Page 14 of Marry Me…Maybe?
The goggles had left a smudge of dirt on Emily’s nose, where they’d pressed against her skin, and without thinking he swiped his thumb gently over it, wiping it away.
She stared up at him with those striking eyes of hers and for a second, he couldn’t move. It was as if she’d caught him in a tractor beam.
‘Where’s your mother?’ she asked, her voice low and seductive.
They were standing so close he felt her breath on his skin.
A tug of longing pulled hard, deep inside him. ‘In the house.’
She smelt amazing – like a spring garden in full bloom.
‘We should probably get into character now, then, so we’re comfortable walking in there together,’ she said, and without warning she leaned up and forward on her toes, aiming her mouth to connect with his.
This time he reacted quickly, moving his head away from hers and putting a hand on her shoulder to keep her at a distance.
‘What are you doing, Emily?’
‘I’m greeting you in the manner of a devoted lover.’
‘I don’t kiss women I don’t care about.’ He refrained from adding any more.
Her brow pinched in jokey frustration. ‘You and your crazy rules.’
He couldn’t stop a snort of mirth from escaping. ‘You’re very forward.’
She gave a nonchalant shrug. ‘I like sex and I’m not afraid to ask for what I want.’
‘That much I already know.’
She let out a low sigh and took a step backwards, breaking the connection of his hand on her shoulder. ‘I don’t get it. I’m single, you’re single – what’s the problem?’
‘I told you: this is a business relationship. I’m not looking for it to develop into anything more.’
‘You know, usually the only time men act as if they don’t like me is when they want me but think they’re not allowed to have me.’
He folded his arms in front of his chest. ‘You really believe I think I’m not allowed to have you?’
‘Perhaps. There has to be some deep-seated angst simmering away under that tough outer shell of yours.’
‘Maybe I don’t find you attractive.’
She narrowed her eyes and gave him a discerning smile. ‘Maybe.’
‘Why do you want to sleep with me so badly?’
‘Because you won’t let me.’ Her grin was wide and authentic. ‘I’m just messing with you, Theo,’ she said, slapping him gently on the arm.
He huffed out a laugh and tried to ignore the way his cock had hardened in response to her teasing. No way was he letting her get into his head, and he definitely wasn’t interested in allowing her to flatter her way into his bed. He’d been burned like that before.
‘Although I haven’t had sex for months,’ she continued, giving him that coy look she’d tried on him when they’d first met. ‘I’ve been too busy at work to have any kind of fun outside it.’
The heat in his body seemed to increase tenfold. He pushed away the feeling. ‘Speaking of life outside, I checked you out online. You have quite a presence in the gutter press.’
She shrugged and glanced away. ‘I used to. I haven’t done anything outrageous recently, so they’ve grown a little bored with me.’
‘Cleaning up your image?’
Her gaze met his again, square in the eyes. ‘I just haven’t found anyone interesting enough to play with.’
