She ran a hand over the book spines, her touch graceful and reverent. She had pretty hands-tapered fingers, delicate wrists, short, unpolished nails. An image of her hand sliding lightly across his bare chest flashed in Tyler's mind with unexpected force. His body reacted with a surge of lust.
He stepped away, turning to study a stack of old maps. It'd been … what, almost two months since he'd gotten laid? And then it had been with Savannah, who'd gotten into the unfortunate habit of asking him for money after one of their routine fucks.
Just a little for a mani/pedi? I ran out of my allowance this week, and I really need a new bikini for the party on Saturday.
Like a tool, he'd handed over the cash every time. He had an even harder time saying no to a half-naked damsel in distress, especially one who'd just milked his cock dry.
After the shit hit the fan-or more accurately, the speedboat hit the channel marker-and Savannah had blamed him for everything, he'd put a swift end to those transactions. He wanted a woman in his bed again, but not one like her.
Kate Darling was nothing like Savannah. She stood on tiptoe to reach a book on a higher shelf, the movement lifting her skirt slightly to display her legs. How could any guy not notice those incredible legs?
She glanced over and caught him staring. Their gazes met. Heat charged the air suddenly. A flush rose to her cheeks.
Tyler set down a map and approached her. "He's a damn fool."
Her slender throat worked with a swallow. "Who?"
"Norwood. Or he's thick as a plank for not realizing you want to go out with him."
Kate tucked a stray lock of thick, brown hair behind her ear. "Well, we all have our strengths. The dating game is not one of mine."
"Too bad." She had a pretty mouth too-bow-shaped, with a full lower lip and a little notch in her upper lip. He suddenly wanted to put his tongue there and taste her. "I happen to be a pro at the dating game."
"I'll bet you are, Mr. Expert on Victorian Girls' Schools."
Tyler leaned one hand on the bookshelf. Behind her heavy-framed glasses, Kate had light brown eyes, the same color as her hair, and fringed with thick, sooty lashes. Her nose was small and pert, dusted with freckles like cinnamon, and she had the pale skin of a woman who spent most, if not all, of her time indoors. Not to mention she smelled like heaven.
Aside from her glasses and ancient-secretary clothes, Kate was an attractive young woman with a nice, curvy body and a kissable mouth. If she fixed up her exterior package and worked on her flirting skills, a dude like Miles Norwood would find it hard not to notice her.
Hell. Tyler was finding it hard not to notice her, even in her current guise. And he was accustomed to women who knew how to show off their assets.
"I need you, Kate Darling," he said.
"Excuse me?"
"You know I'm useless here." He waved a hand at the books, not taking his gaze from hers. "I could work here for a month and not get anything done. Even if I tried, I'd screw it up. And I'd probably damage a lot of the stuff, too. I'd hate to see Sugar Rush's history lost forever just because of bad cataloging or whatever. It's such a shame that our heritage has come to this."
He waved his hand again and expelled a faint sigh for good measure.
"Your brother told me he's put out a call for applications for a new corporate librarian," Kate said. "As soon as one is hired, I'm sure he or she will put everything to rights."
"But in the meantime, I'm the one stuck here." Tyler hesitated for a second, questioning the wisdom of actually touching a mouse like her, but he took the chance and brushed his fingers across her wrist. He'd have preferred touching her bare arm, but her wrist was the only exposed patch of skin from her neck to below her knees. "And if I don't get something done, I'm screwed."
"I'm sure losing access to your trust fund won't screw you," Kate replied, her voice a bit dry though she didn't move away or take her eyes from his.
How did she know about his trust fund? He wouldn't have expected Luke to divulge stupid family business to his secretary. And he didn't like that Kate knew how dependent he was on his trust fund.
The button of her shirt was still unfastened between her breasts. He flicked it shut with a twist of his fingers. Kate drew in a sharp breath. He slid the back of his hand against her breast. Her nipple hardened visibly from the light contact, sending a jolt of heat through him. She was far more responsive than he'd have expected. He wondered about the shape of her breasts, the color of her nipples, the taste of her fine-grained skin …
Kate curled her hand around his wrist. "What … what are you doing?"
"Sorry." His heart was hammering, a totally disproportionate reaction considering he'd barely touched her.