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“Kissing me like that...” Zara sighed, dropped her arms and looked him in the eyes. “I can’t want this, Braden. Don’t you understand?”
Relaxed against the back cushion, Braden eyed her, letting her stand above him, giving her the upper hand here. A smart businessman knew when to pull back on the reins in order to get ahead.
“Why are you denying yourself?” he asked. “If the job wasn’t a factor, what other excuse would you use?”
He’d hit a mark. Her chin when up a notch, her eyes narrowed. “I’m not making excuses. Nothing would’ve happened between us at all had you not been stuck here. The next time I would’ve seen you would’ve been at the party you’re throwing in five weeks for all of your employees.”
Braden laughed, shaking his head.
“Now you’re laughing at me?” she asked, crossing her arms.
Slowly coming to his feet, Braden crossed to her, not a bit surprised when she didn’t back up, but tipped her head back to continue to glare.
“I’m laughing at the fact you think we wouldn’t have seen each other.” He tucked a portion of her hair behind her ear, purposely trailing his fingertips down her cheek. “Zara, I would’ve found reasons to see you. The fact I’m stuck here only provided me the opportunity I needed to seduce you properly.”
Silence settled between them seconds before Zara moaned and threw her arms out to her sides as she spun toward the logs and went to stand before them. “Your ego is something I hadn’t taken into account. Maybe you’ve forgotten I just ended a relationship with a man who thought he could control me, thought he was in charge.”
Braden stared at her back, deciding to let that jab about Shane roll off him. He knew he wasn’t anything like that bastard. She knew it, too.
“I didn’t say I wanted a relationship,” he corrected. “And I know you well enough after hearing about your childhood to say you don’t, either.”
Zara whirled around, her dark hair flying about her shoulders. “You think you know me? Because I gave you a small portion of my life?”
“So you do want a relationship?”
“Stop twisting my words.”
Why was he purposely getting under her skin? This wasn’t part of his plan, but seeing Zara worked up and verbally sparring with her was more of a turn-on than he’d thought. He needed to steer things back to where she felt in control, where she felt as if he was less of a threat. He knew she wanted him, she knew it, too, stubborn woman. But for now he’d let this moment pass. The ultimate goal was still pressing, and he had work to do.
“Why don’t you show me those secret rooms?” he asked, pleased when her eyes widened.
“What?”
“Those rooms. They sound cool, and I’d like to see them.”
Her eyes darted to the kitten, still sleeping on the bed. “What about him?”
Braden walked over, scooped the kitten into his arm and motioned toward the door. “All set.”
“It’s cold in the rest of the house.”
He quirked a brow. “You want to stay in here and keep dancing around the sexual tension?”
She moved to the door so fast, Braden couldn’t stop laughing. Finally he was getting somewhere. He may not be getting her into his bed, but he was seeing these illusive rooms and perhaps he’d find something, anything, to hint at the scrolls. When all was said and done, and this freak blizzard was over, he’d have all his wishes fulfilled.
Seven
Zara gripped the neck of her sweatshirt as she came down the wide staircase. Trying to hold it up just a bit more to ward off the chill helped.
Eerie quiet settled throughout the house. Who knew darkness had a tone? She could hear Braden’s breathing, his every step, every brush of his clothing. Every single thing he did made her even more aware of his presence.
What the hell had she been thinking kissing him back like that? Straddling his lap and practically crawling all over his body? Part of her was mortified she’d acted like that, but on the other hand, he’d been right there with her. He’d been the one to instigate every heated occurrence. But no more. If he touched her, she’d have to walk away. Even if she had to step out into the cold hall or bundle up and sleep in a chilly spare bedroom, she couldn’t let him kiss her again.
Because she feared the next kiss would lead to clothes falling off and them tumbling into bed.
