Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Georgia’s entire body flashed with a heat that shimmied its way between her thighs at the thought of being so bold and uninhibited with Drew. She already knew what it felt like to be pressed against him so intimately, and she’d fantasized plenty about what he’d look like naked…and what he’d feel like, pulsing deep inside her.
Georgia shook her head, unable to do it. “That’s your thing, not mine.”
Courtney sighed. “Maybe, for once, it should be your thing, too.”
She gave Georgia’s hand an encouraging squeeze, then walked away, leaving Georgia alone with a decision to make.
Chapter Five
As soon as Courtney disappeared into the ballroom and Georgia started back toward Drew, he could see the indecision written all over her pretty face. She looked confused and conflicted, and he was the cause.
He’d sent all those mixed signals the night of the banquet, leaving her to believe he had no interest in pursuing her. Instead of it being the right move, his rejection had clearly hurt her. She wouldn’t look him in the eye or speak to him all evening. He’d created this awkward tension between them, and now he needed to smooth things over.
And her firecracker of a sister had given him the opportunity.
When she finally reached where he was standing, he grinned, which did nothing to ease the wariness in both her posture and her expression.
“Your sister’s quite feisty,” he said, starting with a neutral topic.
She lifted her gaze to his, no warmth in her blue eyes, her walls high. “That’s one word for her,” she murmured.
He shoved his hands deeper into his pants pockets so he didn’t reach out and skim his thumb along that faint scar on her chin, or worse, thread his fingers through her soft, silky-looking hair. “I think determined would be another good word.”
She nodded in agreement and shifted anxiously in her heels while glancing around, anywhere but directly at him. He was aware of the other couples nearby, along with the auction echoing out to the meeting area and he didn’t want to have this conversation with other people or distractions around. Preferring to be alone with her, he looked for somewhere quieter and more private.
Across the room were french doors that lead to an outdoor terrace. “I could use some fresh air,” he said, angling his head in that direction. “How about you?”
She gave him a tight smile. “Sure.”
They walked toward the exit, and Drew automatically placed his hand on the small of her back. She didn’t step away or protest his touch, which he took as a good sign that maybe she was relaxing a bit—until they were alone on the terrace. When she turned to face him, she crossed her arms defensively over her chest.
Regardless of her attempt to remain guarded, the awareness was still strong between them, like an undeniable magnetic pull. He could see the desire in her moonlit eyes, in the softening of her features, and the slight parting of her lips as their gazes met and held. And despite every reason not to, Drew selfishly wanted to explore the connection they’d shared the night they met—before he’d royally screwed things up.
Right or wrong, this woman made him feel things that went beyond mere attraction, and he just knew he’d regret letting her go a second time.
“I’m really sorry about this…situation,” Georgia said, her words coming out in a rush. “I had no idea that Courtney intended to bid on you. I mean, I know that you’re not interested in me that way—”
“Here’s the problem, Georgia,” he said, cutting off her nervous rambling and taking a step closer to her. “I’m very interested in you.”
She scoffed in disbelief. “You don’t need to flatter me. I got the message loud and clear the night of the banquet.”
Oh, yeah, he’d hurt her, and he felt like a jerk for doing so. “I don’t think you got the right message,” he said, ready to flip this script in a more convincing manner. “The one I should have been conveying.”
A small frown creased her brows, her ongoing confusion obvious. She’d had too many ups and downs tonight, and it was time he set things straight.
He placed his hands against the sides of her neck and used his thumbs to tip her head back a bit to make sure he had her full attention.
She swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on his. “What message?”
“This one,” he said, and dropped his mouth to hers.
Her lips parted on a shocked gasp, and he didn’t hesitate to deepen the kiss while he had the chance, his tongue sweeping inside to find and tangle with hers. Her hands came up to his chest, and for a moment he thought for sure she was going to shove him away, but her fingers curled into the fabric of his dress shirt, and the sweetest, hottest moan escaped her throat as the tension in her body finally dissipated.