“I just…” She lost track of what she was saying since her eyes were locked on his. “I didn’t think of you as the brainy type.” She realized what she’d said after he started laughing. “I didn’t mean…” She felt her face heat.
She closed her eyes with embarrassment. When she felt his hand on her back, she opened them again. He’d moved closer again and was less than a breath from her. She had a moment’s warning before his lips covered hers again.
“Why?” she asked, once he pulled back slightly. She’d enjoyed the kiss as much as the first one and this time was thankful that she’d had a little more forewarning.
She’d been able to brace herself and prepare for the flood of pure lust that washed over her.
“As I mentioned, I only have a few more weeks here,” he said with a shrug. “Why don’t we enjoy ourselves while we can?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. What would it be like to be one of the women he paraded around? Would it be worth it? Something told her that physically, yes, it would. But could she allow her own reputation to be tarnished in town?
After all, his family had a strong hold on the small town. They were everywhere. They owned restaurants and businesses she relied on, like the flower shop. And his mother, Lacey, was the mayor of the town.
Remembering this, she took a step back.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” She let the realization sink in. There was no way she could afford to have a little fling with George. Not when her and her sister’s business and her way of life could be on the line.
“Afraid?” he challenged with a smile.
“Of you? No. Of it jeopardizing my business and life, yes,” she admitted. “I can’t do complications at this time.”
He was silent for a moment. “Okay, what if I could promise you that this”—he motioned between them— “whatever we have, stays between us and stays uncomplicated?”
She thought about it a moment. Thought about letting herself cut loose. For once in her life, letting herself take what she wanted. “I would need your word,” she said quickly.
He nodded. “I can do that. My family pretty much leaves me alone. They’ve got it in their mind that I’m a lost cause.”
“I wonder where they got that idea?” she said with a smile.
His smile grew as he stepped closer to her. “See, that’s one of the reasons I’m drawn to you.” Then his smile turned slightly. “Need me to draw up an agreement? Make it legal?”
She couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped her. “I think that a verbal agreement will suffice.” She held out her hand for his.
His hand wrapped around hers, and she noticed how much bigger it was than her own.
“There.” His eyes moved to her lips again. “We’ll just add a kiss to seal the deal,” he said before kissing her.
This time, she allowed herself to enjoy and relax into his touch. His mouth moved over hers, and she felt her entire body vibrating with desire.
“So?” he asked when his lips released hers. “We have an accord.”
Her eyes locked with his as she reached out and took his hand in hers and started walking towards the small cottage that she’d called home for over a year.
“This stays between us,” she warned again for some reason.
His smile grew and he nodded again quickly as an answer.
She knew that she was probably making a mistake, but she no longer cared. She was going to enjoy herself while she could. Just as long as it didn’t interfere with her work and didn’t mess up her business.
There was no way she was going to let any man destroy her life ever again. Even if she had to protect her heart by hiding it away.
Chapter Four
How had he gotten so lucky? As Robin led him towards her cottage, his mind was so preoccupied with thoughts of being with her, he couldn’t see anything else.
He’d enjoyed that she’d challenged him in many ways, including questioning his intellect. After all, he’d witnessed her intelligence firsthand. Even though her business was an easy one, it still took brains to make it all work.
He knew that her younger sister was the heart of the business, while Robin was the brains. He’d seen her business diploma from the University of Oregon hanging up in her small office near the back of the barn.
Robin pulled him in the front door of the small cottage. He’d been in the two-bedroom place several times. He and his cousins had been friends with the previous owner’s son, but he hadn’t seen all the remodeling that had been done since Robin had moved in.
Robin didn’t give him any time to appreciate what she’d done to the place or even enough time to see how she’d redecorated. Instead, she’d pulled him down the hallway towards her bedroom.
When she shut the door behind him, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her until they both came away a little breathless.
He wanted to say something to her, but the next moment she stepped back and stripped off her coat, and he lost the ability to speak. Then she started slowly unbuttoning her shirt and his mouth went completely dry. She tossed it away, leaving her standing in front of him in a sexy white silk bra.
Her skin was flawless. Flushed, creamy white, and so beautiful that he couldn’t help but want to enjoy her slowly.
“Perfect,” he heard himself saying as he reached out and brushed the back of his hand down her shoulder.
Stepping away, she tugged off her slacks quickly. Then she leaned in and pushed his coat off his shoulders and started unbuttoning his shirt. Reaching down, he helped her remove it and then tossed it down on the floor along with hers.
Her eyes ran over him, and he allowed her a moment like he’d taken to enjoy her. Just as he had done, she reached up and ran her hand over his bare skin.
Closing his eyes, he moaned with desire as he appreciated her soft touch.
“Wow, if I’d known what was hiding under there, I would have gotten your clothes off you long ago,” she purred as she stepped closer to him.
“I feel the same way,” he said, pulling her up against him until they were skin to skin. The only barrier left was the silk she wore.
This time the kiss was more demanding, and he felt his own urgency and desires grow as his hands roamed over her body. He’d known she would be a tight little package. After all, he’d seen her in enough sexy outfits over the past few weeks to appreciate the view.
Now, however, he was getting to enjoy feeling every soft subtle curve she had. Just as she was running her hands over him. When she reached for his jeans, he backed her up until her knees hit the side of her bed.
“Let me,” he said as she sat down on the edge of the bed. Taking his time, he stepped back and slowly pulled his shoes and his jeans off. He left his boxers on and made a point to stick the condom he kept in his wallet on her nightstand.
When he stepped closer to her again, her hands moved up and wrapped around his waist as he kissed her again.
Lifting her into his arms, he held onto her as she wrapped her legs around his hips.
“George,” she said as he trailed his mouth down her neck, “please.”
He smiled and buried his face into her hair. “Hold onto me,” he said, turning until he sat on the edge of the bed with her on his lap.