Page 24 of Nothing to Fear

“The pot?”

Were they talking about brownies again? This guy really scrambled her brain. Know what it was? His cologne. She could practically taste it… in a good way, like how it might be on her tongue if she licked him right—

“Inheritance,” he whispered.

And, damn, did that cool the mood fast.

She recoiled, flat out appalled. “You want a woman to love you for your means? Is that your measure of love? Will you only love someone whose fortune matches yours?”

“No,” he exclaimed, choosing now to be smacked by offense. “I don’t give a shit about money.”

Easy to say when he had it.

“There’s only one reason finances would become a problem for me in a relationship.”

“When’s that?”

“If my guy squandered it. Not that every cent should be accounted for or that he can’t spend his own money. But if he was throwing it away on hookers and cocaine, that would upset me.”

“If he’s squandering it on hookers and cocaine, your relationship has bigger problems.”

“I’m serious, Darroch. There are people in this world with real issues and money can make a difference to—”

“I know.” He scooped up her hand to kiss the back of her fingers. “Man, you sound like my mom.”

“Warning you hookers and cocaine aren’t a good long-term investment?” she teased. “Is that what your mother’s always telling you?”

“No hookers or cocaine in my life. I’ll submit to a physical and pee in a cup if you want.”

She laughed. “That’s romantic.”

He leaned in, intoxicating her with another whiff of those pheromones. “I can do romance, flowers, wine, trips to Florence. Anything you want.”

Their mouths got closer. “Anything?”

“Anything.”

Inhaling drew their lips together, tasting, in a gentle somehow confident yet hesitant kiss. Kissing Darroch Breckenridge was a bad idea. Beyond bad. She should stand up, walk away. Apologize, move on, and never see him again.

In sync with his hand skimming onto her waist, hers slid up his chest to his strong shoulder. That synchronous signal of acceptance parted their lips, granting the wish of their tongues to meet. Pleasure encircled, prompting her closer and… God, passion hadn’t tormented her for so long. She’d forgotten the heat, the rush of endorphins, the tug of desire that swallowed good sense.

The bulge on her hip was—was it? No, her purse, her buzzing purse. Forcing herself back fast, she grabbed for the device inside.

“I—uh—hi,” she answered her phone.

“Where are you?” Celeste demanded.

“I was—” quick thinking, come on, work, “in the restroom.”

Yes!

“Hurry up,” Celeste huffed. “We’re leaving.”

Leaving, right, that meant—hanging up, she leaped to her feet, tucking her phone away.

“I have to…” As she backed away, he set his hands on the bench behind him. “Everyone is—”

Man, he was hot. Too hot. Pure art for the eyes. Nourishment for long dormant hormones. And this could be her last chance to ever touch such a gorgeous specimen. Leapingforward, she couldn’t resist another taste of that incredible mouth.

---