“I like your place,” he said as he stepped into her living room. The light in her house was usually muted, due to her eyes’ sensitivity. Her town house was homey, though, despite the dimness, thanks to warm colors, sensual fabrics and glowing, ambient light from well-placed lamps. Natalie considered the room proportions in her town house to be quite generous, but Liam made them shrink with his presence.
“Thanks,” Natalie said as she watched his gaze travel across every detail of her living room. She got the impression he didn’t miss much with those cop’s eyes of his.
“You look fantastic,” he said.
“So do you.”
Her cheeks burned when she realized what she’d just said without even a millisecond of hesitation. When would she learn to think before she spoke? Maybe at the same time she taught herself not to blush at inopportune moments.
“Would you like a quick tour? There’s not much to see, but—”
“Lead the way,” he said. She showed him the dining room, kitchen and patio, and a few minutes later led him back to the living room.
“You’re multitalented,” he said. “You dance like a professional and you could have been an interior designer as well. I should get your advice on the cottage.”
“It looked like you were doing a great job on your own,” Natalie said as she grabbed a light sweater from the entryway and they walked out the door.
Liam shrugged. He checked her lock and closed the door firmly behind him. “I do okay with the basics, but when it comes to colors or arranging furniture, I’m your basic caveman.”
“At least you’re man enough to admit it.”
Liam glanced over at her sharply, grinning when he saw her small smile.
“You didn’t bring your bike?” Natalie observed as they approached his sedan.
“No. Disappointed?” he asked as he opened the passenger door for her.
“Very,” Natalie replied, looking at him over her shoulder. Perhaps it was foolish of her, but part of her had always envied all those girls she used to see on the back of his motorcycle.
She pulled up short when he reached beneath the fall of her long hair and grasped her upper arm.
“Be careful, Natalie.”
His low, rough voice made her shudder.
“What do you mean?”
“If you can’t decide if you’re innocent or a seductress,” he said, leaning closer, “I might have to help you choose.”
Cha
pter Six
She stood motionless, highly aware of him. She felt it when his fingers closed around her long hair. His nostrils flared.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. His fist opened, granting her freedom, and she heard his low chuckle.
He shut the passenger door once she was seated.
She made a mental effort to smoothe her choppy breath. Why did it happen so often, that she said something to him in such an off-the-cuff manner, as if she was a practiced flirt? Her occasional responses surprised her, probably more than they did Liam. They just seemed to spill out of her, contrary to her nervousness.
Contrary to her typical desire for control.
Her voice had sounded husky there by the car…downright suggestive if the flame that had leaped into Liam’s eyes and his ensuing reaction were any indication.
A half hour later, Natalie was heartened to realize she was feeling more comfortable, despite Liam’s earlier challenge and her anxious curiosity about his experience at the state police headquarters today.
He’d probably have forgotten the moment by tomorrow, Natalie thought with a mental eye roll.