Sinclair Justice (Texas Rangers #2)(44)

When she didn’t feel him follow her, she turned back. He was standing still half in, half out of the doorway, staring at her with eyes so deeply, brilliantly blue they shone even in the shadows. They weren’t half-mast anymore. They were wide open, aware of exactly what she was implying.

Blushing, Emm moved toward her car. “If you’d rather stop somewhere closer, I understand.” Her voice was too high-pitched, and he probably thought she was an idiot. She was about to melt into a puddle of humiliated goo on her seat, but in a few strides he closed the gap between them and gently shut the car door she’d left open. He caught her elbow to press her against the side of the car with the entire long length of his body.

“I don’t want any more misunderstandings between us, so I’ll just ask—are you inviting me for more than lunch?”

The sun was behind his head so she couldn’t see his expression, thankfully, for she was already trembling, half sorry she’d obeyed her very unruly impulses. She had never felt so at war with herself. She stared at the pulse beating in his throat, but she’d started this and she wouldn’t back out now. All she could manage was a nod.

He seemed to sense her unease, for he only lifted her hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss it, back and then front. Her fingers tingled, as if she’d been shocked by a taser. Her knees went weak, both at the sexual chemistry bubbling between them and at her own daring.

He whispered into her palm, “I accept. Shall I drive? I’ll bring you to your car before I go back to the office.”

Again, she could only manage a nod.

The short drive to her hotel involved zero conversation but rampant speculation on both sides. She saw his quickened breathing, the slight flush on his high cheekbones, and she knew that inside, he was almost as worked up as she was; he was just better at concealing it. The elevator ride was equally boring, at least on the outside.

She had to fumble several times to get her door open until finally he took her key card and opened it for her. He closed the door behind them, then slowly, decisively, he reached behind him without looking and put the chain in place. “Eat after.”

She nodded. She was so nervous, hunger had fled, and besides, now she could see his face and eyes, she was wondering if she’d been premature. Oh, he wanted her, no doubt about that. She could see the bulge in his pants. But still, he stayed where he was, looking at her. Waiting.

Suddenly, she realized why. He didn’t want to scare her, had picked up on her skittishness. She had begun this, but she had to indicate her willingness to explore the sexual promise that had sizzled between them since they’d met outside his ranch on a long and winding road . . . was it only a few weeks ago?

Emm felt the dampness beading between her legs, but still she stayed frozen; whether heaven or hell awaited, she truly didn’t know. And never would if she didn’t take three short steps.

His breathing evened out a bit and his voice was deep, low, but still controlled when he asked simply, “Why are you doing this, Emm? Are you having second thoughts?”

She took such a big breath her breasts rose and fell. When his gaze lowered, her heart skipped a beat at the almost tangible caress. She debated hedging, but she owed him honesty, and she’d have regrets aplenty back in Baltimore without adding lying to the memories. “Because after I leave here, I don’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering what it would have been like.”

At her raw honesty, he took a compulsive step toward her. She couldn’t help it, she backed away. He caught his lower lip between his teeth and bit down so hard she saw the full lip go white. “Don’t torment me if you’ve changed your mind.” He leaned against the door again, as if he needed the support.

He was tormented, too, and that realization broke through to her. Things had gone too far between them to turn back. She also knew that even obviously aroused, he’d leave her alone if she asked. Perhaps there was no future for them beyond this afternoon, but what came tomorrow was decided by what began today. For once she’d do what she wanted to, right or wrong, prudent or foolish. She spanned the short gap between them until they would have been almost nose to nose if she hadn’t had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. He’d left his hat in the car, so his thick hair was tousled, as if inviting her to mess it up further.

Emm gave him what she hoped was a seductive smile, but she was clumsy when she went to unbutton his shirt. It didn’t help that her hands were shaking.

Still standing against the door, he clenched his hands at his sides, as if only then could he control his need to ravish her. But as he eyed her awkwardness, he gave her a smile that was so tender it almost brought tears to her eyes.

Then he said something totally unexpected. “I apprehend the ruses of sexual conquest are not in your hitherto vast lexicon?”

Emm’s hands froze. Sweet nothings, lies, and even the promises men and women exchanged at such moments could not have moved her like his teasing statement. It spoke volumes of his innate understanding of her character, for him to use such “big words” to both tease her gently and put her at ease. Not to mention the fact that both his diction and etymology were perfect, unlike the other men she’d dated . . . She had to swallow the lump in her throat and bury her face in his soft chest hair, hoping she could master the urge to cry.

Then Emm, the PhD, the history and science lover, the verbose and the loquacious, could manage only two words: “Thank you.”