“It’s so beautiful,” she said. But she was barely able to focus on the tree instead of on him.
And Tanner made it impossible. He was now looking straight at her, and she couldn’t help but return the favor when she felt the burning of those amazing eyes. And she suddenly found herself on the verge of tears and in desperate need of retreat.
He noticed, of course.
“What’s the matter, Kyla?”
“I should really get going. It’s late.” She knew she was running, but she didn’t care.
Tanner was instantly in front of her face. “Why are you always in such a hurry to leave as soon as the temperature rises a few degrees or we begin to talk about emotions?” He wrapped his arms behind her back and tugged her against his chest — the beautiful chest she’d been hyperventilating over earlier.
“Because I know what’s happening, Tanner.” She couldn’t help but give him an honest answer.
“And what is that?”
“You want me in your bed.” Why not put it out there? Why not get the focus off her emotions? That was more like it.
“Yes, I do.” It was hardly an earth-shaking admission.
“Well, then, you should know that it isn’t going to happen,” she said, her voice slightly breathless.
“Challenge accepted,” he told her with a smile, pushing his h*ps against hers and letting her feel the effect she had on him.
Her blood heated, her body softened, and her knees grew weak. She was so lucky to b sitting down. This man’s voice was seductive and his body was hard. She could see why he was so confident in succeeding with her. At least she didn’t feel on the verge of tears anymore.
“Take it any way you want, Tanner, just as long as you know it’s never going to happen,” she said, and she twisted out of his arms. If she decided to play games with this man, he’d be the only winner.
“Mmm, I’d love to take you any way I want. I have lots of ways I’ve been planning on taking you.”
Gosh, he was making her melt. To be desired by such a god of a man was quite the esteem builder. Would it really be so bad to allow herself some pleasure, just a little measure of it? No, it wouldn’t. The way she’d feel the next morning was what she dreaded. She’d never been one of those women who could give her body freely. There had to be something beyond simple sensation — there had to be emotions involved that didn’t come down to unmitigated lust.
Leaning back into him, she initiated a kiss for the first time, allowing herself to savor him for several moments. She could feel that he was surprised, but he didn’t waste any time in pulling her even more closely against him as he ravished her mouth.
When she felt herself falling over the edge of sanity, she pushed off against his chest.
“I just wanted another taste,” she said, then tugged against his hold.
Why was she disappointed when he let her go without a struggle? This was what she wanted, she reminded herself.
“Have a great night, Tanner,” she said steadily. And she walked to his door and opened it.
He followed her outside and watched while she unlocked her door and went inside.
The last thing she saw before firmly shutting the door between them was his unblinking eyes. He was sending her a clear message: This is in no way finished.
Chapter Fourteen
Are you ready for work?”
Kyla stood in her doorway, trying to wipe the sleep from her eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“It’s time for work. We’re going to the same place, so why not go together?”
Tanner was standing in her doorway and looking far too handsome and much too perky for so early in the morning. Granted, it was nine in the morning, but still, she’d been up late, so that equaled too early to be so happy while standing in her doorway. Working two jobs this holiday season had seemed like a good idea at the time, but not when it meant she was giving up sleep, blessed sleep, for just a few extra dollars.
“I’m not ready,” she told him.
“That’s all right. I’ll wait.” Then, before she even invited him in, he pushed past the door and waltzed into her apartment.
Kyla stood there for a moment longer as she surveyed her raggedy space with utter embarrassment. Sure, she’d done the best she could on her tight budget, but the furniture was secondhand and there weren’t many decorations to speak of. Plain and drab.
He looked out of place in her apartment, though he was residing in the same building. Somehow she knew he didn’t belong there, though. She wasn’t sure how; his clothes weren’t that out of the ordinary. But he clearly wasn’t the type of man who lived in a low-end complex like this one — no. He was the type who lived in a sky-rise and looked down upon the city. She didn’t know that for sure, but it was just the way he carried himself. An air about him, perhaps.
“I…um…I guess, have a seat,” she finally muttered as she tugged on her shirt and shuffled past him in her fluffy slippers.
He’d come at a perfect time. She was wearing an old pair of sweats and a ten-year-old T-shirt, her preferred sleeping attire. Sleeping was about comfort, not fashion. But she’d hardly been expecting her incredibly hot neighbor to show up before she’d even managed to climb out from her bed.
Rushing into her bedroom, she gathered clothes, then snuck into the only bathroom in the apartment and turned the shower on as hot as the dang thing would go. It felt strange to take a shower while knowing Tanner was virtually on the other side of the door. Yep, her apartment was that minuscule.
As the water cascaded down her body, her ni**les tightened and a shiver ran through her. What would she do if he strode into the room, drew open the shower curtain without a qualm, then climbed inside with her and pinned her to the wall?
She’d probably attack him, that’s what she would do. And why? She didn’t know this man, had only had a few conversations with him. She’d never even had a date with the guy. Well, the tree trimming could count as a date if she wanted it to.
The two of them had shared food, wine, and laughter. Oh, and a few hot kisses — she couldn’t forget those. But he hadn’t asked her out or anything. She’d just shown up with a tree on a whim and then they’d ended up spending the evening together.
Why couldn’t she be one of those bold women who just went after what they wanted? Once she emerged from the shower, she wiped the fog off the mirror and analyzed her reflection. She wasn’t the most beautiful of women, but she also wasn’t exactly ugly.