“Seriously, though, just let Rafe work out things for himself,” Ryder said as if that should settle the matter.
“I’ll take your advice,” Ransom said, his voice smug, “when porcelain pigs fly.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
It ended up that Ransom didn’t get a chance to confirm his trip to Alaska until almost three weeks later. By that time they were already in December.
Once he’d gone back into the office he’d been so swamped he hadn’t been able to drag himself from under the backlog of work until now. Heck, he hadn’t even been able to find time to make up excuses for his self-appointed babysitter to come over and check up on him. He’d only been able to touch base with her a couple of times over the past few weeks, mainly to thank her again for all her help while he’d been laid up. Each time he’d called she’d been gracious about it, acting like it was nothing, but he knew it had been a lot. She was a busy woman and yet she’d taken her precious time to be there for him. How could he feel anything but grateful…
…and just a little bit guilty. He could have hired someone to come in to monitor him - he had more than enough money to take care of that – but that someone would not have been anything like Solie. She was the one he’d wanted dropping by, fluffing his pillow, playing boss.
As thoughts of Solie filled Ransom’s mind he smiled, braced back in his chair and rested his feet on the edge of the desk. Sweet memories came floating back and, busy or not, he had no desire to stem them.
One evening he’d had a splitting headache and although he’d hated to bug her he’d called and she’d come right over. Then she’d proceeded to pamper him, pressing a cold compress against his forehead, almost making him forget that he was a gentleman when she leaned over and he was blessed with the sight of her full br**sts thrusting against the soft fabric of her blouse.
He could see her ni**les, hard and pointy, tempting him, teasing him and it was all he could do to keep from tilting his head to cover those ripened buds with his lips. She was so tempting she made his mouth water and, as if the sight of her weren’t enough to break down his defenses, her womanly fragrance - a mixture of spice and springtime - was driving him up a very rough wall. He’d had to clench his fists to keep from reaching up and dragging her down on top of him.
Another time she’d come over with a macaroni and cheese pie and barbecued chicken. When he opened the door to her she’d gone straight to the kitchen and was in there quite a while, banging plates and sounding like she was ladling out enough food to feed an army. He decided to go in and check on her.
Solie was busy in the kitchen, all right. She’d made a big bowl of salad and from the bag of flour and the eggshells he could see on the counter he could tell she’d whipped up something for the oven. But she was nowhere in sight.
Ransom entered the kitchen and walked over to the island in the middle of the spacious room. It was when he circled it that he saw the delectable creature. The rear end of her, that is.
Solie was bending over, peering into the oven, giving Ransom a close up view of her jeans-covered behind.
He was enjoying the scenery when she pulled back and slammed the oven door shut. She straightened and, clearly not realizing he was in the room, in one fluid movement she turned and stepped forward, slamming right into his chest.
On reflex his hands shot up to hold her, keep her from falling, and as he pulled her close she gasped and grabbed onto his upper arm. Solie looked up into his face, her eyes wide, her lips parted, her breath coming in quick gasps. She looked ready to be kissed.
Ransom was never one to pass up on a perfect opportunity. Arms sliding around her, he lowered his head, intent on capturing those pink lips, now soft with surprise.
“Uh, sorry. I…didn’t mean to bump into you.” Exerting pressure on his upper arms Solie pushed herself back and out of his embrace.
“No problem.” Ransom dropped his arms then shoved his hands into his pockets, watching as Solie stepped back then lifted a hand to brush a stray lock of hair from her brow.
For a second she’d looked flustered but soon, with him out of her personal space, she was back to being Miss In-Control. The moment of surprise past, the cute pout returned to her lips and she gave him a crooked smile. “Hey, what’re you doing in my kitchen? You never come in here.” A slight frown creased her brow. “I was making a surprise for you but now you’ve gone and spoiled it."
Ransom put up his hands in self-defense. “Hey, I’m sorry. You never told me to stay out.”
Solie gave him a rueful grin. “You’re right. I should have, shouldn’t I?” Then she shrugged. “Better yet, I should have done this at my house…” then she grimaced, “…except that my oven conked out all of a sudden.”
He gave her a sly grin. “Lucky me.”
Solie raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“Now I have a beautiful woman hanging out in my kitchen,” he said in a low, slow voice, “and who could ask for more?”
For a moment she looked nonplussed, a hint of color rising in her cheeks, then she seemed to catch herself. Eyes narrowed, she met his stare head on. “You know what? Get out of my kitchen and don't come back till I call you. No men allowed.”
Ransom did not move. He just stood there watching her, seeing the color rise in her face, feeling the tension build. Then, his point made, he gave her a relaxed smile. “No problem,” he said softly, “but don’t take too long or I’ll come and get you.” Then, releasing her wary gaze, he turned and walked out of the room. Before this he’d kept his attraction to Solie to himself but he’d had enough of being decent. Now it was time for his lovely little neighbor to get to know the real Ransom Kent.
***
“I told you, there’s nothing going on. I’m my same old dreary self.” Solie reached up to pull a box of gloves out of the cupboard then turned to the nurse who stood by, arms folded, a cheeky grin on her lips. She glared at the woman. “Will you leave me alone?”
“No, I won’t,” Jen’s smile widened, “not until you tell me everything. Who is he?”