“Not at all.” She gestured toward the table where her tools were laid out. “I’m working on a special commission for Crystal Kerrigan.”
“Who?”
“Crystal Kerrigan. You know, she has that TV talk show?”
“Sorry, never heard of her.” He smiled in apology.
“You don’t watch much television, then.” He just dated television presenters.
“I don’t own a television.”
No, he didn’t own much at all. Luke was a drifter; she had to remind herself of that. A very hot and hunky drifter, but a drifter all the same.
“You’re different from most men,” she said.
“I get that a lot.” He tilted his head. “So, how am I different?”
For a start, you’ve got my heart pattering like a hunted dormouse. Not that she was going to confess that. “You’re verycontained.”
“Oh, I can be uncontained, too.” In the soft light, his eyes glinted.
She took a step back to lean against the doorjamb; she needed the support. “Oh yeah? And what does it take to ‘uncontain’ you?”
“Uncontain?” His lips twitched at the corners. “Is that a real word?”
“I don’t know. You’re the writer. You tell me.”
He moved closer so she caught a whiff of sandalwood soap. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a slice of caramel-colored chest she’d had a hard time ignoring all evening. She could sense the heated aura rolling off him and wrapping around her, exciting her and dismantling her inhibitions one by one.
“Uncontain,” he murmured. “To set free, to unleash, to act without reserve.”
A shiver rippled through her. Luke had definitely unleashed something in her tonight. In the past she’d never encouraged a man in her own home while Chloe was there. It was a hard-and-fast rule of hers, one she’d never had trouble upholdinguntil tonight. Tonight Luke was making her break her self-imposed rule, and she couldn’t stop herself.
He stepped even nearer so his body was almost touching hers, the denim of his jeans brushing against her cotton skirt. She stared at the column of his throat before lifting her eyes. The soft glow of lamplight spilled over his face, highlighting his rugged, irregular features. There was something compulsive and exciting about him, something that went beyond his physical attractions.
His warm breath stirred the hair at her temples. “I’m uncontaining right now.” Lifting his hand, he brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek. “And all because of you.”
His feathery touch had her tingling. She gulped, amazed he could affect her so much with so little. The spark in the depths of his black eyes hinted he was experiencing the same response. She leaned back, moistening her lips, waiting for the inevitable—for him to lower his head and kiss her.
But he didn’t. Instead, he trailed his fingers through her hair, lifting the strands one by one. “Your hairI’ve been racking my brain trying to find the right description for it. It’s like fire and marmalade and cranberry. So soft, too”
His caress transfixed her, the sight of him fondling her hair more erotic than she could have imagined. “Um, most people just call me carrottop.”
“Huh. That doesn’t do you any justice.”
He tangled his fingers around the back of her hair, tipping her face up. He gently skimmed his lips down the length of her exposed neck. She caught her breath as hot sensations rolled through her, the feel of his lips exciting her. With his body pressing up against hers and his fingers twined through her hair, she was at his mercy, but instead of using his advantage, it seemed he wanted to tease her, tantalize her, control her and the situation.
She wasn’t used to the man calling the shots. If it had been anyone else, she would have tired of the game and taken over. But Luke was different. With him, it was exciting to allow him the upper hand. As he continued his leisurely exploration of her neck and earlobes, she felt herself melting, giving in to him. She coasted her hands over his chest and shoulders, aching for his mouth to crush hers, but willing to let him set the pace, for now at least.
Using his hips, he nudged her into a better position and wrapped his free arm around her waist, bringing the full length of his body against hers. She traced the outline of his torso, relishing the tautness of his muscle until her hands rested on his hips, the urge to pull his shirt out of his waistband almost irresistible. Luke licked the underside of her jaw, the wet flick drawing a gasp from her.
“What are you doing to me?” she whispered, her desperation growing, her rules against making out now a distant memory. “The way you’re nuzzling my neck, I could swear you’re a vampire.”
He chuckled, mouth still nestled against her throat. “Tyler, you have a very kissable neck. It’s enough to turn anyone into a vampire.”
She squeezed his waist. “I have other kissable parts, you know.”
Straightening a little, he gazed down at her, eyes brilliant as jet. “Are you telling me where I should kiss you?”
“Only if you’re looking for directions.”
“Angel, I’m not lost. I’m taking the scenic route.” The look in his eyes was enough to melt steel. He trailed his hands over her, slow and possessive, as if he had all the time in the world. She shivered at the thrill of it all, wondering where he would touch her next, and when his palms closed lightly over her breasts, heat enveloped her, scorching and shocking. A little moan escaped her before she bit her lip, blown away by her volcanic arousal. She didn’t just want a kiss; she wanted more, a hell of a lot more. She wanted to tear off Luke’s clothes, drag him into her bed, and not let him out until they were both satiated and exhausted. Which could take a lot of time, the way she was burning up.
“Tyler”
The hoarseness in his voice made her glance up. He wasn’t smiling anymore. His body was tense against hers, and his eyes were dark and troubled. He could feel it too, she realized. The volatile, electric connection vibrating between them, pulsing with white-hot attraction and danger. He wanted what she wanted, but at the same time he was fighting the desire. As much as he lusted for her, he didn’t want to give in to temptation, and, realizing his struggle, she recalled her own rule.
She had to stop. Now.
She placed her hands against the muscled wall of his chest and gently broke them apart. “We’d better cool it,” she gulped.
His eyes flashed. Was it annoyance? “Tyler?”
She forced herself to ignore the insistent throbbing of her blood and said, “It’s not a good idea, is it?” she said. “Especially right now. You have your writing, and I have Chloe to consider.”
“I’m not doing much writing at the moment.”
She drew in a breath. “All the more reason for us to play it safe, then.”
He frowned. “You weren’t playing it safe a moment ago.”
The urge to kiss the living daylights out of him came surging back. She stepped backward, digging her nails into her palms. “Luke, you know I’m right.”
His frown deepened. “Damn. I didn’t even get to kiss you on the mouth.”
Oh boy, how much more temptation could she resist? “That—that’s what happens when you take the scenic route.”
“Huh.” He eyed her up and down, and a grin stole over his face. “Next time, I’m taking the expressway.”
The heat in his stare made Tyler swallow. All he’d have to do was follow the sizzle streaking down her body to reach his destination. “I’m not sure there’ll be a next time.”
He wound his fingers through her hair once more. “If there’s any justice in the world, there’ll be a next time.” He brushed his thumb against her lower lip, sending a hum through her entire mouth. “Good night, Tyler. Thanks for dinnerand everything.”
“Good night,” she replied, her voice husky.
He moved past her and left the house quickly, shutting the door behind him without a sound.
Chapter Four
On Saturday morning, Luke got a call from his eldest sister. “We’re coming over,” Helen said, and she hung up before he could protest.
“We” turned out to be all four sisters plus four nieces and one nephew. One minute his house was quiet, serene, and uncluttered—the next, it was a madhouse. The kids hugged him, shouted out their news, then made a beeline for the swimming pool, while his sisters ferried containers of food from their vehicles to the kitchen. Soon the counters were jammed with every conceivable foodstuff.
“We brought lunch,” Helen said, as if it needed explaining.
“Are you inviting the whole town over?” Luke asked.
“You can keep the leftovers for next week.”
“I do know how to cook,” he protested.
Karly, the second eldest, poked her head in the fridge and sniffed. “All you’ve got in here are eggs, milk, and bacon. That’s just breakfast, not proper food.” She shut the fridge and shook her head. “I bet you haven’t had a decent meal since you got here.”
He’d had paella. That meal had almost turned out indecent. Instantly he pushed the thought away.
Rosie and Mags, his nonidentical twin sisters, bustled in with cake and watermelon.