She didn’t hear him come up behind her, and when she turned around he was right there. He crowded her against the counter, his expression intent.
“You’re wrong,” he said softly. “If anything, last night just confirms what I’ve suspected all along.”
Looking into his eyes, Rachel was left breathless at what she saw reflected there. “What’s that?”
“You and I are perfect together.”
“Jamie—”
She tried to protest, but hitching his crutches more firmly beneath his arms, he cupped her face and kissed her, long and slow, until Rachel sighed softly into his mouth and leaned in to him. When he finally lifted his head, his blue eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
“Don’t try to tell me that was a mistake,” he murmured.
Rachel tried to clear the fog of desire that was quickly enveloping her. “Jamie,” she persisted, and put her hands against his chest as if that might keep him away. “This isn’t going to work. Yes, the chemistry is great, but I’m not the right woman for you.”
Jamie gave her a tolerant look. “Please don’t say it’s the age difference.”
“I wasn’t, actually, but it’s something you have to consider,” she countered. “I’m thirty-three. Let’s face it, the window on settling down and starting a family is closing.”
Jamie looked at her then, and one eyebrow went up. When he spoke, his tone was dry. “I don’t recall asking you to marry me.”
For just an instant, Rachel was too surprised to reply. Then she gave him a small shove, forcing him to step back. She slid out from between him and the counter and moved to the opposite side of the kitchen, putting the island between them.
“You’re still my client.”
“Technically, my parents are your clients,” Jamie said. “I’m not paying you anything, so don’t even try to use that angle. We’re both adults. We can do whatever we want.”
“So you’re proposing a relationship based on sex?” she asked. She wanted to sound outraged, indignant, but knew her voice sounded more curious than anything else.
“We can start with that, if it makes you feel better.”
“How is that supposed to make me feel better?”
Jamie grinned, unabashed. “Well, you said yourself the chemistry between us is great. I figure we can at least enjoy each other’s company, and you don’t have to feel any pressure that there’s more to it than mutual pleasure.” He shrugged. “If either one of us decides it isn’t working, then we can go our separate ways as friends. No hard feelings.”
Rachel narrowed her eyes at him, trying to decide if he was being sincere. His logic was incredibly tempting. She did enjoy his company, and the sex was off-the-charts incredible. Did she want a repeat of last night?
More than anything.
But Glacier Creek was a small town, and if word got out that they were hooking up, people would talk. Rachel didn’t know if she could handle that. She’d been legally divorced for less than a week. She loved being with Jamie, but she wasn’t naïve enough to think their relationship would last.
“What about you?” she finally asked.
“What about me?” He frowned.
“If we do this, and then I decide I want to move on, will you be able to accept my decision?”
He made a face as if to say that was a no-brainer. “Absolutely. Besides, I’m not going to be in Glacier Creek forever. As soon as I’m fit for duty, I’m heading back to California to rejoin my unit. I’ll probably deploy again, which means I’m not going to be around for long myself.”
Rachel considered him for a long moment. She wasn’t sure she believed him, but suddenly she didn’t care. Jamie made her feel sexy and uninhibited in a way she’d never felt with Deke. Maybe Jamie was just what she needed to restore her confidence.
“I do have one condition,” Jamie said, before she could respond. She watched as he came around the island. Setting one crutch aside, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, until her breasts flattened against his hard chest. “You are not allowed to talk about our age difference, because it’s a non-issue. Agreed?”
She hadn’t even agreed to his initial proposal, but found herself nodding.
“Agreed,” she breathed.
“Good.”
Dipping his head, he fused his mouth to hers. The kiss was designed to tempt and arouse, and it worked. Within minutes, much to her chagrin, Rachel was arching against him, pushing her fingers through his hair and demanding more. He smiled against her mouth before he dragged his lips along the length of her neck to nuzzle the sensitive spot just beneath her ear.