“This feels right,” Hunter whispered.
Sweet baby Jesus.It felt too right.
“Um, Hunter—”
“Don’t move.” Without even breaking his stride, Hunter moved so he cradled her body fully and rested the guitar on her hip. “I almost have it.”
His fingers picked up pace—in perfect sync with her heart—and the song poured out of him.
Almostturned into a minute, then three, and then—oh God—the next thing Mackenzie knew, Hunter was fiddling to get it perfect, and she realized she didn’t want to move.
Surrounded by a confident, yummy man was tempting. Being surrounded by Hunter while he was in the zone was a religious experience, one that she was sure would take her to the promised land. Every note pulled her further into his vortex of sexy, which madeherfeel sexy and feminine—and connected. Three things she’d never thought to feel again.
He’d found the heart of the song, raw and nostalgic and tender.
A few lines in and already a hit—she could tell.
Yup, Hunter Kane, the big badass musician, was back. His confidence and swagger were so mouthwateringly male she let herself imagine, for just a moment, what it would be like to have more than just his hands on her.
Suddenly, the music stopped, and Mackenzie felt the energy in the room shift—become more intimate and personal.
“You got it,” she said, sounding ridiculously breathless.
“I think I finally did,” he said. “In fact, if I got it any more right, you’re going to have to amend your first rule.”
“First rule?” she said through the sexual haze.
“No kissing, because I’m pretty sure we’re one breath from contact,” he said, and she was pretty sure he was smiling. “And even though we did share breakfast in bed this morning, I’m more of a second-date-kiss kind of guy.”
Mackenzie straightened and pulled back. “This is work, not a date.”
“Seems like you’re working hard not to kiss me.” He set the guitar down and leaned back on the sofa. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m flattered, but that almost-kiss will have to wait until we’re standing under the porch light and I’m walking you to the door.”
“There was no almost-kiss.”
“Sure there was, but don’t worry, next time that almost will be a slam dunk, you have my word. In fact, I was thinking tomorrow night, you and me. I even know the perfect front porch.”
“I know you’re used to women who swoon when you wink, but you’re going to have to try harder than that,” she lied.
“To clarify, you’re saying no to the date but yes to the kiss,” he mused.
“Yes. I mean no.”
“No need to get flustered. It’s a simple question.”
Simple, my ass.Hunter was the most complicated straightforward person she’d ever encountered. And this was the most complicated situation she’d been in since his rehearsal dinner.
“We’re coworkers, and coworkers don’t date,” she rushed out, more for herself than him. “Last time I let it become about more than the music for me. I can’t do that again. Not when I need to learn to stand on my own two feet.”
“I’m not down on one knee.” He sounded so sincere her heart pounded as if he were. “I’m just asking you to give this a chance to see where it goes.”
“We both know exactly where this would lead.” Mackenzie had been there, bought and buried the T-shirt.
“Why don’t you explain it to me, just to make sure you and I are on the same page? I want a clear image,” he said, suddenly in front of her. This time she was certain he was smiling. And it was his charming smile. The one with the double dimples she could never resist.
“See where it goesimplies there’s room for this to go somewhere,” she said primly. “And there’s not.”
“Why is that?”
