Chapter 4 #2
“I’m done being a punching bag.” She spun. “Hear that, universe?”
Rhys advanced. He had to touch her.
She spun and bumped into him. “Oh.”
“Rant over?”
“Maybe.” She sniffed. “I could probably dredge up a bit more.”
“You’re done for now.” He yanked her up on her toes and did what he’d wanted to do from the first day he’d met her. He kissed Haven McKinney.
* * *
Oh. God .
Rhys Norcross was kissing her.
This was a disaster, but it was also toe-curlingly incredible.
Even as her brain screamed at her to pull away, to run to Europe and join a convent, her hands dug into his hard chest and she parted her lips.
He took immediate advantage, his tongue sliding against hers. Desire filled every cell in her body in a wild, invigorating rush.
He deepened the kiss, and any remaining thoughts of escaping him flew out of her head. Haven moaned, and sank her hands into his thick, shaggy hair. She kissed him back.
“Fuck,” he murmured against her lips.
The next kiss was wild. They were both groping each other, pressing their bodies together. He picked her up like she weighed nothing, and set her on the lovely wooden table in the dining area. Then he worked her skirt up enough to stand between her legs.
Alarm bells were ringing. Rhys was a danger with a very big D, underlined twice.
“Rhys,” she panted.
Then his mouth was on hers again. Damn, he tasted so good, felt so good. Somehow, she got the two top buttons of his shirt undone, sliding her hands inside.
Oh, warm skin . She saw the ink on the left side of his chest. So sexy. A hard, muscled man with ink in a suit. Totally sex on a stick. She felt a flood of dampness between her legs.
His hands slid into her hair, tilting her head back. His mouth skated down her jaw to her neck.
Oh, God . She had a sensitive neck. She shuddered under the sensations.
A big, strong hand slid up her thigh, heading to where her body begged for him to touch her. Then her brain reengaged.
“No.”
Rhys paused and lifted his head. The look on his face made her swallow a moan. Desire was carved hard on those handsome features.
Rhys Norcross wanted her.
Since she’d said no, he hadn’t moved. His fingers were still on her leg, but they weren’t moving higher. Damn, she knew that he was a good guy and he wouldn’t take advantage.
She licked her lips. “We can’t do this.”
“I’m pretty sure we can,” he growled. “And it’ll be fucking amazing.”
Haven pressed a hand to her flushed cheek. Yes, he wanted her. She knew he’d wanted plenty of other women, as well—who were more beautiful and experienced than her.
She also knew that he didn’t keep them very long.
Haven wasn’t a one-night woman. More power to women who were, but it wasn’t her, and there was more to her refusal than just that.
It was the fact that Gia was her best friend, and Easton was her boss. This could get messy quickly.
“You’re my best friend’s brother.”
Rhys raised a brow. “Gia’s been telling me to make a move on you for weeks.”
Haven’s eyes popped open wide. “That traitor! I am so not getting her those gallery opening tickets she wanted.” Haven drew herself up. “You’re my boss’ brother. That’s messy. I’ve already made the colossal mistake of getting involved with a family member of my last boss.”
“The dickhead ex?”
She nodded. “He was my boss’ cousin.”
His voice dropped. “I’m not your ex, Haven, and I don’t care how many stupid excuses you throw between us.”
The biggest one was the one she wouldn’t tell him. That deep down, something in her knew that Rhys Norcross had the power to hurt her far worse than Leo Becker ever had. Oh, Rhys would never hit her, but her heart… Nope . She couldn’t withstand whatever pain he would inflict.
She pushed him back and hopped off the table, shoving her skirt down.
Adult, be an adult, Haven . She made herself look at him.
God, those lips. And his scent—he always smelled like sandalwood and pine.
“That shouldn’t have happened,” she persisted.
He crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “It should. And it should happen again.”
Damn, if he touched her again, her willpower would crumble like tissue paper. She was so weak when it came to him.
“No.” She held up her hand, channeling some of Gia’s attitude.
“You’re going to have to do better with the excuses than Easton and Gia.” Rhys cocked his head, a lock of dark-brown hair flopping over his forehead.
Oh, her hand itched to brush it away, or sink her hands into it and climb him like a…
Focus, Haven . “I’ve sworn off men.”
He blinked. “What?”
“Men. I’m done.” She made a chopping motion with her hand. “From now on, I’m flying solo, and getting my life back on track. I have no room for you.”
He arched a brow. “Were you just here for that kiss?”
Haven decided it was best to stay quiet.
“You know what would’ve happened if we’d kept going?” His voice lowered to a deep, sexy murmur.
Haven fought back a shiver. “Don’t—”
“I would have finally gotten my hands under that tight skirt that hugs your ass and makes my mouth go dry.”
She sucked in a breath.
“I would have pushed you onto your back, splayed you on my table, and torn whatever scrap of silk or lace you’re wearing as panties.”
Her body was alive, heat washing through her. She closed her eyes.
“I would’ve touched your sweet pussy, then gotten my mouth on you. Had you writhing until you came on my tongue, screaming my name.”
Oh. God . She was not strong enough to fight this. She wanted all that, and more.
She opened her eyes. “Rhys—”
His cell phone rang.
They stared at each other, then he yanked it out and answered.
“Sax, tell me you have good news.” A pause, then Rhys cursed. “He won’t talk, even with some persuasion?” A second later, Rhys grunted. “He’s scared of someone. Yeah, okay, keep me posted.” He ended the call, his gaze coming back to her.
Haven twisted her hands together. “Nothing?”
“No.”
“He probably has nothing to do with the theft of the Water Lilies ,” she said.
She got a grunt in response, and Rhys took a step toward her. “We aren’t finished.”
Her pulse leaped.
Then his phone rang again. This time, he muttered a string of curses. “Norcross.” Another pause. “Yeah, talk.”
Well, it looked like the universe had thrown her a bone. She’d been saved from making a huge mistake with Rhys by the phone.
She wondered why she felt so disappointed.
“Okay, see you there,” Rhys’ face was set in serious lines.
Haven licked her lips. “What now?”
“A contact might have info on the painting.”
Her lungs locked. “That’s great . Who is he?”
“A dealer.”
“What’s his name? I might know him.”
“You don’t.”
“Rhys, the art world is my area. I know loads of people.”
“He’s a black-market dealer.”
She gasped. “A thief? You hang out with thieves?”
He snatched up his car keys. “I have a varied list of people who give me information. Now, come on, I’ll drop you home.”
“Oh no, hotshot investigator.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m coming with you.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
His brows drew together. “ No .”
“Yes.” She wasn’t going to be left behind to sit around and wring her hands. She sucked at hand wringing.