She hoped she had enough singles to tuck into his…hmmmm…no garter? Where did one place a tip if the tip-ee was naked? She’d figure it out. She had all night.
Then again, she felt it was necessary for propriety’s sake to put up a small show of resistance to him staying the night. Not too strong. She’d hate to have him change his mind. “Oh, I don’t know…that’s so nice of you but I’d hate to impose. What about your other…er, clients?” This trip was starting to actually show some promise. Considering what she’d spent getting there, she owed it to herself to have some fun. In any form that presented itself, but especially any form that involved taking a closer look at the abominable snowman there.
Sex—at least the kind that didn’t involve solitary satisfaction with the aid of a battery-operated appliance—was a distant memory. Her last relationship had ended almost ten months ago and lately she hadn’t been in the mood to find herself a candidate for a fling.
Yes siree, a vacation affair was not out of the question. If the candidate in question passed muster. It appeared that Mr. Abominable here had just announced his candidacy.
“I won’t take no for an answer,” he said with delightful decidedness. How she loved a man who could take control…when she wanted him to. So far, so good. “Not that I don’t think you can take care of yourself, but it’s not good for you to be alone. I have tomorrow off work. I can take you down to Portage Glacier if you want.”
Her previously happy, pitter-pattery heart turned cold. Had she misread his intentions? “Glacier? As in hunk of ice?” Pooh. She’d had such high hopes for some…warmer activities.
His smile broadened. “Did you have something else in mind?” An evil glimmer sparked in his eyes.
Oh no, she hadn’t misunderstood. They were definitely on the same page. Bless Katie, she was getting triplets for her birthday. “Uh…” Her heart set about pitter-pattering again and within seconds her face felt like it had been sitting inches from the roaring blaze in the fireplace. It had been such a long time since she’d come on to a guy. And never had a man who looked as great as this one given her the time of day, let alone a fuck-me look.
Alaska was cool!
She’d heard rumors of a shortage of women here. Maybe Katie hadn’t been such an idiot for suggesting Alaska for their vacation after all. “Maybe,” she said, “though it would be nice knowing your name…um, before we do anything…”
He stood up, conveniently leaving the quilt on the floor in front of the fireplace’s hearth, and sauntered toward her. He moved with the strength and fluidity of an animal stalking prey. His body was absolutely perfect. Like romance-cover-model perfect. Smooth-skinned and suntanned. Muscular.
Big…hands.
By the time he was standing in front of her, she’d worked up a sweat just watching him. The air in the room had become thin and she was lightheaded.
He set one hand on each arm of her chair and leaned down until his nose almost touched hers. “Tarik Evert. Nice to meet you. And you are?”
She promptly forgot her name.
She forgot a lot of other things too.
They were all unimportant at the moment anyway.
“Tarik,” she repeated somehow, even though she was sure her lungs had stopped functioning some time ago.
“Yes, that’s my name but—”
“Nice to meet you too.” Something huge wedged itself in her throat. She swallowed. Hard. Several times. She let her gaze slide south. It followed a bumpy route over some chiseled pecs and a washboard stomach.
My, my, my, did they come nicely packaged in Alaska.
“A couple questions first,” she heard herself say. She was surprised she’d actually been able to speak.
“Sure.” He backed away, reached down, snatched up the quilt and wrapped it around his shoulders.
That was such a bad thing. She couldn’t see a bit of skin, except for above his neck and below his shins. Granted, the lack of exposed suntanned heaven did allow her to gather her thoughts a bit. “Are you married?” she asked, glancing at his left hand. That was always her first question when she met a man. Unlike a few of her friends, she did not do married guys.
“No. Not married. Never have been married. And probably never will be.”
Big check. Never will be? She’d heard that before. “Infected with any diseases?”
“Nope. And I have proof if you need it…uh, at home.”
“No, that won’t be necessary.” Check. “Committed any felonies? Or ever been profiled on America’s Most Wanted?”
“Heck, no. I’m a law-abiding professional.”