Free Melt by Natalie Anderson Page B

storerooms.
    “You’re still working?” He’d been up through the night and all day? He had to be shattered.
    He stretched and then dropped his arms and stared at her, his blue eyes looking more intense than ever. “Just finished.”
    With a sudden movement, he pulled off his paint-splattered tee, revealing that muscled torso, the lightly tanned skin, and dusting of hair.
    Speechless, Emma just stared. He was even more impressive half naked than she remembered him from that day they’d been kitted out. More impressive than any flesh-and-blood man ought to be.
    “Not a lot more I can do until this glue is dry,” he said.
    She nodded.
    “You got any ideas of what I should do?” He took a step closer.
    She shook her head.
    “We could act out one of those scenes in those books you’re so fond of reading.”
    That brought her voice back. “I knew you’d read it,” she accused, heat rushing to her cheeks.
    He didn’t look remotely abashed. “It was irresistible.”
    “Lots of things are irresistible for you, aren’t they?”
    “The thrilling things, absolutely.” He took yet another step closer. “And I think one of those scenes with you could be very thrilling.”
    Emma smiled. “Well we could, but it might be a bit too much of a challenge.”
    Hunter looked affronted. “I’m up for any kind of challenge.”
    “Yeah?” Emma took the last step forward to meet him, letting her hips sway in an exaggerated motion. “How good are you at shifting into panther form after you’ve done the deed?”
    He blinked.
    “I’m really looking forward to seeing how you’re going to manage that,” she teased.
    “Neither of us will be shifting anything,” he drawled back. “We’ll be too exhausted.”
    “Oh, really?”
    He nodded slowly. “You won’t even be able to lift a paintbrush.”
    “Better not do it, then.” She lifted her shoulders. “Given the reason I’m here is to wield that paintbrush.”
    “You’re such a chicken,” he taunted.
    “Don’t start with the once-in-a-lifetime thing. The whole ‘it’ll be just for fun’ argument. I’m not going to sleep with you.” But she might manage a little something.
    He didn’t miss a beat. “I didn’t say anything about sleeping .” He held up his hands, immediately surrendering, laughing at the instant-death look she gave him. “Yeah, that was lame.”
    “It was.” But how could she resist—he looked so damn delicious when he laughed like that.
    His amusement softened as he watched her as closely as she was him—as relentless…seeking out the signals, sending them. “Okay, so we’re not having sex.” His words whispered over her skin. “But what about another kiss?”
    She couldn’t break the spell, couldn’t resist the temptation in his eyes.
    “No harm in just a kiss, is there?” he murmured.
    There’d been harm from that first already—there’d been sleepless nights and a merciless ache. “You’re such a guy,” she said, falling on her weakest argument. “Can’t think about anything else.”
    “Yes, I am a guy and right now… Nope, can’t think of another thing. I’d prefer it if I could, but that’s why I’m trying to deal with it.”
    “This is dealing with it?”
    “No, this is preliminary negotiations.”
    “I’m not negotiating.”
    “I think I can get you to the table.”
    Emma swallowed. “No to the table.” Despite the swallow, it still came out hoarse.
    He chuckled. “You’re such a liar.”
    “Am not.”
    “You’re kidding yourself that you don’t feel this.”
    “Of course I feel it. That doesn’t mean I’m going to act on it.”
    “Not all the way, but why not another kiss? It might be really bad this time—we might bump noses or knock teeth. We might not feel anything.”
    As if. She was feeling it already and this time the guy was half naked .
    “If I kiss you, will you shut up and go away?” The fire was burning through her veins now. She wasn’t completely crazy—she had one