No success.
At 7:20 p.m., he closed the laptop, grabbed his jacket, and headed out.If she were at the cabin,andif she opened the door, he’d apologize once again and try to make her understand his actions.Would he tell her he was the investor and the engineer?If he did that, she might implode, and he needed her focused and steady, so she could concentrate on the changes necessary for the company.Hewouldtell her once the changes were in place, and hopefully, she’d still want him.
Too bad his intentions couldn’t stand up to the living, breathing woman who’d claimed his heart all those years ago.When Katie opened the door, the look she gave him said he’d never touch her again.“Can I come in?”
A narrowed gaze, followed by a sharp, “Why?”
He stood on the front porch, feeling like a kid after his first fight with his girlfriend.“I want to talk about last night, and–”
“Not necessary.I got it.”Her next words dripped ice.“Don’t know you.Don’t want to hurt you.Not sleeping with you.”
“Can I come in?Can I at least talk to you?”
Big sigh, an eye roll, before she said, “You’ve got two minutes.Say it and be done.”
Touchy.Ticked off.Ian stepped inside.“I tried calling and texting.We could have had a conversation on the phone if you would’ve answered.”
She crossed her arms over her stomach, let out another big sigh.“You’re an intelligent man.When someone doesn’t answer or return a call, that usually means they don’t want to talk to the person.”
“Right.”
The scowl said he was wasting his time.
“But since you’re here, I’ll give you two minutes.”
Ian dragged a hand through his hair, considered everything he wanted to tell her.It was one thing to play it out in your head when the person who’d jumbled your brain and squeezed your heart wasn’t standing three feet away.When it was just you and your head, you could think of the perfect words, delivery, tone, and you could anticipate the other person’s responses.But real life, and the real Katie Layton?That was another thing altogether.“When I saw you again, I told myself I couldn’t give in to this need to be with you.I had to stay in control and avoid anything physical until…”
The foot tapping gave way to an annoyed “Until?”
“Until you knew me better.Until you knew certain things that might change your mind about being with me.”Okay, that was the truth.Interpretation:If you knew the truth, you might never want to see me again.
“Are you married?”
“What?Of course not!”
“Engaged?”
“No.”He shook his head, pinched the bridge of his nose.“Why would you say that?”
“You said there are truths I don’t know about you, so what could be the worst?You’re already married?You’re going to get married?What’s worse than that?You’re on the run from the law?”Her gaze took in the hair, the tattoos, the beard.“Hmm.Say I believe you’re not a wanted man…you could be married or engaged, or at the very least, involved with someone.”
Ian took a deep breath, tried to control his frustration.“I’m not married or engaged.Nor am I involved with anyone.”
“Okay then.”The hard stare went on so long he thought she could see right inside his brain.A glance at her watch, a tight smile.“Time’s up.Thanks for coming, thanks for the apology, thanks for assuring me you’re not married, engaged, involved, or on the run.”
“That’s it?We can’t sit down and really talk about issues and what we want, and why it’s not a good idea to get involved right now?”
She shook her head.“No, no more talking.I’ll see you tomorrow at the shop, and from here on out, it’s strictly business.”
“Strictly business?That’s how you want it?”Who did she think she was kidding?He’d seen the desire on her face, heard it in her voice, felt it when she pressed herself against him last night.Strictly business?The fact that she’d said those words ticked him off.It might be strictly business now, but no way could she admit that’s all she wanted.
“I truly appreciate your help, but I’ve had a lot of time to think.We’re better off as business associates…and friends.”
She couldn’t even look at him when she said “friends”.He should have taken a deep breath, and then another, and not let her get to him.But when had he ever used logic or control when it came to this woman?He closed the distance between them, touched her cheek, noticed the shift in her breath.Not with distaste, but with desire.Ian framed her face with his hands, held her gaze.“We willneverbe just friends.”He’d only meant to brush his lips against hers—gentle, caring.But one touch, and the kiss exploded into white-hot need.Gone was the vow tonottouch her as she ran her hands along his back, molded her hips to his…how was a guy supposed to resistthat?And when she added those breathy sighs and the tiny moans?
He wanted her and she wanted him, andnothingwas going to get in the way—not even his conscience.But damn if that conscience didn’t try to make him reconsider one last time.Ian broke the kiss, forced himself to ask, “You’re sure?”
Those beautiful eyes sparkled as she reached up to trace his lips.“Right now, this is the only thing I’m sure about…”
