Page 88 of Tempt Me

“Hello.” I looked up, and my heart just about launched out of my throat.

Cowboy Billy!

Holy hotness in a cowboy hat leaned his muscular arms over the counter.

My bag tumbled from my fingers, spilling the contents in a noisy clatter onto the floor.

“Are you okay?” Even his voice was sexy.

I couldn’t breathe, and my bulging eyes would make me look like some kind of crack addict. Searching for a distraction so I could get my thoughts in order, I fell to my knees to gather my bits and pieces from the floor.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled as I reached for two tampons that had rolled over to the waste bin.

“Did I scare you?”

“Yes.” Yes, that’s the reason I’m a mumbling idiot. “It’s okay.”

He came around the counter and kneeled beside me. “Here, let me help.” As he reached for my brush and handed it to me, I inhaled his leather and spice perfume. I could enjoy his scent all day long.

When all the contents from my bag were back in their rightful places, Billy stood and offered his hand to help me up. Our palms touched, and with his calloused fingers wrapped around mine, he launched me upright. We were barely inches apart, and I swallowed the lump in my throat and stepped back to look up at him. His grin drilled two perfect dimples into each cheek. Then his eyes changed, darkening with what looked like curiosity.

A hot flush boiled my blood as fear gripped me.Oh God, he knows my secret.

He touched my arm. “Are you sure you’re okay?” His deep baritone was a song to my ears.

I nodded and lowered my eyes. A shiny object on the floor caught my attention, and I just about died. A foil condom packet was right next to his foot.

Faarrrkkkk.I was about to self-combust.

“Thank you for your help.” I stepped toward him, expecting him to step back and return to the customer’s side of the counter. But instead, he cocked his head and frowned. His molasses eyes darkened further as he studied me, really, truly examining me like I was the Mona Lisa.

This is it; my ruse is up. I, Plain Jane, am about to be exposed for the lying fraud I am.

I had to get him out of there. “Sir, you have to go around the other side of the counter.”

“Oh, sorry, it’s just. . . you look familiar.”

I put my hands on his narrow hips and, trying to ignore the feel of those sexy muscles that I knew threaded down to his groin, I guided him backward. At the same time, I kicked the condom under the counter.

A solution to his confusion suddenly hit me, and I just about did an Irish jig when I thought of it. “We’ve met before. You helped me take my groceries up to my apartment a few weeks ago.”

He clicked his fingers. “So, I did. It’s Jane, isn’t it?”

“Correct.” I turned my name badge upward so he could see it properly.

He nodded, yet the confused look remained. “I know I asked you this last time, but do you know a woman named Memphis?”

I shook my head, my confidence gaining traction. “No, never heard of her.”

“Mmmm, you said that last time, too.” It may have been the discreet lobby lighting, but I saw a twinkle in his eye.

“Morning, Jane.”

“Mr. Karwatsky. You’re here.” Damn, his timing was impeccable.

Billy tapped the counter with his hand twice. “If you see Memphis, can you tell her I’m in room fifteen?”

I nodded, and as Billy turned to walk away, all I wanted to do was watch that sexy swagger. I turned to my boss instead.

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