Chapter Fourteen #2
“I don’t do one-night stands.” And that’s all it could be.
If it was only physical attraction, maybe she could handle more, but she genuinely liked Alex.
He was hardworking, kind, and willing to step in to do the right thing.
The way he’d handled himself with her brother and in the aftermath of her ex’s visit spoke volumes about his character.
And when she talked, he actually listened and cared.
He was quickly digging his way into her heart.
His scowl deepened. The sunlight in the room faded, obscured by passing clouds. For a second, it was like staring at a stranger—a dangerous one. She got a queasy sensation in the pit of her stomach. When he reached out his hand, she flinched. He dropped it back down by his side.
“What’s between us is more than a one-night stand.”
The shadows cleared and sunlight flooded the room once more. She couldn’t shake the sense she’d hurt him by pulling away, but it was time to be practical.
“Neither one of us is in a place in our lives where we can make any kind of commitment.” It was the truth, but it made her heart ache, mourning for what might have been. “You know I’m right.”
He closed his eyes and swallowed heavily, his throat rippling. This isn’t any easier for him. The knots in her stomach loosened slightly. Not that she wanted him to hurt, but it was reassuring that she meant more to him than a tumble in bed.
Wrong place. Wrong time. The words echoed in her head—a warning.
“Are you kicking me out?” He rested his hands on the countertop, not touching her, but surrounding her nonetheless.
“Would you go if I were?”
Pain flickered in his eyes, disappearing almost instantly. If she hadn’t been watching him so intently, she would have missed it. “Yes, but I wouldn’t go far. I’m not leaving you alone, not after yesterday.”
It was a way out of her dilemma, but there was no way she could add to the stress he was already under. She pressed her hand against his jaw. “You can stay as long as you need. Just promise me you’ll be careful and walk away if things escalate.”
“I’ll be careful.” He turned his head and kissed her palm before straightening. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
She noticed he never actually promised anything, instead sidestepping her concerns. It would be up to her to ensure he didn’t become more involved than he already was.
Needing to put space between them before she caved and did something she’d regret—like take him back to bed—she slipped off the counter. “I’m working outside today. Flowerbeds need to be weeded and watered and the lawns need to be mowed.”
“Let me dump my things in my room and I’ll help.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.”
“Don’t you need to deal with your own family issues?
Figure out what your father wants from you?
” The faster he handled the problem and left town the better.
A fist gripped her heart at the thought of him getting on his motorcycle and roaring out of town, even if it was the right thing for them both.
“You can’t put your life on hold or avoid it indefinitely.
” If anyone understood that, it was her.
“I’m handling things. I don’t expect to be here much longer.” He scooped up his helmet.
“Oh.” There was really nothing else to say.
She rolled her lips together, fighting the sudden urge to cry.
“I’ll be outside.” Leaving before she broke down in front of him, she hurried out back.
A solid wall of heat slammed into her. It was going to be another scorcher.
Ignoring the high temperature, she dropped to her knees at the edge of a flowerbed and began yanking weeds with more force than necessary.
The kiss in the kitchen was proof it wasn’t going to be easy for either of them to keep their distance. They were like two magnets when they were in proximity—the pull was undeniable. She wasn’t surprised when he joined her only minutes later. Alex was decisive, a man of his word.
“Where do you want me?”
Kneeling on the ground, she had to shade her eyes as she looked up.
Take control, Cilla. Following her own directive, she climbed to her feet.
“The lawn mower is in the shed.” She led the way.
“It’s a good day to get it done, since there are no guests in residence.
Ah, have you used one before?” The man was rich.
He likely had people who took care of things like this.
“Yeah, I can operate one.” His voice was tight.
Great, just great. She’d managed to piss him off yet again. It seemed to be a unique skill of hers when it came to the men in her life.
She spun around and put her hands on her hips. “It wasn’t a slur against your manhood. It was an honest question. Men in your position usually hire a landscaping service.”
“Men in my position?” Mimicking her pose, he glared down at her.
She couldn’t help but notice the way his biceps flexed and the seams of his shirt pulled taut against his shoulders. She was only human. “You know what I mean.”
“Because I have money?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t compare me to those two losers.”
“I wasn’t.” But was she? Neither Richard nor Christopher would sully their hands with manual labor.
She huffed out a breath and dropped her hands down by her sides.
“Crap, I was. I’m sorry. I know better. I’m upset and taking it out on you.
That’s not fair. You fixed the plumbing.
I guess mowing a lawn is not that big a stretch. ”
A muscle flexed in his jaw. “And I don’t mean to add to your upset. I just want to help.”
With a chuckle, she shook her head. “What a pair we make. Both of our work and family lives currently suck and the attraction between us is the icing on an oversized headache of a cake.”
His lips twitched. “That’s one way of putting it.”
“Now I want cake.” She was jumping around the conversation like a frog hopping on hot rocks.
“Last night was beautiful, but it can’t be repeated.
” She was already too emotionally involved.
It was time to take a step back and keep from sinking any deeper.
“Let’s put it behind us and move forward. What do you say?”
“If it’s what you want.”
She couldn’t get a read on his expression. Was he relieved? Disappointed? After rubbing her sweaty palm against her shorts, she thrust it toward him. His large hand closed around hers, holding it for longer than strictly necessary. Her nipples perked up, rubbing against the cups of her bra.
“Okay, then.” Resisting the urge to wipe her hand on her shorts again, she motioned toward the open shed door.
“Mower is in there. If you can’t find something you need, I’ll be working on the flower beds.
” Leaving him to it, she got back to work, not relaxing until she heard the rumble of the motor.
A full minute passed before she gave in to temptation. She barely managed to swallow a moan. His shirt was hanging out his back pocket, which meant his torso was bare. Sweat gleamed on the thick, firm muscles of his back as he guided the machine over the grass.
Unable to look away, she was still staring when he turned. The heat in his eyes scorched hotter than the blazing rays of the sun. Her panties grew damp, her breasts heavy.
It was official. She was an idiot. All her fine talk about not giving into the sexual heat between them was simply that—talk.
His chest rose and fell as his breathing deepened. His hands tightened on the handles of the mower. A bead of sweat trickled between his pectorals, continued downward, and disappeared into the waistband of his jeans.
Need, sharp and fierce, slammed into her.
Caw! The crow flew between them and disappeared into the nearby woods.
Startled, she fell back, landing on her butt. By the time she’d recovered from the abrupt disturbance, Alex was headed in the opposite direction.
Cilla pressed her hands to the ground and gulped in mouthfuls of humid, hot air. She wasn’t sure if she should thank the bird or curse it for the interruption.