Never. Again.
Never again would she let herself get that deep. She had too much to lose, and she'd learned her lesson with Leo when she'd sacrificed incredible career potential for a guy who didn't stick.
"Hey." Derek hooked his finger under her chin and tilted her head up so she was looking at him. "Where did I lose you?"
"Sorry. It's probably silly." She waited, but since he said nothing, she pressed on. "It's just that you must know that you're any real estate agent's dream. And when you told me who you are--well, I didn't want to cross a line."
She listened to her own words, amazed that they were true. Because as far as men were concerned, she'd never put up that wall. So why now? Why with him?
Because it's more than a hook-up?
She shoved the thought aside. She neither needed nor wanted a relationship. What they had was a good time and great sex. Which she enjoyed. A lot. Mixing in work might destroy the dynamic. That was all.
"If you'd rather not, I understand. But I'd really love the opinion of someone who knows the Austin real estate market. It's a commercial property, but in this case I don't think that matters."
"This case?"
His grin was mischievous, and she had the distinct feeling he was intentionally trying to reel her in. "The thing I want your opinion about."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. You win. We'll go spend this lovely Saturday working."
He chuckled, looking more than a little smug. "I thought we could enjoy the day, too. Austin's the perfect temperature in September. Maybe take a walk, get some sunshine and exercise?"
"Exercise?" She slipped out of bed, then started to gather her clothes. "I think we just got one hell of an aerobic workout. And as for sunshine, there's always Vitamin D."
"Funny girl." He stalked from the bed to where she stood, then enveloped her in his arms, his naked body hard against hers. His body burned like a furnace, and she sighed with pleasure as the heat of him seeped through her.
"How about we take a shower and then get out of here. I'll scrub your back," he murmured as his hand drifted down to cup her sex. "I'll take care of the rest of you, too."
A moan slipped past her lips, and she nodded. "Mister, I think you have a deal."
Chapter Six
"It's completely charming," Amanda said as they stood across the street from the South Congress Motor Inn. "Or it will be once it's fixed up. Right now, it has great bones." She turned and flashed a bright smile at him. "I think you picked a winner."
He squeezed her hand, feeling ridiculously proud that she approved. "Thanks."
"I've lived in Austin my whole life, and I've barely given it a second glance. When will you be able to start renovations? For that matter, what are you planning to do?"
One by one, the bubbles of joy that had been floating
inside him began to pop. "Actually, that's why I wanted you here today. I need to come up with a plan."
They went across the street to a new food truck court, then sat at a table and ate what probably qualified as the best brisket on the planet. And while they dug into the meat and coleslaw, he gave her a quick summary of his plan for the Winston Boutiques division ... and a summary of why it was currently on ice.
"So you want to start an offshoot of the hotel chain. Not the big, ornate fancy ones, but smaller places. Like high end boutiques."
"Right."
"I think that's brilliant."
"So do I," he said. "And the board was willing to consider my plan, at least until I hit a snag on this property. The owners originally said they were interested in selling. Now, they've got cold feet."
"So the Winston Corporation board is shutting you down because you may not be able to acquire this particular motel? That's silly. There are dozens of cute, retro motels in town. And gobzillions in Texas."
"Not disagreeing. But it's also not up to me."
She sat back with a sound of disgust that sent happy vibrations curling through him, simply from the knowledge that she was on his side.