He sucked in a shallow breath and his entire body went into heated overdrive. He’d been aroused all day, watching her breasts rise and fall beneath the tank top she’d changed into after she’d started perspiring. His attempt to keep his mind on work had been downhill for him after that.
A glance at his watch told him it was almost five o’clock. Even a slave driver wouldn’t object to him taking a break. He quietly climbed down the ladder and approached her from behind, slipping his hand down the inside of her jeans.
She squealed and jumped up, turning so he immediately caught and pulled her into his arms.
“You’re so bad,” she said, teasing him, her eyes dancing with delight.
“I couldn’t resist another second. Do you know how many times I nearly fell off that damn ladder watching you?”
Lauren wrapped her arms around his neck. “Next time just tell me before you sneak up on me. My body is on constant rodent alert,” she chided, but her eyes were already dilating with need.
He slid his hand back into her jeans, letting his first finger dip between the fine crack and settle there.
A soft moan escaped her lips. “We still have work to do.” The words didn’t come out like much of a complaint.
“We’ve made remarkable progress this past week.” They also made an incredible team, tackling one room at a time.
They’d completed the work faster than he’d anticipated. Probably because he’d known she was waiting for him at the end of each day, soft, willing and ready for him. He wondered if she realized how in sync they were with each other.
“You do have a point.” She thrust her fingers through the back of his hair, making him glad he’d been too lazy to go for a haircut.
“I suppose you could convince me to take a break,” she said, arching her back so her pelvis rocked directly into his erection.
“Babe, the things you do to me defy description.” He nuzzled his lips into the side of her neck, breathing in the scent of her skin and taking in the slight tremors of arousal that shook her as his tongue slid down her neck.
“You don’t need words. You’re showing me just fine. It’s just that-”
“What?”
“I’m all sweaty,” she said, glancing down self-consciously.
“Doesn’t bother me.” He slid the straps of her tank top off one shoulder and planted slow kisses over her skin.
Just then, her stomach growled, reminding him they hadn’t eaten since an early lunch hours before. And though he could live on another kind of food, she obviously needed the real thing.
“I guess I’m hungry.” Her cheeks flushed pink.
“Then what do you say we go out for dinner?” he asked. The plan he’d been hoping to put in place this weekend suddenly made sense for tonight.
“The pizza place in town?” she asked hopefully. “Because nothing against The Diner’s food, but I can’t eat from there one more night.”
“Amen.” His arms encircled her waist. “I was thinking more along the lines of somewhere nice. Away from here. Boston maybe?”
The idea had come to him earlier while he’d watched her take out her clothes to dress. He’d realized he’d only seen her wearing old jeans, tanks and T-shirts to clean the house, while inside the closet he could see at least a couple of dresses, shoes with heels and other female accessories.
The urge to see her dressed up for him took hold along with the desire to take her somewhere she wouldn’t easily forget.
“Really?” Her eyes lit up at the idea. “Like I can shower, change and we can go to a real restaurant?” The excitement in her voice, the flush in her cheeks told him he’d been on target.
“Exactly like that. A real date,” he said, wanting his meaning clear. “I ask, you say yes, I pay.”
“Pay.” She pursed her lips and grew silent as she weighed her options.
His paying was the obvious sticking point. She was independent but not stupid, which was why she’d allowed him to do as much free work on the house as her pride would allow, but she’d drawn the line at accepting a loan.
On dinner, he wasn’t budging. His ego wouldn’t allow it. “Well?”
She blew out a long-suffering breath. “As long as when I’m rich and famous, I can repay all this kindness.”
He nodded. “You got yourself a deal,” he said, placated by the fact that she’d confirmed his hunch about why she was hesitant.
It wasn’t just dinner. It was dinner added to everything else. That much he understood.
They still stood close, their bodies aligned, his dick pulsing against his jeans. If they didn’t break this up soon, they’d never make it to dinner.
“How did you know I needed the break?” she asked, head tilted, ponytail brushing her shoulders.
He kissed her lips. “Because I needed one just as badly. What made you say yes?” he asked, curious.
She treated him to a sheepish grin. “I want a decent meal and to get out of this house too badly. Not to mention I’d love a chance to wear my good clothing.”
“Then go shower and change.” He gave her a quick hug and stepped back. “I’ll go home, shower and pick you up around seven.”
She visibly bit the inside of her cheek. “The mice?”
“Play loud music in the bathroom. They’ll leave you alone. I don’t have a decent change of clothes here.” He’d only brought some jeans and grungy shirts. “Besides, if I stay, I’ll shower with you, and if I do that we’re never leaving.” He brushed her hair off her shoulder. “You’ll be fine. Just concentrate on knocking my socks off and don’t let your mind wander to them.” He deliberately didn’t use the word rat, mouse or rodent.
“I guess I can do that.”
“Good. I’ll call Amber for restaurant suggestions.” As a concierge at one of the swankiest Boston hotels, she could work miracles in the reservation department. Or so he’d heard.
“Dress up for me,” he said, and headed home for a cold shower in order to make it through dinner before being able to come back here and satisfy his ever-growing desire for this woman.
A woman, he reminded himself, who had every intention of leaving him when this house was sold.
GABRIELLE LAY NAKED in bed, waiting for Derek to return home from work so he could join her. Her pregnancy had merely upped her horniness quotient, something Derek appreciated-when he wasn’t worrying about hurting the baby.
The telephone rang and she hoped it wasn’t Derek telling her he had to work late. “Hello?”
“Guess what?” Gabrielle recognized Amber’s excited voice.
“What?”
“Jason called to ask me to recommend a restaurant downtown. A place where he could take Lauren tonight. They’ll be out of the house!”
A sinking feeling settled in Gabrielle’s stomach. “I am not rushing over there tonight. I have plans!” She pulled on the sheet, which had begun to slip over her bare breasts.
Just then, she heard the lock turning. “Derek’s home,” she whispered to Amber.
“Well, find an excuse to run out and cause some benign damage at the house.”
“Why? Jason’s already sleeping there and he’s obviously taking her out for a special evening.” She needed her husband in her bed more than Jason and Lauren needed their meddling.
Amber snorted. “You never know what could happen. Uncle Edward could snap, Lauren could get cold feet. We just need Jason to think something’s going on at the house and he can’t leave Lauren alone.”
Gabrielle frowned. “I-”
“Are you waiting for me?” Derek called out.
“Of course I am!” Gabrielle shut her eyes. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Did you ever buy the Super Glue?” Amber asked.