Page 27 of Tangled Up In You

"Different can be a good thing."

"Or very bad."

"You're a pessimist."

"I'm pragmatic. You're new here. You're starting a business, and your only friends are my friends. This could get complicated."

"It's already complicated. But…"

"But…" he echoed, feeling a desire he hadn't felt in a long time.

As they stared at each other, she said, "Do you want to draw up a pro and con list or do you want to just try it and see what happens?"

He grinned. "You think you have me figured out?"

"Am I wrong?"

"The pro and con list would be the smart thing to do, but let's go with your plan." He put his hand around her neck and covered her mouth with his. She tasted as hot and sweet as he remembered, her soft lips parting under his, unleashing a wave of desire within him.

He deepened the kiss, and she went along with him, her passion matching his, as they explored each other's mouths and moved closer together. But it wasn't close enough. He pushed her onto her back, following her down, feeling her soft breasts under his hard body.

He felt more reckless than he could remember. He suddenly wanted everything. He wanted their clothes off. He wanted to touch and taste every inch of her. He wanted to take everything she would give him right here on this mountain, in this meadow, on a blanket under the stars.

And then the sound of a car penetrated his lust-filled kisses.

Headlights briefly swept over them.

He pulled back, feeling out of breath and far too close to being out of control. Sitting up, he looked toward the turnout. Another car had parked, a couple sitting inside. He sat up as Molly did the same.

"We have company," he said.

She looked at him with her beautiful eyes, her gaze sparkling with flecks of gold. "Bad timing." She gave him a searching look. "Or do you think it's good timing?"

"I think…I should take you home."

ChapterEight

As they drovedown the mountain, Molly's pulse continued to race. She was reliving every second of their passion and was torn between wishing they hadn't stopped and wishing they hadn't started. Because now she couldn't pretend that there wasn't an attraction, that she didn't want him, that he didn't want her.

It was going to get complicated. Not that she was scared of complicated. Her life had never been simple. But she suspected Adam preferred simple. He hadn't grown up like her, with no rules, no boundaries, no long-term plans. He was a man who liked to control his life, who usually planned ahead. He'd gotten caught up in the moment. But now the moment was over. Maybe she should be happy they hadn't gone further. She didn't need a distraction like Adam. She finally had a purpose in her life, something she was excited about taking ownership of, and the store needed to be her focus. She couldn't be like her mom and let a man distract her.

As she glanced sideways at Adam, she suspected the same thoughts were running through his mind. His jaw was set. His profile was hard, and he had a tight grip on the wheel. There was no trace of the impulsive, reckless man who had kissed the breath right out of her chest. He was taking back control. And she was sorry to see it.

It almost made her wonder why he needed the control. She couldn't trace the need to anything in his past. He'd had a great childhood, a loving family. He seemed to do a job that he cared about.So why was he hanging on so tightly?

Maybe the answer had something to do with why he'd become a cop. He'd told her that was a story for another time.

Which meant there was a story, and she was more than a little curious.

But he wouldn't tell her now. In fact, she was doubtful that he would speak again before they got to her apartment.

It was just as well. Sex and love often got tangled up for her, and she was not looking for love. Despite that thought, she felt on pins and needles all the way home, the tension increasing with the ongoing silence.

Finally, Adam turned in to the small parking area behind the store.

"Well," she said, as he came to a stop. "Thanks for the ride." At his stiff nod, she couldn't help but try to soften him up. She gave him a warm smile. "It was fun."

His stony expression cracked at her words, and the glitter in his eyes came back. "It was fun," he admitted.

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