“Of course.” That had been another hit to her pocketbook. She expelled a long breath. “But so what? By the time the police and fire department complete their arson investigation and clear me, the closing will have come and gone. I need to move forward with the renovations regardless of filing the claim.”
“We still have to get the insurance adjuster in as soon as possible.”
Lauren nodded. “I’ll go through my papers and call them today.”
“I had another thought,” he said. “Maybe you could also look through your grandmother’s papers to see if any names from this list jump out at you,” he suggested.
“Good idea. I think the police confiscated a lot of her files before she died but I can see what’s left.” Lauren leaned back into him, relaxing as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Together they sat in silence, each with their own thoughts. He was completely comfortable with her. He’d never before experienced this sense of rightness with another human being. A knot formed in his throat at the thought of becoming so attached to Lauren.
“Okay, enough of me being lazy. There’s work to do.” She jumped off his lap and turned to face him. “I’m going to shower so we can get back to the house. I want to look through my grandmother’s papers like you suggested.” She grabbed the mug from the table and took another sip of her coffee, then put the ceramic cup into the sink and rinsed it.
He stared at the long legs that stretched beneath his shirt and caught a glimpse of her almost bare cheek. He wanted to sneak up behind her, lift the shirt and make love to her right there in the kitchen.
“In the meantime, can you call the police and the fire department and catch up?” she asked, turning back to him.
Damn, he resented work right now. He swallowed hard. “Sure thing.”
She walked over and entwined her arms around his waist, pulling him in for a long kiss. “Did I ever say thank you for helping me with all this? I know it’s a lot more than you signed up for. Good thing for you there’s an end in sight,” she said lightly.
As if he needed the reminder that she was gone after the house sold in a few short weeks. After all, she’d never indicated she wanted anything more than a brief affair. And the Corwin Curse continually reminded him he should know better than to think beyond the moment. He’d never been a big believer in the curse, but he had to admit he’d never had reason to feel threatened by it before. There’d never been a woman with this much potential-and a Perkins to boot.
His stomach churned at the thought of losing her. Son of a bitch, he thought, accepting the truth he’d been trying to push away all morning. What had begun as a fun affair and a revisiting of the past had become much more.
At least for him.
He met her gaze, her expression curious as she waited for a reply.
“Don’t thank me,” he said gruffly. He hadn’t signed up for the work. He’d signed up for her.
But he wasn’t about to ruin their easy relationship by telling her as much. Instead he leaned forward and captured her lips in a kiss that wasn’t soft or easy. He devoured her mouth, tasting, feeling, and giving back to her in return.
With a soft sigh, she molded herself against him, her breasts pushing through the soft cotton of her shirt, her hard nipples grazing his chest. God, he wanted her. Wanted to be inside her, feel her heat contracting around him.
But he also knew her priorities and he’d respect them even if it killed him.
Pulling back, he looked at her, pleased with what he saw. Her eyes were still fogged with desire, her lips damp, her head tilted in a way that told him she remained in that dreamy, desire-filled state.
Although he could have her now, his thoughts returned to the rules she’d set. “Work first,” he reminded her. “You’d better go shower or we’ll never get out of here.”
She closed her eyes and a rumble of disappointment escaped her throat. “You’re right. We’ve got to get back to the house.”
“But I’ll make it up to you tonight,” he promised.
A sexy smile pulled at her lips. “I’ll hold you to that,” she said, before she turned and ran for the shower, leaving him alone.
Aroused.
And while he cleaned the coffeepot, his thoughts returned to the two of them. And why they could never be. The biggest obstacle was Lauren herself. Her career path was set. Paris was waiting, along with a glamorous life he had no part in. She’d made it clear she was leaving this town and its memories as soon as her grandmother’s house was sold.
He didn’t miss the irony. Last time they’d been together he’d been the one who’d had a goal and no time or inclination to change course for anyone else. Now he’d be the one left behind.
He envied Lauren her goals.
He missed waking up every day with something driving him beyond the nine-to-five routine. He missed the adrenaline. Since Lauren’s return to town, he’d managed to convince himself that pursuing her substituted for other goals. But he knew now he’d been deceiving himself. He needed more.
For now he had the deadline of finishing her house and solving the mystery of who’d deliberately set the fire.