Free The CEO's Accidental Bride by Barbara Dunlop Page B

company.”
    She struggled not to react to his nearness. “Like I could possibly bankrupt Harper Transportation. You give me too much credit.”
    The boat lunged into a trough, and he swayed closer. “You want to see the balance sheets?”
    â€œI want to see a new Manhattan skyline.”
    â€œIt’s talk like that that scares me, Kaitlin.”
    Her scare him?
    He was the one unsettling her.
    His intense expression brought her heart rate up. His lips were full, chin determined, eyes intense, and his hard, rangy body was far too close for her comfort. Sweat prickled at her hairline,formed between her breasts, gathered behind her knees, and was then cooled by the evening breeze.
    His arms were only inches away. He could capture her at any moment, kiss her, ravage her.
    She swallowed against her out-of-control arousal.
    Any second now, she’d be throwing herself in his arms. Maybe talking about the renovation was the lesser of all evils.
    â€œI was planning more light.” Her voice came out sexy, husky, and she couldn’t seem to do a thing about it. “More glass. A higher lobby. Bigger offices.”
    Had he moved closer?
    â€œBigger offices mean fewer offices,” he pointed out.
    She didn’t disagree.
    â€œDo you know the cost of space in midtown Manhattan?” His rebuke sounded like a caress.
    â€œDo you know the soft value of impressing your future clients?” she returned, her brain struggling hard to grasp every coherent thought.
    Had she moved closer? Her nose picked up his scent, and it was sensually compelling. She swore she could feel the heat of his body through his dress shirt.
    â€œDo you think the makers of tractor parts and kitchen appliances care what my lobby looks like?” His breath puffed against her lips.
    â€œYes.”
    They stared at each other in silence, inhaling and exhaling for long seconds. The rumble of the yacht’s motor filled the space around them.
    Something dangerous flared in Zach’s intense gray eyes. It was darkly sensual and completely compelling.
    Her body answered with a rush of heat and a flare of longing that sent a throbbing message to every corner of her being.
    She struggled through the muddle of emotions clouding her brain. “The people who make tractor parts also have tickets to Lincoln Center. They do care about your lobby.”
    â€œIt’s a building, not a piece of art.” The yacht lurched, and his hand brushed against hers. She nearly groaned out loud.
    â€œIt can be both,” she rasped.
    Things could do double duty.
    Look at Zach. He was both an adversary and a—
    What? What was she saying?
    He could be her lover?
    â€œKaitlin?” His voice was strangled, while his gaze flared with certain desire. His full lips parted, his head tipping toward hers.
    The boat rolled on a fresh set of waves, and she gripped the rail, transfixed by the sight of his body closing in on hers.
    She flashed back to Vegas.
    He’d kissed her there.
    How could she have ever doubted it?
    Elvis had pronounced them husband and wife, and Zach had thrown his arms around her, kissing her thoroughly and endlessly. It was only the cheers from the crowd that had finally penetrated their haze and forced them to pull apart. It was a miracle they hadn’t slept together that night.
    Why hadn’t they slept together that night?
    She remembered getting into the elevator with a couple of her female coworkers, then stumbling into her room and dropping, fully dressed, onto the plush, king-size bed.
    No Zach.
    But he was here now.
    And they were alone.
    And she remembered. She wished she didn’t. But she remembered his lips on hers, his arms around her, the strength of his embrace, the taste of his mouth, the sensual explosions that burst along her skin.
    She wanted it again, wanted it so very, very much.
    She gave in to her desire and leaned ever so slightly forward. His mouth instantly rushed to hers. His