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A multitude of reasonable excuses tripped through her mind, but she’d always been a terrible fibber. If he could be up-front, maybe she should be, too.
“Tonya is...really pretty.” Lame. Tonya was well beyond merely pretty.
“So?”
“So...” Her face went hot, but she lifted her chin. “I do want a doggy door. As you can see, I need one.”
“Agreed.”
“But I was also hoping...that is...” How did one spell out carnal intent? She met his gaze and went for broke. “I like you.”
The corner of his mouth tilted in a crooked smile. “I’m listening.”
He was, very intently, and it rattled her composure big-time. She cleared her throat. “You know I’m still kind of new to the area. Between school and work, I haven’t had a chance to get to know that many people.” She didn’t really know him either, but not only did she enjoy talking to him at the restaurant, she also found him oh-so physically appealing.
And the other waitresses didn’t talk only about Jesse. They’d had plenty to say about Brick, as well. He had quite a reputation, and it was so scintillating, so exciting, she couldn’t resist the idea of a daring sensual adventure.
That is, if Brick cooperated.
“I was hoping...that is...” For crying out loud, she sounded idiotic. “I don’t want to scare you off or anything. I’m not trying to rope you in. But I think you’re...sexy.”
His smile warmed.
“And you’re nice. And there’s just something about you...” Something raw and appealing and exhilarating. Merrily put her shoulders back. “I’d like to sleep with you.”
Surprise chased off his smile. His eyes widened a little, then narrowed.
Just in case she hadn’t been clear enough, she stated, “For sex.”
There. She’d said it. Not the smoothest come-on, for sure, but under her extenuating circumstances, it would have to do.
She waited on pins and needles to see how the oh-so-awesome Brick Carlisle would react.
* * *
WOMEN RARELY THREW him for a loop, but Brick had to admit that Merrily did it when she wasn’t even trying.
A hungry look, a nervous smile, and he missed a beat. She was just so open, so unguarded in her desire.
It made sense that when she did try—with a straight-shot, spell-it-out confession, no less—he was guaranteed to falter.
No way had he expected her to make it so easy for him. No way had he expected a supposed virgin to state her case so bluntly.
Out of necessity, he lifted the dog away from his lap and set her on the couch between them. He shifted and stretched out one leg, but it didn’t help.
“Well?” Probably as much for comfort as out of habit, Merrily scooped up the dog and hugged her close.
He was saved from trying to reply coherently by a knock on her door.
Looking a little stricken, she closed her eyes and blew out a breath.
“You expecting someone?” Brick asked.
“No.” She opened her eyes to show churning uncertainty. “The only one who visits me is Tonya.”
No guys visiting, then. Good to know.
She’d claimed to like the landlord, so why so glum now? “That’s a problem...because?”
Again she lifted her chin. “I want you.”
“Yeah. Heard that the first time.” If she kept saying it, how the hell did she expect him to show any finesse at all? “I’m on board, honey, trust me. So why don’t we talk to the landlord to clear up the door situation, then we can discuss...” He gestured between them. “You having me.”
She blinked at him.
Yeah, way to be romantic, Brick. Way to seduce her.
Way to encourage her. He snorted at himself, then forced a smile. “Are you going to ignore the knocking?”
“No, I suppose not.” She put Dolly onto the couch and stalked off to answer.
Curious, Brick stood, did a quick adjustment with his jeans, then followed her. So did Dolly and Dundee. Luckily the cats slept on in the kitchen.
Merrily opened the door and— Holy hell, her landlord was a knockout. She stood damn near as tall as Brick, with long, pale blond hair and longer legs well displayed in a short suit skirt and fashionable high heels. Heavy lashes framed light blue eyes.
The vision said, “Hi, Merrily! I was wondering how...” Her voice trailed off when she spotted Brick. The smile changed, going from real warmth to mere formality. She extended her hand. “Hello. I’m Merrily’s neighbor and landlord, Tonya Bloom.”
“Pleasure.” Brick took her hand in a brief greeting. “Brick Carlisle.”
In a silent, almost funereal invitation, Merrily held the door wide.
Suit jacket open to reveal a feminine blouse and perfect curves, Tonya stepped inside. Dundee and Dolly ran up to her, but they didn’t jump. In fact, they had impeccable manners, stopping before her, waiting patiently for the expected pats she gave.
“Hello, babies, how are you?” She made kissing noises at them, scratched their chins, and they stared back at her in blind canine adoration. “Where are the kitties?”
“Kitchen,” Merrily said. “Sleeping.”
Brick wondered at her short replies, but Tonya forged into the kitchen, asking, “Is the doggy door in yet?”
“I wanted to talk to you about that.” He took Merrily’s hand and tugged her along with him as he followed in the wake of Tonya’s subtle and seductive perfume. He explained about the value of the door and made his suggestions for trading it out with something less vintage.
Tonya listened as she greeted each cat in turn. Bending from the waist—offering a tantalizing view of a heart-shaped ass—she rubbed Tom’s ears, tickled under Eloise’s chin and stroked along Stan’s back. The combined purrs set the kitchen humming.
The woman had killer looks and a luscious body to go with the face; what she did for a suit would make most men stammer. Brick imagined she had a hard time fending off the attention.
He caught Merrily’s tortured expression. He didn’t entirely understand it, but he squeezed her hand in quick encouragement. “We can put in a door that still goes with everything but won’t be as valuable.”
“That’s so nice of you.” She eyed the door with new insight. “Of course you’re right. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it. And yes, as much as I love it, someday I’ll sell this property.”
Because holding her hand didn’t suffice, Brick pulled Merrily into his side and put his arm over her shoulders. She stood frozen beside him, stiff and unyielding.
Yet minutes ago, she’d claimed to want him.
Tonya’s knowing smile touched on them both. “Well, I don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re not,” Merrily said.
Brick spoke over her, saying, “Thank you.” The sooner he got the landlord on her way, the sooner he could decide how to proceed with Merrily. “I’ll get with my friend, Jesse, and pick out a door that matches close enough. If it works for Merrily, we’ll get it installed tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Merrily asked, and damned if she didn’t look surprised. “Really?”
“Yeah, why?” No matter what happened today, they were far from finished with one another. “You busy?”
She shook her head.
“Good.” He recalled her exact words—that she didn’t plan to rope him in. What exactly did that mean? Did she want sex only once?
Like hell! Once wouldn’t cut it. A dozen times might not suffice. He intended to get his fill—but he’d make it good for her, too.
“I’m free, you’re free. Might as well get it taken care of, right?”
She nodded fast. “Okay.”
He hugged her a little closer before turning back to Tonya. “Where did you want to store this one?”
“My basement would be best. Do you suppose you or your friend could bring it over?”
“Not a problem. You’ll be around tomorrow?”
“After two o’clock, I will be.”
He tried to head her toward the living room. “That works. Guess I’ll see you then.”
Tonya said her goodbyes to the cats and then to each of the dogs. They hung on her every word, adoring her. It made Brick smile. “You’re good with the animals.” There was something very appealing about a gorgeous woman who was also kind.
And that gave him an idea.
Tonya paused at the front door. “And I take it you’re good with your hands?”
Clever, too. He grinned. “Very.”
“His family has a hardware store,” Merrily rushed to explain. “Brick runs it.”
He had no idea why she sounded so proud about that. “And I’m very handy.”
“Wonderful.” Tonya stepped into the hall. “I don’t want to take advantage, but do you suppose you could also check the fence to make sure it’s secure? I don’t want the doggies to get loose.”
“I could do that,” Merrily said.
At the same time, Brick replied, “Be glad to.” Damn it, was she already trying to get rid of him?
Tonya laughed. She looked at Merrily and laughed again. “Thank you both. Brick, if I need to do any repairs to the fence, just let me know.” Still smiling, she turned to go next door to her half of the house. “Have fun, you two!”
Tension arced between them as Brick closed the door. He felt Merrily’s gaze on his back, felt her interest. Slowly, bracing himself for the impact of her appeal, he turned toward her.
Damn, but she did it for him. Everything about her seemed specifically designed to push his buttons; the way her wide green eyes watched him, how she shifted her feet, even how she breathed a little fast and low as if she expected him to rush her off to bed right this very second.
He’d disappoint her on that score. They’d get to the bed but not until he cleared up a few other things first.
Until then, he needed to taste her.
Reaching for her, Brick muttered low, “Come here, Merrily.”
CHAPTER THREE
AS HE PULLED her in close to his chest, Merrily wondered what would happen. Did he plan to take her to bed right now?
She wanted to, she really did, but she’d assumed he’d be working on the door and that they’d have more time to talk first, to get more familiar with each other, to get more...comfortable.
If he meant to do this now, she really needed to give the dogs a quick trip outside first. And she should probably freshen up. Maybe turn down the bed.
It was still light out and while she wasn’t exactly shy, she didn’t know that she wanted to do this in broad daylight—
Brick paused with his mouth very near to hers. “Merrily?”
“Hmm?” Oh, God, the anticipation nearly did her in.
“Tell me what’s wrong.”
Was she that obvious? Should she give him more honesty, or should she brazen it out?
He touched his mouth to hers in a brief, barely-there kiss that had her swaying toward him in a silent plea for more.
“You can tell me anything, okay?” He kissed her jaw, then curled her toes with a soft, damp kiss to her throat. “I want you to know that.”
Surely that wasn’t true. He couldn’t want to hear of her reservations, or the past that had stalled her sexual curiosity, or the broken engagement that had left her humiliated and defeated—
“Tell me,” he insisted while still tasting her skin.
Knowing she had to say something, Merrily drew a breath. “I’m not quite ready yet.”
Leaning back to see her, he asked gently, “For a kiss?”
Was he mocking her? Oh, he’d said that seriously enough, but something close to amusement showed in his dark eyes, and a secret little smile played with the corners of his sexy mouth.
“A kiss is okay,” she assured him. “Great even. It’s just that I—”
“Thank God.” He put his mouth to hers again, this time more firmly, lingering, moving.
