“The sales pitch she just gave me.”
“Huh?”
“She told me Harper is just nuts about me. She’s probably trying to get me off your trail.”
“No way. I want you on my trail.” Zach’s body tensed. “Harper can just stay the hell away from you.”
“I don’t think he’s interested in me. We hardly know each other.”
“Oh, he’s interested. Who wouldn’t be?”
Dusty broadened her smile. “Well, I’m not interested. In him, that is. He’s a nice man and all, but…”
“But what?”
“Nothing.” Suddenly she felt shy. “If you’re not interested in starting things up with Angelina again, why is she here?”
“Because she’s a damn stubborn fool.”
“Can’t you kick her out?”
“I’ve tried. But my ma’s here, and she and Angie’s ma are best friends. So I’m in a bit of a bind.”
Dusty couldn’t help the little smile that edged its way along her lips. “Be that as it may, I can’t let you pay my bills, Zach.”
“It’s already done, darlin’.”
“You’ll just have to undo it.”
“Why can’t you let me do this for you? I only want to help.”
“I know.” Dusty threaded her fingers through his thick locks. “But this whole thing is my fault. I should be paying your bills.”
“I’m insured.” He grinned at her. “Don’t stop,” he said, when she took her hands from his hair. “It feels good.”
“I don’t want to owe you anything.”
“You don’t.”
“I feel like…because of what we did, that you think you need to… I don’t know… Do stuff for me.”
“That’s the silliest thing I ever heard.”
“Good. Because I want you to know, I slept with you because I wanted to, not to get your money.”
“You don’t have to say any of this.”
“I just don’t want you to think—”
“I don’t.” He touched her cheek and ran his thumb over the tip of her nose. He curled his hand around the nape of her neck and pulled her toward him. “Come here.”
“Zach, I don’t know.”
“Just a kiss. One kiss.”
He brushed his mouth gently over hers. “You have the sweetest lips,” he whispered. “Full and cherry red and delicious.”
He nibbled across her upper lip and then her lower. She shuddered, the sensation filling every cell in her body. When his tongue probed for entrance, she granted it, moaning softly and responding. Her hand crept across his chest, and she laced her fingers through the dark curls and car