“Good morning, Christine,” Rhonda called back as she strolled to the bank’s main entrance. “I see you brought a souvenir back from Vegas.”
Christine slumped against the tree trunk and groaned. “Do you see what you started?” she asked Travis.
“And that’s when I’m on my best behavior,” Travis replied. It was time for her to figure out how much trouble he could cause.
“They are going to think that I’ve lost my mind.” She covered her face with her hands. “They won’t believe it was a phase and I’m too young to be having a midlife crisis.”
“They’ll think it was a knee-jerk response to how Darrell broke up with you.” That would explain her Vegas weekend. He was beginning to think this was Christine’s motive for taking the emerald. She was probably regretting taking the gem and didn’t know what to do to fix the situation. That sounded more like the Christine he knew.
Christine’s shoulders went rigid and her hands slowly dragged down her cheeks as she stared at him. “How did you know about that?”
He shrugged. “I heard things.”
She spread her arms out wide. “You’ve only been in town for five minutes!”
“I met Darrell the moment I drove past the welcome sign.” How could someone with Christine’s wild streak be attracted to such a bland guy? “Really, Christine? What were you thinking?”
“And you think I’m better matched with you? Remember that the woman you met in Vegas was the fake me. The pretend Christine.”
Travis didn’t think so. He believed that he’d seen the real Christine in Vegas. The pretend one was standing before him now. “I’ll soon find out.”
Christine narrowed her eyes. “How are you going to do that?”
“I saw a bed-and-breakfast just off Main Street. I’m going to reserve a room.” He suspected the place would be frilly and floral. It was going to be torture.
“You’re staying there?” Christine started to shake her head. “You’re going to hate it. The woman who runs it has so many rules. You’re going to get kicked out before you unpack.”
“Where else can I stay? Unless you’re inviting me to your place,” he teased.
Her eyelashes fluttered and she bit her bottom lip. “It’s a mess.”
Travis’s stomach clenched when he saw the sparkle in Christine’s eyes. She was considering having him stay? He thought he was the only one who wanted to continue what they had started. “I like messy.”
“It’s small,” she warned him.
“Sounds cozy.” Maybe too cozy. If he wasn’t careful, he was going to prowl around like a caged animal. Was that what Christine was counting on?
“People will talk.” She glanced around the parking lot.
“They’re already talking,” he pointed out. “You could deny we’re involved, but no one would believe you.”
Christine lowered her gaze and he knew she wasn’t going to invite him. Something was holding her back. Was the emerald in her home?
“I’m sorry, Travis. I can’t have you stay at my place. Not yet.”
“It’s okay. I understand.” He pressed his hands against the tree trunk and leaned into her. Travis brushed his mouth against her lips. He did it again and again. He ached to hold Christine until he could feel her heart beating against him. Until their breathing became one.
Christine clasped her hands against his jaw and claimed his lips. She thrust her tongue into his mouth and explored him. He tasted her passion and her need. Her groan reverberated deep in her chest. Desire flared between them, burning bright, as the kiss grew stronger. Harder.
He pulled away before he got in too deep, but he couldn’t break the connection. Their lips clung as his forehead rested against hers.
“Why’d you stop?” she whispered.
“If I don’t stop now I’ll take you against this tree.” Christine Pearson wanted him. The seduction in Vegas hadn’t been faked. He should be thrilled, but it just added another problem for him. This woman had stolen his friend’s emerald and was lying about it, but he still couldn’t keep his hands off her.
Christine suddenly ducked under his arm. Her movements were jerky and she didn’t look at him. “I have to go back to work.”
He reached for her hand and stopped her. “Stay with me,” he urged.
“Travis, this is a really bad idea.”
She was right. It was a bad idea. He didn’t know why he felt this way or why he needed to hold on to her. There was something about Christine that he couldn’t get enough of.