely does what people expect. Then he explains why he wasn't an overwhelming pissant about Ted and Lucie. Jack figures that if Ted isn't “forbidden fruit”, then Lucie will stop liking him and won't want to marry him. They've got about a year. I'm not sure why Jack doesn't think they'll get married sooner than right before Ted starts his fieldwork, but whateves.

Jack says that he thinks Eve thinks he's a terrible person and that Eve wants Lucie to hate him. Interesting. Do they both find each other infuriating? Anyway, Jack admits that Lucie matters a lot to him and that he'll spend the year getting to know Ted instead of hiring detectives to learn Ted's habits. Jack says he likes it when Eve is “blunt and outspoken”, blah blah. Then Jack says it's time for bed and Eve is glad to get there. No, to her own bed without him in it. This is only the third chapter, silly.

Anyway, they pause at the base of the stairs and Jack asks if he's forgiven. Eve says she's unsure if there's anything to forgive, and then he kisses her. This kiss is so passionate and full of current, it's just too much for me to describe here. Jack's response? “You didn't even try to make that happen. Remarkable. Goodnight, Eve.”

The next morning, Eve thinks about how maybe she dreamed that kiss. Jack coldly asks if it's okay if he works as they drive. Eve says it's fine and she sits there and thinks, mostly about how she's never responded to a man's kiss before. She's twenty-eight and she's never responded to a kiss? Geeze. I'm sorry, Eve.

Jack wakes her up and for a moment, I think the car ride was a dream and they'll get down to some serious smooching. Nope. She fell asleep on the car ride and now they're getting on the plane. By “the plane”, I mean a fancy private jet with all the trimmings. Jack sits at his desk to work, and now Eve pulls out a book. Why didn't she do that before?

Jack asks what she's reading and she replies that it's about paleoanthropology and Ted passed it on to her. Geeze. Apparently, she likes it, and because of this the people she works with think she's odd. You see, she always has a book with her at work so she has something to do while they're changing the lights. I mean, I can understand that but it's kind of strange that she doesn't talk to people or something. She is supposed to be working.

Then Jack confesses that he doesn't worry, he acts. If he can't act, then he just leaves the situation. He sounds like the perfect man, Eve. I'm pushing my sarcasm button, just wanted to be clear. Then we get the first mention of the debate about Jack being human that Eve has.

Back at the ranch, AKA Eve's apartment, Eve is cleaning up a weekend's worth of crap that her apartment mate, Jane, left lying around. You see, they have the perfect relationship. Jane throws wild parties and brings home knickknacks for the apartment, and Eve cleans up after her. Sarcasm button. Also, Jane is so unrepentant about her mess that Eve just has to smile. Aw, that darn Jane, leaving her dirty dishes all over the place again. You know how she is.

Then Jane squeals about how Eve and Jackson Sinclair are totes gonna be an item or something. Jane is a romantic at heart. Eve firmly says that she only calls him Jack because he's going to be her brother-in-law and that's all. The only romance happening here is Ted's and Lucie's. Too bad Eve doesn't realize she's the main character in a romance novel.

Oh, Jane knew about all of this because Tony called the apartment and told her about it. After Eve's done telling Jane what happened, Tony shows up to take Eve out to dinner. She won't need to change for this meal, though. That's a relief, I was starting to feel like I needed to read with both pinkies out. Also, I'm not saying this just because Tony works with models but, I wouldn't be too surprised if he and Jack ended up together. I mean, if it weren't for the conventions of a romantic novel.

The next few weeks show a lack of Jack, so we don't hear about them. Lucie, Ted and Jack spend a nice evening together at Stonegate but that's about it.

So, Eve has been working for a week modeling in California. She just had to take the next flight home and sleep in her apartment, even if she gets there right before the butt crack of dawn! All right, who's surprised that Jane left a huge mess from a party because she had to jet off to another one? Anyone? Oh, and there's no coffee left so Eve will have to go buy some.

All right, that's the last straw, damn it! Screw your note, Jane! Eve isn't picking up your stupid mess! She's gonna take a shower, and then go to bed! At about two, the door buzzer goes off and Eve is pissed at Jane further for forgetting her key. Eve didn't think she'd be disturbed until five or six. Wait just a moment here. Five or six AM? Really? People go knock on other people's doors at five or six? All right, whatever. It isn't Jane at the door, it's Robocop. Sorry, I mean Jack. Much less interesting. It's because he's so inhuman, all right? Don't worry, that nickname won't stick.

So, Eve answers the door pissed off, with her hair a mess and in a nightgown. Then she sees it's Jack and she stops. He takes in her appearance and the mess of the room beyond. I can hear it now... “No indiscretions, huh? It looks like a party vomited all over your apartment and left, except perhaps for whoever stayed behind in your bed.” Either that, or he'll simply smile and ask, “Room for one more?”

I can only hope he'll say that, but I know he won't. He'll just look at her with those knowing eyes, eyes that have a serial number around the iris, and she'll squirm...because he's hitting her with laser vision!

That was the last one, I promise.

No Love in Return-Chapter Two: Jackson Sinclair is Dastardly Infuriating

Eve wakes up early to go for her morning jog. You see, it's not all glamorous living and parties when you're a model-you actually have to work to keep yourself looking good. Who knew? While she's out jogging, Eve literally runs into Jack. By the way, on her jog we get hints that she's an architecture nut. I mention this because I assume later Jack will buy her an old house or something and it will be the most romantic thing ever. Or something.

Both Jack and Eve are surprised at each other for being awake so early. He implies that she's got lots of indiscretions and she denies it. Blah blah blah, they're totes falling for each other, although Jack does not believe in a thing called love. Then the conversation turns to how Eve is only there to plead for Jack and Lucie as a couple. Jack tells Eve to meet in his office at ten to discuss it.

Breakfast is boring because Jack isn't there. Lucie talks about how she sees Jack, and Eve disagrees, although not out loud. After the meal, Eve gets herself dolled up, although Jack saw her all sweaty and in running clothes this morning so maybe it doesn't matter.

Eve walks down the hall to Jack's study/office and they open the conversation with more architecture. I'm not sure I follow the conversational logic, but they get onto the subject of Jack not having kids and then to Lucie inheriting everything if she and Ted make babies. Bam! Jack changes and gets all pissy about not trusting anyone with his money. Eve is surprised that Lucie is right about Jack when he's in this mood. There was a girl who left him practically at the altar when Lucie was young. I'm assuming she left because she only wanted Jack's money and he fell in love with her. Or something.

They argue about money. Eve says that she and Ted totes aren't concerned with money and Jack pulls out a folder that has a credit check on them and says that Eve and Ted should be concerned about it. Apparently, Eve has two outstanding loans. Maybe those are the student loans I was looking for. The conversation escalates and Eve accuses Jack of not understanding love. She finishes by saying that Ted and Lucie will get married with or without Jack's blessing, or a mention in his will, and that if he doesn't let them get married they will anyway and he'll be all alone.

Then Eve walks for an hour. She doesn't think, “That man is so infuriating!” but I know she means it. I mean, she was walking for an hour to calm down. Clearly, because he annoys her so much, they will fall deeply in love. No, really. That's how these things seem to work, even outside of romance novels.

So, Eve confers with Lucie and Ted after her walk and tells them she doesn't think she's succeeded. Lucie laughs and says that Jack takes in more than you think during an argument.

Later, Eve dresses for dinner (See? It's totally a fancy place!) and joins a happy mood when she walks into the room with the other three. Jack is being completely non-threatening about this whole thing and Eve is puzzled. Oh, by the way, at one point during the night, Eve mentally refers to Jack as, “the enigma seated to her left.” Hook, line and sinker.

Throughout the night, Jack looks at Eve with, “a wicked gleam in his eyes, and a smile of mocking amusement...” but he only looks at her this way. She's special and unique to him.

Eve wants to ask Jack about why he hasn't told the lovers (although they aren't technically lovers, so says Eve) that they can't get married, but he doesn't give her the chance to be alone with him all evening, the next morning, or into the afternoon. Why won't he talk to her alone? He's just so....dastardly....annoying.

No Love in Return-Chapter One: The Unwilling Model and the Attractive Businessman

The book opens with Eve looking at Jackson Sinclair. From what Jackson's sister, Lucie, had said, Eve had expected a middle aged, “bloodless businessman”. Although Lucie seems to love him, when Jackson Sinclair walks into the room, she grabbed Ted's hand. However, the man standing before her was in the prime of his life, and so very sexy. On the second page of the story, Eve is already describing his mouth as sensual. Even if I hadn't read the back of the book, I'd know she was totally into him. If only Eve had taken Tony's word for it, she would have been prepared.

Then we begin to get some explanation for all of these names. You see, Eve is just like you or me. Just because she happens to be beautiful enough to be able to make a living, and put her brother through college, by posing in front of cameras doesn't mean that she wants to be a model. Also, you can tell this book is old (published in 1989) because Eve is able to pay for all of her brother's college and there's no mention of student loans. Tony is the guy who takes the pictures of her and he takes an interest in Eve because she doesn't want to be a model. Her parents died after she'd gotten a two year degree at a Liberal Arts college. What's a poor girl with little education to do to make lots of money? She becomes a model. If she were a whore, this would be a different kind of book entirely. You see, it would be cruel not to put her brother, Ted, through college because he's so brilliant. He couldn't have taken loans or put himself through college.

Anyway, Tony tells Eve that Lucie is much more than “comfortably off”, she's stinking rich. Lucie's brother, Jackson, wants to forbid Ted from marrying Lucie because Jackson thinks Ted is only after Lucie's money. Oh yes, there's a time limitation because Ted's going to be an anthropologist and he's going to his fieldwork in less than a year and the two want to be married before that. Lucie was a student in Ted's Intro to Anthro course, you see. So she'll be married, and going through college, while he's in another country? That's one hell of a long distance relationship.

So, Eve is going to spend the weekend at the Sinclair's house in Boston with Lucie, Ted, and Jack to plead with Jack on behalf of the couple. Although, if Ted's just after Lucie's money, why would Ted's sister make a difference? In any case, the author makes sure Tony calls Eve innocent (Garden of Eden, anyone?) before we're taken back to the time when the book begins. You see, Jack is just so different from other men and “more attractive than any man had a right to be...” He takes his time staring at Lucie, Ted, and Eve before talking. Then we learn that he came to Boston this weekend just to see Lucie. He's had a rough week and would have stayed in London to sleep if not for his lil' sis. He declines polite talk that night and leaves the room.

Also, Jackson is apparently just like his father-passionless and coldly logical. That's what Lucie told Eve, anyway. After Jackson was born, their dad didn't care anymore and apparently Lucie was “a momentary lapse” on dad's part. According to Lucie, Jackson only cares about making money and doesn't like spending it and only talks to Lucie when he's lecturing her not to spend it. All evidence we've seen to the contrary doesn't seem to enter Lucie's mind.

When Eve's getting ready for bed, she looks in the mirror and is unhappy that she looks so much like a model. You see, Jack likes to keep out of the news and being related to a model won't help that. Eve's getting over the hill, though. She's already 28. Egads. By the way, Jack's probably in his mid-thirties. After thinking that maybe a more private line of work would make Jack happier, Eve gets up from her table and turns out the light. She goes to open a window and sees Jack leave the house and light a cigarette outside. She wonders if he was so tired, why he's awake and wandering. He leans against a tree, smokes the whole cigarette, and then wanders into the gardens. Then Eve thinks about how she can just tell that he loves this place and the only thing they have in common is loving Stonegate, the name of the expensive, nicely kept mansion where they're all spending the weekend.

All right, Eve, the reason he's awake is because he's thinking about you. Clearly, your beauty has turned him right round, right round, like a record. Also, Eve has to convince Jack that love is a real thing so he'll let Ted and Lucie get married. Hm. Now how could Eve do that? I mean, the back of the book says that Jack says he wants an affair with Eve, so she's kind of got her work cut out for her. Tune in next time to find out!

I said I wouldn't but...

I ended up getting several more trashy romance novels for free.  You know what that means: this blog is back in business.  Since I don't have any of the books in front of me, I can't tell you which one I'll start with.  Some of them are legit Harlequin Romance novels, and some seem a bit trashier than that.  In any case, there will be snarkiness and there will be romance. Stay tuned to see which book I start with.

Update: I'm starting with No Love in Return by Elizabeth Barnes.  I'm doubting that the title of the book is the status of the main couple at the end, but I could be wrong about this romance novel.