Her eyes widen as I step away, those perfect lips falling open and that sweet blush coloring her cheeks.
Oh, yeah. I’m in serious trouble now.
Chapter 5
Tess
My back falls against the door. I stare into my open living room without really seeing it. Curran had what? Kissed me? Okay, not really—at least not technically, but I can’t deny it was a romantic gesture.
It was romantic, right?
I lift my hand and smile. For all his bluntness and inappropriate remarks, Curran can be sexy. My smile widens as I think about how soft his lips felt against my skin. He didn’t rush the moment, allowing me to feel everything: his warm breath, his loose yet claiming hold, and the roughness of his fingers.
His actions stole my breath and about ten years from my life. I rush to the window and push aside the sheer curtain, watching him march toward his patrol car, his heavy feet leaving prints in the freshly fallen snow and his arms swinging loosely against his sides. He appears relaxed, but that hand so close to his holster tells me he’s prepared to strike—
Holy shit. I’m totally ogling him.
I should be embarrassed. But I’m not, mostly because it feels good to feel good. So instead of starting on the briefs I have due the next day, I return my focus outside.
Curran pauses when he reaches the driver’s-side door and glances up. Like a complete moron, I duck. I slap my hand over my forehead, hoping he didn’t see me. God, why did I just do that?
If it weren’t for the phone ringing, I probably would have stayed there a moment longer. I stand and hurry to answer it. “Hello?”
“Did you just fall?” Curran asks me.
I freeze in place. “Ah, no.”
“Tess, I saw you.”
“Saw me fall?” I repeat, because I have nothing better.
“Fall, dive—I don’t know…something.” I hear him shut the door and shift in his seat. “What were you doing?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?” he asks. “Then why were you at the window?”
“I…was curious.”
“What were you curious about?” he muses.
“Whether you’d return to your vehicle or take patrol in the hall.”
I don’t have to see him then to know he’s smiling. “If that’s the case, why didn’t you open the door to the hall?”
“I meant the lobby.”
“No, you didn’t.” He pauses. “You were checking me out.”
My mouth pops open. “I was not.”
“Yeah, you were. Like what you see?”
“What? You—”
“Scoundrel?” he offers. “I don’t think you’ve used that one yet.”
“I’m hanging up the phone now.”
“Okay. But if you change your mind and want one last look before you go to bed, I could step out and—”
I hang up. My face so hot I could warm bread on it. What did I do? Better yet, what do I do now? I’m seeing him tomorrow—if not sooner. What if it’s sooner? I can’t admit that I was gawking at his bitable ass. I’m a professional—and I’m working for his brother—and I’m an almost lawyer!
The phone rings while it’s still clutched in my hand, making me jump. I punch the button to answer. “Look. I know you probably think you’re the hottest thing ever. But I’ll have you know I have no intention of—”
“Contessa. What in blazes are you talking about!”
My hand quivers, and my leg muscles turn to sand. Slowly, I lower myself to the couch before my knees give out. Father’s voice is so laced with rage my voice shakes as I speak. “I’m sorry, Father. A telemarketer called and she wouldn’t stop her relentless—”
“Don’t lie to me, Contessa.”
Anger rushes forward, washing away a bit of my fear. “I’m not lying,” I insist. “Who else would I speak to this way?”