She knew Georgie was teasing her but she couldn’t be a good sport about it. Not when Kye McGarren was the banana peel on which she was supposed to slip and fall.
She hooked her friend’s elbow and pulled, ruining her next shot. “Can we talk?”
With a big sigh, Georgie lowered her camera. “I’ll be right back.”
Once in the kitchen Yardley turned on her friend, whispering angrily. “You can stop now. This isn’t funny.”
“Speak for yourself.” Georgie chuckled. “Oh my God! He’s like made from the best parts of every hot dream I ever had.”
“I can’t believe you asked him to take his clothes off.”
“I can’t believe you’re acting like you weren’t thinking it was a good idea.” Georgie glanced back toward the other room. “He’s obscenely gorgeous. Shouldn’t he come with a warning label or something?”
“You’re drooling.”
“And you’re being unreasonable.” Georgie lifted her camera, but this time Yardley’s expression made her change her mind about taking a shot. “I’ve never seen you ruffled by a man.”
“You’re not seeing it now. He’s just so, so…”
“Yes. He is.” Georgie made a big production of wiping her mouth on her sleeve, but mostly she was smothering laughter.
“What about Brad? Is he better than Brad?”
“You really don’t get it, do you? The guy in there is like a front-row seat at the hottest concert in town. It’s fun, it’s thrilling, he makes you sweat and feel faint. But it’s not real because it’s not personal. The feelings I have for the man I’ll be in bed with tonight are real. Now I better get back in there and get some shots before my camera melts. Are you coming?”
Yardley rolled her eyes. “I’ve already seen everything he has to offer.”
Georgie’s jaw dropped. “How long has it been since you two…?”
“More than a decade.” Yardley put up her hand. “That’s all I’m saying on that subject.”
“Fine. Now, about that hunka-hunka burning Lava Love in the next room. I’m glad he’s here. No, seriously. I don’t like one bit that threat you opened last night. It’s not nothing. You’re in possible danger. The man in there doesn’t look like he’d be scared of much. Having him about until your staff returns couldn’t be a bad idea.”
“You have no idea how bad that could be.”
“Why? What are you afraid of? Oh. You’re still into him, aren’t you? Don’t give me that look. I saw your face when he stripped.”
“Okay, I’m not dead.”
“No, you aren’t. You’re flushed and wiggling your left foot like you’ve got restless leg syndrome. You’re feeling something. Do you even know what it is?”
“Anger, irritation, annoyance, exasperation, aggravation—should I go on?”
“You’re scared. Kye McGarren scares you.” Georgie smothered her laughter as she glanced again toward the doorway. “I wish I could stay and see how this plays out but I’ve got to go. I’m meeting Brad at the airport.” She gave Yardley a long look. “Unless you need me.”
“What, with that hunk of burning love in the next room? I’ll manage.”
Georgie grabbed Yardley and kissed her on both cheeks. “Love you. Happy New Year.” She paused and gave her friend a serious look. “Please ask this man to stay until your staff gets back. There’s a whole empty bunkhouse to put him in.”
“I promise.”
“Your fingers are crossed, aren’t they?”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate your concern. Give Brad my love.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Yardley waited until Georgie’s car was heading down the drive before turning her attention to the man still standing shirtless in the living room. “I want you to leave. Now.”
Kye hadn’t forgotten what pissed-off looked like on Yard. He’d just forgotten how hot it was.
Her face was flushed, her legs braced in anticipation of trouble. Her breath came in little hard gasps that made her breasts tremble. Her expression alone should have had him diving for cover in expectation of a verbal grenade. But now that he was alone with her, all he could think was how damn fine she looked. And that the look in her black eyes was of a woman in jeopardy. Even if she didn’t own it.
He made his living assessing and evaluating people in danger. What they said and what their eyes told him often weren’t the same. Even if they didn’t know it.
That wasn’t only anger and uneasiness in her glare. There was a heightened awareness of him. A feral female–male awareness. He saw it as her gaze traveled over his torso. He’d never been body-conscious. He’d grown up living on the beach in shorts and nothing else. But her gaze had his stomach muscles contracting, as if touched. His belly trembled. And his dick. Hell. He hoped his shorts were doing their job down there because it felt like he had a prizewinning hard-on in his pants.