Gold Fire (16 page)

Her few seconds of indecision seemed to last an hour, then she bit her lip and walked toward him. He didn’t move, letting her come all the way to the back door, wondering if she felt the pull, too. That might explain the wariness in her eyes.

She stopped, close enough to touch. He stuck his hands in his pockets.

“I just wanted to say thanks,” she said.

“For what?”

“For not telling Matt I was at your house. Not telling him I’d already mentioned a new proposal.”

He shrugged. “If you want to let your boyfriend walk all over you, that’s your business.”

“He’s not walking all over me,” she snapped.

She was supposed to add that he wasn’t her boyfriend. He waited, but she didn’t say it. Shit.

“For your information, he intentionally presented the offer as his idea, just in case you turned me down because you didn’t like dealing with a woman. It was a legitimate strategy.”

He couldn’t help it, he laughed. “You believe that?”

Her chin came up in that defiant look he was getting used to seeing. “Of course I do. He had a good reason.”

“If you say so.”

She pressed her lips together and huffed out a sigh as she prepared to educate him. “Did you know Buck Flemming?”

“Never met him.”

“I worked for him. That man could have kept the ACLU in business all by himself. Every woman he employed probably could have had a lawsuit against him for discrimination or harassment.
That’s
the business model Matt had when he went to work for his stepdad.”

He snorted another laugh. “You don’t think he knew Buck was a walking anachronism? You’re trying too hard, Zoe.”

“To do what?”

“To excuse Matt Flemming’s behavior. You need to convince yourself he’s someone he isn’t so you can justify falling for him.”

She stiffened, scowling hard. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He wished he didn’t, but he could see her hands clench at her sides and was certain he’d scored a direct hit. She wanted a relationship with Matt. It pissed him off big-time. Not because he found her attractive—that was beside the point since he didn’t intend to act on it. It was because she wanted Matt for all the wrong reasons.

He smiled, letting his cynicism show. “I’ll bet he fits right into that neat little career plan of yours.”

She looked outraged. “You think I’d date my boss just so I could get a promotion?”

“No, I think you’d date him because he’s the safe choice for a girl still haunted by a bad reputation.”

If she’d been angry before, she was on overload now. Her cheeks blazed with color as she stepped closer. “My past has nothing to do with Matt,” she hissed between clenched teeth.

“Bullshit. It has everything to do with him.” A rational corner of his brain told him to shut up, but it was overruled by his careening ego, which insisted he point out everything that was wrong about Matt. “You’re all about image, with your tailored suits and your hair pinned up as tight as your attitude. Good job, there’s not a trace of the Larkin sisters left for people to see.”

“You’re an ass,” she whispered.

“In fact, I wonder if you even know who Zoe Larkin is anymore, or what she wants.”

“I know better than
you
do.”

“No you don’t, because I’m damn sure it’s not that calculating, manipulative, piece-of-shit boss of yours.”

She raised her chin, toe to toe with him. “You don’t know a damn thing about what I want, Jase Garrett.”

Maybe he didn’t. But he knew what she
should
want—someone who respected her enough to let her take the credit for her own ideas.

And he knew what
he
wanted.

He didn’t think about it—he’d done enough thinking where Zoe was concerned. He acted on impulse. Sliding his hand down the back of her head, through that hair that had been tormenting him, to the nape of her neck, he pulled her the rest of the way to him and locked his mouth to hers.

Beneath his hands, her body went rigid and she slapped her palms against his chest, pushing away. Her lips were unyielding, but it didn’t matter. Her startled gasp gave him the opportunity he needed. He swiped his tongue across hers, tasting her, learning her, demanding more.

She went straight to his head—her scent, her flavor, the heat of her body against his. He inhaled a light, flowery fragrance at the same time he tasted the lingering spiciness of pizza. Her breasts pressed against him, igniting a fire on his skin. His mind spun with desire.

It took a few seconds to realize that she wasn’t moving, was in fact resisting him. He was forcing himself on her. His exhilaration hit a wall. As intoxicating as it was to lose himself in her, he didn’t want to do it this way.

Reluctantly, he softened the pressure on her mouth, lifting his lips from hers, missing them as soon as he did. A tiny sound made him pause. A whimper deep in her throat, small and desperate. Needy. Her hands stopped pushing against him as they crept upward
toward his neck. Her mouth came back to his, seeking. She parted her lips and kissed him.

He responded roughly, pressing his mouth to hers, matching her eagerness as he pushed her against the wall, pinning her. He thought she might tense again, but beneath his hands, she melted, molding herself to his body. Her hands clung to his neck, possessive and demanding. Her leg bent and slid between his, intimate and warm. And her mouth . . . He ran his fingers beneath her hair as he held her head steady, delving into her, tongue seeking, lips melding perfectly with hers, over and over again.

For a long moment he forgot where he was, exploring the newness of Zoe’s mouth and responding with his whole body. Pressed against him, she had to feel his erection, had to know he’d been instantly aroused by her response. It only made her push into him harder, until he could feel the heat burning between her legs where she straddled his thigh. He let his hand slide down her back to grip the soft curve of her ass. Another whimper escaped her throat, driving him crazy.

A second crash from the kitchen jolted him back to reality. It must have done the same to her, as her lips suddenly stopped moving beneath his and pulled away. Her breath came fast, fanning him as he opened his eyes. Inches away, her eyes fluttered open and focused on his face, growing wider as awareness seeped in.

She didn’t have to speak—he could see the thoughts swimming in those golden-brown eyes.
That was what a kiss should be.
She hadn’t looked like that, all dazed and surprised, when Matt kissed her. It was enormously satisfying.

He stepped back, reluctantly dropping his hands.
She licked her lips, drawing his gaze downward, mesmerizing him with the urge to kiss her again. He knew her kiss was an addiction that wouldn’t be easily satisfied. Knew, too, that the caution he saw on her face was due to the stark heat she saw on his. That was probably a good thing. She’d better be aware of the lust that had raged to the forefront when she’d kissed him back, because it wasn’t going away anytime soon.

She edged sideways, still watching him, ready to take off. He took another step back, letting her go. He’d made his point, emphatically. There was nothing else to say.

She turned and took a quick step toward the saloon. And stopped dead.

He followed her openmouthed stare down the hall to the figure standing at the other end. Matt stood perfectly still, arms folded, cool gaze moving between them.

Well, shit. The bastard had a way of ruining everything.

Chapter
Nine

Z
oe’s mind stripped a few gears as it tried to keep up. She was staggered by Jase’s kiss—my God, that kiss!—and had to blink hard at Matt before she was sure he wasn’t a figment of her imagination. He was real, all right. Shit.

Her hot flush was replaced by a cold sweat, the kind produced by sudden fear. Her underarms were probably staining her blouse at this very moment. It irritated her enough to bring her to her senses.

She refused to be embarrassed. She’d done far worse in her life than kiss two men in one night. It wasn’t like she and Matt were dating, or had even talked about it, despite what his kiss may have implied. Nothing had been said, no promises made. They were here during work hours, on business, not as a couple, regardless of how he chose to bend the rules. She could justify what she’d done.

Unfortunately, he probably wouldn’t see it that way. She realized with a sinking feeling that she might have damaged whatever chance she had with him.

Behind her, Jase strode confidently toward the noisy saloon, passing Matt with a quick nod and a genial “Flemming.” He disappeared into the crowd, leaving her to face Matt.

He didn’t move. She swallowed and walked toward him, hoping she looked as nonchalant as Jase. She wasn’t sure what she’d say, but knew it wouldn’t be an apology. Anyone who apologized for a toe-curling kiss like that had to be a complete idiot.

She stopped in front of Matt, mimicking his blank stare and saying nothing. It wasn’t easy; the tic beside his eye was probably from anger. Part of her wanted to act contrite and wallow in guilt—the stupid part. Thankfully, the larger part had more dignity.

Finally, he cocked his head with a questioning look that managed to remain cool. “Should I be worried about the competition?”

She let her breath ease out with relief. He wasn’t going to be furious or unreasonable. There was still a chance for them. “No,” she said.

He nodded thoughtfully. “Good.” No smile, just the same calm expression. His lack of emotion was probably a good thing, although it was a little creepy. “I think we should get back to work now.”

“Good idea.” The sooner she got out of the Rusty Wire, the better. Her head was still spinning and her lips felt raw from that kiss, and she couldn’t think while Matt was standing beside her and Jase was shooting glances at her from across the room.

They rode in silence back to the Alpine Sky. Matt looked like he had questions, but he didn’t ask them. She decided it was part of the careful, logical way he
analyzed a situation before deciding what to do. She respected that. He probably made lists, too.

He pulled up the curving drive to the main entrance, waving off the doorman. Leaving the car running, he turned to her. “I have to go meet someone. I won’t see you until tomorrow.”

“Oh. Okay.” It seemed like a weak excuse, but she couldn’t blame him. She reached for the door handle.

“Hey.” That one word, barely above a whisper, turned his smile sexy. “I really do have to go. And I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.” He reached across the console for her hand. “You need to know something about me, Zoe. I don’t give up easily.”

She smiled back. He was still interested! Her relief lasted all of two seconds, when the memory of kissing Jase tore back into her mind, hot and wild, shredding her contentment as easily as it overrode the pleasant sensation of Matt’s hand on hers. Blood rushed to her face. She sent Matt a panicked glance, knowing he couldn’t miss that blush against her fair complexion.

Matt’s expression oozed confidence. Thank God for the male ego—he probably assumed his interest had flattered her speechless. That was better than the truth. Fingers trembling, she got out as quickly as possible, slammed the door, and waved. Then walked briskly to her office.

The shaking started again as she sank into her chair. This was all wrong! Matt Flemming was the one who was supposed to make her weak with desire. He was perfect for her. A good kisser, too. She remembered the warm feeling she’d had after their first kiss, thinking that it felt
just right
. Who wouldn’t be thrilled by that?

Apparently
she
wouldn’t. Matt’s kisses disappeared like vapor the second she thought of the inferno she’d felt with Jase. He’d touched something deep inside her, something strong and vibrant, and coaxed it to the surface. She’d been energized and dizzy at the same time, and desperate for more. In countless kisses with countless men, no one had done that to her before. Even after it ended, the flame he’d ignited still burned, so strong she would have sworn it showed on the outside. She felt
sparkly
, for God’s sake.

Zoe groaned aloud and dropped her head to the desk, banging her forehead several times, muttering, “No, no, no.” This couldn’t happen. First Jase Garrett had ruined her best shot at a promotion, and now he was messing up her relationship with the best man to come along in years. Hell, the best man ever.

It had to be his bad-boy appeal. She thought she’d exhausted the urge to throw her life away with the wrong man, but apparently there was still some insanity left, a wild spark that hadn’t burned out yet. That didn’t mean she had to indulge it. She’d been down that road before. Shit, she’d taken a five-year detour down that road, from age fifteen to age twenty, nearly steering her life into a ditch for good. She wouldn’t do it again.

She could be completely content kissing Matt for the rest of her life. His kiss was certainly competent. She flinched at the word and searched for a better one.
Skilled
—that worked. It was not only accurate, but flattering. She bet if he put his mind to it he could be downright incendiary.

Zoe groaned aloud. Life had been so much easier when Jase thought she was a lying, cheating arsonist.
She dropped her forehead to the desk again and left it there.

•  •  •

Jase propped his feet on the porch rail and watched the old pickup negotiate his curving driveway, rolling to a stop where the hillside began its steep upward slope. Brandon jumped out with more energy than usual, taking the ten curving stone steps up to the porch two at a time.

“Hey, man.” He high-fived Jase before pulling up a chair and settling his feet beside Jase’s on the rail. “Nice day to watch the weather.”

Jase lifted an eyebrow. “You’re pretty damn happy for someone who’s not getting any. I thought Megan was out of town this weekend.”

“Out of town and out of my life.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“It’s been coming. But get this.” He leaned forward, dismissing the split with his girlfriend. “We just picked up a contract from Nike for the new snowboard line.”