Tex Appeal by Alison Kent Kimberly Raye Read Free Book Online Page A

strange glimmer danced in his gaze. “Why not?”
    An awkward silence stretched between them for several long moments and she prayed for the floor to open up and swallow her. But at least it was done. She’d told him the truth and now she could truly move on. “So, um, what are you doing here this late?”
    “Finishing up the demo on the bathroom. We’ve got a deadline. The bath and kitchen will take the longest, which means we have to be ready to start rebuilding first thing in the morning.”
    “I hope that includes my kitchen ceiling,” she hedged, the curiosity that had pulled her out of bed in the middle of the night getting the best of her.
    Okay, that and the need to pick up her Hand Jobs Made Easy DVD. Winona’s “tap” move had looked oddly familiar and she was anxious to see if Buxom Blonde had mentioned something even remotely similar.
    “So what’s the plan?” she pressed. “Are you guys giving me a new roof?” She arched an eyebrow at him. “Or maybe a solar window?”
    He grinned, his lips parting to reveal a row of straight white teeth. “I could tell you, sugar, but then I’d have to kiss you.”
    For a split second, she found herself pulled back to that night at Skull Creek when she and Dayne had had sex for the very first time. He’d smiled just like that and then he’d touched his lips to hers. He’d stroked and coaxed and seduced. Not that she’d needed to be seduced. She’d been ready, desperate to stop playing it safe and walk on the wild side. And Dayne had been wild with a capital W.
    Then.
    She focused her attention on the polo shirt that outlined his broad shoulders. “It’s kill, ” she told him, eager to get them back on the professional track. The past was over and done with. He was a contractor. She was a homeowner. “You could tell me, but then you’d have to kill me.”
    “Says you.” His eyes gleamed as he took a step toward her.
    And just like that, she found herself neck-deep in the water, her heart pounding and her pulse racing as Wild Dayne Branson swam toward her.
    Wait a second.
    She blinked, but the gleam didn’t disappear. She knew then that he was up to something. She could feel it. Even more, she could see it in the purposeful set of his stubbled jaw, the tense way he held his broad shoulders and heavily muscled arms.
    Her pulse gave a wild ka-thump and her nipples tingled.
    She tried to ignore the ripple of anticipation. She knew the first moment of contact would only be a letdown. Been there, done that. No more.
    She took a step back but he matched her movements, his boots slowly gobbling up the bare concrete she tried to keep between them. “What’s wrong, sugar?” he finally asked when she came up hard against the opposite wall. “You seem skittish.”
    “I’m not skittish.” She debated ducking to the side, but realized that would only confirm his thought. “I’m standoffish.”
    He tipped back the brim of his hat before planting his hands on the wall on either side of her shoulders. He leaned in and nailed her with an intense stare. His blue gaze pushed into hers. “Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think.”
    If only.
    “I thought you said we could be friends.” She planted her palms against his chest to push him back a few safe inches. His heart thudded beneath her hand, a fast, furious rhythm that totally belied his cool, calm demeanor. Her own heartbeat kicked up a notch.
    “I lied.”
    She stiffened, despite the enticing heat of his body that reached out and tried to lull her into submission. “I’m not going to bed with you again.”
    His gaze swept their surroundings. “Just for the record, sugar, we’re in the kitchen.” A slow, sensuous grin slid across his handsome face. “And there isn’t a bed in sight.” And then he leaned down and slanted his mouth over hers.
    He tasted just as good as she remembered.
    Sweet.
    Rich.
    Reckless.
    Yeah, right.
    This was Dayne. Responsible, grown-up—safe.
    Denial rushed through her