Yowza.
My stomach pitched and I could feel my breasts swel , so much so, I was surprised they didn’t poke him in the chest.
I wanted him to convince me, I wanted that a lot. Maybe that was why I said what I said next.
“You have no idea why I’m here.”
His face came closer to mine and for some reason, I didn’t move.
I real y should have moved.
His eyes looking into mine, he said, “No, I don’t. But you’l tel me over dinner tomorrow night.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I do.”
I started to panic, mainly because I was realizing if I didn’t get away, he was going to kiss me.
I pul ed at my arm.
“I need to go inside.”
The hand not on my arm came to my hip and his fingers bit into me, gentle but firm, holding me where I was.
“Where are you staying?” he asked.
My heart started racing.
“Let me go.”
“I see I have to convince you,” he said this like it was an advantageous turn of events that pleased him a great deal.
I was going to say no. I should have been quicker about it, but his hand at my hip pul ed mine into contact with his, his head came down and he kissed me.
Good God.
It was true, these Denver boys did not fuck around. It wasn’t a soft or gentle kiss, a brush or touch of the lips. It was a kiss kiss; his mouth opening over mine, his tongue insistent against my lips until they parted (which, I’m afraid to admit, didn’t take a lot of insisting) and then his tongue slid inside.
His fingers stopped biting into my hip, mainly because I’d leaned into him, my arms lifted and slid around his neck and my left hand went into his hair. I tilted my head to the side and kissed him back.
I couldn’t help it, it was the best kiss I’d ever had. It beat even Bil y’s finest mouth talents by a mile.
When he lifted his head, I kept my eyes closed and breathed. “Holy cow.”
“Where are you staying?” he asked against my mouth.
“Marriott Towneplace Suites on Speer.”
“The old Hirschfeld Press building?”
I nodded, stil feeling a bit dizzy from the kiss and warm and cozy pressed up against his hard body, even though the vodka-stained jacket had fal en off my shoulders.
“Sunshine, open your eyes,” he whispered.
I opened my eyes and he was grinning at me.
“Now I have another question.”
Shit.
I’d already said too much.
I fought against the Naughty Girl Martini pul , his hand at my hip slid around my waist and held me close. The other one went to my neck.
I lost my fight against the Naughty Girl Martini pul .
“Why’d you thank Indy before you left Fortnum’s?” I stared at him for a second, not remembering, then I remembered.
As this wasn’t a dangerous question, I answered.
“She brought Uncle Tex to me.”
His arm tightened and his thumb slid across my jaw.
“How’s that? You two are close.”
I shook my head, “Until today, I’d never met him.” He blinked, slow.
“Seriously?” he asked.
My hands moved to press against his chest but he didn’t move away. I gave up and left my hands where they were.
“Seriously. We’ve been writing to each other since I was a little girl, but we’d never met. He cut the family off after he got back from the war. He talked only to me and only through letters.”
“Christ,” Hank muttered.
“He’s been writing about you al for months and I know Indy got him off his block and gave him a job. I thought it was time to try and see him and I’m hoping I can get him back to the family.”
His eyes locked on mine.
“That why you’re here?”
It wasn’t, not entirely. It was too important to lie about so I didn’t answer at al .
“Have you asked him to go home with you?” Hank went on.
I nodded. “Kind of but he’s not ready yet.”
“I expect you won’t give up.”
I shook my head.
“Good girl,” he whispered.
His approval felt like he’d wrapped his jacket around me again.
“Wil you let me go now?”
His hand slid along my neck and then into my hair from the bottom to cup the back of my head.
“After you promise me you’l be at the Marriott tomorrow at six thirty when I come to pick you up.”
“I promise,” I fibbed with great remorse. I was going to be nowhere near the Marriott even though I wished I could be.
He shook his head.
“You know I’m a cop?”
I nodded.
“You know Lee owns a private investigation service?” My brows drew together but I nodded again.
“You know al the boys on his payrol are experienced bounty hunters?”
My eyes widened. I didn’t know that.
“Real y?”
“Yeah.”
“Why are you tel ing me this?”
“‘Cause, you aren’t at the Marriott, I’l find you or one of them wil and they’l bring you to me.”
Holy cow.
My throat closed with fear and I swal owed hard to open it.
“You’re joking.”
“Nope.”
Boy, was I in trouble.
“Why?” I asked.
“You know why.”
I did. I knew why. I knew exactly why.
Fatal attraction.