Page 12 of Enemy Kisses

“Sure. But I have one quick question.”

“Shoot.”

“Who’s behind this initiative?”

He shifts on his feet but doesn’t break eye contact. “A local philanthropist who would like to remain anonymous.”

“Oh. Okay. So I won’t be able to thank this … philanthropist?”

“I can pass on your gratitude.”

Hmm. “Okay. Thank you. I’ll shoot you an email and perhaps you can forward it on my behalf.”

“No problem.” He walks around my premises and I follow behind as he shows me where he plans to install each light. “I’ll get to work. I won’t need to come inside for a while. When I’m ready, I’ll knock on the back door.

I smile at him. “Sure thing. Can I get you a coffee, shake, or anything before you start?”

“Thanks. I’m okay.”

I leave him to do his work and head inside. Cleaning my cupboards will help me pass the time for the next few hours. Stacking the equipment onto the workbench, I almost have everything out except the stuff at the back. The cupboard is so damn deep I’m going to have to practically climb inside to reach it. I push the items at the back toward the front of the cupboard, then wiggle backward. Climbing to my feet, I place the items on top of the workbench and spin around.

“Aaaah!” I bring my hand up to my chest to prevent my heart—which is now pounding furiously—from escaping. “Oh my God, you scared the crap outta me! What the hell are you doing here?”

His eyes burn a path from my hips, pausing on my breasts, and one side of his mouth lifts as his eyes finally make their way to my face, which I’m certain is as red as a tomato. “Enjoying the show.”

I narrow my eyes and shove my hands on my hips. “I’m pretty sure I told you to get out and never come back.”

He raises an empty container, shaking it from side to side. “I ran out of sugar and don’t have time to make a trip to the store. I didn’t think you’d mind giving me some, and I’ll replace it tomorrow.”

“I’m usually gone by now. What would you have done then?” I snap. His eyes drop to my mouth and I swallow the urge to lick my lips. God, just being in this man’s presence fires me up in more ways than one. He must have some wicked powerful pheromones pumping out of his pores.

He takes a step closer to me and tilts his head to the side. “Well, I would have to make a store run. But I know you’re all about being civic-minded, so I’m sure you wouldn’t mind helping a neighbor.”

I take a step closer and stand tall, bringing the top of my head to the bottom of his scruff-covered chin. I hold my breath so I don’t draw in any more of his seductive scent. “I’m not feeling very civic-minded today. Run along.”

He brings his free hand up to his chest. “You wound me, Harry.”

“Not my problem.” His lips spread, and it’s sexy as hell. I need to get this guy out of here before I do something I’ll regret. “You can wipe that smug smirk off your stupidly sexy lips,” I snap.

“Make me,” he challenges.

My eyes narrow and my breathing becomes labored. This close, I can see the flecks of denim in his light blue eyes, which are currently being swallowed by his dilating pupils.

He edges closer and we’re almost standing toe to toe. It wouldn’t take much to close the distance. He tips his lips up again and I see red. I press up on my toes and close the distance in a moment of insanity, fueled by frustration and … intense desire. My lips touch his and I swear to God and all that’s Holy that sparks fire through my body. Within the next moment, his hand is wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush to his muscular body, and I can’t miss the bulge pressing into my stomach. His tongue slides across my lips, making them tingle, and I open with a gasp as he slides his other hand into my curls, tugging my head to where he wants it, and slips his tongue inside to tangle with mine. It’s a vicious kiss, full of fight and frenzy, and weeks upon weeks of frustration. I grip the loops of his jeans, holding him to me as we each fight for dominance.

“Okay, I—” A rich, masculine voice breaks through my lust haze and I push away from Finn until my ass hits the counter behind me. Trying to catch my breath, I touch my fingers to my swollen lips as I scan my kitchen to work out whom the voice belongs to. Nix stands at the back door with wide eyes flicking between me and Finn. “Sorry to interrupt, but I’ve installed the lights outside. I need to work inside now to connect the wiring. I’ll need to turn your power off.”

“Sure.” I wave my shaky hand around my kitchen, which is currently in disarray, much like my thoughts. “Do whatever you need, and I’ll try to keep out of your way.”

Nix steps further inside and places his tools on the floor, then steps back outside.

I spin around to face Finn. Now that I’ve had a moment to compose myself and catch my breath, embarrassment floods me.

I kissed him.

How stupid can I be to kiss this asshole? A sexy asshole who most definitely knows how to kiss, but an asshole just the same. I wave my finger at him. “Never do that again.” Even though that kiss was completely my fault.

“Aww, don’t be like that, Little Firecracker.”

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