This is exactly what I was afraid of. Being alone with her, watching her move through my space like she belongs here, her scent mixing with mine. Every primitive instinct I possess is screamingmine,claim,keep, and it's taking every ounce of self-control I have to maintain a neutral expression.
“Let’s eat.” I’m thankful my voice is even, although my heart pounds so hard it hurts.
She plates her food with unselfconscious pleasure, piling on eggs, bacon, hash browns, and two pieces of toast. When she takes her first bite of bacon, she actually moans in appreciation, and I have to stare at my coffee mug to prevent myself from watching her mouth.
I fail, and my cock stirs to life like the stubborn asshole it is.
"This is incredible," she says around a bite of eggs. "You're a really good cook."
"Just eat before it gets cold."
Turns out, Rona Quinn has the uncanny ability to speak like she doesn’t need to breathe. She starts with easy questions while she chews and looks up at me through her long, thick eyelashes. What's the best month to be up here? Does the bay ever freeze solid? Was the bedroom quilt handmade?
I answer in short, even responses, trying not to notice the way her legs swing under the table, her feet dangerously close to mine. Trying not to think about how those legs would feel wrapped around my waist. Wrapped around my shoulders, her thighs open for me.
Her gaze drifts to the mantel, cataloging the photos I'd forgotten were there.
"You were a soccer kid," she says aloud, pointing with her fork. "And I bet that was your mother and your grandmother. Is she the one who made that quilt? Why aren’t there any pictures of your dad?"
The casual way she reads my life, my history, sets my teeth on edge. I have nothing to hide from her. On the contrary, I want her to know everything. I want her to think of this as hers.
And this is the reddest of all red flags.
"You ask too many questions," I say, my tone sharper than I intended.
She immediately backs off, her expression shifting to something just a tad ashamed.
"Sorry. I'm just curious about this place. It's beautiful."
The silence stretches between us as we finish eating, and I hate that I snapped at her. She was just being friendly, showing interest in my home, and I responded like an ass because I can't handle having her here without wanting things I shouldn't want.
When we're done, I collect the plates and move toward the sink, grateful for the simple task. Anything that puts space between us and gives me something to focus on besides her.
"You cooked, I'll wash," she says, jumping up from her chair.
She tries to take the dishes from my hands, but I lift them out of her reach.
"No, you’re my guest. I’ll do the dishes."
It comes out rougher than I mean it to, and her eyebrows shoot up.
"Come on, it's only fair if I help."
I want to get out of her way, but she's already moving, slipping between me and the sink in the narrow kitchen space. Her body presses against mine, and her scent hits me like punch to the guts.
My body responds hard and fast, blood rushing south as every ogre instinct I possess flares to life. There’s no way she doesn’t feel how hard my cock is, how it pushes against themaddeningly soft flesh of her stomach. My vision darkens at the edges, and I’m barely holding on.
Maybe I’m not such a civilized ogre after all. I know I won’t be able to stop myself if she looks down at my bulge. Or if she wiggles even a little.
"I insist," she says lightly, tipping her chin up to meet my gaze.
The position puts her mouth inches from mine. I didn’t even realize that I’m bending down, my large form hovering just above hers. This close, I can see the pale freckles dusting her nose, and I can count the different shades of blue in her eyes. I can feel the heat radiating from her skin where it touches mine. Most of all, I can feel her breath on my face like the sweetest wind.
Her lips lift in that naughty, maddening grin, and she has the gall to push against my hips just a little. Just enough to be a challenge to my sanity.
The warning growls out of me, low and rough.
"You're a brat."
