Page 98 of The Fixer

He flopped his hand onto the tabletop, palm up. Without thinking, she slid her hand into his. “I’d like to take you to dinner tonight,” he announced.

“Oh! To the Miners Tavern?”

He shook his head. “I had someplace nicer in mind. I was thinking the restaurant at Silver Summit, if you’re up for the drive—we’ll take my truck this time.” He winked. “Besides, they might put me to work at the tavern, and I’d rather just sit and talk to you uninterrupted. So unless you’re craving one of their burgers …”

Remnants of the afterglow spread from her belly to her limbs.Play it cool.“I’ve got nowhere else to be, so sure, I’d like that.”

“Not exactly a ringing ‘yes,’ princess. My ego could use a little lift over here.”

“After delivering multiple orgasms? I would think you’re on top of Stud Muffin Hill right about now.” So much for playing it cool.

Expression unreadable, he wagged his head back and forth. “It’d be nice to know I’m not just a boy toy, although if that’s what you’ve got in mind, I’ll take it. For now.”

Surprised, she blurted, “Is this more than sex to you?”

He twined his fingers with hers. “I’d like it to be. I like you, Joy. I like talking to you, hearing your ideas, sparring with you. I don’t just go around banging random women for the hell of it, even if people say I do.”

“Unearned reputation?”

“Not completely, but that hasn’t been me for a while now.”

“Well, it’s nice to know I’m not a random woman you’re banging.”

He leaned in and crooked his finger. “Closer,” he murmured until her nose practically touched his. Canting his head, he slotted his mouth perfectly with hers. “You are an exciting, vibrant, special woman who is anything but random.”

She wasn’t positive what he meant by that, but when he wrapped his free hand around the back of her head and drew her in for a long, tongue-filled kiss that sent zips and zaps down to her toes, she didn’t feel a need to figure it out. Soon they were panting and wrapping their arms around each other. He pulled her onto his lap, snaking a hand under her top, and she could feel his excitement growing beneath his zipper.

How had they gone from combatants to partners to lovers who couldn’t keep their hands off each other? And so quickly? It seemed as if the universe had thrown a switch.

He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers while his hand continued its play under her top. “I should get home for the dogs.” He tweaked her nipple and removed his hand, slid her off his lap, and stood, bringing her up with him. He shot her a hungry look. “Why don’t you come with me and pack an overnight bag? That way, if we’re late coming back from dinner, we can go straight to my place and I can take care of the dogs. Plus, you can spend the night in a house that has an actual working kitchen and a bathroom that’s bigger than a postage stamp.”

Wow. Okay. Unexpected and bold, but lovely. “Have I told you lately that you’re kind of pushy?”

He slipped an arm around her, palming her ass and yanking her against the bulge that hadn’t diminished in the least. “Wanna see how far I can push?”

“I think I’m already acquainted with that particular, uh …”

“Talent?” He grinded against her and simultaneously sucked at a sensitive spot on her neck, pulling an errant gasp from her. Damn it!

She pressed her palms against his chest and tried not to laugh. “You drive a hard bargain.”

“Ooh, I love it when you talk dirty.” He nipped her neck. “Better say yes before I have you naked and squirming under me. The setting will be tuned all the way to ‘hot.’”

“That sounds more like a promise than a threat.”

He released her and gave her butt an encouraging pat. “Go on. Get packed.”

She tried—and failed—to control the giddy little bubbles fizzing inside her. What was she, thirteen again?

While she threw a few things together, he cleaned up the coffeemaker and the rest of their makeshift breakfast. Whatever feelings she had for this man suddenly grew exponentially.

When they reached his quaint Victorian, Sunny and Luna charged her with unbridled enthusiasm, warming her all over. Their owner did a first-class job of warming her all over too, especially when he coaxed her into a “noisy nap” and kept it to the medium setting. Surprisingly, she enjoyed the more languid tempo as much as she did the fast-paced one. Quite possibly, her pleasure had little to do with speed settings and everything to do with the man delivering said pleasure.

Within minutes, he was asleep on his back, one arm folded around her protectively. She curled into him, hand on his chest as she watched the steady breaths move in and out of him. Peace cast her adrift, and as she slipped into slumber, it occurred to her that she was falling asleep in the middle of the day—something she was never able to do—with a man she barely knew—something sheneverdid—yet somehow, it was so utterlyperfect. As though this moment had been destined. Right now everything surrounding her in Fall River felt right, and she prayed she could hang on to the feeling for just a little while longer.

Chapter 28

Paradigm Shift

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