A Sinful Trap (Three Sinful Wishes 2)

“What I believe doesn’t matter. Two accidents in two days is not something I’m willing to dismiss out of hand.”

She worried her lower lip again. “It is weird, isn’t it? I wasn’t expecting that spider to show up again. It doesn’t seem to want me in the attic either.”

“Heights and spiders. Anything else you’re afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid of spiders,” she insisted defensively. “Or I wasn’t until a few months ago.”

“What happened a few months ago?”

She scoffed. “I’m not sharing that story with you. It’s long. And too crazy.”

“Crazier than today? Ghosts and handsome roofers getting fresh on a ladder?

When she hesitated, he wrapped one arm around her waist and slid his other hand into her short hair. It felt cool and impossibly soft in his hands. “Can I kiss you?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, do you?” She leaned into his touch, belying her words. “Because you’re the owner and my boss?”

Cam buried his face in her neck and inhaled her scent. “You say it, but you don’t listen to me, so how can it be true?”

“There’s also the fact that you don’t know anything about me. I could be Amish. A vegetarian. I could be a Furry.”

He choked, raising his head to see the sparkle in her eyes. “A Furry?”

Her smile felt like a tongue on his cock. “Well, there is this one coyote. But he’s part of the long crazy story I’m never telling you about.”

“You know a coyote?” His wolf raised its head on full alert. “This town is more interesting than I thought.”

“You really have no idea.” She plucked at his ribbed polo, her touch no more than a tease. “But I’ll do what you ask. Like I said, you’re the boss. The lady Enchanted is yours.”

Lady. He liked that. “I’ll trade her for the innkeeper.”

Bailey went stiff in his arms and he raised his head seeing her pull away from him but not understanding why. “What is it?”

“Nothing. We should go downstairs.”

His mind raced, going over what they’d said until he realized how she might have taken his words. “That wasn’t the start of a negotiation, Bailey. It was an expression of desire.”

It hurt that she didn’t trust him yet, but why should she? Her senses were human, she was human, and all she had to go on was what she knew. She’d pointed out herself that she’d researched him. The gossip about a different woman every night. The parties that were excuses for debauchery. The Fifty Shades of falsehoods he’d allowed to persist because hiding in plain sight had its benefits.

There was so much he needed to tell her and so little time. “Come over for dinner tonight, Bailey. Get to know me. Us. Davide and the others will be there. I’m not what you think I am.”

“What do I think you are?”

Entitled. Selfish. Controlling. He supposed in some ways he was all of those things. He did what he had to do for his family. For Davide.

“I think you still see me as Boot Boy,” he answered with a rueful smile. “And I haven’t been putting my best steel toe forward. But I’m trying.”

For you.

There was a moment when he thought she’d accept his invitation, but then her frown turned regretful. “I can’t tonight. I promised Ava we’d have our first official dinner together, and she wants to make something special. You’re welcome to stay.”

He had a feeling strategic retreat was the only way forward, no matter how much he wanted to stick to her side or how desperate he was to touch her. He was playing a longer game now, one with confusing rules and a possible extra player.

That didn’t mean he couldn’t give her something to think about.

“I’ll leave you to it tonight. Davide will need some hand holding after his encounters with the beyond, and you need time to reconsider me.”

Cam dragged her back into his arms and brushed his lips lightly over hers. Asking. “One kiss,” he said, praying she’d give him that much. “Please, Bailey.”

Her “Yes” was an exhalation anyone else would have missed, but he heard it and took immediate advantage, ducking his knees and bringing her up on her toes so he could reach her mouth.

The first taste sent a shot of pure adrenaline and lust through his veins. Fuck, she tasted like sunlight and life and Davide. He wanted to claim and consume more than he wanted his next breath, but he let her come to him, his mouth open and his tongue teasing hers. Inviting her in.

The wolf who’d been straining at his leash was patient now, wanting to gentle her. To give her this small submission to make up for what he’d be taking in return when she accepted what a true mating entailed.

Her arms were around his neck, her full breasts rubbing against his chest, making him moan. She was his and all he wanted in the world was this. Just this. Touch Bailey. Kiss Bailey.