Page 52 of Nothing to Fear

He caught her hip to drag her back. “Oh no you don’t. The door is open and this horse is bolting. You’re on.” And sheshouldn’t get too carried away. “You going to tell your prior engagement about me?”

“No.”

Definitely not. She would not mention the Breckenridge son to his parents. They’d said secret and she doubted it would last. Yes, the chase was fun, but what came after the pursuit was the real measure. That was the harsh lesson she’d learned with Jeremy.

“You like to keep things equal. I like that.”

Or she could be lying. “You’ve got the wrong idea.”

“What idea do I have?”

“I don’t know, but it…” She couldn’t see ridicule when he looked at her, yet there was something there she hadn’t deciphered. “I’m a crappy trophy and not good in bed.”

“I’ve got no problem with sucking in bed.” Such charm, presence, appeal. “Dinner’s what you should be worried about.”

They pulled to a stop outside her building.

“Why? Do you talk with your mouth full?”

“That a deal breaker?” he asked and produced a card to pay the driver before he’d even told them how much.

“You don’t have to—”

He got out of the car before she could finish and offered her a hand to help her onto the sidewalk.

“So this is your place, huh? Nice block.”

“Compared to yours?”

He moseyed closer. People moved past them left and right, going about their lives… or did they? The deep chocolate of his eyes swirled, mesmerizing her.

“I wouldn’t mind spending some time here, Cherry.”

He had the whole world, yet there he was on her block, enticing, teasing, intoxicating her. When he stooped lower, she froze in anticipation. He scooped her head into his hands and pressed his mouth to hers. In his kiss, she felt like the world, hisworld. The notion of inviting him inside sprang up and that was when she stepped back.

“People will see us.”

“Boyfriend number two live nearby?” Rather than an accusation, he played with her, his fingers drove into her hair as he took more control. “Let him watch. Breckenridge men don’t give up.”

“You have no competition.”

“Great, then call the chump and cancel. I’ll take you to Blaze.”

Oh, wouldn’t that be hilarious.

“I can’t cancel tonight,” she said, a smile peeking out. “But you can kiss me again.”

Because every time their lips met, pieces clicked into place. Her heartbeat settled into a rhythm meant for more.

“Can I come up?” he murmured on her, brushing his kiss across hers. “For a minute. Two if you’re lucky and I think about Caber.”

She laughed and smacked her hands to his chest to hold him away. “No.” He wasn’t the only one who could tease. “Someone told me we’re not doing this that way.”

As she sashayed away, he grabbed for her hip, pinching her like he wanted to pull her back. It couldn’t be that the excitement, the intrigue, the potential, could translate into something real, something lasting. Want. Desire. Need. They didn’t last… did they?

SEVENTEEN

“I CAN SEE WHY my wife likes you,” Benedict Breckenridge said, topping off her wine glass after his wife’s. “You’re dedicated.”

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