Page 18 of Flirting with Trouble

Yvette clears her throat, indicating I’m taking too long.

“You can send him in, thanks.”

I push to my feet as he walks through the door, looking like sex on legs in jeans and a navy T-shirt, both of which hug him in all the right places. He closes the door behind him, flashing the slow grin that did me in last night. Butterflies swarm in my chest, and my legs are rooted to the floor behind my desk. “Wells, what are you doing here?”

“I was out looking at properties and thought I’d pop in to say hello.” He comes around my desk, closing the distance between us, and leans in to kiss my cheek. His masculine scent infiltrates my senses, awakening my entire body. “I haven’t heard from you,” he says gently, like he’s stating a fact, not accusing.

“I—”

“No need to explain. I get it.” He brushes the back of his fingers along my cheek, sending shivers of heat down my body. “It’s been a long time since you’ve allowed yourself to take what you wanted. You’re probably having all sorts of thoughts about me, and I bet they make you a little nervous.”

What are you, a mind reader? “Didn’t we talk about you not showing up in my kitchen?”

“I got hungry,” he says with a seductive glimmer in his eyes.

As hot and exciting as his flirting is, I need to shut it down because I know where it will lead, and the aftermath is too hard to deal with. “I thought we were on the same page about last night.”

“We were. I had a great time, and I think you did, too.”

“I did,” I admit, because he deserves to hear the truth.

“Then let me take you to dinner tonight. It doesn’t have to be anything more than that. I just want to spend time with you, have a few laughs, and get to know you better.”

“As tempting as that sounds, I can’t. I have to attend a birthday party for a client tonight.”

“Need a plus-one?” He motions to his chest. “I look sharp in a suit.”

I laugh softly. “I remember from the wedding, but no thank you.”

“Afraid I’ll put your client to shame? That is a concern. Especially if he’s insecure.”

“He’s an MMA fighter. He doesn’t have an insecure bone in his body.”

“No, I guess he wouldn’t. Then there’s only one explanation for why you wouldn’t want to show up on my arm.” His gaze turns serious, and he takes my hand. “I get that whatever this is between us scares you—”

“I’m not scared.” I tug my hand free, because even that simple touch makes me want more.

“Maybe I used the wrong word. What do you think is holding you back?”

My mind reels through excuses. I like him more than I thought I would, and the sex was phenomenal, but that doesn’t change any of the facts. He’s still a player, we’re in vastly different places in our lives, and he should be with a woman whose heart isn’t trapped in the past. But I don’t want to discuss any of those things, so I go with, “I’m just not that into you.”

He grins. “Nice try, but those blue eyes don’t lie, sweet thing. Come on. I’m not asking for a relationship. Can’t we just be friends and have fun?”

“Like that’s going to work?” We practically set the bar on fire last night.

“Why wouldn’t it? Unless you’re saying you want to be friends with benefits? I mean, if that’s what you want, we can negotiate.”

“You’re relentless,” I say with a laugh.

“And you love it, which is why we’ve clicked from day one. Think about it. Even on the island when you were turning me down, we bantered all night at the holiday dance and the wedding. Face it, sweet thing. We’re drawn to each other.”

He’s not wrong, and that makes him hazardous to my hormones. “Okay, you know what, charmer? This has been fun, but I don’t need a boy toy tonight, and I have work to do. You need to leave.” I give him a playful shove toward the door.

“I’m going, but I’m not buying any of this.” He looks back at me as he reaches for the doorknob. “See you soon, friend.” He tosses me a wink and walks out, closing the door behind him.

Chapter Five

Wells