That’s exactly what Rowan said after our date.You may as well have some fun.
I rub my forehead. “You know I don’t do casual sex. If I sleep with him, there’s a good chance I’ll get attached and get my heart broken when it’s time to leave.”
“It’s not like youhaveto leave.”
I flip the dress over to iron a wrinkle I spied on the other side. “What do you mean?
“I mean, you can fix up the house, sell it, and use the money to open that bookstore you always wanted in Darkwater Hollow. Then you wouldn’t have to end things with Rowan if you didn’t want to.”
“Del, haven’t you heard enough from me and Lottie about Rowan? He doesn’t do relationships. He’s not looking for anything serious. In fact, he’d rather let me live with him and pay a fortune for my repairs than give a genuine relationship a chance.”
Del sighs. “I hear you. It just seems like such a waste. Especially since it sounds like you two are getting along.”
More like I go from being enthralled by him to wanting to strangle him.
But tonight at the party, I have one task.
I have to convince everyone I’m in love with him.
I walk outof the bedroom an hour later, determined to play it as cool as a cucumber tonight, only to nearly stumble over my feet when my eyes land on Rowan in the living room.
He’s standing by the window looking out at the backyard. The crisp white dress shirt and the dark-wash jeans fit him sinfully well, as if whoever made them used a pattern with exactly his measurements in mind. He tugs on the sleeves and rolls his boulder-like shoulders back.
Just watching his absentminded movements sends lava dripping into my bloodstream.
He slides on the blazer he’s holding, the action so fluid and practiced, it’s like he’s done this a thousand times before, even though I know he hasn’t. I doubt he’s had to dress up like this often working in constriction.
It’s a shame.
When he turns to face me, there’s a fire blazing low inside my belly.
Our eyes clash. Rowan holds my gaze for a moment and then allows it to slide lower, taking me in inch by inch.
I can barely breathe as I wait for him to speak. Being seen by him is a full-body experience—my skin sizzles, my heart pounds, and my nerve endings flutter.
When his eyes finally return to mine, there’s a distinct hunger in them.
He looks like he wants to take a bite of me.
And right now, I think I’d let him.
Maybe he senses my weakness, because he stops in front of me and drags a knuckle over my clavicle. “You look good in red.”
My nipples pebble. If I weren’t wearing a bra, he’d see it and know that he was right that night after we left Emerald Grill.
He did make me wet that night. He made me so fucking wet. And then he somehow managed to do it all over again when he pulled a fantasy I didn’t even know I had from somewhere deep inside my head and recited it to me in that low, sexy voice.
“Thank you,” I breathe.
Snow floats through the sky as we drive to the historical manor where the party is taking place. The air inside the car is so charged that neither of us dares to speak.
I think back to my conversation with Del. Everything I said to her is true, but I’m not all logic. And a very illogical part of me wants to forget about my legitimate concerns about Rowan and see where tonight might lead.
We find a spot in the busy parking lot and get out of the car. Rowan’s palm is pressed against my lower back as we join the other guests streaming inside the venue.
The manor is one of the few historical buildings scattered throughout Darkwater Hollow. It’s beautiful, with intricately carved wooden ceilings, art depicting biblical scenes on the walls, and a grand ballroom where the dinner and auction will be taking place.
The ballroom is brimming with people by the time Rowan and I make it inside. It takes me only a moment to spot Brett’s sister and mother on the other side of the room.
