Free Tangled Up in You by Rachel Gibson Page B

lips. Thats one of the things I like about you. He took a drink, then added, I didnt sit next to you in second grade. Your sister isnt friends with my sister and your mama wasnt best friends with my mama.
    No, but shed been pretty good friends with your daddy . Tanya wasnt raised around here.
    True, but shes too uptight. She cant just relax and have a good time. He lowered his glass and looked out into the living room. This is one of the older houses on the lake.
    The realtor said it was built in the forties.
    He leaned forward a little and looked down the hall toward the bathroom and bedrooms. It looks different from the last time I was here.
    I was told that the kitchen and the bathrooms were remodeled last year. Maddie took a drink. When were you here last?
    Oh, I dont know. He straightened and looked down into her face. I was probably about fifteen. So about twenty years ago.
    Did you have a friend who lived here?
    You could say that. Although I dont know if Id call Brandy Green a friend . A smile tugged at one corner of his mouth as he added, Her parents were at the Pendleton Rodeo in Oregon.
    And you had your own private rodeo?
    The little smile turned into a wicked grin. You could say that.
    She frowned. Which room was Brandys? Hed probably carved his initials into the ceiling beam.
    Cant say. He rattled the ice in his glass, then raised the glass to his lips. Spent most of our time in her parents room. Their bed was bigger.
    Oh, my God! Youve had sex in my bedroom. She put her hand on her chest. I havent even had sex in that bedroom. The second she blurted that out, she wished the floor would open up and she would fall through. She didnt embarrass herself often, but she hated when it happened. Especially when he tipped his head back and laughed. Its not funny.
    Yes, it is. After a few more moments of hilarity on his part, he said, Honey, we could take care of that right now.
    If his offer had felt the least bit threatening or smarmy, she would have kicked him out of her house. Instead it was simple and straightforward and made her smile even when she didnt want to. No, thanks.
    You sure? He took another drink, then set his glass on the counter.
    Im sure.
    Im a lot better at it than the last time I was here. The smile he gave her was filled with an irresistible mix of charm, confidence, and pure sin. Ive had lots of practice since then.
    She hadnt had any practice lately. A fact brought home to her by the tightening in her breasts and the warm tug in her stomach. Mick was the last man on earth for whom she should fall off the sexual wagon. Her head knew that, but her body didnt seem to care.
    He reached for her hand and brushed his thumb across the backs of her knuckles. Do you know what I like best about you?
    My Crown?
    He shook his head.
    That I dont want a white wedding, picket fence, and a baby maker?
    Besides that. He pulled her toward him. You smell good.
    She set her glass on the counter and thought back to the lotion shed put on earlier.
    He lifted her hand and smelled the inside of her wrist. Like cherries, maybe.
    Almonds.
    Yesterday it was chocolate. Today its almonds. It makes me wonder what youll smell like tomorrow. He put her hand on his shoulder.
    Peaches. Probably.
    He pushed one side of her hair back and low ered his face to the side of her neck. I like peaches about as much as I like chocolate and almonds. You make me hungry.
    She knew the feeling. Maybe you should hurry over to your sisters for some pea casserole. She felt his soft laughter against her skin a moment before he placed hot openmouthed kisses on the side of her throat. A shiver ran down her spine and her head fell to one side. Shed have to stop him, but not now. In a minute.
    Maybe I should just eat you.
    Her eyes closed and she knew she was in trouble. This couldnt be happening. Mick Hennessy could not be in her house, telling her he wanted to eat her and making her have bad thoughts about where he should start. Making her want to run