Page 8 of Hidden Desires

Chapter Three

Autumn glanced around at the mess the small explosion made. Thank goodness no one had been hurt too badly and all the animals remained safe. The person who made the bomb really didn’t know what he was doing. The strength was nothing more than a firecracker going off inside, and in all honesty, a firecracker was probably what the bomber used. The fire damage was minimal, and the explosion only damaged the counter and part of the wall. The office needed a little remodeling and a fresh coat of paint. It should be ready in a week or two. She planned on making her newfound bodyguard help her in getting the place opened for business. The very least he could do was earn his paycheck. The rest of the world had to.

“Did you throw the bomb when you realized what it was?” Jackson glanced at the hole in the counter.

“Yes. I told my assistant what it was, and I threw it as it exploded.”

“Did it hurt you?”

She shook her head.

Jackson frowned. “You’re lucky.”

This she knew. “I’m hoping to open next Monday. I can’t afford to lose any more business than I already have.”

“I’m sure a week wouldn’t harm your business that much. I mean it’s not like you’re an MD or something.”

She was pretty sure that was a cutdown but chose to ignore it. Stick with the basics and he’ll be gone in no time. “Yeah, well, I have to put food on the table just like everyone else. The way I figure it, you can help me replace the counter and paint the walls. The rest I can do myself.”

Jackson turned around with a slight tilt to his lips. “And I would do this because…”

“You’re Jackson Cooper, stud extraordinaire. Hell, you’re rooming with me, and using my house for all your personal needs. The least you could do is help me.”

“I thought you didn’t need help from anyone.” He came around the counter and glanced up toward the ceiling. “Autumn Faye Callahan doesn’t depend on anyone—especially men to help her do anything. Am I right?”

“How do you know my middle name?”

“Your father used all three names when talking about you. Or just Autumn Faye. It’s your mother’s name.” He shrugged.

“Are you going to help me or not?”

“It’ll cost you.” He smiled and leaned closer to her. “Much more than you’re willing to pay.”

“Damn right. I’m not paying you anything.”

His smile widened. “Your stubbornness toward men must keep Duracell’s business from plummeting.”

“If you’re suggesting what I think you are, you might as well end this conversation now.” She turned toward the counter and began shuffling the scattered papers into a neat pile.

How one man could heat her blood both in anger and desire at the same time was one of the world’s modern wonders. Autumn fought to maintain control over her emotions and the reactions she had toward Jackson. She wasn’t supposed to even like him.

“Why because I’m right?” He shifted behind her close enough so she felt his body heat but far enough away he didn’t touch any part of her. “You put on a tough exterior but inside your soft. And creamy. And hot. And delicious—”

“Okay.” Autumn whirled around to face him. “Let’s set some rules. We will not talk about sex in any way or form. We will not discuss past encounters or the nonexistent possibility of future encounters. And we most certainly will not actually have any type of sex whatsoever.”

She licked her lips and wondered if he bought her speech. If she really didn’t want him, then why was her body heating at the mere thought of his lips crushing against hers. She didn’t buy her speech and that possibly scared her the most.

“Fine.” His eyes focused on her lips. “You say you don’t want sex yet your body speaks a different language.”

Jackson’s lips crashed down on hers, coaxing her own apart as he plunged his tongue inside her mouth. He backed her against the counter and pressed his pelvis into hers. Clutching the sides of the counter, Autumn moaned into his mouth. She couldn’t deny the reaction her body had when his cock pressed into her. Unfortunately. Wetness gathered between her thighs, and she opened them a bit wider, accommodating him. Inviting him.

The same feelings from fourteen years ago surfaced, the realization like a bucket of ice water to the face. He had come back into her life a little over two hours ago, and she was like a dog in heat ready to jump his bones. Autumn jerked away from him immediately and stared into his eyes. He was the same man. The man who used you and made you fall in love with him in the process. Specks of gold highlighted his brown eyes, tiny swirls she could easily get lost in. It would be a lot easier if he were ugly. Anger was her only hope of keeping him away from her and her bed. She pushed him away.

“Don’t do that.” She touched her fingers to her lips. “Don’t you ever try touching me again.”

Autumn turned, scolding herself for her own stupidity. He still kissed the same toe-curling kiss girls only experience from a guy who knows what he’s doing. And Jackson Cooper did know what he was doing. Some might consider him a pro.

“I didn’t do anything you didn’t want, Autumn.”

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