Emily’s emerald eyes showed no signs of pain or fear, rather they shimmered with humor, making them look like precious gems.
She shifted her legs to the side and patted the edge of her lounge chair. “Sit here.”
What is she up to?Jake looked toward the stables where Debbie had disappeared. He didn’t have much time to hide.
“Sit!” Emily commanded.
Jake’s eyes narrowed. There was nothing wrong with Emily. She was preventing him from hiding on purpose. Was this some psychological exercise? Would she tell him he needed to face Debbie and tell her how he felt, or rather didn’t feel, about her? He’d been there, done that, and it hadn’t worked.
Emily obviously didn’t know Debbie well enough to know she didn’t take no for an answer, but the thought of sitting close to Emily for a moment was a little too tempting. He perched on the edge of her chair, hoping he wouldn’t tip them both over.
“Good. Now put your hand over here.” She grabbed his wrist and placed his hand on the armrest on the other side of her body. The movement turned his back to the stables and brought him closer to Emily. “Okay, lean toward me, like we’re having a serious conversation.”
His gaze focused on the faint freckles sprinkled across her nose, and once again he acknowledged how beautiful she was. The smell of strawberries drifted over him, and he inhaled deeply as his eyes drifted to her glossy, red lips that glistened like iced strawberries.
He sucked in a sharp breath through his suddenly dry mouth and chuckled. “What are you doing?”
“I’m your widow repellent.”
Jake jerked away, but she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him toward her. His breath caught in his throat.
“The last woman who acted as widow repellent for me ended up with a broken toe.”
She rolled her eyes and held up her cast. “Don’t worry, I’ll stay off of the fence.”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “You don’t have to do this.”
Jake’s heart rate tripled as he looked into her eyes, mere inches from his. The discoloration around her right eye had disappeared, and the bruising around her left had lightened up. He hardly noticed it anymore, instead, his gaze lingered on her thick lashes and the golden flecks in her emerald eyes.
“I want to. It might help deter Debbie if you kiss me.”
“I’m not going to kiss you.”
Idiot.Why did he say that? His eyes dropped to her lips again and his mouth moistened. He wanted to kiss her. Badly. He’d been wondering what it would be like to taste her full red lips, and she was giving him the perfect opportunity, but he was turning her down?
What is wrong with me?
“You don’t want to kiss me?” Color flooded her cheeks, and disappointment clouded her eyes.
Did shewanthim to kiss her?
“No. I mean yes, I want to, but...”
Her eyes lit up again. Her face was so close her breath tickled his cheek.
His fingers itched to bury themselves in her silky strands. He only needed to lean in a bit more to close the gap between his lips and hers.
“But what?”
Jake blinked. “I don’t use women like that.” He’d never make that mistake again.
“I never thought you did but thank you for the clarification.” Emily’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Debbie’s coming this way.” She grabbed the front of his shirt again when he turned to look over his shoulder. “No, don’t look. Just kiss me.” She tugged on his shirt, closing the gap between their lips.
Her lips, warm and every bit as soft as he imagined they would be, sent an electric shock through him. Stunned, he pulled back and searched her eyes. He’d never had a woman insist he kiss her quite like that.
Did she only do this for Debbie’s benefit?
He recognized a desire in her eyes that surely matched his own and regretted pulling away. He slipped a hand behind her shoulder and pulled her to him, careful not to hurt her neck or ribs. His lips met hers again, this time with more pressure.
