Page 32 of Trouble Me
Emma’s shoulders slumped in relief when he didn’t press for more details on her story. “No problem. I have plenty of food.” She rose and started to pick up his bowl.
He stood and picked it up out of her reach. “I got it. Let me help you clean up.”
“There isn’t really much to do.” She waved him away.
He grabbed her hand in his larger one and stared down at her. “Emma. I want to help you. Let me.”
The warmth of his hand around hers made her tingle in places that had no business tingling. His hand dwarfed hers, and the slight roughness of his palm against hers gave her goosebumps. His eyes implored hers to let him help her.
She wanted to fight against it, but found she couldn’t. He was wearing her down, her resistance to him becoming weaker each time she was around him.
“Okay,” she said softly.
“Thank you.” He released her hand, but didn’t break eye contact or move away from her.
After several seconds ticked by, he turned away and crossed to the large farmhouse sink. She stood a moment longer, her feet like bricks, unwilling to move anywhere. When she finally had her wits about her, she moved to help clean up.
They worked together well, almost like a dance. They anticipated each other’s moves and joked around while they did it. The heaviness of the conversation at the table lifted, leaving only good-natured bantering.
As Emma dried the last dish, Shane tried to cover a yawn. “You look beat,” she said.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Jet lag is kicking my ass.” He glanced at the clock on the stove. “I should get going. Get out of your hair.”
She waved him away. “You’re not bothering me.” Crossing her arms, she leaned against the counter and eyed him. The shadows under his eyes were prominent and he swayed slightly, making her worry he was going to face-plant on her kitchen floor. “You okay to drive home? You look like you could fall asleep where you stand.”
He nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
“Want some coffee for the road?”
He smiled. “Sure, thanks.”
“No problem.” Short of driving him home herself—which would be hard with no car—Emma had to trust he would be okay and the coffee would keep him awake.
A few minutes later, Shane was armed with a stainless steel travel mug and had shrugged into his coat in the foyer. At the door, he turned and looked down at her. “Thanks for dinner. It was delicious. I needed a good home-cooked meal.”
She smiled, knowing he had to leave, but reluctant to watch him walk out the door. And knowing it was all wrong to feel that way. “You’re welcome.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Listen. I want to apologize for earlier tonight. When I kissed you.”
“I’m not going to report you for harassment if that’s what you’re worried about.” She averted her eyes for a moment before looking back at him. “I liked it. I wish it had lasted longer.”
He moved his shoulders, sending the muscles under his shirt into motion. “Still, I should’ve never done that. You work for my company. It’s inexcusable.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “It was barely more than a brush of lips, Shane.”
He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck and looked at her from under his lashes. Her breath caught just looking at him. If a man could be beautiful, Shane Kavanaugh was the poster boy for it. “I know, but I want to do it again. And it can’t happen again, Emma. No matter how much we both want it.”
Everything he said made complete sense. It was her own rule. Never mix business with pleasure. And Shane would bring about abundant pleasure, that much she knew for sure. The fact she was a recovering alcoholic working in a winery didn’t bring about the temptations she expected. The biggest temptation at work was Shane, and he was certainly unexpected. She couldn’t let hormones or the fact that she hadn’t gotten laid in two years get in the way of her goal—to save her family home. She nodded and straightened her spine. “You’re right. Absolutely. If you try to kiss me again, I’ll knee you in the balls. Work for you?”
His hand dropped and he shook his head laughing. “You are a spitfire, Emma. You know that?”
“So I’ve been told.” She hugged herself to soothe the riotous emotions that played under her skin.
The smile fell away from his face as he stared at her. It was just for a few moments, but every time Shane looked at her was intense, overwhelming and spellbinding. His hand lifted and brushed a wisp of hair behind her ear. Her breath caught in her lungs, and for a moment she felt as though she were drowning.
He shook his head hard and stepped back to open the door, causing frigid air to rush in around them. “Thanks for the coffee. See you at the office. Lock the door behind me.”
She nodded, one side of her mouth curving up. “I will. Good night, Shane.”
