“Railroads. As in, more than one.” He smiled like the shark he was.
“But I was thinking, we might be able to make a deal. I do own all the green and yellow properties you keep landing on, after all.” She deliberately toyed with her neckline and saw him latch on and not blink.
“A deal?” Did his voice sound deeper?
“Yep. How about a kiss from your tenant? Just a friendly peck on the cheek to defer my rent.”
He stared at her lips. A small grin found his mouth before he gave her a scandalized look. “I don’t know. Only if it’s a friendly, nonsexual kiss. Because I don’t want to come across as creepy, and I’d never take advantage of one of my tenants.”
“You’re such a good guy, Reggie,” she said, breathless.
His stare grew more intense.
She leaned closer and planted a kiss on his rough cheek, feeling the start of stubble and wishing she could feel that between her legs.
He groaned. “Th—that’s enough, Ms. Swanson. No need to linger.”
She smiled and sat back, then rolled the dice again.
This time Reggie landed on her property. “I know Iseemto have a lot of money.” They both looked at the many fake bills collected in front of him. “But it’s all actually sunk into investments. I’m cash poor.”
She arched a brow. “Oh?”
“Yes. I think that maybe I could do you a service in return for your looking the other way on my rent.”
“A service?” Her heart raced. “What kind?”
“Well, you appear to be injured. I’m not a doctor, but perhaps I could make you feel better.”
“H-how?” She coughed, her mouth dry.
Wicked, Reggie smiled. “I’ll show you.”
He moved to settle in behind her, sandwiching her between the table and his big body, backed by the couch. She sat with her legs splayed, and he framed her legs with his own, his groin wedged against her lower back.
“There, that’s better.”
“What are you up to, rent-avoider?”
He chuckled and pushed her hair back, his fingers causing sparks of need to flare where they grazed her cheek and neck. Then he whispered, “I’m going to relax you.”
“Bang-up job, so far,” she muttered, feeling like a tensed coil about to spring.
She felt the vibration of his laughter through their connection. “Now lean forward a minute.”
She did and let him ease the sling off her neck. He took it, so careful with her arm. “That’s it, now relax and rest against me. You’ll feel great in just a few minutes.”
“Said the spider to the fly.”
His lips curled against her ear. “Just a light massage.” Reggie easily wrapped his arms around her and took her good hand in his.
He started rubbing her palm, rotating her fingers, and kneading the pad of her thumb.
“Oh wow. That feels amazing.”
“Mm-hmm.” He continued to ease the muscles of her left hand, then her forearm.
The touch felt fantastic, but she couldn’t see him. She could, however, feel him. And she didn’t think she’d imagined that pole in his pants rubbing against her backside.
