Ellie’s color deepened. “What did he tell you?” It came out as kind of a squeak.
“Suffice it to say he seemed more than pleased with your skills as a lover. Coming from him, that’s quite a compliment.”
“Clay, I—“
“What I still don’t understand is your sudden attraction to Flex. I had the strangest idea you felt something for me.”
“You!” She nervously moistened her lips.
“Do that again, and I’ll come over there and help you.”
She flushed. “The truth is, that night was...was...”
“An accident?”
“Yes, I mean, no. I mean it wasn’t anything like that.”
“Look, Ellie...” Clay moved closer. “I’ve been thinking things over. We’re both mature adults. We live our own lives as we see fit. I don’t care what happened between you and Flex.” Ellie took a step backwards. Clay followed. “I only know I want you—and I think you want me.”
Another step put her shoulders against the wall. She could feel the roughness of the boards pressing into her back. “What have I done to give you that impression?”
Clay’s hand brushed her cheek. He stood so close she could smell his cologne.
“What have you done?” he drawled. “Maybe it’s that tiny pulse that flutters at the base of your throat, like it is right now. Or maybe it’s the sexy way you lick your lips.”
He smiled in triumph as her tongue touched the corner of her mouth. Lifting her chin with his finger, he bent his head and kissed her. Ellie felt the light pressure, the heady warmth, and closed her eyes. Her hands pressed against his starched white shirt. She could feel his heartbeat, thudding beneath her palm.
I should stop him,she thought. But she couldn’t come up with a single reason why. Her lips parted and Clay’s tongue tangled with hers. He probed and tasted and deepened the kiss, sending tiny shivers up her spine. His arms went around her, pulling her close. When she laced her fingers in the soft hair curling above his collar, he pulled her full length against him and she heard him groan.
“God, I want you.”
Another heady kiss had her swaying against him, trembling all over. His fingers worked the buttons at the front of her shirt then his hand skimmed over skin and slipped inside her bra. He palmed her breast, lifting and shaping it. His thumb brushing her nipple, and her knees went weak. She tightened her hold on his neck just to stay on her feet.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.” Gerry Winslow stood in the doorway, a pitchfork in his hand. He looked furious. It was obvious he didn’t intend to leave.
Frowning, Clay pulled his hand from inside her shirt, stepped back a little, but kept an arm around her waist. Flushed with embarrassment, Ellie drew her shirtfront closed.
“I think you had better go, Whitfield,” Gerry said.
“I believe Ms. Fletcher should make that decision.”
“Clay, please.” She threw him a pleading glance. “It’s getting late and I... Why don’t I see you back at the hotel?”
Clay looked furious. “Send him away, or don’t bother.”
“Gerry’s my friend. He just wants what’s best for me.”
“Tell yourfriend,you’re leaving with me.”
Ellie looked from Clay to Gerry and back again. “Give me a chance to talk to him.”
Clay set his jaw. He stalked past Ellie, past Gerry, and out of the tack room.
“Clay, wait!” Ellie started after him, but he didn’t look back. Gerry’s hand on her shoulder turned her around.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I can make my own decisions, Gerry. I don’t need any help from you.”
