Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
He could probably see the pulse running hell-bent in her throat.
Linc perched on the edge of his desk, resting on those powerful arms she dreamed about every single night, his strong legs stretched out in front of him. “You know, I’d love to believe you, but I’m afraid that I can’t do that.”
“You could, you just don’t want to.”
Half of his mouth quirked up. “Like you could admit you were staring at my ass just now?”
She sniffed primly. “This isn’t about me, lucky for both of us.” More her, but hey, no reason to be specific.
“Come here.”
She shook her head, not sure how much longer she’d be able to keep from touching him. “I have work to do, as do you.”
He crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”
Damn it, she wanted to run to him, jump into his arms, and let the rest of the world fall away. Tall, sexy, broody. Funny.
Making a point to look down at her watch and tapping the cracked face, she clucked her tongue. “You, Mr. Conner, have things to do and I’m not going to be late getting home and getting dinner ready because you’re up to something.”
“Up to something?” He shrugged those broad shoulders. “I’m simply asking you to come here.”
I can do this. Right? Here’s hoping.
Walking up to him, she crossed her arms as she stood. Slowly, again, because he just didn’t move like anyone in the world could rush him along, he reached for her. Strange in a way, because she knew how fast he could be on the baseball field. Linc tugged her to stand between his legs.
It wasn’t fair that he smelled so delicious. If he wanted to make more money for the center, all he’d have to do was bottle his scent and sell it. Deep and masculine, woodsy yet fresh, with a hint of musk and all-around addictive. The women, and probably some men, would go insane for it.
“What?”
“Sure you don’t want to be a teacher, Emma? You’ve got that whole sexy, stern bit going on.”
“A job.”
He cocked one eyebrow and she cleared her throat.
“I have a job to do.”
“Right, that job.”
Why did he sound disappointed at that? Okay, it was official. She really needed to stop reading romances in bed before she fell asleep at night. They were obviously messing with her mind.
“I have a lot of forms to get filed on the computer. And we both know that Mr. Stevenson will be back to take another look at your proposal.” For the past few days, the Stevensons had been out and about in the area, popping into the center and talking with people. She was glad she didn’t have to see a lot of them and dreaded their dinner out as two couples.
“Kiss me.”
She leaned back, trying to ignore the way his thumbs made small circles on her exposed skin.
“You heard me fine, Emma. Convince me that you aren’t attracted to me and weren’t staring at my ass.”
“How is a kiss going to do that?”
He smirked. “Figured it was a good thing to try.”
“I don’t have time for games, Linc.”
“No game. I want a kiss. You control it. I’ll keep my hands right here.” He lifted them and slapped them down on the desk, gripping the edge. “You’re not going to make your fiancé beg, are you?”
Would he, though? Beg to kiss her? She wasn’t above begging, not for him to touch, kiss, or hold her or anything else those damn books had been taunting her with.
“Emma.”
That’s all it was from him. One word. Something as simple as her name and she was a goner.
Giving another sniff, trying to go for cool and unaffected—which, for the record, she was not—she moved closer and settled her hands on his shoulders, even as she pushed up on her toes.
His gaze was locked onto her but he didn’t move. Emma brushed her lips along his mouth, hating how much that small contact between them affected her in such a deep manner. She moved back until there was space between them. Linc still held onto the desk and she skimmed her eyes over his body.
Arms tense, pushing those muscles into locked position. Damn he was strong.
“See, done and done.”
“The fuck that was a kiss, Emma.” His voice rolled around her, deep and seductive.
“You said a kiss. That was a kiss. May not have been the one you wanted, but it was what you got.”
“Noted. Be more specific when telling my fiancée what I would like from her.” He raked his gaze over her as he pushed away from the desk and walked toward her and the door. “Like, very fucking specific.” Linc opened the door and stepped through, only to pop his head in. “Oh, and you were so checking out my ass and we both know the attraction is there.”