Two Against the Odds by Joan Kilby Page A

“I have to get this finished.”
    God, what was wrong with her? She shouldn’t have been so direct. She was scaring him. But they couldn’t just act as if nothing had happened. Last night they’d stopped long enough to eat dinner then had gone back to bed. He’d gotten up before she awoke and went back to his B&B.
    â€œI know what’s going on,” she said. “You’re feeling guilty because you’re not supposed to sleep with clients.”
    â€œSomething like that.” he muttered.
    â€œThat doesn’t mean you have to ignore me,” she said matter-of-factly. “Last night was amazing. Can’t we just accept that we have this freakish naturalchemistry and enjoy it until you have to ride into the sunset?”
    He put down his calculator and dragged a hand across his face. With his chin in his palm, he stared at her. “I can’t reduce your taxes because we slept together.”
    It took a moment for that to sink in. “Is that what you think?” she demanded, surging to her feet. Slips of paper fluttered to the floor. “You think I’m hoping you’ll give me some sort of concession for…for services rendered?”
    Rafe started to shake his head. “I—”
    â€œI’m an artist, not a… Oh!” she exclaimed, hands clenched. “I can’t believe you’d even suggest such a thing.”
    She brushed past him, striding through the kitchen and across the backyard. Sorting receipts was bullshit. She needed to at least attempt to paint.
    Inside her studio she paced some more, trying to calm down. Of all the arrogant assholes. He had a hell of a nerve saying that to her after the things they had done together. He should have said no last night if he was so worried about his precious integrity.
    Sienna’s portrait struck her as terrible, no good at all. Maybe if she started over, layering in the background before she even began on the face….
    Her large canvases, stretched onto wooden frames, were on top of the high cupboard. Jack had put them there for her, out of the way. Dragging a stool over,she climbed onto it and reached up. Her fingertips brushed the edge of the top canvas. Frustrated, she stretched onto tiptoe, leaning closer.
    â€œLexie,” Rafe said from behind her.
    Startled, she glanced over her shoulder. The shift in her balance made the stool rock dangerously. Arms flailing, she tried to catch herself. Rafe ran forward but she was able to right herself before he could help.
    â€œI was fine until you yelled,” she snapped. “Don’t sneak up on me like that. In fact, better not come near me at all. I might try to seduce you again.”
    â€œI’m sorry.” He stood below her, awkwardly. “I didn’t mean to insult you.”
    â€œWell, you did!” She slowly got down. God help her, she still wanted him. Realizing that only made her angrier.
    â€œThe fact remains, I shouldn’t have slept with you,” he said. “It isn’t just some company policy, this is the government. Tax agents are supposed to maintain an independent state of mind. We can’t allow ourselves to be bribed with expensive scotch or restaurant meals—”
    â€œI wasn’t trying to bribe you.” She glared at him.
    â€œI admitted I was wrong. I apologized.” He spun away and back again. “I don’t know what more you want from me.”
    â€œI want you to kiss me.”
    He stared at her. “Kiss you? Are you trying to make me lose my mind?” Then with a groan he took her in his arms.
    Lexie pressed her lips to his. But she’d barely registered the earthy scent of his skin, the firmness of his lips, the heat rising between them, when he abruptly pulled away, leaving her gasping.
    â€œI can’t concentrate when I’m around you. And if we’re in bed, I’m not getting your audit done.” He sank onto the same stool