Page 30 of Trouble Me
The driveway forked, one wide path leading to the right side of the house toward a detached garage building in the back. The other circling in front of the house. Shane pulled into the curved part of the drive, slowing to a stop at the bottom of the front steps.
Landscape spotlights lit up the front of the house, which was made of white clapboard siding with black shutters. The large wraparound porch invited visitors to come up and take a load off. The multi-angled roofs and windows dominated the front of the home, giving it a stately, yet elegant feel. It was beautiful and even with its large size, it looked like the perfect family home.
Shock, dread, and a bit of “I can’t believe my dumb fucking luck” twisted in his gut. He rubbed his chin. How the hell was he going to get out of this one?
Emma was quiet for a moment. “Are you hungry? I have a huge Crock-Pot of chili.”
Shane glanced over to her. The adorable shrug and wry smile hit him in the gut, which meant he needed to put some distance between them. “I need to go. I’ve got a pile of work waiting for me at home. Thanks for the offer though.”
“It’s too much food for one person, but a man’s gotta eat, right? Or at least take some home with you. Payback for bringing me home.” She paused, her amber eyes on his. They held a mix of emotions that he couldn’t completely decipher.
Shane stared at her, then looked back out into the night. “I don’t need you to pay me back for giving you a ride.” It was just a meal. He was a grown-ass man and could control his hormones. No matter what other parts of his body thought. And if it got to be too much being close to her, he could leave. Nothing said he had to stay.
He shut off the car. “Lead the way.”
Chapter 10
Not Today, Hormones
The warmth of the househit Emma in the face and wrapped around her like an electric blanket. Closing out the cold air, Shane shut the door, and after hanging their coats, she motioned for him to follow her. “I’m going to make some coffee. Want any?”
She turned to find Shane looking around the two-story living area, a hand rubbing over the front of his shirt. “You have a beautiful home.”
She smiled and walked up beside him, trying to see the massive room from his point of view. “Yeah, this was my childhood home. Well, sort of. My parents ran it as a bed and breakfast for most of my life.”
“Well, I can see where it would be perfect for something like that,” Shane said, pacing the room and running a hand through his hair.
Her smile faltered. “Are you okay? You seem agitated.”
Shane stopped his forward motion and looked across the room at her. His gaze was inscrutable. “I’m sorry. I’m fine. I just need to make a phone call.”
“Oh, of course. I’ll go make coffee.” She walked off toward the back of the house and through the kitchen that smelled of spicy meat and tomatoes. As if on cue, her stomach growled, her lunch long forgotten.
Emma shut the door behind her and crossed the kitchen to the coffeemaker.
She scooped some coffee grounds into the machine and pressed a button. After a few gurgles, coffee poured into the glass carafe below. She laid her palms flat on the counter and took several deep breaths in an attempt to control the butterflies in her belly. She needed a minute to think without him around her. He kissed her. It was merely a brush of the lips, but she had felt it all the way down to her core. What the hell did it mean?You can handle this, Emma. He’s your boss, pretend you’re at work. And forget about the damn kiss.
