Page 19 of Ms. Fortune
“If something bad happens to me, it’s because I don’t know what I’m doing or because I’m overconfident and reckless. That has nothing to do with you. You aren’t an all-powerful being, Lucky. You’re not a god.”
I tried to catch my breath and lifted my hands to hold his wrists. I was pleasantly surprised when I felt the slight flutter ofhis pulse underneath my fingers. I was knee-meltingly relieved that I wasn’t alone in responding to our bodies touching.
“No. Definitely not a god.” If anything, I had the energy and vibes coming from the other guy lurking down below.
“Good.” His golden eyes gleamed, and his head lowered toward mine. “I already told you, adoration is pointless. If it comes down to being revered or feared, go with instilling fear every single time.”
“Are you scared of me?” My words whispered over his lips as they twitched into a charming grin that held a faint hint of malice. It was a brief reminder I should be the one who was afraid.
“Not even a little, boss lady.”
That was the correct answer because I was terrified of myself day in and day out. One of us needed to be fearless and willing to take risks. It was right there in the man’s name. Of course he wasn’t scared of little ol’ me.
This time, Risky initiated the kiss, and there was nothing slight or hesitant about it.
Risky’s hand slid around the back of my neck, simultaneously pulling me closer and locking me in place. His arm wrapped around my waist in an effortlessly possessive hold, and his mouth moved over mine with practiced skill.
He wasmuchbetter at kissing than he was at being a handyman.
His lips were surprisingly soft, and his tongue was playful and agile. He tasted like chocolate and peppermint. It was a shockingly sweet combination that didn’t fit his outwardly rough and tumble appearance. The minty flavor woke up all my senses and had me forgetting that I’d promised myself I wouldn’t kiss or get involved with anyone until I had the lodge up and running and turning a profit. Then I could do whatever—or whoever—I wanted without worrying about the ramifications. I’d certainly never expected my vow to crumble at one seductive touch from a near stranger.
However, kissing Risky and letting him kiss me didn’t feel foreign or awkward. There was zero embarrassment or shame. Kissing him felt like it was something I was meant to do. And having him kiss me seemed like I’d found something I hadn’t realized I’d lost. I couldn’t look for something I never knew was missing, so the touch of his lips and the flick of his tongue were as unsettling as they were tempting. I was a woman who pridedherself on always having her feet permanently on the ground, but the minute Risky used his teeth to nip at my sensitive bottom lip, my head was in the clouds, and my eyes were full of stars. I knew the moment I came to my senses, I was going to be horrified by how quickly this man had gotten through my defenses. But for now, it felt so good to lose myself in the heated sensations coursing through my blood and the tingling feeling erupting along my nerve endings.
Risky let out a low hum of pleasure and used his hold on the back of my neck to pull me even closer. His facial hair lightly scratched at my skin, and I could feel his powerful body slightly tremble when my chest collided with his. Since he’d just said he wasn’t afraid of me, I knew the response was excitement and pure passion. Through the lust-filled haze clouding my judgment, I knew I should be worried that his reaction was no less intense than mine. I wasn’t a stranger to making men weak in the knees, but this was the first time I felt that way in return. It was dangerous to get turned inside out by a man I knew nothing about.
When he deepened the kiss, his tongue and lips moving more purposely and his hands holding me together, I got dizzy. I’d never imagined a man making my head spin, but Declan Risk was doing it without trying very hard. He moved one of his jean-clad legs between mine, and the motion sent flames of desire shooting through every limb. It was far too easy to forget we were outside, totally visible and unprotected. This was the most I’d allowed myself to feel and the most vulnerable I’d been in ages.
I’d forgotten how lovely it was to have someone else’s warmth reach all the deep, hidden places inside I’d believed were going to stay frozen forever. It took a rare breed to run across the tundra as if they couldn’t feel the cold.
When Risky pulled back to catch a breath, I took the opportunity to put some distance between us. The heated bubble was broken as the sound of a semi’s horn from the pass blasted through the mountain valley. Reality settled on my shoulders like a jacket lined with lead as I raised shaky fingers to touch my tingling lips.
Risky’s golden eyes glittered with bright amusement as he joked, “Now we both have to talk to HR for inappropriate actions toward a coworker.”
I gave him a shove, and he immediately moved back. When my hand hit his chest, I felt just how strong he was. I bet he looked like a fallen god without his clothes on. No wonder he’d adapted to manual labor so quickly. He had plenty of muscle to throw into all the different chores I’d tasked him to handle.
“Not funny.” I moved farther away and took a moment to catch my breath and get my bearings. “I don’t even know if you’re married or if you have ten kids stashed somewhere.”
I shuddered at the thought of making out with a married man. I shook my head at my recent weakness where Risky was concerned. With everything going on in my life at the moment, the very last thing I needed was to catch feelings for a man I knew nothing about.
“This”—I pointed a finger at him, then back at me—“cannot happen. I’m not in the market for a fling.”
Risky chuckled. I watched as he lifted his thumb to his lips and rubbed his bottom lip. It looked like he was savoring the taste of me, leftover from the deep and fiery kiss. The action was sexy and more when paired with the feverish gleam in his eyes.
“No wife. No kids. No family to speak of. I was engaged years ago when I was younger, but it didn’t work out. Don’t beat yourself up too much for threatening my virtue. I don’t have any.”
I knew he was kidding to lighten the tension I’d forced on us, but I couldn’t let go of the rising panic in my heart. “Why didn’t the engagement work out? Was it because of you or her?”
“Oh, it was definitely because of me.” He chuckled and shrugged, as if his past relationship was nothing more than a joke. “We were both young. She wanted me to choose between her and my job. And since my boss had saved my life and practically raised me, I would never choose her. The work always came first.”
He lifted a hand and sheepishly ruffled his hair. The motion made the shiny black strands stick up at odd angles and added a boyish charm to his already-potent appeal.
“What I used to do was very demanding. I never had the time or energy to put into a relationship. Not to mention, when someone started to ask questions about the ins and outs of that career, they didn’t stick around for very long when they got the answers. It made more sense to keep things loose and light within the small circle of my colleagues, which was how I ended up being a plaything for the boss’s daughter.” He lifted his eyebrows. “I don’t know why, but I’ve always been like catnip for the morally upright. I’m the worst choice for a woman who sees the world in black and white.”
I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t ruled by a strict code of ethics. It was impossible, considering my parents barely had any integrity. And while my grandparents had been honorable to a fault, I still managed to live my life in the cracks of what most would consider righteous or noble.
“We’re in luck. Gray has always been one of my favorite colors.”
Risky tossed back his head and laughed at my offhand comment that had slipped out. The sound was clear and sharp, and it made my heart tremble.
