Delinquent Daddy (Banks / Kincaid Family #2)(33)

Trapped between him and the counter and needing more space, Ellie jerked by, turning her back to him as she moved.

But the space was so narrow, she grazed him, making him suck in a breath.

He leapt backward as if she'd just struck him with lightning. She frowned and was about to ask him what his problem was when she remembered the bulge. Lips parting, she lifted her face.

Boston ground his teeth and spun away from her. Shoving his hands through his hair yet again, he groaned to himself, "I need to get out of here."

Though she fully agreed, Ellie couldn't help but feel a spurt of satisfaction at the overwhelming effect she obviously had on him. It was nice to know she had a little power there, when she didn't anywhere else. It was even nicer to know she wasn't the only one here affected by the other's presence.

"Will you please just sign the agreement so I can leave already?" he asked from between gritted teeth.

126

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

Ellie glanced at the legal form she'd tossed onto the counter. Every weekend really wasn't the worst thing he could've demanded. But, still. Every weekend? The very thought of being away from Cassie that much made her skin clammy and moist.

"No," she said, unable to meet his eyes.

Though she didn't dare look his way, she could feel him glare. He was so quiet she could only guess what kind of dirty gesture he was making. But in a surprisingly calm voice, he said, "If I asked for more, and we took this to court, I'd get it.

This isn't an unreasonable offer, Ellie. It's not like I'm trying to take your daughter away from you for nine years or anything."

She lifted her face. He stared at her intently for a moment before he said, "This isn't over." Then he turned and started from the kitchen only to jerk to a stop at the doorway.

As he slowly came back around, the strangest sensation dropped heavily into the base of her stomach. The way he looked at her, thoughtfully yet a bit savagely, like a lion right before pouncing on its prey, made her skitter a step back, her butt ramming into a knob on one of her kitchen drawers.

"What?" she said.

He gave a single, brief shake of his head. "I just realized I was running away because I was afraid of my attraction to you."

She swallowed, only to realize her throat had gone dry.

As he advanced a slow, meaningful step forward, she reached back to clutch the corner of the countertop for support. "So?" Her voice was unsteady and her eyes huge.

127

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"So...we're going to see a lot of each other in the years to come. Whatever decision we accept on child support, Cassie is still going to tie us together for the rest of our lives. I refuse to let you intimidate me every time I'm around just because we have a sexual past."

Her eyebrows rose. " I'm intimidating you? Oh, please."

Even his slow smile was predatory. "It wasn't always bad between us," he said, creeping close enough Ellie had to lift her face to meet his gaze.

Her breathing escalated and her nostrils expanded as she dragged in his all-too familiar scent. God, why did he have to smell so delicious?

"And every time you take your shirt off around me," he continued, "or press your ass against my erection, I'm bound to remember just how satisfying those not-so-bad times used to be."

Scowling, Ellie opened her mouth to argue each of his points. It hadn't been her intention to turn him on or drudge up any bittersweet memories either time, and the bastard knew it.

But Boston merely lifted his hand and set his index finger on her lips, hushing her. "I don't care if they were accidental incidences or not. They're still playing havoc on my concentration. And my judgment's going to be skewed until I get past this. But...if I could convince myself you're not as good as I remember, I'm sure I'll be fine, and we'd finally be able to discuss whatever we need to discuss in a more professional, unaffected manner."

128

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"Just what are you suggesting, Boston?" Ellie said, gaping.

"That we have sex one last time to get it out of our systems?"

His smile bloomed into a half chuckle. "That would be nice, sure. But I doubt we'd have to go as far as that."

"Then?"

Grin falling, he turned all business in the blink of an eye.

"A kiss. All it'll take is one kiss. Then I'll know it's only in my head."

"Oh." Ellie's shoulders loosened and she tilted up her chin.

"Well, in that case...go ahead." She was amazed she could act so casual about it when the idea of him pressing his mouth to hers made her heart thump hard against her ribcage.

Boston looked similarly amazed. Instead of dipping his head and pressing his mouth to hers, he lifted his eyebrows.

"Well, aren't you a little too willing to comply." Leaning even closer, he whispered, his breath caressing her lips with each word he uttered. "Let me guess. You're having the same disturbing memories."

"No," she rushed out her answer. She wanted to shove against his chest to give herself some room. But she refused to let him know how much his proximity affected her, though, damn it, the glint in his eyes made it clear he already suspected.