Page 16

His mouth moves from mine to my jaw, then lower, trailing hot kisses down my neck. I tilt my head to give him better access, a small sound of pleasure escaping me when he reaches the sensitive spot just below my ear.

"Been wanting to do this since I first saw you," he murmurs against my skin. "Even when I was sure you were lying to me."

"I was lying to you," I remind him, gasping as his teeth graze my collarbone.

“Yes, you were. The next time you lie to me, you’ll find out exactly how I feel about my woman lying to my face. But, you weren’t lying about everything. Not about this." His hand slides up my ribs, thumb brushing the underside of my breast through the damp fabric of my dress. "This is real."

He's right. Whatever's happening between us, it has nothing to do with my job or his suspicions. It's pure chemistry, undeniable and powerful.

His other hand finds the hem of my dress, fingers skimming along my bare thigh. "Tell me to stop," he says, voice strained.

"Don't stop," I breathe, beyond caring about propriety or professionalism or anything but the feel of his hands on my body.

He groans, capturing my mouth again as his hand moves higher, tracing patterns on my inner thigh that make me tremble. I'm lost in sensation, in the taste and feel of him, in the?—

A sharp knock on the cellar door jerks us apart.

"Hello?" calls a voice from the other side. "Anyone in there?"

Reality crashes back with jarring speed. Matt steps away from me, running a hand through his hair as I hastily straighten my dress.

"Yes," he calls back, his voice impressively steady. "Two of us. We're fine."

"Water's receding," the voice informs us. "We'll have you out in a few minutes."

"Thanks," Matt replies, then turns back to me.

We stare at each other for a long moment, the magnitude of what just happened and what almost happened settling between us.

"Jackie—" he begins.

"Don't," I interrupt, sliding off the table and smoothing my hair. "That was... We were caught up in the moment. Adrenaline. Close quarters. It happens."

His eyes narrow. "Is that what you think that was? A stress response?"

No. It was chemistry and attraction and something deeper that I'm not ready to examine. But acknowledging that would make this real, would complicate an already complicated situation.

"It doesn't matter what it was," I say instead. "I'm here to do a job. That's all."

He steps closer, purpose in every line of his body. "Liar. I just warned you about lying to me, little girl."

The words have my insides clenching. What does he mean? What is he going to do? Before I can respond, the door opens, revealing the venue manager and two staff members.

"Everyone okay?" the manager asks, glancing between us with obvious curiosity.

"Fine," I say quickly. "Just waiting out the flood."

Matt says nothing, his eyes still fixed on me with an intensity that makes my skin heat despite the chill of my damp clothes.

"Guests are all upstairs," the manager informs us. "We're telling them it's a special storm-watching event. Most of them think it's exciting."

"Great," I say, forcing enthusiasm I don't feel. "I should get back to Catherine."

As I move toward the door, Matt's hand wraps around my wrist, stopping me. "This isn't over," he says, quietly enough that only I can hear.

I meet his gaze, seeing the promise there. "I know."

Then I pull away and hurry back to the party, my lips still tingling from his kiss and my body humming with unfulfilled desire.