Love Loyal and True (Must Love Diamonds 2)

He trailed behind her like a damn dog panting after a bone. “Tomorrow’s the election.”

“Right.” She unlocked the door and held it open for him to leave. “Wednesday night, then.”

Night. She’s already said yes. She’s just making me sweat.

All right, fine, he’d play the game. He could wait two more nights.

Fuck. Two more nights.

“Wednesday night,” he agreed.

Knowledge shimmered in their shared smile, and then she dropped her gaze and practically hugged the edge of the door, his card still clutched in her fingers. “Goodnight, Loyal.”

Holy mother, he loved his name in her voice. He had to shove his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching for her. He wanted to kiss her, just a taste to tide him over, but one touch, and he’d bet a million dollars he wouldn’t be going anywhere.

Instead, he asked, “Do you like snakes?”

Her head jerked up and a confused smile tugged at her mouth. “Does that question have some sort of hidden meaning?”

Loyal laughed. “No. It’s completely innocent and serious. I swear.”

“O-kay.” She eyed him for one more moment before answering, “Yes. I like snakes. Why?”

“No reason in particular. How about rats?”

That one drew a frown. “Now I’m scared.”

“Of rats?”

“Of you, and your questions. Why are you asking me about rats and snakes?”

“Just curious.” He smiled at her perplexed expression and stepped out into the light cast by the overhead streetlamps. “Good night, Roxanna.”

Chapter 17

Roxanna locked the door after Loyal, flipped her sign to Closed, realized it had already been flipped, and flipped it back again. Worried he’d see her acting like a befuddled idiot, she hurried to the register counter to turn off the lights for the front of the store, then turned around to lean against it as she pressed her hands to her hot cheeks.

What the hell had just happened?

And what the hell did I just agree to?

Sex with Loyal is what she’d agreed to. Again.

Oh, he could pretend he was offering his accounting skills all he wanted, but they both knew what services he was really coming back for. So much for one night. Her heart raced, and her body tingled in places he’d pleasured so exceptionally two nights ago.

She’d thought he might kiss her at the door—wanted him to—but thank the Lord he hadn’t. One touch of his lips and she’d have said the hell with waiting until Wednesday. She’d have hauled him in the back to the over-sized lounge chair in her reading room and had her way with him right there.

Her core muscles clenched with longing.

Thank God he hadn’t called her bluff. By respecting her request, he’d saved her without even knowing it. He’d given her time to think things through with a rational mind instead of a wanton heart.

So the real question was, could she do it? After all these years of fantasizing about him while also hating him and now liking him, could she sleep with him for as long as it took for him to get tired of her and still escape with her heart unscathed?

The swift, painful squeeze in her chest confirmed her worst fears.

No, she couldn’t.