He didn’t know. He was out of his depth. What was it about CoCo that made him throw out all the rules and do what he knew he shouldn’t?
He didn’t want to be like all the other guys she strung along for her entertainment. But then, he didn’t want a relationship, either. So what was going on between them? Something dangerous, that much he knew.
Maybe he ought to tell her this was a bad idea and they couldn’t do it again. He ought to put his foot down and just say the words even if he didn’t quite mean them. But the fact was, he wanted to do it again and again and again. Hell, if they could spend the rest of their time in Kentucky screwing each other raw, he’d be okay with that. And that was a terrible idea!
Even knowing that, he knew the words wouldn’t cross his lips. He wanted CoCo in the worst way and having her had only increased his appetite for more.
You done it now, boy.
Not even the echo of his older brother’s voice was enough to snap him out of this dangerous mind-set.
He had to figure things out.
But it wasn’t going to happen today, that was for damn sure.
16
“YOUR BRAIN IS on fire, isn’t it?” she asked, rolling to her stomach to regard Rian, who’d gone silent. They were still naked as the day they were born but neither was in a rush to get dressed. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
He smiled. “Isn’t that a little dangerous?”
“I’m brave. Go ahead, try me.”
Rian laughed. “I think I just did.”
CoCo giggled and rose up to brush a playful kiss across his lips. “You know what I mean. I promise I won’t bite.”
“What if I like it when you bite?” he asked with a half grin twisting his mouth. “I mean, there’s something to be said for a little nibble here and there.”
“C’mon, tell me what’s on your mind. I know you’re probably dealing with some kind of guilt, right?”
He nodded with a chagrined chuckle. “And here I thought I was mysterious.”
“No, not really,” she said, shaking her head. “Sorry to burst your bubble.”
He sighed and rose up on his elbows. “Okay, yeah, I’m feeling guilty because I just broke my own rule about messing around with a client. I mean, I could forgive myself for the first time because I was under the influence of something, but I can’t use that excuse this time.”
“Are you saying you need an excuse to have sex with me?” she asked, raising a brow. “Because that doesn’t make me feel very good. And neither does the idea that you’re just ‘messing around’ with me. Makes me feel...you know, cheap.”
“No, not like that, I’m sorry,” he rushed to clarify. “It’s just that I have rules in place for a reason and they’re good reasons. I deal with celebrity clients all the time. It’s my job to protect the reputation of the company by remaining professional at all times, even when the client is dead-sexy and hotter than Georgia asphalt.”
His frank comment thrilled her. A slow smile formed. “Are you saying that I’m hotter than Georgia asphalt?”
“You know you are,” he growled, pulling her so that she straddled him. “You’re the hottest woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“You know what they say about rules... They’re meant to be broken.”
His hands filled with her breasts, his gaze darkening as he gently squeezed the plump flesh. A small groan escaped as he rose up, tucking her legs around his torso and suddenly grabbing a handful of her ass. “Some rules, yes. Others, no.”
“Says who?”
“Says me. If word got out that I was sleeping with a client, we wouldn’t get more jobs. This is our livelihood. I couldn’t do that to Kane.”
She appreciated how much integrity Rian had. It was a refreshing change from the usual people she hung out with but that didn’t mean she was going to suddenly stop wanting to have sex with him. “How about this...while we are here at the ranch, we do whatever we want with each other but once we leave...we’ll pretend that nothing ever happened.”
He eyed her curiously. “That would work for you?”