LITMIR.BIZ

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did he affect her so strongly? Maybe she’d been working too hard. Maybe she’d spent too much time picking out ostrich-feather and leather lingerie.

      Yes. Desperate, she latched on to that excuse. That’s it. Her mind, focused on lingerie, had made the natural leap to sex. Then Jack had appeared and bam, instant attraction. One man could not so effortlessly create near-panting, cat-rescuing and lust-inducing preoccupation in a woman who’d sworn off men—especially dangerous men.

      “You sure got a diverse inventory, chère,” Jack said as he stood between them, his gaze taking in seemingly every detail of the leather pants she held.

      Skyler didn’t need that kind of scrutiny. Classy as her shop was, it couldn’t survive without the lingerie revenue. Jack couldn’t be trusted with her secret. He worked with her brothers, he was a virtual stranger, he was a man.

      Before she could say anything, though, Fiona said, “Oh, no, Mr. Tesson. Skyler special-ordered these for me. We don’t carry this kind of thing.”

      Grinning, Skyler shoved the pants at Fiona. “Why don’t you try them on?”

      Fiona danced off, but not before giving Jack one last dreamy look over her shoulder. “Nice to meet you,” she said, her facing flushing a becoming shade of pink.

      “You, too,” Jack said, then smiled.

      That same smile had sent Skyler into a dead faint yesterday. The fact that her assistant wandered back to the dressing rooms under her own power only magnified her humiliation. Her heart condition had caused occasional problems in the past, but none this embarrassing. Of course, he couldn’t possibly know he’d caused her to faint. No doubt Ben had explained something along the lines of overexcitability, stress, etcetera, etcetera. No one—and she meant no one—had to know the real reason for the fainting.

      She stared up at Jack, noting she was within touching distance of his awesome body. His size fairly dwarfed her. How tall was the man anyway?

      He reached out, twisting a lock of her long blond hair around his finger. “Your brothers told me they had a baby sister. I never woulda pegged you as her, though.”

      Skyler snatched her hair from his grasp and stepped back. Those reckless brown eyes had her stomach turning somersaults. “I’m fair, like my grandmother.” And if L’Oréal helped with a few well-placed highlights once a month, he certainly didn’t have to know.

      “What about that drink?”

      Her eyes widened. “You just don’t get it, do you?”

      “Get what?”

      “Nobody dates me.”

      He frowned. “You already got a beau?”

      Beau. God, that accent was cute. Maybe they could go out once. No one would have to know. The image of Boyfriend #2’s possible fate flashed through her mind. An urban legend, or glug, glug, glug…? “No,” she said quickly, “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

      “You don’t like guys?”

      “No. Yes.” She sighed. “Of course I like guys.”

      “You don’t like me?”

      She let her gaze rove his body—briefly. Her head spun. She took shallow breaths as her heart raced. Easy, girl. “I like you fine. I’m just—”

      “Scared? Overwhelmed?” Smiling, he stepped closer, his voice deepening. “Aroused?”

      All of the above. She felt herself leaning forward, drawn to the heat in his eyes, the confidence in his tone. She didn’t need this complication in her life. She didn’t want to want him. Still, desire stole through her body.

      “Aren’t you worried about my brothers?”

      “No.”

      With those impulsive Kimball genes vibrating, and on the verge of buckling, she smiled. But the bell over the door saved her from some mortifying fate like fainting or throwing herself into his big, strong arms.

      Turning, she saw a young man rushing toward her with a giant bouquet of long-stemmed, red roses. He dropped to one knee beside her, holding out the flowers. “Ms. Kimball, I’ve come to declare my undying love.”

      The legend of the Kimball boys is alive and well. Skyler closed her eyes. “Not again.”

      “Again?” Jack asked from behind her.

      “It’s a long story,” she muttered.

      “Skyler, oh sweet Skyler,” the boy began. “Your eyes are so blue, your lips are so red. Please don’t tell your brothers I’m here, ’cause I’d soon be dead.”

      Knowing the drill, Skyler accepted the roses, then leaned forward to kiss the guy on his forehead. The imprint of her watermelon-shaded lipstick remained as proof of his mission.

      As he rose to his feet, he blushed, the freckles across his nose vivid next to his pale skin. “Thanks.”

      “What fraternity?” she asked.

      “Alpha Kappa Omega.”

      “Good luck.”

      “Thank you, ma’am.” He whirled, then raced from the shop.

      Skyler glanced at the bouquet. At least two dozen. Poor guy. He was probably out fifty bucks. She strode to the counter, retrieving a vase from underneath. After filling it with water from the bathroom, she arranged the roses, then set the vase by the register. Maybe she could give away a stem with each purchase.

      Jack leaned against the counter. “You wanna tell me what that was all about?”

      She glanced up at him. When she answered his question, despite his assurance he wasn’t afraid of her brothers, he’d undoubtedly rescind his drink offer. He’d probably think she and her family were totally nuts. And maybe they were. Losing their father so young had made them all overprotective.

      For the first time in…well, for the first time, she found regret slipping past her defenses. She liked him. His boldness, his simmering energy, his…shoulders. Que sera sera. Was that a French or Spanish expression?

      “That was a fraternity initiation.”

      Not surprisingly, his brow furrowed.

      He really is cute….

      But he’s got a great job here. Baxter’s city council had voted a salary increase for firefighters, police officials and other critical personnel in the hopes of attracting big city professionals. He’s a real go-getter, Ben had said. He certainly wouldn’t and shouldn’t risk his job for her. Even if she wanted him in return, which she certainly did not. Skyler plus Dangerous Man equals Trouble.

      “Bravery is part of most fraternity initiation codes. Since asking me out is akin to near suicide, I’ve become a symbol, so to speak.” When he continued to stare at her in confusion, she drew a deep breath and plunged. “The guys come here with a big production of flowers, declare their undying love, then see how long they can duck out of sight before one of my brothers threatens them. It’s all in fun,” she said defensively.

      “Ah.” He leaned his forearms on the counter, bringing his face within inches of hers. “These ‘threats’ by your brothers, is that the reason you won’t go out with me?”

      Well, duh! “Isn’t that enough?”

      His gaze turned hungry. “No.”

      She goggled. She gaped. This guy wasn’t going to be brushed off like the others. And, by damn, if she didn’t oddly find herself admiring him for his determination. “Jack…”

      “I like the way you say my name, chère.”

      Oh, boy. She swallowed. “You’re really nice…”

      He winced. “The kiss of death.”

      “Trust me when I say nice guys are

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