“Are you?” He closed the distance between them, lowering his mouth until it was close to hers. “Or have you been good for so long that you’re itching to be bad and see what all the fuss is about?”
She swallowed—hard.
His eyes gazed knowingly into hers. “Am I wrong?”
“Yes,” she said. The words sounded unconvincing even to her.
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Now who’s lying?”
His arrogant question made Chloe stiffen her shoulders. “What are you going to do about it, punish me?”
The grin he gave her was one no man should possess, given the power it exerted over her. “Don’t tempt me.”
She didn’t.
Chapter 5
Sawyer’s house was a total surprise. Because he was such an alpha type of man, Chloe thought he’d have a simple home, with sports memorabilia on the walls and a big-screen TV as the focal point in the room. But his home was very nicely designed and decorated, a warm living space.
Located in the west end of Las Vegas, his two-story redbrick house didn’t display any extravagance. She did notice, however, how clean and uncluttered everything was. From top to bottom, she couldn’t find a speck of dust anywhere.
After using the bathroom, she found Sawyer in the living room. “I thought you might like this,” he said with a smile, offering her a glass of wine.
She accepted the drink. “Thanks. I sure do.”
As she took an appreciative sip, she scanned the room’s open layout. The back of the house had a chef’s kitchen, with black marble countertops surrounded by cherrywood cabinets. The dining room was furnished in dark wood, and black leather couches flanked by glass end tables decorated the living room.
“You’re killing me here,” said Sawyer, voice dry. “Please tell me what you’re thinking.”
Chloe swallowed the wine and turned to him. He rested a hip against the couch, arms crossed over his thick chest and brow furrowed. “I cannot get over how nice your house is.”
His eyes creased at the corners. “You thought I’d live like a pig?”
“No, of course not.” She waved him off. “I’m just impressed.”
He reached down and grabbed his beer off the end table. “Don’t be too impressed. I have a cleaning service that comes biweekly. And Ash decorated the place.” He moved to the couch, taking his cell phone from his pocket and placing it on the coffee table. “When I bought the house a while back, I gave her my credit card and a spending limit and told her to have fun.”
Chloe noted the teal afghan draped across the recliner by the bay window, which should’ve been a dead giveaway of a woman’s touch. Most men didn’t care about throw blankets. Keeping her wineglass tight in her hand, she went and sat on the love seat opposite him. “Is that what Ash does for a living?”
He swallowed the beer in his mouth and nodded. “She’s been an interior designer for a couple of years.” At Chloe’s obvious bafflement, he chuckled. “Why does that shock you?”
“Her house was”—she half shrugged—“not designed.”
“She hasn’t lived there long.” He rested his ankles on the ottoman, crossing one over the other. “But you also didn’t see her bedroom. That’s the one room she has decorated.” He smiled, love for his sister evident in his eyes.
Chloe noticed the metal artwork on the walls, with splashes of teal to brighten up the masculine space. “I am so going to hire her when she’s feeling better.” Her house could use someone who knew how to put colors together.
“I’m sure she’d love to. You two will hit it off.”
Chloe sipped her wine. “Why do you say that?”
“Because she’s a lot like you.”
“In what way?”
“You’re both damn good at your jobs, committed in a way most people aren’t.” His stare held hers, intense and honest. “She’s sweet, funny, kind, and caring—just like you.”
Chloe took a sip of her wine as she considered his words. Sawyer knew how to dish out thoughtful compliments. “Are you trying to flatter me?”