Can't Hardly Breathe (The Original Heartbreakers #4)

“What!”

“Let me clarify. You’ve got to go on five dates with me.” Good number. Too few, and he’d get nowhere fast. Too many, and it would be tough to convince either of them he wasn’t interested in something long-term. “I’ll pick the days, times and locations. I’ll even pick what you wear,” he said, fighting a smile. Let her worry about changing the details of their dates rather than canceling altogether.

“Are you freaking kidding me? No way, no how.”

“Let’s negotiate, then. What do you want? Ten dates?”

She sputtered for a moment. “No, I don’t want—”

“Ten dates, and I’ll work here free of charge for a week, so you can search for Holly’s replacement without worry.”

Her mouth snapped closed, and she rubbed the spot above her heart, where her tattoo was hidden underneath her shirt. This wasn’t the first time she’d performed such an action. What did the image mean to her?

Images always meant something. Jude had gotten a tattoo of a heart with daggers on his chest to memorialize his wife and daughters. Brock had sparrows tattooed on his shoulders, though he refused to talk about why.

“Five dates,” Thea said, “for five weeks of work.”

Playing right into my hands... “Five dates, three weeks. But I have to take this Friday and the next two weekends off. I have jobs in the city.”

Surprise flickered over her expression. Because he’d upped the ante? “Three dates, three weeks,” she said. “That’s only fair.”

“How right you are. Very well, then. You’ve got a deal. I’ll even help you find Holly’s replacement. But your flyer requires a few more qualifications. Like being kind to customers, not chewing gum while talking on the phone and not drawing severed heads on the bills. Oh, and the ability to type legible sentences rather than a series of symbols and emoticons.”

“Holly doesn’t—Never mind.” Thea’s fists opened and, as she dropped her arms to her sides, her fingertips traced the center of his T-shirt, snagging in the cotton. “What if I can’t find a suitable replacement within the three-week time frame?”

I won’t rock my throbbing erection between her legs. I won’t... “I’ll work an extra week or two, depending on my schedule, to give you whatever time you need, and for every extra week, you’ll give me another date. Or two. We can renegotiate if it becomes necessary.”

The surprise deepened. She softened against him. He stepped back—perhaps the most difficult thing he’d ever done—and held out his hand.

“Deal?”

She peered at the offering before smiling up at him with a feline confidence she’d never before displayed. “You think we’re done with our negotiation, don’t you? How cute.”

A sizzling bolt of lust sent him stumbling another step backward. What had caused the change?

Did it matter? If he touched her again, he would kiss her. If he kissed her, he would strip her. If he stripped her, he would take her against the wall. Damn the consequences.

The official motto for this girl.

“I’ll pick the days, times and locations of our dates.” Just to be contrary, he was sure, she added, “I’ll also pick what you wear. And you can’t tell anyone about anything that happens between us. Not even your friends.”

“You’ll control one of the dates,” he said, his tone firm. “I’ll control the other two. And I won’t breathe a word about us to anyone.”

“Well, of course you won’t!” she snapped.

He blinked with confusion. She was ticked that he’d given her exactly what she’d asked for?

“You won’t tell anyone...unless you change your mind, right?” she added.

“Trust me.” Please. “I won’t change my mind.”

She crossed her arms over her middle in a clear effort to hide her beaded nipples. “I’ll control two dates.”

And insist he wear a hazmat suit? “One date with you in charge,” he said, “and you can double my room fee tonight. And Jude’s and Brock’s.”

Dollars signs practically flashed in her eyes, and he had to swallow a laugh.

“Fine. But while you work here,” she said, “I get to refer to you as my he-ceptionist.”

“Assistant,” he countered. “Or favorite person in the world.”

Eye roll. “And just so you know, he-ceptionist, nothing is going to happen between us on those dates. You’re going to a lot of trouble for no reason.”

“Oh, something will happen between us, guaranteed. Desire as strong as ours can’t be denied for long.” He did touch her then. The warmth and satin of her cheek. Took every bit of strength he possessed, but he didn’t allow himself to press closer to her...or kiss her. “But guess what? Spending time with you is reward enough. You, Thea Mathis, are sweet, intelligent, witty and charming.”

A tremor swept through her. Her breathing turned shallow.

Triumph overtook him. “So? Do we have a deal or not?”

She closed her eyes, her shoulders rolling in. “We...do.”

If he weren’t such a self-possessed man, her reluctance might have hurt him. But he was, and it didn’t.

Even still, his tone contained a bit of bite as he said, “Why so gloomy? If you don’t want me, you’ll have no problem resisting me.”

She studied him. Understanding passed over her exquisite features, and compassion wasn’t too far behind—compassion that ripped up his freaking heart because it spoke of all the times she’d been rejected in her life.

“You are a wonderful man, Daniel.” How kind she sounded now. How contrite. “You just aren’t the one for me.”

“I don’t have to be the one.” Determined to regain the advantage, he held out his hand, and this time, she took it. Calluses...friction. He brought her knuckles to his mouth and ran his tongue over the ridges. “I just have to be the one right now.”

Goose bumps broke out along her arm. With a yank, she freed herself from his grip and pressed her hand against her chest, using the other one to rub the spot where he’d kissed.

I’m not the guy for you, honey? Think again.

“I can check in Jude and Brock today, but afterward I have a few errands to run before I can officially start my duties.” Namely, he had to buy supplies for Princess and print flyers about her, just in case her owner lived nearby. Oh, and he had to beat his friends bloody.

“Okay. All right.” She pulled at the collar of her shirt. “I’ll take you on our first date...tomorrow. After work. I’ll be in charge.”

Resolved and hoping to get their first romantic interlude over with as soon as possible? Her mistake. He’d gained a tactical advantage today, and he would utilize it to his full advantage.

He unveiled his wickedest smile. “Shall we seal our deal with a kiss?”

She bristled, saying, “Sure. If you want to kiss my butt.”

“Yes.” He fought a grin. “I accept. Bend over.”

Her jaw dropped, and she leaped away from him, pointing a finger at him. “You stay away from me, you hear?”