Page 237 of Her Reluctant Hero
His eyes were still crinkled, but they’d twisted more toward shrewd than good-humored. He’d figured it out; they all did as soon as she explained. Only wealthy families had the audacity for that pretentiousness. Poor little rich girl.
What did she care what he thought? She wasn’t sticking around. She never did. And that made it easier when he released her hand to press his against the small of her back, brought her against his body, which made it easier to tilt her face up to see his descending. Made it easier to part her lips in anticipation as her nerves skittered from where he touched her to where she wanted him to touch her. So close, she could already feel his kiss.
She expected to feel guilty for wanting this man, but the guilt didn’t come. Maybe she’d been alone too long, maybe her connection with Gabe was stronger than she credited. Maybe her anger with Dan for dying had killed her love for him. Sleeping with Gabe Cooper wouldn’t be a betrayal of her husband, but it might be a betrayal of herself and all she wanted.
“What’s happening here?” she asked breathily.
A teasing smile curved his lips. “You know, the whole life-in-peril thing, adrenaline transfers to arousal. Danger is a big turn-on. You said so yourself.”
Her breath hitched and she tried very hard not to focus on his mouth, or how it felt against hers as he leaned closer.
She swallowed, hoping it would make her voice stronger. “They say danger, or escaping danger, is like a sexual rush. Is that why you do what you do?”
He brushed his cheek against hers, the stubble an erotic caress on her suddenly sensitive skin. Peyton struggled to keep her eyes open and her knees locked.
“I don’t have to almost die to get turned on.”
“But it doesn’t hurt.”
“If I waited for that, I’d have some long dry spells. Not that this one was short.” His low, husky voice sent shivers through her as they swayed, though the song had changed to a faster pace. Maybe he thought she was still cold.
Then she realized what he meant. “What?” she asked incredulously.
“It’s been awhile.”
She pulled her head back to look up into his eyes. “You’re kidding.”
“No.”
“Have you seen yourself? Just today I saw two women throw themselves into your arms. You are not what I’d call the celibate type.”
“Yet here we are.” He leaned close, let his breath fan her mouth. “Maybe I’m ready to end the drought.”
She forced her eyes to his instead of giving in to the urge to kiss him. The flirting was delicious, but a kiss would be anticlimactic now.
“Good luck with that,” she teased, and ducked away.
Gabe came after her but was waylaid by another crew of firefighters demanding to hear his story. Peyton grinned over their heads at him and saluted him with her beer. He jerked his head toward the stairs, signaling escape.
“Shower,” he mouthed exaggeratedly.
Her heart pounding, she resolved not to think about what she was doing and hurried down the hallway. He broke away from the other firefighters to follow, then caught her hand and led her through a group of women waiting for the restroom. Gabe was brought up short by a pair of very young female Hot Shots in matching tight T-shirts.
“Hey, Gabe, want to party?”
He nodded toward Peyton. “No thanks, ladies. I have plans of my own.”
“The more the merrier,” one called after them as they headed up the stairs.
“Three women?” Peyton asked, shock forcing out a giggle. “How is that even possible?”
He waggled his eyebrows at her, startling her with his playfulness.
“You pair off.”
“That doesn’t seem fair.”
“Yeah, well, two of them aren’t there for the guy anyway.”
