Free His Kind of Wonderful (Sugar Bay #2) by Kinsley Gibb Page B

would be.
    Yet it had been the best first kiss she’d ever had. Her readers needed spice and he could provide spice.
    Her readers or her heart?
    The door rattled again.
    “Be right out,” Joe called to their intruder then turned to her. “You okay?”
    She nodded, still flustered but not wanting to show it. “Never better.”
    “Good.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Dani—you know this is just pretend, right?”
    “Of course.” She stepped back, needing distance.
    “Derek’s my best friend. I don’t want to jeopardize that.”
    “I know, Joe. I know. Don’t worry. I’m not going to fall all over you.” God, she hoped not.
    “You’re not?”
    “Please. I’m not stupid. I’m well aware of your reputation and I have no interest in being a part of your harem.”
    “I don’t have a harem.”
    “Whatever. Doesn’t matter. I don’t want to be a part of it.”
    “Okay. So we’re good?”
    “We are.”
    “You sure? Because that kiss was—”
    “Yeah, I know. I was curious what the fuss was all about so I sort of threw myself into it.”
    “Is that what it was?”
    She nodded. “Plus, I needed to test out a theory.”
    “Did I pass?”
    “More or less.”
    He looked as if he wanted to say more but someone pounded on the door. “What the hell?” They heard Lisa mutter through the door.
    “Guess it’s time to get this over with.”
    “Looks like it, but Joe, I need to ask you something.”
    “Okay. We’ll talk after they leave.”
    She nodded and followed him out. She hoped she wouldn’t lose her nerve by then.
    The rest of the photo shoot was painless. Joe was able to produce some come hither looks that pleased the photographer. Lisa and the stylist enjoyed it so much, the photographer had to bark at them a few times when he needed the reflectors repositioned. The setting sun against the Gulf proved to be a spectacular backdrop just as Charlie had suggested and she had no doubt the resulting images would drive up the bidding war.
    A sexy Joe, half naked and posing on the sheets, was enthralling. He smoldered and simmered while on the sidelines, she turned into a puddle of want. It was hard to believe he wasn’t a model by trade. By her estimate, he knew exactly how to turn it on.
    At one point, his gaze fell on her and the expressions within its depth made her tremble. It made her think about their earlier kiss and what could have happened had they not been interrupted. He narrowed his eyes at her as if aware of her thoughts.
    He dropped his gaze to her mouth and licked his lips.
    “Excellent. Love it. A little more,” the photographer urged and Dani started.
    She’d forgotten about the others.
    Joe returned his attention to the camera and she wilted in her chair. Though he hadn’t touched her, his gaze had felt like a touch.
    She moved away but she felt his eyes track her.
    “Don’t go too far, young lady.” The photographer clicked away. “Can’t have the model lose focus.”
    She grimaced and sat back down. Joe caught her gaze once more and did his eye seduction thing. The rat. It may help keep him in the sexy mood but it was killing her.
    She needed to remember it was all for show. He smoldered so the photos would be good thus benefitting the charity. He simmered at Dani to reinforce their charade in front of Lisa. He had no intentions toward Dani and didn’t want her specifically.
    She couldn’t afford to forget that. If she did, she’d be lost.
    By the end of the shoot, she was ready for a cold shower. The crew packed up their equipment while Joe kept her by his side. Dani found it ironic that she played the bodyguard to a strong man who stood a few inches over six feet. Yet he seemed to think it was necessary because he never let her out of his sight.
    The stylist sighed as she left with the last of the boxes. She probably saw Joe’s attention as romantic. “You are one lucky woman.”
    “That I am,” she agreed while Lisa glared at her.
    Dani grinned.
    Mission