“Tell me you found a land survey with an X on it, signed by Herman.”
She laughed. “If it were that easy, you’d have found it without my help.” She told him her theories on the landmarks and how they might have changed through the years. As well as where the original boundary had probably been.
He drummed his fingers on the table, repeating the pattern when Silas turned toward the sound. She melted a little at the effortless way he engaged with her baby. A string of “if onlys” raced through her mind and she yanked herself back to reality. Jarvis wasn’t her Mr. Right just because he was within reach and kissed her senseless. He wasn’t going to fall in love with her because they’d traded secrets and family drama.
Determined to be as good a friend to him as he’d been to her, she told him about the registered sale between Herman and T. Ainsley.
“How can both be true?” he wondered. “If Herman sold the land, why pass on the story about it being stolen?”
“Bad blood between the brothers? Signatures were hardly verified back then the way they are now.”
“A forgery?” A frown creased his brow. “Yeah, I guess that’s possible.”
He went quiet, lost in his thoughts while she cleaned up the remnants of their dinner and bagged the trash.
“I’ll keep looking.”
She startled at the sound of his voice and they both chuckled. “I thought you’d say that. I’m glad.” She wanted to ask if he’d keep kissing her, too, but her typical bravery failed her.
“It’s always been a bit of wild-goose chase, but if I stop now I’ll have to find something else to keep my shoulders in shape.”
His shoulders looked perfect to her.
“Will you be okay out here tonight?”
“Of course.”
He studied her face, and then shocked her by reaching out and nudging her chin up. “No circles under your eyes.” She might believe it was a clinical assessment if not for the heat in his gaze. “And it looks like you got some sun today.”
She should move out of his reach, but her body refused to cooperate. “We went for a walk, not far, but fresh air helps him nap.”
“I could stay.” He released her chin. “You might need a break overnight.”
If he stayed, she’d want to spend every spare minute awake, in his arms, learning what pleased him and savoring every pleasure his sexy mouth and strong hands could create. “It sounds almost like you enjoy being with my son.”
“He’s cute.” Jarvis hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “I enjoy you more,” he said, his voice loaded with charm. “You’re beautiful, Mia.” He touched his lips to hers in a soft, fleeting kiss that left her feeling cheated.
She caught his shirt and drew him close. “Want to give that one more try?”
“I want to do more than try,” he confessed, his rasping tone scraping away any pretense. He covered her mouth with his, his tongue sliding with hers in a hot caress that shot tingles straight to her toes, hitting all points in bet
ween.
It had been years since she’d felt an all-consuming desire like this. She and Roderick had fallen into a nice and predictable pattern. Enjoyable enough. Or so she’d thought.
She let herself loose, willing to cede control to Jarvis while her knees trembled and her heart raced. This was something altogether new and exciting. She dropped her head back as his lips traced her jaw, kissing, nipping and soothing a path down her throat.
“Mia,” he whispered her name against the pulse throbbing at the base of her neck and she shivered. “You feel... I want... This is crazy.”
“The best kind,” she agreed. “Don’t stop.” Her breasts ached as desire arced through her like an electrical current. She pressed closer to the hard wall of his chest and moaned at the contact, relishing the sweet friction.
His hands molded to her hips, eased higher over her rib cage. One of his hot palms cupped her breast, stroking and teasing her through her T-shirt and bra. It was enough to bring her right to the edge.
“Please, Jarvis.” She kissed him again and worked his shirt free of his jeans. Her reward was the incomparable feel of warm skin and crisp hair over slabs of mouthwatering muscle.
He trapped her hand, his breathing ragged as he retreated. “We can’t.”
She opened her eyes to find him watching her too closely. She arched an eyebrow in query.