He slipped his hands into the pockets of his suit trousers, the movement casual, but his wandering gaze on her was anything but.
“I wanna take you out to say thank you for helping my dad?”
Damn, this guy was smooth with a capital S. Any girl in her right—or not-so-right—mind would jump at the offer, but she couldn’t.
There weren’t enough hours in the day for distractions.
Her strict routine left no room for anything else. And there was the small matter of rule number one. No men.
Especially not fascinating guys who threw around money like candy, with an irresistible smile that made her forget she should be working.
She stepped back, putting distance between them.
“Look, I’m too busy,” she said, steadying the tray as a paper cup tumbled from the edge and hit the floor. “I have enough on my plate right now.”
His brows furrowed, and in a single smooth motion, he stooped and picked up the empty cup.
“I’m not trying to compete with whatever’s on your plate, love,” he said, voice dipping with intent. “But you still need to eat, don’t you? Think of it as a brief escape.”
He smirked. “I could help you relax after a long shift. Maybe follow up with a hot bath, wash your hair, massage your shoulders. I’d kiss you from your toes all the way up to your?—”
“Wow, that’s fast? Could I at least digest my food first?” She arched an eyebrow. “Would I get a complimentary glass of wine, too?”
Jamie’s chuckle was low and lazy. “You have a smart mouth, love. Don’t you?”
Her pulse skipped and a laugh bubbled in her throat, breathier than she meant. “Smart mouth…and talented hands.”
The second it left her mouth, heat flushed her cheeks. God.Where the hell had that come from?
Jamie’s grin deepened. “Now I’m wondering what those hands want to do. You gonna show me later, or just keep teasing?”
His gaze dragged over her mouth. “By the way, you’d get wine and a massage as thanks for being so damn sweet.”
He held her gaze long enough to make her breath catch.
“But anything else…” His voice dipped, all rough velvet. “You’d have to ask nicely.”
She tilted her head, ignoring the heat blazing in her core. “Hmm. And let me guess, all of that builds up to a surprise ending?”
He grinned, leaning in closer. “Well, I wouldn’t saysurprise…but I’m definitely full of unexpected treats. You never know what you might get with me.”
She raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. “I’ll stick to my predictable routine, thanks. I’m not in the market for unexpected treats with strangers.”
Jamie’s mouth curved, slow and sure. He took a step closer, gaze fixed on hers like he was already halfway through undressing her with his eyes.
“Good thing I’m not a stranger,” he said. “You saved my old man, which makes us friends. And that entitles me to feed you. Might as well enjoy a few hours with a man who can make you forget the world for a while.”
For a moment, the idea lingered in her mind. The thought was tempting, too tempting.
She almost let herself imagine his hands all over her skin.
“I’m sure you’re very talented,” she said, pushing the image away. “But I’ve got a full schedule.”
He laughed, clearly enjoying the challenge. “You’re trying very hard to fight this attraction.”
Shannon let out a puff of air, arms folded. “Ya think? I’m just not the type to swoon over smooth talkers offering lunch and full-service charm packages.”
Jamie reached out and brushed a strand of hairbehind her ear, fingers grazing her cheek. “Swooning?... I call it chemistry.”
