Bedroom Diplomacy(62)

She flexed her hands, liking how the gloves were keeping them warm, and tightened the coat around her as she prepared to get out of the vehicle and confront the cold again. She glanced over at Riley. He wasn’t wearing gloves and it seemed the jacket was all he had. She couldn’t help asking, “Aren’t you cold?”

He smiled over at her. She wished he wouldn’t do that because every time he did, he reminded her how long it had been since a man had smiled at her without her questioning his motives.

“Not really. Unlike most, I enjoy cold weather. For me, the colder the better.”

She sat there and simply stared at him. He had to be kidding. “Why?”

He shrugged his massive shoulders. “Not sure. I guess I’m too hot-blooded to be bothered.”

“Evidently,” she said under her breath. If he heard her, he didn’t let on. Instead, he opened the door to get out and she released her seat belt and opened her door to do the same. That’s when she went sliding and would have fallen flat on her face if Riley hadn’t acted quickly to catch her.

“I should have told you to be careful. The ice on the parking lot makes things slippery.”

Yes, he should have told her. But if he had, there would have been no reason for his arms to be wrapped around her or for her to be holding on to him for support, feeling the heat of a hot-blooded man so close to her. And that same male scent that had nearly driven her crazy on the ride over wouldn’t be doing a number on her.

“I think I can make it now,” she said, releasing her tight grip on him.

He kept a firm hand on her arm. “I’ll make sure of it.” He then swept her off her feet and right into his arms.