Dani scowled, and then huffed out her breath. "Absolutely nothing."
As she returned to her task, he rested against the balustrade and watched her. "What are you doing?"
"Cleaning my gun."
His gaze shot to the thing in her hands. "Your gun?"
"You know, one of those things that go bang."
"You carry a gun?"
"Well, not as a general rule," she said. "But Gary insisted. It's company policy for protection cases like yours."
"I thought we'd already established that you wouldn't actually be protecting me."
"Company policy. But don't worry, Mr. Hunter," she said gently. "I've been in the army for ten years. I know how to handle a gun, and I'm not likely to shoot you by accident." She grinned. "Now, on purpose "
"I find the sight of a gun in a woman's hands disturbing unless it's some sort of role playing. You want me to star in a few of your fantasies, Dani? Hold me at gunpoint, force me to strip, have your evil way with me?"
"I'll pass, thanks." She curled her upper lip in a snarl, no doubt fantasizing about putting a bullet in him where it would hurt the most. "And I'm guessing the reason you don't like women with guns is there are so many of them who want to shoot you." She studied him for a minute, her brows drawing together. "Are you always this sexist?"
He grinned. "Yes. I have four older sisters and a meddling mother-it comes with the territory. So, why are you out here, in the night, playing with your gun?"
"I couldn't sleep."
"Too busy thinking of me?"
"Hardly," she replied. "Look, it's late. What is it you actually want?"
He gave her a long, slow stare and even in the dim light, he could see the flush of blood under her pale skin. She wasn't as unaffected as she pretended. He liked that.
He leaned in close. "I just wanted to say"-reaching out, he smoothed a stray curl behind her ear-"that I like the red hair and the freckles." Then he gave in to the urge and kissed her lightly on her lips.
She blinked a couple of times, shook her head, then rose to her feet and stared at him, the gun still clasped in her hand. "What the hell was that for?"
"First kiss," he replied. "I thought we'd get it out of the way. So we don't have to worry about it, and the next one will be much easier."
"Next one? Not in this life."
He hadn't meant to touch her tonight. Something warned him to move slowly if he wanted to get close to her. But that brief sweet caress wasn't enough. He wanted to kiss her until she begged him for more. He took a step closer, then another as she inched back. She was up against the balustrade now, with nowhere left to go. A pulse fluttered in her throat, and lower, he could see the rise and fall of her breasts beneath the thin cotton.
He waited for her to tell him to get lost.
When she remained silent, he slid one hand behind her neck and tilted her face. Her eyes were wide open, and he held her gaze as he lowered his mouth to hers. This time he lingered, sliding his tongue along her plump lower lip, nipping her with his teeth, pushing inside as her lips parted. She was warm and tasted sweet.
Heat pooled in his groin, his cock hardening in his pants. He deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue inside as his body pressed against hers, his erection nudging her belly. His free hand came up to cup her breast. She filled his palm, firm yet soft, and the nipple hardened, sending the rest of his blood supply to his dick. He wanted to strip her, turn her around, bend her over the chair, and
But unfortunately, while she wasn't fighting him off, she also wasn't begging him for more, either. In fact, she stood perfectly still in his arms. He regretfully backed off, shoved his hands in his pockets to avoid temptation, and studied her.
As he watched, the dazed expression faded from her eyes, and they narrowed on him.
"So that was the second kiss?" she asked.
He dropped his gaze to where her tight little nipples pressed against her top and almost groaned. "Yeah. You want to try for thirds?"
She frowned. "I don't think so."
"Some other time?"
"Or not."
He glanced down farther. She still held the pistol in her hand, and her finger tightened on the trigger. He was pretty sure the gun wasn't loaded, but all the same, perhaps it was time to go.
Hell, he didn't even know why he'd kissed her. But for some reason, she tempted him in a way no one had in a long time. Such a contradiction. Soft and vulnerable one minute, hard as nails and contemplating shooting him the next. At least he wasn't bored.
He winked at her. "Later, babe."
As he turned and walked away, a prickle of unease ran down his spine. She wouldn't really shoot him in the back, would she? He couldn't fight the grin stretching across his face.
This was going to be fun.
Chapter Three
"Good morning," Gary murmured.
"Is it?" Dani shuffled onto the terrace, following the scent of fresh coffee. A yawn escaped her, though she'd actually slept better than she had in months. Amazing considering the state her mind-and body-was in when Zach had left her the previous night.
Holy crap the guy could kiss. Not that she had much-or anything-to compare him with, but even now, nearly twelve hours later, just the memory had the power to start an insistent little pulse between her legs. She squeezed her thighs together but that only intensified the feeling.
Gary sat at the small table, his breakfast in front of him, and she leaned across and grabbed his coffee. He took one look at her face and obviously realized her need was greater than his.
"Where's Simon?" she asked. "I haven't seen him yet."
"He's doing a quick check around the grounds. It will be good when the dogs are up and running. It will save us some work."
She took a seat opposite as he gave her a look she didn't quite understand. "What?" she asked.
"Zach couldn't stop asking questions last night."
"That's hardly my fault. So what was he asking about?"
"You."
At that, she got a little twinge of something inside, but she kept her expression bland and her tone nonchalant. "Why would he ask about me?"
"He's obviously interested in you."
Another twinge. "Don't be stupid. I'm not exactly the type to appeal to a man like that."
But that kiss
She still felt the touch of his lips against hers, remembered the taste of his tongue.
Gary gave her another strange glance. He opened his mouth to say something, then paused and shut it. "Whatever, but he's definitely interested."
Dani scowled. She didn't believe for a minute, despite the kisses, that Zach had any real interest in her. "Zachary Hunter is obviously the sort of man who can't meet any woman without turning it on." Still, she couldn't help asking, "So what did you tell him?"
"I told him you were a nymphomaniac." Dani narrowed her eyes. "Just kidding," Gary said, hastily holding up his hands in mock defense. "Actually, I told him you were a lesbian."
"Ha, ha, you are so not funny."
"Don't worry. I gave him your name, rank, and serial number plus a few other snippets I thought might put him off. But I have to warn you, Simon was looking a little put out."
Dani frowned. "I don't know why."
Gary gave her a knowing look. "I'm sure you're aware that he's had the hots for you for about five years."
"Yes, just as I'm sure you're aware that I've never given him any encouragement in all that time. You know what I think of relationships in the army. They never work."
Gary waved away her argument. "Neither of you are in the army right now. Look, all I'm saying is don't wind Simon up. Go easy on him."
Dani stared at him in amazement. Since when had she turned into this femme fatale? Since when had she been capable of winding up any man? "Anything else?" she asked sarcastically.
"Yes. Don't give Zach any encouragement."
Dani rolled her eyes. "That one, I think I can manage. I'm more likely to give him a punch in the nose." She looked at him hopefully. "Am I allowed to punch him in the nose?"
"No."
"What? Not even if it's for his own protection?" she wheedled.
"No."
"Spoilsport," she muttered.
Dani sat on the terrace, soaking up the warmth of the early evening sun, when she spotted Zachary Hunter. She hadn't seen him all day, and she'd slowly unwound. Now every sense went on alert as he strolled across the vast green lawn. He was heading straight for her, and once again, she was reminded of the smooth grace of a big cat.
"Danielle."
The word was a soft, seductive murmur, and Dani stiffened. She hated her full name. No one who knew her ever called her Danielle. Not if they expected her to answer.
"Good afternoon, sir," she replied, absolutely convinced that the "sir" would irritate the hell out of him.
He came to a halt only a foot away from where she was seated, eyes narrowing. "Sir?"
Dani hid a small smile; it was nice to know he wasn't the only person capable of being annoying. "You're my employer. It's a sign of respect."
Zach took a step back, rested his butt on the wall of the terrace, folded his arms, and looked her up and down. Slowly. Dani kept from squirming by sheer will power.
"So," he said, "you respect me? That's funny. What was it Gary said you called me-a rich asshole?"