‘Take the next left.’
He looked to where she indicated, to a private drive lined with trees, and he nodded to it. ‘Through there?’
‘Yes.’
He swung the car onto the gravel, taking it slow as the tyres crunched over the loose road surface, and he grimaced. ‘It’s pretty, but I wouldn’t say it’s bodywork friendly.’
‘That can be easily remedied.’
‘True,’ he acknowledged, although his tone was distracted, a heavy feeling swelling in his chest.
‘I’m glad you agree.’ He felt her smile at him and his determination wavered, his weakness where she was concerned never more pronounced.
When had he become so weak, so driven by emotion?
‘Just keep that in mind when you see the rest.’
He eyed her warily. Just what was that supposed to mean?
‘Like I said earlier, this one is a little bit of a risk, but it will help me gauge where you’re truly at,’ she said, still with that pulse-invigorating smile. ‘I like to start with something like this just to ensure we don’t miss any real opportunities.’
‘Fair enough.’
He continued down the drive, the trees concealing the house from view until he rounded a corner onto an open courtyard and drew the car to a stop.
‘Isn’t she beautiful?’ came her soft-spoken remark.
He looked to her, to the flush in her skin and the brightness of her eyes, and lost himself, his response coming easily. ‘Very.’
She met his eye, the hint of a smile in her glossy lips. ‘You’re not even looking.’
No, he wasn’t.
Kristus, get with it!
He gave a grin, masking his wayward thoughts, and leant over the steering wheel to sweep his gaze up and over the house. It was appealing and there was something homely about it despite its imposing size. Probably due to the vine that crept over the walls, softening the large expanse of soft yellow stone.
‘It’s a repossession,’ she said, dropping her gaze to the door and seeking the handle to get out.
‘Here,’ he said, leaning across her, and she gave a sharp intake of breath, her tummy drawing in where his arm brushed across her. He looked to her face, only millimetres away, and his mouth dried up, the air too thick to take in as he stilled.
Her eyes dropped to his mouth and she tugged on her lower lip with her teeth, releasing it slick and inviting—lust explo
ded within him, his mind buried in the onslaught. He swivelled his body, his hand reaching up to clasp her neck, drawing her lips to his, desperate and demanding.
God, she was sweet, minty, with a hint of whatever flavour the gloss brought with. His brain clouded over, the warmth spreading like wildfire through his gut. He couldn’t draw breath, couldn’t think of anything but the taste and feel of her; of her delicate tongue as it slipped and teased against his own; of the little whimpers breaking free in the back of her throat; of her pulse beating wildly beneath his fingers hooked around her neck.
‘Is this what you meant by ulterior motive?’ He spoke against her lips, refusing to part for more than the words needed.
‘Uh-huh,’ she hurried out, her hands coming up to thrust through his hair, just as hungry, just as caught up. He was doing her a service, fuck being honourable.
Don’t be a dick.
It was his sister’s voice that pierced his brain and he released her, taking in deep, sanity-bringing breaths. ‘We shouldn’t do this. You were right,’ he said between pants, risking a glance and seeing all that was sexy, alluring but also vulnerable in her exquisite face.
She shook her head, a dazed frown forming. ‘No, I wasn’t.’
‘I don’t do relationships.’