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“Ass—” he started.
“Man,” she finished. “I mean, we are dealing with the inferior sex.”
He lifted his brow. “Now, that’s your problem. You’ve been hanging out with the wrong men. Sex with me is never inferior.”
“You’re probably right, and that’s why we have a Sarah problem. You sleep with them, and they turn into sex-crazed zombies.”
“How long do you think she’ll stick around?”
“Hopefully, she’ll be a faint memory by next week. Why, are you afraid you can’t afford me?”
Red let out a chuckle. “I can afford you just fine.” He set the ice to the side. “I’m just wondering how many punches I’ll have to take. I thought the idea was to keep me from harm. I mean, your brother threatened me within an inch of my life.”
“Only if you tried anything. I imagine while you and Cameron may have found your own peace, Val might have some unfinished business with you.”
He sat up and pulled her to him. “That kiss last night that meant nothing to you meant everything to me, and I’m happy to take another punch for a repeat. What do you say?”
There was a war waging inside of her. Sixty percent of her brain was leaning towards another kiss. In her mind, she justified all the reasons. The main one was that she had a personal policy to try everything legal twice because once wasn’t always enough to decide. But the forty percent of her brain that was telling her to stop won because she knew getting involved with a client was bad news. Look at Val—he fell for Cameron, and now he was living in the boonies with a kid and a family of elk. Pulling at all her reserves, she kissed him on the forehead and jumped up. “I’m starving. Get dressed, and let’s go someplace to eat.” She nearly ran out the door. “Hurry before I get hangry.”
She chastised herself for being so weak as she walked out of the room. All she wanted to do was turn around and kiss him again. There were lots of reasons to like Red. He was hot and talented and rich and a good kisser. He obviously was a great lover, or women wouldn’t be breaking into his house to get into his bed, but bigger problems came with getting involved with Red. It was against her rules. He had once been engaged to Cameron. Her brother hated him. Those were the main obstacles, but there were others. He was a player, and she wasn’t sure if he was interested in her or just wanted the thrill of reeling her in.
Twenty minutes later, he strode confidently toward her, his cologne enveloping her senses. It was a subtle yet alluring blend of cedarwood and pine, with just a hint of citrus.
Viv couldn’t help but admire the way he looked, with his hair damp and tousled. Wearing faded blue jeans and a red flannel shirt, he had a rugged charm and effortless style that made her heart flutter. His shoulders were broad, and his chest was toned, with just the right amount of muscle definition.
He flashed her a smile as he sat on the couch across from her.
“So, you’re hungry?” His voice was deep and alluring. It spoke to her on so many levels.
“Mmm hmmm.” She stared at him, not thinking about actual food, but the kiss she turned down. “Starving,” she said in a barely audible whisper.
“You have two options. You can have me or the diner.”
Had she heard him right? “You?”
He laughed. “I can cook the pants off you, or we can go to the diner.” There was a glint in his eye, and she was sure he had meant exactly what he initially said. If she opted for him, he would have tossed her over his shoulder like a caveman and taken her back to his bed.
“You cook?”
He stood. “I have lots of skills you don’t know about.”
“I’m afraid to ask.” She rose and walked to the door. “I’ll keep my pants on, thank you. Let’s go to the diner.” She knew if she stayed any longer, her forty percent hold on sanity would waver, and the weaker part of her would want to preview all his skills.
“You’re afraid you might like it.”
She marched out of the house and to her Yukon. She already knew she’d like it, but just because something was good didn’t mean it was good for you. “Get in. I’m driving.”
He locked up the house and went to his truck. “I’m driving.”
She would have liked to battle him, but they were probably safer in his truck. While she could reach the gas and brake pedal if she sat at the edge of the seat, it didn’t make for a comfortable ride. Besides, as a passenger, she could stare at him and find all his flaws, and by the time they got to the diner, she would be over this infatuation she had for him.
CHAPTERTEN
He felt her eyes on him as he drove away, her stare as precise and intense as a welding torch.
“Are you going to sit there and stare at me the whole time?”
She laughed. “It’s like a two-minute drive. What’s wrong? Can’t handle the hot seat?”
