“God, these rules just keep on coming, don’t they? I don’t have a client tonight. There’s three tomorrow, so…”
Her mouth opened. In slow motion, she slanted away. If it wasn’t for his hand splaying on her back, she’d have fallen right out of the chair.
“Three? You have three dates tomorrow?”
“Breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” he said, flashing her his dimple. “That’s a lie, it’s like lunch, afternoon delight, and then dinner.”
It boggled her mind. “How do you do that?”
“How do I do what?”
“Go from one woman to the next.”
“They know what I do,” he said. “They don’t expect me not to see other women… it’s my job. It’s not love. I don’t care about them… not about their feelings and—”
“No, not that.” Dropping her gaze, her head bobbed side to side. “How do you… do… it?”
“You think I can’t get it up three times a day?”
“In close proximity like that with women you just said you don’t care about… You must be exhausted by the time you get home.”
He laughed and skimmed his hand up her back to draw their mouths together. “If you’re worried there won’t be anything left in the tank by the time I get home to you, don’t be,” he said. “You’ll be my priority, Little Skit.”
Noble. Kissing him was incredible. Their tongues tangled, his hand found its way into her top, maybe they would do it right there… Could she be with a man who did… this? Who shared himself with…? Already she was feeling something and didn’t like to think about him with other women. It was jealousy, there was no other word for it.
Their attraction was still new, and he was desperate for cash. She couldn’t ask him to change his life or lifestyle for her. Not… yet? Would there come a time…?
He had his father and brothers to support and a zillion medical bills. She’d happily assume the financial responsibilities, except most men wouldn’t want a woman striding in and taking over. And if she did, wouldn’t it be like paying him to be in a relationship with her anyway?
And then there was the other elephant: Truman. If he found out she was even considering a relationship with a gigolo, he’d cut her off for sure. Then she’d just be another mouth for Baer to feed. Another person for him to look after, she’d never be able to ask him to stop after that. Adding her to the mix wouldincrease his burden and Squires was how he kept the family afloat.
With a palm on his chest, she separated their mouths to seek his eyes. “Baer,” she said as he ran his fingers into her hair, watching it move between them. “Do you use protection?”
His hand dropped and the ease of his expression became a frown. “Yes,” he said. “Always… Why would you ask me that? I’m clean. We get regular physicals.”
“No, I wasn’t thinking that I… I was wondering about kids.”
Opening his mouth in acceptance, he nodded. “Yeah, we sometimes have women who consider us walking sperm banks, which is why we provide all protection ourselves. We don’t use what the women provide and there are no exceptions. We have non-latex condoms for women who are allergic, natural alternatives, everything… There are no little Baers out there… You want to get lunch?”
From potential kids to lunch without skipping a beat. His confidence was okay, there would be time to get into all the nitty-gritty, preferably while not in Conrad’s office.
Using his chest as a lever point, she got to her feet. “I can’t today. I have a date.”
“Oh yeah?” Pushing up in the chair, he examined her. “A date? With who?”
Bending down, she picked up her purse to hook the strap over her shoulder. “Who else? My boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend, huh?”
Detecting the tease, he relaxed a little, but she wasn’t giving in.
“Yes,” she said. “And don’t sit there all cocky, he’s tough. You should watch yourself, you know…” She wiggled her finger at him. “For what we just did there. He’d take you apart for doing that.”
“You sat on me, Skit… And it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve kissed another man’s girlfriend,” he said, linking his fingers on the top of his head. “Tell me about this boyfriend.”
“He’s cute.” She straightened the strap of her purse. “He’s a little beat up right now, but when he’s on top form, he’ll take you down.”
“Will he?”