Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #10)

He smiled at her. “I could arrange a kidnapping here. Or prevent one. Flexibility’s important.”


She did her best to ignore the way his smile made her toes get all curly in her athletic shoes. Right now her business had to be her prime focus. Not the handsome man prowling around. Although he did look good prowling. Competent and determined. As a quick “Oh God, what am I thinking?” shudder washed through her, she thought longingly of strong arms to hold her close. She supposed it was good to know that in a battle of strength, hormones beat common sense. Knowledge was power and all that.

He turned to her and raised his eyebrows. “Cold?”

“Terrified.”

“New business jitters?”

“Mostly. I’ve been telling myself that I don’t get to be scared. I mean, in the grand scheme of life, what’s opening a business? Look at what my mom has to deal with every day with her MS. I should be able to handle this with grace and dignity, right?”

He moved toward her. “It’s okay to be scared. It’s natural, considering what you’re doing.”

His dark blue eyes seemed to suck her in. She felt herself losing all her will, not to mention her sense of self-preservation. Asking his opinion was one thing, but longing for some serious naughty time was just plain stupid.

“This is a big change,” she admitted, knowing that confession was much safer than telling him about the voice in her head. The one screaming, “Take me now!”

She cleared her throat. “I’ve read the articles. I know what percentage of new businesses fail.”

“You’re not going to be one of them. You have a great product in an excellent location. You’ll be local and get the support that goes with it.” He put his hands on her upper arms. “You’re going to be fine.”

“That’s what I keep telling myself.” She found herself wanting to lean into him, which wasn’t a good thing. Distraction, she thought. She needed a distraction.

“Hey, you’ll be doing all this and killing people,” she said, her voice perky. “That’s some stress, too.”

He gave her that damned slow, sexy smile. “We don’t plan to kill people in class.”

“Just after. If they’re late or mouthy?”

“It’s one way to deal with problems.” He dropped his hands to his sides. “So, what’s the next step?”

“Plumber, electrician and the contractor all fight for space.” She led the way to the main counter. “See the big squares? Those are the espresso machines. They have to be plumbed for water and hardwired into the electrical system. The cold and display cases are already on their way. The espresso machines will arrive on Monday.”

The details were both a distraction from being so close to Justice and a direct route to a twirly tummy. She pressed her hand against her midsection.

“All the professional work will be done within two weeks. Then comes the fun stuff. Painting, cleaning, setting up. We’ll do a work party for that. Then another week to pull it all together, train whatever staff we hire, and then we open.”

He faced her. “A work party?”

“Sure. We put out the word that we need help and people will show up and do whatever needs doing.” Patience tilted her head. “I’ve been to tons of them but have never asked for help. It feels weird, but I can’t take care of everything myself, and paying the contractor for the simple stuff chews up too much of the budget.”

“Another small-town benefit?” he asked.

She smiled. “We could come help you, if you’d like. Stock the shelves with lethal darts and pens that use invisible ink.”

“I think we’ll be fine.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I am.” He studied her. “You never wanted to live anywhere else?”

“This is home. Do you think there’s somewhere better?”

“Not for you. You belong here.”

She wasn’t sure if his words were a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe they just were and she should go with it.

She opened her mouth to say something else, then happened to catch sight of his watch. “Is that the time?”

He held out his arm so she could see more clearly. “It’s accurate.”

“I have highlights in ten minutes.”

He pushed her toward the door. “Go. I’ll lock up and drop off the key.”

“Really? Thanks.”

She bolted out the door.

She almost wished he wouldn’t be so nice, she thought as she hurried toward the salon. Justice was enough of a temptation without being thoughtful and sweet, too. With everything going on, she found herself feeling more vulnerable than usual.

Yes or no, she thought. Yes to Justice and possible disaster, but such a thrill ride. Or no. Which really meant yes to being sensible.

She wanted it all, she realized. The man who made her tingle and laugh, who was also dangerous and mysterious. She wanted uncertainty and a sure thing. An impossible combination.

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