Im not married. His mouth quirked. Or something. Im not anything with anyone.
Chest to breast, belly to belly, she stared at him, and he stared at her right back. In that moment, he was the only person in her entire world. Her body felt overwhelmed by that, even as she leaned into him.
Around them, the air crackled, growing more in tense by the second in the hot, summer night, until she could hardly breathe. Mac
Yeah?
She sighed.
Taylor? What is it?
I want You, she thought. I want you.
Obeying the rampant need and invitation in her breathy voice, he bent his head and kissed her. Softly at first, but then she wrapped her arms around his neck, tight, so that the next kiss came hard, a rapacious, devouring kiss that was wildly carnal and full of erotic intent, and couldnt have been more deeply intimate if theyd been entirely alone in the world.
Is that what you were looking for? he asked when he pulled back, his voice even rougher than usual.
Yes. Taylor was breathing hard, and was slightly gratified to see he was, too. For a long moment they just stared at each other, with Taylors brain not fully functioning because hed just destroyed her with yet another devastating thought-she hadnt lost herself in a man like that sincesince.
She hadnt wanted to.
She would have backed away then, and might even have started running, but his hands were still on her, still holding her securely against him. And in fact, hers were still curled around his neck, her body glued to his.
Of its own free will.
His eyes, locked on hers, were scorching, his body against hers rock hard, obviously aroused, obviously hungry for more. And yet he stood there, waiting.
Who would have expected patience from a man like Mac?
She could take him home. They could spend an energetic, adventurous evening exhausting each other. It would be hot and fast and good. Butand she couldnt believe this, butit wouldnt be enough. For the first time since Jeff, casual sex wouldnt be enough, not even with Mac.
Im going home now, she said softly, and touched his granite jaw. Alone.
Yeah. Turning his head, he kissed her palm. I know.
Not sure whether she was relieved or insulted-wasnt he even going to try to talk his way into her bed?-she backed out of his arms.
What did she do now, thank him? The thought made her want to let out a laugh, but it would have been a slightly hysterical one, so she put her fingers to her mouth and swallowed hard. ImIm thinking that kiss might have been a bad idea.
Yeah.
Now she did laugh. You might have at least argued.
Taylorwas that a normal kind of kiss to you?
Since her lips still tingled and her heart still pounded, she shook her head.
No, he agreed. And that kind of connection is nothing to mess with.
Youve been hurt, too, she said quietly, surprised, and mad at herself for not seeing it sooner.
He opened his mouth, then closed it again. Then sighed. I was married. A long time ago.
Do youhave kids?
A spasm of pain crossed his face. No. It didnt work out. It didnt work out so much that I never intend to get serious again.
Never?
Never. Ever. Do you follow me?
I follow you. I even agree with you. Her lips quirked in a mirthless smile. Imagine that.
Then, with her body still humming with desire, she took a step away. Good night, Mac.
Good night, Taylor.
MAC WATCHED HER saunter off, cool as rain, head high, and let out a slow, shaky breath. Holy shit, that had been some kiss.
Kisses.
He took a careful, long wobbly breath to even be able to see straight. Another to relax his entire body, which was quitetense now, thanks to Taylors hot, long, sleek bod that shed plastered to his.
Hed lost himself in her, totally lost himself, when hed promised himself hed never do that again.
Well, he was going to have to be more careful than that next time she flashed those expressive, hurting eyes, wasnt he?
Much more careful.
6
TAYLOR WAS GRATEFUL to have the entire weekend looming in front of her before the work of reframing and rewindowing began in earnest. Two days of no construction. No pounding, no people, no decisions to make, nothing.
And no Mac.
Two days in which to do as she pleased, which would include no thinking, no obsessing and no wasted regrets on what had happened between them on a dark night in the amazing gardens at the town hall.
On what hadnt happened, and why.
Being a logical thinker most of the time-though that logic had deserted her in Macs arms-she had a stack of reasons. He was just toostrong. Strong-minded, strong-willed, strong everything. A good part of that strength came from a superb control.
But Taylor wanted to be the one in control. She liked that, a lot. When she chose to let a man in, she wanted to run the show.
She doubted anyone ran Macs show.
Then there was the fact that hed seen her at her weakest. No one ever saw her weak and lived to tell the tale, so she figured shed lay low for the rest of the time they had to be near each other.
Problem solved.
It was onlyat least two more months. Damn, that was a long time.
Hed loved his wife. Loved her so much he couldnt bear to ever love again. Funny how that gave her heart a hard tug, even though shed sworn the same thing about herself after shed lost Jeff. Still swore that same thing.
That such a big, fierce, independent man could be laid so low by such emotion that she understood so muchwell, she was quite certain that shouldnt make her want him all the more.
The sudden pounding on the front door of the building, which shed locked, made her jump. It was a Saturday, an early Saturday. There was no reason for anyone to be here, so it was with a frown for her solitude that she went out of her apartment, down the stairs to the front door of the building, and looked out the peep hole.
Nicole and Suzanne stood on the other side holding up a tub of ice cream, three spoons and matching ear-to-ear grins.
With more joy than Taylor had felt all week she yanked the door open. You guys read my mind. She reached for the ice cream but Nicole held her off.
Not so fast. She eyed Taylor carefully. Yep, you were right, she said to Suzanne. Somethings wrong.
Now they both stared at Taylor, and she squirmed. Dont be silly, Im fine.
But despite the claim, she was immediately enveloped in a bear hug that brought tears to her eyes.
Again.
Oh, honey. The lush, redheaded Suzanne pulled back, handed Nicole the spoons and held Taylors face in her hands. What is it?
What, did the woman have radar? Taylor patted her hair, her clothes, but everything was in place. Everything was always in place. Her own little armor.
Yeah, you look gorgeous as ever, Nicole said in disgust. Nicole was an emergency room doctor who considered fashion and hairstyling a grievous waste of time. She was beautiful in spite of it. Now she looked Taylor over with that X-ray vision all doctors seemed to possess. And let me tell you, its disgusting how good you can look surrounded by drywall dust and destruction. Now spill it. Whats the matter?
Nothing. Taylor forced a smile. Allergies, thats all.
Bullshit. Nicole led the way up the stairs, back into Taylors apartment, where they all sat on the bed and took a spoon. Lets hear it. Long version please.
Taylor dug into the double fudge chocolate, consuming a bazillion calories in one bite. I told you, Im fine.
You know, you never let Suzanne or I get away with telling you were fine when were not, so dont give it to us. Nicole waved her spoon. Now. Whos the asshole who put that look of misery on your pretty face?
Theres no- She looked into their expectant, worried expressions and let out a slow, shaky breath. For courage she inhaled another hundred calories, maybe two hundred. Mac. His name is Mac. Hes my contractor.
And? Nicole lifted a brow. I definitely hear an and at the end of that sentence.
And What the hell. He kisses like heaven.
Suzanne sucked on her spoon and smiled. Ah.
Ah what? Taylor demanded.
Youre falling for him.
Because I think he kisses like heaven?
Because you have stars in your eyes when you say it, Suzanne said gently. Youre falling hard, sweetie.
Lust or love? Nicole wanted clarified in her usual blunt way.
Lust, Taylor said.
Nicole cocked her head. You said that way too quickly.
Im staying single, Nicole. No question.
Suzanne reached for Taylors hand. Tell us why love is such a bad thing. Who hurt you?
Life, Taylor said simply. She was not going into that now. Maybe not ever. Look, Ive tried love. It hurts, all right?
Not always, Nicole and Suzanne said at the same time.
But Taylor wasnt interested. Wouldnt ever be interested.
ON MONDAY MORNING Mac made sure the framing and window replacement was going smoothly, then sought out Taylor.
He found her sitting on her bed, and was utterly unprepared for how just the sight of her felt like a punch in the gut, and for how much he wanted to haul her up and back into his arms.
Hed figured hed gotten her out of his system Friday night. Way out.
Apparently, hed figured wrong.
She was looking more put together than anyone had any business looking at seven oclock in the morning. Her shiny blond hair fell loose to her shoulders, perfectly combed. She wore pale yellow trousers with a matching sleeveless top that screamed class. The top dipped down in front and back, just enough to give him a peek of creamy skin and curves, and make him need a drink of water for his suddenly parched throat. Her long, long legs were crossed, a sandal dangling off her big toe as she lightly swung her foot while she talked into her cell phone with those perfectly glossed lips.
She saw him immediately, and though she didnt so much as smile at him, the awareness in the room bounced off the walls.
She was talking to someone about the sale of an antique wine rack, her voice even and firm as she discussed money with a single-mindedness he figured he understood a lot better today than he had last week.
The woman could drive a hard bargain, and in spite of himself, he watched in awe as she wheedled what sounded like a mind-boggling price for her piece.
When she hung up the phone, her eyes were sparkling with triumph andrelief.
Which brought him to the reason he stood there. Good morning, he said.
Morning. She was all business-and avoiding his gaze. Youve got a crew here already, I can hear them. Ill just get out of your hair. She slipped her foot back into her sandal.