Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)(58)

“This will be fun,” she told him. “And that was also an announcement.”

“Can we negotiate?”

“No. I researched movies online. This one received excellent reviews and the themes are significant to our situation.” She stepped closer and gazed into his eyes. “Please?”

He could have stepped to the side and escaped her. Instead he stayed where he was, his hands braced on the counter behind him. “Using your feminine wiles to convince me?”

“I’m trying,” she admitted. “I don’t think my wile skills are above average, but I’m hoping you’ll overlook that.”

She looked at his face, at the handsome lines. There were a few small scars, but they only added to his appeal. She could see part of a tattoo at the sleeve of his T-shirt. She knew about other marks and scars on his body and felt a flicker of desire. Heat and need burned through her, and she very much wanted to make love with him right that second.

But there was Carter to consider, not to mention the fact that Gideon didn’t seem overly interested in pursuing their chemistry right now. Probably because of everything going on, she thought. Having a son changed everything.

“You don’t have to be afraid,” she said, without thinking.

Gideon stiffened and slid away. “Let’s go watch the movie.”

She grabbed his arm, feeling hard muscles tighten under her grip. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Challenging your masculinity is only going to make you more defensive and less trusting. You’ll focus on what you have to prove rather than the situation at hand.”

One dark eyebrow rose. “This is your way of making it better?”

“Too much analysis?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Are you angry?”

“I should be, but I’m cutting you a break. Mostly because I owe you.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. Crisis averted. “So that’s why you’re not huffing and puffing about what I said?”

“Huffing and puffing?”

She smiled. “It’s an accurate description.”

“You’re cute when you’re intellectual.”

She laughed. “I’m intellectual a lot.”

“Yes, you are.”

He rotated his arm, moving his hand up and around. Before she realized what he was doing, he’d pulled her against him, trapping the movie between them.

“You have too much free time,” he murmured. “It’s the smart thing. I read a short story years ago about a society where everyone was supposed to be equal. So the really strong guy had to walk around with a door strapped to his back.”

“Carrying around a door wouldn’t make me any less smart,” she told him, aware of his body so close to her own. Of the heat of him and how she felt as if her insides were melting. They weren’t, of course. But the sensation was pleasant.

“You’d figure out some kind of device to help carry the weight of the door,” he murmured, lowering his head just a little.

“I would think my time would be better spent overthrowing such a ridiculous government.”

“I’d help.”

He kissed her. She’d hoped he would, and now she lost herself in the feel of his warm, strong mouth on hers.

His lips teased hers, almost nibbling her sensitive skin. She parted, wanting him to deepen the kiss. He obliged, slipping his tongue inside.

She wrapped her free arm around his neck and let her body sink into his. He moved his hands up and down her back, awakening need everywhere he touched.

She was aware of blood rushing to her br**sts, of how they were suddenly more sensitive. Especially her ni**les. She wanted him to touch her there, to tease her with his fingers, then use his mouth to suck and lick. The image made her insides clench. Sexual hunger made her uncomfortable with its intensity.

He lifted his hands to her shoulders and gently pushed her away. She opened her eyes.

“What?” she asked, when she really meant, “Why are you stopping?”

“The, ah, movie.”

His low voice was thick and husky. She looked down and saw he was fully aroused. They could do it right here, she thought, thinking the counter height would be workable. He could—

She jumped back and sucked in a breath. The movie fell to the floor. “Carter.”

“Right.”

“I forgot.” She’d been so lost in how Gideon made her feel, she’d forgotten there was a child in the house. “I’m a horrible person. I need to be responsible and I forgot.”

Gideon adjusted the front of his jeans, then looked at her. “You kissed me. It’s not like you let him burn down the house.”

“Carter’s too responsible to burn down the house.” She slapped her hand over her mouth.

“What?” he asked.

“I imagined us having sex on the counter.”

Gideon stepped toward her. “You did?”

“We can’t do that. Not with him here. He could have walked in on us. He’s going through enough without having to deal with that visual.” She closed her eyes. “I’m not ready to be a mother.”

“Sure you are. You enjoyed kissing me. That’s not a crime.”

“I forgot.”