Any Time, Any Place (Billionaire Builders #2)(36)
“One twenty-five and I get them before the interview.”
“One fifty.”
“One thirty,” she shot back.
“Done.”
Her breath came in short bursts from the high of their banter. The warm air spun around her like wispy cotton, lending to the intimate atmosphere. God, why did she feel on the verge of some sexual, delicious combustion? The man was dangerous as hell. She needed to stay away from him.
He nodded. “Good. I can load them in my truck tomorrow and bring them over before you open.”
“Thanks.” Her thoughts shifted. Yeah, he was getting extra work and she was paying him, but this seemed like more than just a good business deal. He’d found these tables for her. He’d bought her dinner. He seemed like he wanted to please her. Was he being this nice just to get her into bed? Why didn’t it feel like a carefully constructed seduction, but more real? She did what she always did when she got confused. She asked. “Why are you doing all this for me?”
He jerked back. Those blue eyes met hers and buried deep. “Doing what? You’re paying me to do a fair job. I haven’t done anything.”
She wasn’t an idiot. He may have bargained, but she knew he was giving her the tables and the work at a huge discount. “Giving me a break on prices. Allowing me to pay in installments. And you bought me dinner.” She couldn’t help the way the words felt like an accusation.
“Crap, you’re right. Why would I buy you dinner when you’re not only beautiful, but great company? Why would I give you a break on my services when I’ll be reaping the benefits of free advertising for Pierce Brothers once everyone sees my work? Darlin’, if these are your high standards in a husband, I better rescue you right now. Let me give you some sound advice.” He leaned in, each word punctuated with smoky, toe-curling heat. “Aim higher.”
Sexual tension rippled around them. She mentally fought her treacherous body with clawing hands and desperate kicks. Then took a step back for safety. Raven was rarely nervous around men. There was nothing left of the once shy or broken girl who chased after an array of boys to prove something or slay the demons. She experienced sexual interest and enjoyed kissing. She liked the press of hard muscles against her soft curves, and the scratch of scruff against her lips. She was confident in her sexuality, comfortable with what she wanted, and rarely wasted time on head games or wordplay.
But Dalton affected her in a way that dragged the past and present together and merged them into one delicious chemistry. Her tummy tumbled, and her nipples hardened, and her mouth trembled, and he hadn’t done a damn thing but just stand there, leaning against the shed door, fingers hooked in the loops of his jeans, blistering heat in his blue eyes.
She blurted out the first thing that came to her mind.
“I like it out here.”
His gaze narrowed, assessed. Feeling ridiculously foolish, Raven cleared her throat and kept talking, scrambling for balance. “It’s quiet, I mean. My cabin is also by the woods, but I don’t have the same clear views you do of the night sky. I like looking at the stars.”
Now, why the hell had she told him that? She needed to get her act together; this was getting embarrassing. He hadn’t responded yet, just stared at her with that intense expression, making her more heated and uncomfortable.
“What did you just say?” He flicked out the question with a touch of demand.
She forced a laugh and waved her hand in the air. “Nothing, I’m babbling for no reason. Really tired. I’d like to head back now.”
She turned on her heel, but his hand shot out and stopped her. Five fingers blazed into the skin of her upper arm. Her tat tingled under his touch.
“Wait. What did you say about the stars?”
“I like looking at the stars. Kind of a hobby of mine, that’s all. Your house is elevated perfectly, with the eastern horizon on display. I bet you could catch Bo?tes tonight around eleven. Bo?tes is a constellation in the summer, it has this bright star called Arcturus and it’s pretty cool to trace it. You can find it if you follow the Big Dipper.” He looked so shocked, Raven shook her head. “Sorry, not many people are into stargazing. Can we go?”
“Not yet.” He didn’t release her, but the move still didn’t feel aggressive. It felt more . . . solid. Right. “I know what Bo?tes is. I know Arcturus, too. I happen to have a telescope set up on my balcony. Stargazing is one of my hobbies, too.”
She squinted with pure suspicion. “Dude, don’t play me. You don’t have to make up hobbies just to get an inroad. I told you we won’t be sleeping together.”
“God, you’re a pain in the ass.” He moved into her space, stopping inches away. She fought a shudder as the waves of male energy struck her like Zeus with his thunderbolts. “I don’t lie, Raven. I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not just to make a play. That insults me and you. I’m kind of obsessed with astronomy, and I’ve never met someone else with the same interest.”
Her eyes widened with the knowledge. He was a closet nerd, just like she was. Suddenly there was too much between them. At his physical nearness, her barriers quivered in warning, and she was desperate to get away.
Yet she didn’t move.
His eyes darkened to a gorgeous ocean blue with a bit of storm. His head dipped another inch, and his warm breath struck her mouth. She trembled.