A Perfect Distraction(27)

“Maggie?” He stared quizzically at her over the width of the bed.

She hoped he couldn’t read her mind. A flush crept up her neck.

“Um,” she stammered, trying to regain her composure. “Mimi said the owners were divorcing and pretty much anything can be bought.”

“I want this bed and the matching furniture.”

Jake walked around the bed to join her. His hand glided over the curved footboard, his fingers caressing the snowflakes carved into the gleaming wood. How could a simple gesture, one she’d done herself only minutes ago, take on such a suggestive feel?

Maggie dipped her head, hoping to mask her blush. “Anything else?”

“Put whatever you think I’ll need on the list. I trust your judgment.”

“Don’t you want a say?”

She’d expected him to be as pedantic about the decor and furniture as he’d been about the house itself. But once he’d decided to buy the Victorian, he’d lost interest in the details. She’d had to insist he take a more thorough look around so they’d know what needed to be done before he took possession.

“Not really.” He shrugged. “As long as I can move in and it’s livable.”

“What about your furniture from Chicago? I don’t want you to end up with duplicates.”

“There’s enough room to accommodate everything in my apartment several times over.”

“Okay. I’ll make a list, check costs and get your approval before I finalize anything.

“Sounds good.” Jake leaned back against the high mattress, crossing his legs at the ankles. “I’d like this bed moved to the master bedroom.”

Maggie made a notation on her clipboard. She ignored the twinge in her chest at the thought of someone else sharing her bed...that bed...with him.

Not that it was any of her business. It was just a case of...bed envy.

The silliness of her thoughts made her smile.

“Want to share the joke?”

She looked up. His ice-blue gaze caught hers and held it. The laughter faded to be replaced by heat.

She licked her suddenly dry lips, trying to moisten them.

His eyes dropped to her mouth. She could almost feel his touch on her lips.

Fire raced through her blood, setting her pulse dancing. Her clipboard dropped to the floor. Raising her fingers to the base of her throat, she covered the throbbing that had to be visible to his searching gaze.

A half smile played on his lips, as if he knew what she was doing and why.

The delicate cotton dress, which had seemed appropriate for the humid heat, now seemed flimsy. The thin material clung to her moist skin despite the air-conditioning. It provided little in the way of a barrier, leaving her vulnerable to the flames in those blue eyes and to the desire building within her.

He straightened, bringing his body near enough that his scent teased her nose. If she reached out, just a bit, she’d be able to touch him.

His presence surrounded her.

Overwhelmed, yet thrilled, Maggie began to wonder how he kissed, what he tasted like. No sooner had the thought popped into her head than she yearned to find out.

Now.

She took a half step toward him. He moved closer, too.

He was so tall. So broad.

So intoxicating.

His head lowered as she tilted hers up to meet him.

His mouth was centimeters away.

“Mummy, I’m hungry. Is it lunchtime?”

Emily’s voice from the hallway broke the spell.

Maggie stepped away from Jake hurriedly, straightening her clothes with trembling fingers, though he had yet to touch her.

She cleared her throat, then called out, “Just a few more minutes.”

Leaning over to pick up her clipboard, she tried to slow her quickened breathing.

Oh, my God! She’d responded to Jake as blindly and urgently as a moth to a flickering flame. She’d been about to make a stupid mistake. Again. Hadn’t she learned anything?

Just because he’d treated Emily kindly over the banister knob didn’t mean he wouldn’t lose his temper the next time something broke. She’d already seen that he could be unpredictable. Even though it hadn’t happened, it didn’t mean it wouldn’t happen again.

No matter how attracted she was to Jake, she couldn’t risk her daughter’s safety.

Maggie straightened slowly, avoiding his gaze. Clutching the clipboard to her chest, she said briskly, “We should get a move on. We still have a few more rooms to go through.”

“Maggie?” His voice, huskier than normal, sent a tingle down her spine.

Afraid he wanted to discuss the near kiss, she rushed out into the hall. Thankfully, the next room was a study. She couldn’t handle another bedroom.

Why couldn’t she be immune to Jake’s sexy charm? There was something about him that made him far more enticing, and dangerous, than any other man.