Oh, dear God. He’d made business professional look good but he was making casual look positively sinful. Her mouth went dry and for a moment, she forgot how to speak.
Then everything got worse and better at the same time because he notched an eyebrow at her at the same time the corner of his mouth curved up into a smile, revealing a dimple she didn’t remember being there before. Had she ever really seen him smile like that? He was so impossibly gorgeous that her mouth disconnected from her brain, and she blurted out, “I wasn’t listening,” like an idiot because obviously she had been.
That got his other eyebrow in on the action. But instead of calling her on her juvenile defense, his gaze swept over her. Her skin flushed as he took in her shirt, her leggings, her own bare feet. When he lifted his eyes, Renee could tell that, even from across the room, they were darker, more intense.
Was it hot in here or was it just her?
“I see the nap did wonders for you,” he said, his voice low and serious and nothing like how he had sounded on the phone with Clint.
It was broiling in here. She was starting to sweat. “I hope you don’t mind that I changed into something more comfortable. Since I have no plans on going back out into public today. Or tomorrow,” she finished lamely.
“Or even the day after that?” he teased, pushing off the desk and coming to stand in front of her.
Renee knew not to show fear. Showing guilt was even worse. She had trained herself to keep her head up and her eyes open, no matter what cutting comments or terrifying punishments her mother had decreed.
But this was Oliver. Serious, grumpy, stick-in-the-mud Oliver. And he was smiling down at her, warmth and humor in his face and maybe just a little concern as he said, “My house is yours for as long as you need it. I want you to be comfortable here. I want you to be yourself,” as he settled his hands on her shoulders.
Wonderful. Her eyes were watering and she was sweating. Maybe she should’ve stayed in bed a little longer. “Do you know—” and she was horrified to hear her voice waver “—that no one has ever wanted me to just be myself?”
His smile faded. But then his thumbs began to rub little circles on her shoulders and she didn’t know if she was getting closer to him or if he was getting closer to her. Maybe they were both moving, drawn together by strange circumstances and an even stranger attraction.
Whatever it was, she found herself in his arms, her breasts pressed against his chest, her chin tucked in the crook of his neck—and her bare toes brushing his. The contact felt shockingly intimate, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.
It wasn’t right, how much she sank into his touch. It certainly wasn’t proper, the way she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on as if her life depended on it.
“I’m sorry I eavesdropped,” she muttered against the collar of his shirt. “And I’m sorry I lied about it. I’m...still getting used to honesty.” It didn’t sound any less lame, but at least it was the truth.
“It’s all right,” he said softly, and one hand began to rub her lower back in small, delicious circles of relief that made her sigh.
“How did you know I was listening?” She’d thought she’d been quiet. But not quite enough, apparently.
“I heard you get up. I’m sorry you heard me call your brother a vile idiot.”
“Even if he deserved it?”
Oliver chuckled, a rich sound that rumbled out of his chest. “Especially if he deserved it.” He leaned back and Renee looked up at him. This close, she could see the flecks of gold in his brown eyes like hidden treasure. Something in her chest tightened as he stroked the finger over her cheek and down her chin. “Renee...”
She held her breath. God, she needed...something. She needed to hear the truth.
But then again, what was the truth here? She was naive and gullible at best? Complicit? An idiot, vile or otherwise?
She’d work on facing the truth soon. Tomorrow. Right now, she desperately changed the subject. “Thank you for being here when I woke up.”
“I gave you my word. I keep my promises.”
She shouldn’t, but she couldn’t help herself. She buried her face against his shoulder and automatically, his arms tightened around her. “That’s...that’s good to know,” she mumbled against the collar of his shirt. “Not everyone does that.”
“I’m not everyone.”
Thank God. But she didn’t say it out loud. Instead, she said, “Now what?”
“Hmm.” She could hear the steady thrum of his heartbeat. That was what made him safe.
But what made him dangerous was the way his body began to rock almost imperceptibly, pulling her along into a rhythm. What made her weak was the way his hand splayed out against the small of her back, pushing her into his solid chest.
Her nipples went painfully hard and given how very little separated him from her, she was sure he could feel those hard points against his chest. Her cheeks flushed and she shivered at unbidden images of her in Oliver’s arms, but with far less clothing and far more moving.
Oliver was everything and nothing she needed right now. She absolutely was not thinking about sex, especially not with him. She still hadn’t determined if he was involved with anyone else, for crying out loud! She wasn’t interested and she wasn’t looking to get lucky. End of story.
Good lord, it was hot in here.
And he still hadn’t answered her question. That hmm didn’t count, especially not when she was breathing in the scent of his cologne—something light and spicy and warm that smelled perfect on him.
Then, so slowly she
