LITMIR.BIZ

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my bedroom. You know I was divorced but my ex-wife and I stayed close enough that she gave me custody of her child. You’ve seen my car collection, met my driver. Know that I give my employees long vacations when I travel for business. You know more about my personal life than most women I date.”

      Her skin flushed. A pulse started low in her belly. So did an unwanted sense of anticipation. It meant something that he was telling her things, or letting her see things about his life through his home. And right now, they stood so close he could kiss her—or she could kiss him, if she wanted.

      She swallowed. Suddenly grateful for the protection of the baby on her arm, she said, “Why do you want to know about me?”

      “I think you know.”

      “Because I know so much about you?”

      “Because there’s something between us.” He took another step, forcing her to shift Bella to the left or let the poor baby get squished.

      “I don’t like unusual things. I don’t like unexpected or unpredictable things.”

      Her breath lodged in her throat. They absolutely could not get any closer.

      “So you don’t like that you feel something for me?”

      “No. I do not.”

      “Well, thanks.”

      He chuckled again. “You should thank me. You shouldn’t want me to be interested. I don’t date. I have lovers. I hurt women foolish enough to feel anything for me.”

      She took a step back, putting plenty of space between them, believing the air had been cleared and they were moving on. “Thanks for the warning.” She handed the baby to him, but stopped short of giving her over. “You know, we’ve been carrying Bella around all day. It might be a good idea to let her roam a bit.” She stooped and put the baby on the white shag carpet between the two red sofas. “How’s this, sweetie?”

      Patting the thick carpet, Bella gurgled up at her.

      “Are you sure she’ll be okay down there?”

      “I’ve had her on this carpet plenty of times.” She rose. “But you’re going to make sure she’s okay while I’m gone.”

      “I am?”

      “Yes. I’ll be five minutes, tops, while I gather a few things. You just have to make sure she doesn’t go too far or bump her head or anything like that.”

      He glanced around. “Okay.” He caught her gaze again. “But we’re not done talking about this attraction.”

      “I think we are. You’ve warned me off enough that I’m not even worried about it.”

      “Liar.”

      She snorted a laugh. “What? You think you’re so irresistible that—”

      He caught her by the waist and hauled her to him. Before she could take her next breath, his lips were on hers. Soft yet demanding, they moved over her mouth until she found herself opening her lips beneath his. He took advantage. His tongue plunged into her mouth.

      Desire ripped through her as her body became boneless. Her arms snaked around his neck. He tightened his grip on her waist and the kiss went on…

      And on…

      Sending sensations careening through her body, making her long for more.

      Until Bella screeched.

      Claire bounced away like a teenager caught kissing on the front porch by her parents.

      Matt sucked in a breath. “Sorry.”

      With arousal pulsing through her, his apology didn’t make sense. She blinked at him. “Sorry?”

      “The kiss wasn’t supposed to go that far. It was to prove a point.” He rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “I was hoping that…” He winced. “I thought if I kissed you we’d see the attraction was ordinary, and we’d…”

      His words acted like water on a campfire. “You hoped I was a really crappy kisser?”

      He winced. “Something like that.”

      She made a sound of disgust. This guy couldn’t be any more infuriating if he tried. How could she be so attracted to him? “I’m going to get my things.”

      She turned to walk away but he caught her arm.

      “I am sorry. But everything’s getting confused. I’m trying to tell you that I’m not a family man, not the settling-down kind. Being with Bella is making me look like I might be…or maybe I should be. But I’m not.”

      Her face grew tight with an emotion so strong yet so foreign she couldn’t even describe it. She’d never had a man tell her he was attracted to her as he tried to talk himself out of it. She wasn’t sure if she was humiliated or infuriated.

      “I get it.”

      “I don’t think you do. The family reunion I’m going to in Texas is a joke. My family is riddled with secrets and lies….No, I take that back. My family was built on secrets and lies. I became calloused to survive and I have survived. I’ve thrived. You’re not like the sophisticates I date. And if you get involved with me, you will end up hurt.”

      She straightened her shoulders. What did he think she was? A lovesick schoolgirl? Ben had cured her of that. “Got it.” She turned to go, but pivoted around again. “And just for the record, you might be a great kisser, but I’d already realized you’re not a great catch. You’re blunt. You’re rude. You’re absolutely positive you’re always right. Well, this is one time you aren’t. I wouldn’t date you on a lost bet. You’re everything I avoid in a man. I learned that lesson young because my dad was exactly like you. Cool, efficient. Silent most of the time. And if that isn’t enough, I had a boyfriend who used me. So don’t think I’m helping you because of your supposed charm. I’m helping you for Bella’s sake.” She took the two steps that separated them and got in his face. “You…are…perfectly…safe…with…me.”

      With that she walked away and Matt scrubbed his hand across his mouth. Well, that hadn’t gone well. He’d had the best of intentions when he’d warned her off. She was a nice girl and she was attracted to him. And he didn’t want her to get hurt. Yet his good intention of sparing her feelings had actually ended up making her mad.

      He blew his breath out on a sigh and walked over to Bella. Stooping down so he was on her level, he leaned in and whispered, “She’d probably kill me if I told her that she was even sexier when she yelled at me.”

      Bella squawked. He picked her up and rose with her. “What? You don’t like the adults not paying attention to you?”

      She laughed and patted his face and he smiled at her. But his smile quickly faded. Claire was right. He really was getting accustomed to this kid. He hadn’t thought twice about picking her up. Didn’t mind holding her now.

      So maybe this was going to work? Maybe he could be a good dad?

      Claire came out of her bedroom carrying a small duffel bag. Matt hardly noticed it. Seeing her hair down around her shoulders, fat curls that bounced when she walked and her plain top that hugged her curves before it stopped at the waistband of her low-riding jeans caused his mouth to water. Memories of their kiss thundered through him. Had he been a bit hasty in warning her off?

      No. He’d been fair. He needed help with Bella and Claire was obviously providing it. Because she cared about Bella—not him. Not even his money. Good Lord, she hadn’t even hinted about compensation.

      He frowned. It was the first time since he’d gotten rich that somebody had just helped him.

      Grabbing a bright red leather jacket, she said, “Let’s go,” and headed for the door.

      He scurried after her. His gaze automatically fell to her bottom showcased in low-cut jeans,

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