Only His (Fool's Gold #6)(27)

They crossed the street and walked toward her front door.

Lights were on in both apartments, but there weren’t any sounds.

“Whoever invented headphones deserves to be made a saint,” she said. “Both my tenants are college guys. They don’t make a move without listening to something, but I don’t have to hear it.”

“Lucky you.”

They were standing by her porch. The moon had barely cleared the horizon and she could see it over Tucker’s shoulder. One would think a big white object hanging in the sky would capture her attention, but all she seemed to see was the man in front of her.

“Thanks for walking me home,” she said, prepared to turn and go inside. Quickly, she thought. Because if she didn’t, she was in danger of wanting what wasn’t sensible. “You’re welcome.”

His gaze was intense, seeking something in her face. She stared back, not sure what he was thinking or how best to protect herself. Actually she knew how. The truth was she didn’t want to.

He cupped her jaw with one hand and put the other on her waist, then kissed her.

She’d seen the kiss coming, could have stepped away. But she didn’t and then his mouth pressed against hers and nothing else mattered.

The heat was back, all sticky and sweet, and when it engulfed her, she surrendered. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in, letting herself fall into the madness of bad judgment and great kissing.

He claimed her lips with a confidence that made her tremble. She was aware of nothing but the man holding her and the way his touch made her feel.

He shifted his hands so they were both at her waist, then swept his tongue against her bottom lip. She parted instinctively, welcoming his gentle invasion.

He tasted faintly of the brandy they’d had after dinner. Each stroke aroused her until she lost what little will she’d had left. When he pulled her closer, she went willingly, letting her body press against his.

Her br**sts found comfort against his chest. Her belly nestled against the hardness of his erection. He drew back enough to kiss his way down her jaw to her neck. He nipped at her earlobe, before licking the sensitive skin below. Goose bumps broke out on her arms.

Then they were kissing again, his tongue teasing and exciting her. She moved her hands up and down his back. Her br**sts ached, wanting their share of his attention. Between her legs, she felt the first erotic ache of swollen flesh, hungry to be claimed.

Somewhere in the distance she heard a car engine and crickets. Unwelcome awareness forced her to acknowledge the reality of standing on her front porch, kissing the man she worked for.

Inviting him in would be the easy choice, she thought, aware his eyes were bright with wanting. This time he would be choosing her, not taking what was offered. But having sex with Tucker was a long way to go to prove something, and she was tired of having regrets in her life.

“I really like my job,” she said quietly, then had to clear her throat. “I don’t want to screw that up by sleeping with the boss.”

Tucker nodded once, then swore under his breath. She recognized the frustration and told herself at least this hadn’t been a party for one.

“Nevada,” he began.

She cut him off with a shake of her head. “That time before? It wasn’t all you messing up. I knew you were in love with Cat. She told me it was over, and I wanted to believe her. But I knew it would take you a long time to get over her.”

“Don’t. It wasn’t your fault and it wasn’t mine. Cat believed in manipulation as a form of entertainment. We were just ordinary mortals. We didn’t stand a chance.”

She wondered if that was true. “She was so beautiful.”

“She was a drug,” he said flatly. “And I was her fool. I thought losing her would kill me, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Nevada wasn’t sure how things had ended with Cat and decided she didn’t need to know.

“About tonight,” she began.

He cupped her face in his hands. “I get it. We work together. We will for a while. I’m only on-site for a year. So we’ll pretend it never happened.” His mouth curved into a wicked smile. “Until I’m leaving. That’s going to be a hell of a weekend.”

His words made her insides melt. “You’re assuming I’ll still be interested.”

“You will be,” he said confidently, then kissed her lightly. He dropped his hands and stepped back.

“If I change my mind?”

“I’ll convince you otherwise.”

Something to look forward to, she thought, waving at him. She went inside, still caught up in the kisses and the past. Tucker was a complication. But one she could handle, she thought. Now that there were rules in place, it would be easier at work. She wouldn’t be thinking about him all the time.

She climbed the stairs to her apartment and unlocked the door. When she opened it, she reached to the right and flipped on the lights.

They came on, but instead of seeing her familiar living room, she saw another place and time. Cat standing in the doorway of her dorm room.

“It’s over,” the other woman had said, her dark eyes bright with mischief. “Tucker and I. It’s done. I know you’re in love with him. He needs you tonight, Nevada. You should go to him.”

Being around Cat was like looking at the sun. It was difficult to see anything else, to focus. The rest of the world blurred.