Page 58 of Billionaire Protector

A wave of heat roiled him.

She pinkened. “I mean so I can take off my shirt.” She grew even redder. “I mean so you can take your shirt home. I would take it off now but the people of Harmony Creek have seen enough of me today.”

Actually, not all of them.“Whatever is most comfortable for you,” he replied cordially.

They left the car and walked to the door. She put the key in the lock but hesitated. “No comments about the house, okay? It might not be quite what you expect.” Stalling a moment more, she opened the door and gestured him through.

He walked inside, stopped and stared. Had he just stepped two hundred years into the past, straight into a debutante’s boudoir? It certainly felt like it. He’d never seen so much lace in one place, draped as curtains, arranged as tablecloths, styled into decorations. Feminine antique furniture created a functional yet attractive space, highlighted by sparkling crystal and ceramic figurines. It was beautiful, feminine and somehow perfect for the tough policewoman. “Wow.”

Sarah sighed. “I told you not to comment.”

He smiled, moved closer to her. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. This is very sweet. Not what I would’ve expected, but I’m beginning to doubt all my expectations about you.”

She licked ruby red lips, and that wave of desire returned with a vengeance. “You pretend nothing affects you, but it’s an act. You’re a lot like this house – all hardness on the outside but far deeper on the inside. You have a tenderness, not a weakness, you try to hide.”

“That’s silly.” She turned away. “I’m the rough girl who made the rough side of the neighborhood rough.”

“I’m not sure about that.” He traced his badge, so warm in his pocket. He was questioning all his beliefs about her right now. “I’d like to get to know you, Sarah.”

“Get to know me?” She gave a humorless laugh. “You already know me. You’ve known me for over twenty years.”

“I thought I did, but do I know the real you?”

She stiffened, nostrils flaring, as silence gave the answer he already knew. A moment passed, then a quiet query. “What do you want from me?”

It was a simple question, yet he had no simple answer. What did he want? He wasn’t entirely sure. “I want to find out who you are. I’d like to spend time with you, explore whatever’s between us.”

Her eyes widened, reflecting the same shock pounding his heart. He hadn’t just admitted the truth to her, but also to himself. Did he wanted to explore a relationship with her? A real one?

Yes.

She stared for a second and an eternity, then curtly shook her head. “We can’t do this, Cole. Ican’t do this. It’s far too late for us to consider… anything.”

“Sarah–”

“Please just take your shirt.” She lifted the top over her head.

Revealing so very little clothing.

So very much skin.

She must’ve seen his desire, realized her mistake, because she flushed once more. She breathed deeply, her chest rising with every breath. Then he couldn’t simply help it.

He stepped closer.

She looked at him warily yet didn’t retreat. No, that had never been her style. “What are you doing?”

He didn’t answer, didn’t even know. He moved by instinct alone. He took another step.

“Cole?” Her breathing quickened. “What are you doing?”

If she had demanded he leave, he would’ve listened. If she’d told him to stay away from her, he would have obeyed. Instead, she leaned closer to him.

It was all the invitation he needed.

With a final step, he closed the distance between them. He captured those beautiful rosy lips, growling in satisfaction as she yielded to him. She was strength and softness in one glorious masterpiece, heated and pink and delicious. He caressed her lips, encircling her waist and tracing her womanly curves.Pure perfection.

She grew braver, bolder. She pushed into the kiss, exploring him as he explored her. She moaned as she lifted onto her toes, which still only brought her to his chin. He wrapped his arms around her and brought her flush against him. She was gorgeous, but so much more than her beauty. She was unlike any other woman he had ever met, could ever imagine.

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