Free One Night of Misbehavior by Shelley Munro Page B

fluttering against him and settling into something resembling acceptance. Her soft breasts flattened against his chest, and she sighed. It was like coming home, and he knew he’d been right to persist, to give her more chances than he’d given any other woman in his life. She was his. She just didn’t know it yet.
    “I thought we came here to work,” she said when they parted to take in oxygen.
    “We did. We will, but I needed to kiss you.” He rubbed her back, his hand sliding up and down. The contact comforted him when it was meant to soothe her. “Of course, if I thought I could seduce you, entice you into my bed, that might be my next move.”
     

Chapter Six
     
    Charlotte fixed her gaze on her hands—the traitorous things. They wanted to crawl over Ash and test the texture of the skin on his muscular chest. This time she’d pay closer attention to his scars and kiss every one of them. Her hands opened and closed to tight knots of fingers. No, it wasn’t professional.
    He must have sensed her inner debate because he smiled. “Let’s get to work.”
    She blinked, thrown by his reasonable behavior. The couple of boyfriends she’d had at high school and the parade of men through her stepsisters’ lives—well, predictable was their middle name. “Why did you choose Zorro for your costume?” Her mouth snapped shut once the casual question popped out. This wasn’t a social engagement. When had they traded bodies? “You’re not some freaky alien, are you?”
    “I’m not following your train of thought,” he said with a chuckle. “But I enjoy the woo-woo stuff. There’s a new sci-fi movie out next week. If we can get someone to stay with Ivy, would you like to go to a matinee with me? We can neck in the back row.” His blue eyes twinkled in a naughty-boy fashion, pulling an unwilling smile from her.
    Somehow it seemed wrong to flirt and have fun when she knew Gran’s days were limited. “Maybe we should get to work. I don’t want to leave Gran for too long.”
    “Of course,” he said. “I’ll grab my laptop, and we’ll transfer the info files.”
    When he disappeared, she glanced around his house. While it was apparent a designer had taken charge of the furnishings, he or she knew Ash well. Warm colors in reds and oranges contrasted with the cream walls and good quality wood and leather furniture. A lacy green fern sat in a brass pot on a side table. The end result was comfortable rather than stiff and formal, and Charlotte could picture him here, sprawled out on the black leather couch watching the big-screen television.
    Music poured through concealed speakers without warning, making her start. She relaxed a little when she recognized Bruno Mars singing about beautiful nights and dancing shoes. The words about marriage, she ignored. Not in her vocabulary. Gran had asked her what she intended to do afterward. Charlotte smiled, the action uncomfortable on her lips as she rehashed Gran’s stern lecture when she’d told Gran she couldn’t talk about her death. She’d promised Gran she’d embrace her freedom, strike out on her own and not let Elizabeth rule her life. Independence with a capital I.
    “All ready?” Ash asked.
    She nodded, indicating the screen of her laptop.
    “Can I look at your programs?”
    In answer, she slid the laptop to him, watching him as his fingers raced across the keys. The particular scar she studied was ugly, a pale splotch of skin that covered half his face from cheekbone to jaw, but she didn’t see it anymore. His personality shone through, lighting his features with laughter and intelligence. Despite the scars, the package was fit, muscular and sexy. Add in the money and his own business and it was no wonder women chased him.
    “I used to love watching Zorro when I was a kid. My father got the movie for me when I had measles. He was my hero.” His eyes glowed with hidden laughter when he met her gaze. “The costume hid most of my scars and made me feel