“So I’d only get hurt if I got involved with you.”
“Yes. You’d essentially be getting a locked box.”
He was being transparent, completely up front. She was the one who’d set that tone. So it surprised him when she barked out a laugh. “You think you’re doing me a favor by staying away!”
He was trying to adhere to the decisions he’d made after that last ugly blowout with Tina. He’d been glad for the peace and balance he’d found since they broke up a year ago. But twelve months was a long time to go without a woman... “Essentially.”
“Well, you’re taking a lot for granted, Mr. Turner. First of all, how do you know I’m going to want you to love me?”
“Experience,” he said wryly. “I have yet to encounter the opposite problem.”
“You’re in such high demand that you’ve grown arrogant?”
“Failure hardly makes me arrogant. It does, however, make me want to avoid running into the same brick wall.”
“I see. Well, you don’t have to look out for me. I’m a big girl.”
“Which, of course, you’ll say until our relationship doesn’t progress. Then you’ll quit your job and go back to LA.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m only here for one year. No matter what happens, I’m not going to quit my job.”
Was she as resilient as she pretended? He couldn’t help getting his hopes up. He was already starting to imagine her on her back, her hair falling across his pillow... “Then you have a decision to make.”
“What kind of decision?”
“Are you up for a strictly physical relationship? Because if that’s all you’re after, I’d be happy to accommodate you. I have no doubt I could satisfy you there.”
She studied him. “That’s all you’re interested in?”
“Yes. I’m sorry.” He wasn’t about to go down the same road he’d been down before. But he wasn’t sure why he was apologizing, since she sounded almost...relieved by this news.
“You’re sure? I could never hurt you?”
“No. I’m too good at keeping my gloves up.” He’d been trained from a young age...
She nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”
That didn’t sound as though she’d make up her mind as quickly as he was hoping. “Any chance you could think fast?”
He wanted to kiss her so badly; the way she chewed on her bottom lip made him sort of light-headed. “We should probably give it a few weeks. See how we feel,” she replied.
“Weeks? Does it have to take that long? Because I’ve already made up my mind.”
She seemed uncertain. “There is something I should probably tell you...”
“And that is...”
More lip nibbling. “I’ve never had a strictly physical relationship.”
He shifted his gaze from her lips to her eyes. “Not even a one-night stand?”
“No.”
“What? You’re from LA!”
Her expression changed to one of outrage—until she realized he was joking. “Don’t even start with those stereotypes,” she grumbled. “Or I’ll go for the country bumpkin stuff.”
Somehow, he’d underestimated her. She wasn’t making it easy for him to ignore the attraction he felt. He liked her spunk. “Can you at least tell me what my chances are?” he asked, leaning a little closer.
“I’m the one who approached you, so...I’d say they’re pretty decent.”
“What made you approach me?” he asked, because that was a game changer. Otherwise, he would’ve continued to skirt around her indefinitely.
“There’s just something about you.”
All the things he could say to coax her, to convince her she wouldn’t regret spending the night with him rose to his lips. But he knew it wouldn’t be fair to put any pressure on her. She could easily regret the arrangement he proposed. And he didn’t want that.
Taking her hand, he held it to his chest so that she could feel how hard his heart was beating. Maybe he couldn’t promise her forever, but she wanted him. She’d just said so. And he wanted her.
Her hand moved slowly over his pectoral muscles in a curious caress that made him hard as a rock. He almost kissed her, was tempted to use his body to convince her if he couldn’t allow himself to use his voice. But as soon as he dipped his head, she seemed to understand they were only seconds away from “too late.” Once they crossed that line there would be no going back. One spark could cause them both to go up in flames.
“Like I said, I’ll think about it.” Pulling away, she started up the drive.