One Bossy Offer (84)

“This will—” He comes in for a kiss. “Keep happening.” Kiss. “Again.”

I close my eyes, relishing his warmth, his taste, and his pine scent that reaches down inside me and strokes me like the kitten I’ve resisted being until I couldn’t.

Miles Cromwell transforms me.

“I’d like that, Miles,” I whisper, barely audible. “Just don’t make me say it twice,” I add.

He exhales sharply, his massive length pressed against my opening. I release a slow breath at the way it makes me tingle.

“Goddammit, you’re so warm. You know I can’t say no to this sweet little pussy.”

I push my hips up, tempting him, daring him not to.

“Kitten.” He sighs as he sinks into me, anchoring himself deep. “Shit! You already know I’m going to come inside you again. Hell, every time I’m in you. I can’t go back to rubber.”

“Don’t you dare,” I whimper back.

His eyes hold mine.

I can tell he’s barely holding back, aching to tear me to pieces again.

My lips attack his, begging for a beautiful ruin.

The second he drives deep and his teeth catch my bottom lip, I’m on my way to paradise.





“The inn is a flagship. Anyone who lives in Pinnacle Pointe or even passes through knows Bee Harbor. With the amount of business she sends your way, you should be paying her for using your paint,” Miles says.

The man behind the counter laughs. “If only business worked that way.”

“It works that way when you give me a better deal.”

The man adjusts his glasses and throws up his hands. “All right! I’ll give you a ten-cent-a-gallon discount. With the amount of paint you need, that will add up.”

I lean into Miles’ ear and pull out my debit card for the business account. “Thank you.”

Miles puts his hand over mine and pushes the card back at me. “No. I’ve got this.”

“But it’s for my property...”

“And I’m the only person you can sell it to for three years, right? The least I can do is help put a fresh coat of paint on it.”

I smile so hard I almost break, trying to play it cool.

I fail miserably.

“But I’m not selling. Plus, she left me a business account for repairs and incidentals. I’m not even spending my own money yet...”

Miles won’t be moved, though, and I look over and see the hardware store owner passing his black credit card back.

“Way to distract me.”

Hiding a smile, he says a few more words to the store owner about setting up a delivery, then slips his arm around me and ushers me out of the store.

“You know, the longer you’re away from the city, the sweeter you are, Mr. Cromwell.”

“Don’t go getting emotional on me, kitten. I wasn’t in the city when we met and you thought I was an absolute bastard then.”

“I know. Now, I’m starting to think you have a heart.”

The exaggerated look of horror he throws back makes me giggle.

He opens the passenger door of his SUV for me.

I step forward to climb in, but Miles leans in, keeping one hand on top of the car.

“Miss Landers, if I’ve grown a damn heart, I’m sad to say you own a significant chunk of the real estate. I wonder what you owe me in return?”

Oh, no.

Why does he have to go and—

Heat drums under my cheeks.

Just like that, his arms are around me, and his mouth moves to mine for a steaming kiss.

I break away from him before I melt into a moan.

“You should take me home. ASAP.”

“I should, shouldn’t I?” He helps me in the car and then gets behind the wheel himself. “What else is on your mind, Jenn? Felt like you were somewhere else while we were deciding on colors.”

“Maybe. My most lucrative contract ended recently,” I say, side-eyeing him.

“Sorry to hear. You should reach out to the boss. I’m sure he’d be interested in keeping you on in a consulting role for future projects.”

“Well, I’m actually glad it’s expired.”

He looks at me.

“There were too many rules,” I say with a smile.

“Rules?”

“You know. About not kissing or the world might end. That kind of thing.” My heart flutters like mad. “Not that I didn’t enjoy a little sneaking around. But only to a point. After a while it’s just complicated. Y’know?”

He reaches over and takes my hand.

“I understand completely. I lost the best damn marketing contractor I’ve ever had recently, though her new role is irreplaceable. She works long hours under me, listening to my every demand, and every time I think she can’t possibly take on more, she surprises me.”

I laugh until my sides hurt. A delicious heat curls through me when he tangles his fingers in mine.

“Will I surprise you again tonight, Mr. Cromwell?” I whisper.

“Only if you last more than five minutes riding my face, kitten,” he growls, looking over as the vehicle stops at a quiet four-way intersection. “And if you can’t do that, you’ll come your pretty little auburn head off for me three more times.”