Page 17

“I’m going to seduce you.”

Kitty’s stomach lurched, and a fizzy heat crept through her body. Had he really just said that? Out loud? She opened her mouth to speak, but Daniel continued to talk, screwing the lid back onto the hip flask.

“I think I’m just what you need. A handsome, single man, ready to help you live a little, just like your sister suggested. I could fulfil your every desire.”

He cocked one of his eyebrows high, and Kitty's cheeks burned like a furnace.

“View it as a holiday romance. One wild fling before you settle back to a life of undervalued over-achievement. What do you think?”

Kitty wasn’t surewhatshe thought. Despite her logical brain screaming for dear life, temptation nibbled at its edges. Daniel Cunningham was hands down the sexiest man she’d ever met. And he was offering to seduce her. Like it was a choice.

But perhaps it was. She never did this sort of thing, never allowed herself to get distracted from her goals by offers of no strings attached sex from men in the dark. Maybe she deserved some fun. Ronnie’s voice rocked into her head, pleas for Kitty to get laid and put everyone out of their misery.

It’d be a physical thing, that’s all. And what was wrong with a bit of insta-lust? Kitty’s chest rose and fell, keeping time with the arguments swimming inside her head.

But Daniel’s suggestion was crazy, and she’d be mad to think it would end well. She couldn’t jump into bed with the first gorgeous stranger she met. That sort of thing only happened in books.

Kitty looked up at Daniel’s shadowed face, meeting his gaze.Her head thumped, and she put her hand up to the lump on her forehead, the pain snapping her back to reality.

It was time to get real. She wasn’t about to get involved with anyone, no matter how no-strings the offer was. She needed to stay focused on getting a new job. Get through the next couple of months and concentrate on keeping a bunch of farm animals alive. Not get into trouble!

Kitty stood up and grabbed her abandoned shoes, turning to face Daniel.

“I’m not here for a holiday romance, Daniel. I’d rather keep my head in the game, not on your pillow. And not in the gutter either.”

Daniel smiled and shook his head. “I don’t give up that easily, Katherine,” he said.

Why was she not surprised?

“Please, call me Kitty. It’s like you’re my teacher or my boss if you call me Katherine.”

“Would you like that?” he murmured. “Unfulfilled fantasies, perhaps?”

Kitty pressed her lips together, fighting the nudge low down in her tummy that his voice and words had caused.

Daniel continued. “I still prefer Katherine. Perhaps your name is fulfilling some secret fantasy forme, but I guess you’ll never know, seeing as you won’t join me on my pillows or in the gutter.”

Daniel winked at her. Did he not have an off switch?

Kitty huffed. “I’m not sure I want to hang out with sewer rats. Bad choice of words. Sorry,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m tired.”

“Oh no, it’s appropriate. I like to get dirty.”

With a lazy smile, he picked up his socks and shoes, took her hand, and led Kitty across the green toward Rose Cottage. The cool tarmac of the road soothed her racing thoughts, and they walked the rest of the way in idle chit-chat.

When they arrived, he paused at the shiny car parked outside on the street.

“Nice wheels,” he said. “Unless Julia’s been shopping, this must be yours. Perhaps being a workaholic has its perks.”

Kitty nudged him in the ribs. Despite turning his offer down, it didn’t mean they couldn’t still be friends. He unlocked the gate and opened it for her, but as she stepped through, he didn’t follow.

“Come in for a drink?” Kitty asked out of politeness. It was what one normally asked at the door, wasn’t it? All she really wanted was her bed, though.

“If you’re trying to get into my trousers, we could just take care of that on the doorstep,” he said, his voice husky and his eyebrows raised skyward.

Kitty’s mouth dropped, and Daniel laughed.

“Relax. I need to get back. Amber hates to lock up alone.”