Page 29 of Beyond the Blue Horizon

---

Seems to me you’re the one who’s thinking about it.

Couldn’t help but goad her a little. Especially since I’d felt it seeping from her when she’d been ticking through those forged complaints about me being the owner of The Sanctuary.

Luring us toward something I thought we both knew we couldn’t seek.

And fuck.

I wanted to get under her skin.

Press into that draw that tugged between us.

Stupid, but I’d always loved to play with fire.

Another text blipped through.

Piper

Sorry to break it to you, but you’re not my type.

Yeah, she was a little liar.

I knew exactly what flared in her eyes when she looked at me.

The tension that bound and pulled.

That kind of attraction that hooked you before you even knew you’d been baited and trapped.

Me

Don’t worry, gorgeous, I plan on being a perfect gentleman for your entire stay.

I could almost see her roll those pretty eyes, and this time there was lightness in her words when she responded.

Piper

I doubt someone who looks like you has been a gentleman a day in his life.

Me

And what do I look like?

Couldn’t help but play along.

Another text came through in a flash.

Piper

Trouble.

A rough chuckle scraped free. Yeah, I was plenty of that.

Me

What, you aren’t looking for a little trouble in your life?

She seemed to hesitate before she responded.

Piper

---