Irresistible

License Statement 

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Praise for JT Schultz

JT Schultz is an author to watch!!! She packs action, humor and heat between the pages!!!

~Author Karen Kelley

JT has a way of combining humor and sensual delights to keep the reader entertained from start to finish! I’m positive you won’t be disappointed at any time!

~Joni – Twolips Reviews

JT Schultz has a style that grabs you and drags you in.

~Rachel C. - Fallen Angel Reviews

I love Ms. Schultz’s writing style and I would highly recommend her stories to others. You won’t be disappointed.

~Diana, Night Owl Romance Reviews

Also Available By JT Schultz

Short Stories

Kiss of the Wolf

Her Wolf Guardian

Un-A-Were of You

Coming Home

Wolf Moon

Novellas

More Than Illusions

Tinsel & Takeovers

Cowboy's Wish

High Stakes

Rescued by a Vampire

Mid-Category

Laws of Love

Crazy for Cupid

Cowboy Wedding Mix-Up

Rings & Ravioli

Novels

The Bride Wore Boots

Lying Eyes & Alibis

All That Ice

Bombshell 2 Boardroom

Frog Tale

Irresistible

Coming Soon

Sinfully Yours

Blind Date

Friends With A Cowboy

Rocking Christmas (Pleasantville Hearts Series)

Dear Reader,

Thank you for purchasing Irresistible. This book was a lot of research but worth it, because it really is one of my favorite stories. I was a bit unsure at first about doing a time travel, but it worked out well and I enjoyed writing the story of Jackie and Hunter.

Jacqueline Bloom needs a miracle to save her family’s cosmetic company, never once did she think that would land her back in 1953 or into the arms of the very sexy Hunter Erickson.

Hunter Erickson’s life has been the Air Force, until he met Jackie. Now he wonders if maybe there are worse fates than having a wife and family—like falling for a woman from the future.

I really hope you enjoy the time travel and the slightly scandalous romance of Jackie and Hunter.

~Best,

JT

www.jtschultz.com

Chapter One

It’s a little too late in the game to launch into fragrances. This company is struggling. Bloom Cosmetics can’t take the financial risk, nor are the resources available for such an expansion. You’re not thinking straight, but what else is new? David glared across the table at her.

Jacqueline Bloom detested her ex-husband’s condescending tone. Odd, you said the same thing when I wanted to divorce you. So far, leaving your ass is my best move yet.

Sharp gasps filled the room. Neil Dickens, sitting next to his son, scowled at her comment. The bad blood between her and David shouldn’t surprise her former father–in-law, or the board of directors. Yet, their war often did.

Don’t be a bitch. David’s green eyes reminded her of a mean cat ready to strike.

Why not? I’m good at it. Her heart picked up speed and her temper rose. She tried not to hate, but the man sitting on the other side of the heavy oak table made disliking damn easy. Screw you David, and your opinion. You and Neil are supposed to act as advisers, but from where I sit, you’ve done nothing but offer bad advice and prove to be as big a liability to Bloom Cosmetics as your spending habits were to my bank account.

His eyes glowered and the urge to buy him a scratching post overwhelmed her. You are in fine form today, Jackie. Tell me—

Enough! Sophia, Jackie’s grandmother, silenced not just David, but the entire room with her word and tone. She narrowed her steely blue gaze on the two men. I think this meeting has covered an adequate amount for today. Everyone, out!

Jackie should have controlled her anger and animosity, but annoyance fogged her better judgment. She didn’t understand why her grandmother kept Neil and David Dickens around, especially knowing how bitter and expensive the separation had been. Then again, her grandfather, Marty Bloom had liked Neil and counted on him. Only now, her grandfather wasn’t here. He’d passed away shortly after Jackie had filed for divorce. Her guess, their involvement with the company had gone on so long that her grandmother perceived them as part of the furniture. In which case, time to redecorate.

Rising from her chair, she wished she could go home, soak in a hot tub, have a glass of wine and let the bubbles dissolve the tension currently clenching her shoulders.

Sophia’s hand covered hers. "I want you to stay."

She nodded her head, lifted her gaze from her grandmother’s large diamond dinner ring, withdrew her hand, and walked over to the windows that spanned the length of the wall. Her eyes devoured the Los Angeles skyline as if searching for an answer to a question never asked. The morning sun had struggled to shine, but succumbed to the gray clouds now hanging above and turning the day bleak.

I know, I lacked professionalism, she confessed, then waited for her grandmother’s lecture.

Your ex-husband is an ass, and his father equally so. I should have gotten rid of them when the divorce became final. I realize my mistake with every argument the two of you insist on getting into. I’m sorry, Jacqueline. I lacked sensitivity.

Nope, demonstrated poor taste possibly, but who am I to say anything? I should never have married him.

She kept her sarcastic and bitter thoughts in check and waited for her grandmother to continue.

Things certainly haven’t improved between you and David. I wonder sometimes if they will only get worse. The wheels and leather of the expensive executive chair creaked slightly and her grandmother’s footsteps padded softly toward her. Reverting back to the reason for the latest disagreement she grumbled quietly. I still think we should have launched perfume when we first started, but the fragrance wasn’t ready in time. Problems in the early stages delayed things, and then we couldn’t afford such a move. Something always came up and we needed the cash.

Jackie shifted her gaze and smiled. I never realized having a perfume line was an option at one point.

We would’ve had to invest extra money and we didn’t have the finances. Heavens, child! We started this company on a shoestring. I still don’t know how we ever managed to keep the house in Citrus Grove and the one in LA. In an era where having two cars was a luxury, owning two homes was unheard of. Families in the east were more inclined to live that extravagantly, but only the wealthy ones, old money mostly.

Her heart tightened as an invisible heavy weight settled across her chest. She felt the sadness that always washed over her when she thought of her grandfather. Grandpa told me once he kept the house because he wanted to return to a normal life when the company didn’t work out. She shook her head at the irony of that moment. He and her grandmother had come so far, too far to fail now.

Jackie tried to smother the pain in her heart and cast a bitter sweet smile at her grandmother. But after a while, when Bloom Cosmetics was going to survive and flourish, he used the house to think and reflect. He taught me the importance of remembering where you came from.

Sophia’s lips thinned in a wry smile. I’m not as sentimental as your grandfather dear. In fact, I’m thinking of selling the home.

Since you had new marble tile put in the house here in LA, my guess is you’re referring to the one in Citrus Grove.

I always said you were the smartest of my off spring.

Maybe that’s because you had girls and I’m the only grandchild. Jackie laughed, a half hearted, sad little chuckle, then suddenly frowned. "But I love the house in Citrus Grove!"

I know. She rolled her eyes and a wry smile curled her lip. My daughters express no interest in a house in a small town. Then again, they weren’t interested in Bloom Cosmetics once they were grown and married. Your mother is happy being a homemaker and Aunt Sue loves to travel. You have my business sense and loved this company before you knew what lipstick was.

She remembered playing on her grandmother’s office floor as a child, and later wanting to know how everything worked. By the time she was in her late teens, leaving her mark on the family’s legacy became more than ambition, but instead, a part of her soul.

Sophia pursed her lips thoughtfully. I was in Citrus Grove about a month ago, to pay a maid service and landscapers to keep the place up. I don’t find much sense in me keeping the small home.

Jackie’s happiest memories were at the little blue two-story with the inviting front porch and the beautiful orange tree shading the large picture window. There she had always felt relaxed when surrounded by the gentle ambiance, like the house and tree were a part of her. But what could she say? When Sophia Bloom made up her mind about something it was game over. Nothing and no one changed her opinion.

Of course, her grandmother’s voice interrupted her momentary pity trip, if you want the house, I’ll give it to you.

The invisible weight on her chest lifted, and for some crazy reason, the thought of owning that slice of her family’s history brought sentimental tears to her eyes. That little house makes me happy. Thank you.

The older woman nodded almost sadly. At eighty seven she still shouldered the responsibilities of the business like a much younger woman. She suddenly looked tired. Jackie’s eyes narrowed. The money situation with the company is taking a toll on you.

Her grandmother seemed to shake off her slump and replied briskly. So is having David lurking around and running Bloom Cosmetics into the ground.

She was bitter of course; positive David’s poor judgment and bad financial solutions were part of the company’s problem.

You need to take a page out of your grandfather’s book and go to Citrus Grove. Hang out at the house, get some sleep and relax. Maybe think on how you’d like to decorate. I don’t doubt you will figure something out to help the company.

It was a tempting offer and she needed to get away. Citrus Grove wasn’t far, about an hour south of the city, maybe a little longer if an accident delayed traffic.

I certainly think it’ll do you a world of good and will put some distance between you and David.

So would punting him in the ass and sending him through the air to somewhere over the ocean.

Her grandmother lifted her brows and a sparkle danced in her blue eyes. You certainly are blessed with my temper. However, remember darling, there are sneakier ways to get back at him. Think on that while you’re on vacation. I will see you Monday.

Gram, today is Tuesday.

I think you need more than a couple days. Sophia stepped forward and kissed her cheek. I know how much Bloom Cosmetics means to you. If anyone can get us out of this mess, it will be you. Her arms wrapped around Jackie in a hug.

Jackie’s mind raced. The only thing that could save the company at this point would be nothing less than a miracle and, at present, she was fresh out of those.

Over an hour and a half later, Jackie brought her Mercedes convertible to a stop in front of Erickson’s Drugstore. Not bad time considering she had swung by her apartment, threw a bag together, changed into her favorite ripped jeans, and a white T-shirt before hitting the freeway. She grabbed some money out of the purse on the seat and crammed a five dollar bill into her jeans pocket, then climbed out and slammed the door. With a flick of her remote, she locked the doors. Technically, she didn’t need to worry about the locks or the alarm in Citrus Grove, but city habits were hard to break.

The sun not only showed her reflection in the glass door, but her black lace bra beneath her white T shirt. She shook her head and figured worse crimes were committed, like murder and grand theft auto, than having a bra showing through a shirt. She grabbed the worn, familiar handle, pulled open the glass door, and walked into one of her favorite stores. Technically Erickson’s was a pharmacy, but the place had a restaurant, an old-fashioned soda fountain on one side, and medication and sun block on the other.

She glanced at the gray-haired man behind the cash register who sent her a warm smile. I’ll be damned. He limped around the counter as fast as he could.

Despite having to deal with the freeway, her pain in the ass ex-husband and the drama over the company’s financial mess, her tension began to ease. Hi, Mr. Erickson.

He stepped close and gave her a warm hug. Hello Jackie, what are you doing here? How is your grandma?

More of the strain and worry subsided and she sighed. Gram is good. How’s your daughter? She glanced around and didn’t see Frances. Where is Frances? Usually she’s here with you.

She flew to Oregon to see my granddaughter who just had a baby. He shook his head in disbelief. So Frances became a grandparent, herself. Hard to believe I’m a great-grandfather. Seems like just yesterday Frances was born. His smile was both amazed and delighted.

I’m surprised you didn’t go with her. More of her tension eased. Coming to Erickson’s felt like coming home in so many ways.

Greg Erickson laughed. I’m eighty-nine years old child. This body isn’t made for flying anymore. Back in World War II, the skies belonged to your grandfather and me. Now I’m lucky to get around the drugstore here and up and down the stairs without my old knees giving out.

His honest words surprised her. She had never stopped to consider just how old Mr. Erickson was. Maybe you need to take a vacation.

I’m thinking I might eventually have a lot of time off. Frances and I talked about selling.

Jackie glanced around. Selling what? Don’t you carry pretty much everything now?

He laughed and shook his head as gentle lines formed next to his blue eyes. No, we’re thinking of putting the drugstore up for sale. None of the Erickson clan wants the place or has anyone to pass the business on to. He shrugged slightly. I’m not getting any younger.

The thought of the precious drugstore sold to a stranger chilled her blood. I can’t imagine someone else owning this place. She folded her arms and hunched her shoulders, hugging herself. The news settled over her, causing some of her former tension to return.

Well, not much sense dwelling on all that now. This is such a pleasant surprise to see you. What are you doing here?

Oh, I’m taking a short leave from work and thought I’d stay at the house and hang out for a bit.

Well, you’re always welcome to spend some time here with me. Go have a seat and I’ll make you a chocolate banana shake. He cast a wink and a smile her way.

I can’t believe you remember. Her eyes wandered around the room. The pharmacy didn’t look any different since she had been here with her grandfather the year before, or from when she had dropped off signs for the new campaign three months ago.

I always remember what my regular customers drink, especially the pretty ones. He winked again and Jackie walked slowly toward the booths against the back wall.

I notice you still haven’t fixed the crack in the wall.

Nope, the fracture has been in the same spot since the big one of `53.

He was such a nice man; Jackie didn’t have the heart to tell him no earthquakes took place in 1953, let alone a big one. I’m surprised you haven’t fixed the damage.

His chuckle filled the air. No, most don’t believe a quake happened back then. My father always used to tell my brother and me it doesn’t matter what other people think as long as you know the truth.

Again, she decided not to comment over the fact that no one recorded seismic activity that year. Wise words.

With every step she took, the familiarity of the drugstore wrapped around her. It felt like a comfortable hug. Her eyes darted to the grill and fountain, then to the walls. The sides of wood crates and the faded, slightly discolored cardboard posters of days gone by hung around her, a different time, and a glimpse of a lost but cherished era. Chrome lined the front of the soda bar and around the stools. The seats were topped in red vinyl padding, reminiscent of their early days. All the tables were draped delicately in red-checkered gingham table cloths. She glanced up at the wall with greeting cards next to shelves holding knick-knacks and plush toys. Sliding into her favorite booth, her gaze again touched every detail until she found her favorite spot in the whole place—the pictures. Decades of love, laughter, and memories. Hollywood starlets from the studios’ early days and legendary actors from the Silver Screen smiled. So many famous faces had graced the small shop, looking for chocolate malts, the world class food or a hangover remedy.

Old pictures of the Erickson’s friends and family covered the white surface. She found her favorite, the dark-hired man in the Air Force uniform. So handsome, he would have only been a couple years older than her at the time the picture was taken, yet his strong features and long lashes captured in black and white appeared timeless.

Why can’t I meet a man like him?

Her mind flashed back to her ex-husband and the hostilities. She fought the urge to cry and continued to stare at the picture of the best-looking man she had ever seen. No small feat considering she lived in Los Angeles, the city that could pass as the gorgeous men capital.

He’s a good-looking man, isn’t he? A strange man’s voice cut into her daydreams. Had she been so lost in her thoughts she hadn’t heard the door chime? Quickly, she scanned the room, trying to recall if the man had been in the store moments ago.

I must be really out of it.

Yes, very. She focused on the man standing by her booth. Her brows furrowed. There was something familiar about him. What she couldn’t say, but she asked I’m sorry, have we met?

No, I’m Daniel. Mind if I sit down while my brother fixes your shake?

Oh, you’re Greg’s brother, sorry. She wondered about the age difference between the two men, Daniel being significantly younger and waved her fingers, inviting him to sit. Please, have a seat. The sense of familiarity persisted, and she figured both she and Daniel were forgetting a prior introduction.

Thanks, doll.

I’m Jackie. She offered her hand. He glanced at her outstretched fingers but didn’t acknowledge the gesture as he slipped in the booth across from her and smiled.

Hunter was a good boy.

She let her hand drop to the table. Hunter. She rolled the name on her tongue and glanced back at the picture. He looked like a Hunter. His strong male features gave him a predatory quality. She looked back at the man. You knew him? He didn’t look much older than the guy in the picture, but these days it was hard to tell a person’s age with all the surgeries and treatments available.

He was my son. Died during the Korean War. Hunter was a pilot, you know.

Her mind clouded and she shivered as a chill ran down her spine. The conversation was becoming bizarre and bordering on eerie.

No way this man was the father of the hunk in the picture. He’s way too young.

I’m sorry for your loss. She didn’t know what else to say.

Stealing another look at the sexy black and white photo, a sense of sadness washed over her. Cut down even before his father, if this man was telling the truth. At least she had a name now. She turned back to Daniel.

His gaze searched her carefully. You look like you’ve had a bad day.

She must have looked like hell in living color if a complete stranger noticed. Yeah, you could say that. Her lips tipped into a tentative smile at the warm and concerned way Daniel studied her.

Okay, maybe things aren’t so weird, he seems genuinely nice. Then again, sometimes axe murders seem nice.

A soft chuckle escaped Daniel. I bet if you were a bird, you’d fly away.

You have no idea.

She was starting to warm up to the man who claimed to be Greg’s brother. Pretty much, but I’m not a bird, so I guess that limits my options. She forced out a lighthearted laugh, hoping her mood would improve and lighten her troubles.

He grinned and nodded. Hold out your hand.

Even though she could see a resemblance between the photo and Daniel, she was still unsure of him. But really, they were in a public place. What could happen? She reached out, her palm up. A cool metal object touched her skin.

Now you have wings.

Jackie glanced down and stared at the wings. They were pilot wings, silver, obviously old and cast with the finest care. She flexed slightly and the pin flipped over. She leaned closer and noticed initials carved into the back.

D.E.

With a gasp she looked up, and gasped again as she saw that Daniel was gone. After a quick, frantic survey of the drugstore, not a single trace of him could be found. She was positive she would have noticed him leave.

I’m losing my mind.

Her hand curled around the wings and she glanced up at Hunter. Fatigue and maybe even fear hit her body at full force and the tension she’d endured earlier returned. Maybe she needed to relax before she had a breakdown.

One chocolate banana shake, Greg Erickson called and passed her the paper cup with a plastic lid and the straw sticking up. I thought you might want to take it to go. He stepped back so she could exit the booth.

She slipped the wings in her jeans pocket and stood. Yes, thank you. Forcing a smile, she shifted the cup to her other hand. How much do I owe you?

He frowned slightly. Nothing. His gaze narrowed and his gray eyebrows furrowed. Jackie, are you all right?

Not knowing how to answer, she walked toward a shelf halfway to the front door, grabbed a box of pain reliever, and smiled. A headache. I have a headache. She passed the box of Ibuprofen to him and his expression grew more concerned. She sighed and glanced at Hunter’s picture again. Between Daniels strange visit and exit, the aggravation David had caused her in the boardroom earlier, her Grandmother’s gift of the house, the overall strange day, her thoughts spun around her like an emotional tornado. The worried expression on Mr. Erickson’s face became apparent as she stepped toward the cash register.

Four dollars and twelve cents, he told her.

Her fingers fumbled in her pocket and pulled out the five. Thank you for the shake.

While he made change Mr. Erickson commented, You just go to your grandparents’ house and take care of yourself. If you don’t feel very well, you call me.

Jackie held out her hand for the change and the receipt and shoved them into her pocket. Grabbing the box she headed for the front door and glanced back. Oh, be sure to say goodbye to Daniel for me.

Greg Erickson’s face grew—well—unreadable, but he offered a weak smile. Might be a little tough to do. My brother died in 1945 during the claiming of Normandy. He was a pilot, left behind a wife and son. Gertie and I ended up taking Hunter when his mom split. He was our boy until his plane went down in the forgotten war.

I am having a breakdown.

Her confusion, embarrassment and a pinch of grief assaulted her at the thought of Hunter’s death. I’m sorry. Her voice barely reached her ears. I’ll call if I need anything or get sick.

Promise me?

She nodded her head and grabbed the door handle. Even after exiting outside, she didn’t feel any better. Actually, she felt worse. She glanced back inside through the window and noticed Daniel standing by the jukebox at the front of the store. He smiled and sent her a sexy wink.

Jackie closed her eyes and shook her head. Tears threatened and she struggled with the urge to cry. She opened her eyes and