Compromising Positions (An Erotic Romance Novel) by Tawny Taylor Page A

the universal sign of surrender, “I won’t touch you again.”
    Well, at least she hadn’t lost her keys. That was a bit of a relief. The promise that he wouldn’t try anything more wasn’t, but it was late and it had been one hell of a day. She was probably lacking in mental facilities at the moment. Tomorrow, things would look different, and she’d be glad she hadn’t done something stupid. “Drive on.” She leaned back to enjoy the rest of the ride.
    It took only a few minutes before they reached her house. Gabe insisted she wait for him to open the car door, and she relinquished. He was a bit old fashioned. She hadn’t expected that.
    When he opened the door, he offered a hand to her, and she accepted, stepping from the low car’s interior onto the tilty, wobbly sidewalk. He helped her to the door, helped her with the keys, assisted her inside and then stood at the threshold, looking like he was in pain.
    “Thanks,” she said, knowing exactly what kind of pain he was probably in. She was a hot, throbbing, mess too. Tonight, she’d need the company of Mr. Happy before she’d get any sleep. “You’re a good sport, Gabe. I’m sorry for snapping at you. Like it or not, we have to find a way to work together, at least until Duncan fires me.”
    “He’s not going to fire you.”
    “Yeah, yeah. Take his side.” She slipped her feet out of her shoes. Ah! Her cramped toes wiggled, burrowing into the soft carpet. She dropped her purse and keys on the side table and reached up to let her hair—what remained in the ponytail—loose. She scratched at her scalp, bringing the blood flow back and sighed.
    “Can you trust me?” he asked.
    “No offense, but I don’t trust anyone. Hell, I trusted my company—I was up for a promotion. They promised! Look what trusting them got me. Nowhere.”
    He nodded.
    “My mother’s house is going on the auction block soon, and I need to get a mortgage, or I can’t buy it from the bank. I can’t let my mother loose her house.”
    He leaned against the door frame, looking casual, and extremely sexy. Arms crossed over that broad chest. “Is she still living in that tri-level in Canton?”
    “She was.” She shed her blazer and hung it on the back of her kitchen chair. “Before the bank kicked her out. You want something to drink?”
    “No, thanks.”
    “How about something to eat? I have some munchies. I don’t normally indulge—especially this late—but what the hell. I’ve broken a lot of rules today.” While she was hidden in the confines of the kitchen, she quickly slipped off her pantyhose. Much better. Chips in hand, she returned to the living room.
    “No, thanks.” His gaze dropped to her bare legs, and he visibly swallowed. “Guess I’d better get going. I have a long drive home.”
    “You do?”
    “Yeah. I moved out by the old Date Doctor’s headquarters. It’ll take me at least an hour to get home.”
    “Why don’t you stay here?” Had she just said that? She bit her tongue.
    “Oh, I don’t think that would be such a good idea. Thanks anyway.” He gripped the doorknob and gave it a twist.
    “Are you sure? I mean, if you don’t make it home tonight, I’ll never forgive myself. You had a couple beers, too, you know.”
    “I’m fine. Unlike you, I ate my dinner. Really.” He pulled the door open. “Besides, I’m sure you’d have a hell of a time sleeping tonight with me here.”
    “Aren’t we a little full of ourselves?” She dropped the chips on the coffee table and sauntered to the door. Damn, she was feeling sexy tonight.
    “No.” He gave her a grin and one very long up-and-down twice-over then took a single step out the door. “I’m not full of myself. I’m just banking on the fact that you’re not accustomed to having nude men sleeping on your couch.” He winked. “See ya tomorrow morning, Fate. Seven sharp.”
    Nude? “Okay.” Damn right she wasn’t used to naked men on her couch! “But you need some coffee for the