"Yes."

"What about working Monday and two evenings?"

Holly twisted her fingers together and hoped she wasn't grinning too broadly. Jordan didn't want to get rid of her. He wanted to see her again. So what if it was just about restoring the house? He would still be here, and they could talk. Maybe-

"I'd like to pay you with cash, and room and board."

Her head snapped up, and she stared at him. "What?" He leaned back against the bed and met her gaze.

"You're surprised."

"I don't know what to say." She didn't know what to feel, either. Room and board? He expected her to live here? With him?

Then she remembered what had happened the previous day. She'd admitted she was living in the store and had used his shower. He thought she was homeless and dest.i.tute.

"I don't need your charity," she said, and rose to her feet.

He grabbed her hand before she could leave the room. "It's not charity," he said, tugging her close until she was standing next to the bed. "Please don't be angry."

His dark eyes widened slightly. She tried to read what he was thinking. She didn't think she saw pity, but how would she know?

When he pulled on her hand again, she had no choice but to sink onto the mattress beside him. Her breathing increased slightly as she noticed he continued to hold her fingers in his. This wasn't a medicinal touch. This was ... well, she wasn't sure what it was. Her heart pounded rapidly, thudding against her ribs. She was having trouble thinking.

"The house needs work," he said quietly. "You're the town expert."

"I'm sure there are other people just as qualified as me."

"None that I know."

"This is all an elaborate ploy," she told him. "You're offering me a place to stay because you feel sorry for me."

His thumb stroked her palm, disturbing the last few remaining connections in her brain. She stared at him, at the square shape of his jaw and his firm mouth. Faint stubble darkened his cheeks. She was close enough to see the laugh lines around his eyes and the slight b.u.mp on the bridge of his nose.

His skin was tanned, different from her paleness. Everything about him was different. The way he talked, his scent, the shape of his body. The differences both frightened and intrigued her.

"I'm offering you a place to stay for two reasons. First I like your company. Second I don't think it's safe for you to live at your shop. The business district is deserted at night. If something were to happen, you would be in that part of town alone."

But she barely heard what he was saying. He liked her company. Wasn't that the same as liking her?

The offer was tempting. Not just because of Jordan, although he was the biggest temptation of all, but also because she missed living in a real home. She could take a shower every day and cook in a kitchen with more than a hot plate. She could sleep in a regular bed and not in a sleeping bag on an uncomfortable antique sofa.

"Say yes," he commanded.

She pulled her hand free of his fingers so she could think. There were merits to his plan. "Mistletoe would have to come with me. I couldn't leave her in the store."

Despite the animal's sweet nature, the Persian and Jordan didn't get along. Holly had tried explaining that Jordan had saved Mistletoe's life, but the cat remained unimpressed.

Jordan exhaled deeply. "I figured that. Mistletoe can stay here, too."

"She really is grateful to you," Holly said.

"Oh, yeah, I can tell. So what's it going to be? Are you going to help me out here or callously abandon me?"

He made it sound as if she would be doing him a favor when it was really the other way around. She was tempted. Very tempted. She'd never lived with a man before and would probably never again live with one like Jordan. Should she just take the opportunity and be grateful?

"Louise will still be here," he said.

"That's nice. I like Louise."

He ignored that. "I meant, so you wouldn't have to worry. She'll be here to act as chaperon."

Holly stared at him. He thought she was worried he might try something? Before she could stop herself, she laughed.

He didn't share her amus.e.m.e.nt. "I think I've just been insulted," he muttered.

"No," she said quickly to rea.s.sure him. "I wasn't laughing at you. While I appreciate your concern, I wasn't worried that-" Her throat closed. "Well, that you would, you know." He still looked confused and vaguely put out. She drew in a deep breath. "I know you would never be interested in someone like me."

"Why not?"

She opened her mouth, but couldn't find any words. Why not? It was so obvious. Because he was Jordan Haynes and she was just a silly woman who didn't know diddly about men. "Because, well, I don't know much about men, but there must be a hundred reasons."

"Name one."

She could have named ten, but they were all too embarra.s.sing. She wasn't pretty enough, she wasn't skinny enough, she wasn't anything enough.

His gaze narrowed and seemed to focus on her face. "You're right about one thing, Holly. You don't know anything about men."

He reached for her hand. She let him take it, not expecting him to tug her forward. She found herself falling toward him. She put out her right hand to keep herself from landing on his chest. She was leaning toward him, embarra.s.singly close to his face. His eyes darkened to the color of the night sky. His sweet breath fanned her face.

Deep inside, that unexplainable heat flared to life. She told herself to run away, but she couldn't move. Something was going to happen; she could sense it. And no matter what it was, she wanted to experience it fully.

She expected a quick, witty retort or maybe a hug, but she didn't expect him to kiss her. In that heart-stopping moment, when he moved closer and his attention focused on her mouth, she realized his intentions. And then it was too late.

His lips brushed against hers. She jerked awkwardly, and he wrapped his free arm around her back, drawing her closer. She sat stiffly, one hand captured in his, the other braced on the bed.

Jordan lifted his head slightly and smiled. "Relax. This isn't going to hurt." Then he raised the bed until they were eye to eye. He released her hand and put both arms around her. Not having anything else to do, her hands fluttered nervously.

"Put them on my shoulders," he murmured, and it was the last thing he said for a long time.

As she followed his instructions and rested the tips of her fingers on his broad shoulders, his mouth once again brushed hers. Holly had been kissed once, years before. It had been the chaste, innocent kiss of inexperienced teenagers. It had not prepared her for Jordan.

He claimed her mouth. His lips moved back and forth, exploring her lips, discovering every millimeter of skin. She was too stunned to respond. She could feel the warmth of him radiating toward her like a heater. Through the tips of her fingers, she sensed his strength. He drew her closer, and powerful muscles shifted.

One of his hands pressed against her spine between her shoulder blades. He kneaded her slightly. Perhaps the action was meant to relax her, but she was too overwhelmed by sensation. Her mind flitted from place to place, receiving all the sensory input and trying to sort it out. His other hand cupped her hip. The intimacy embarra.s.sed her. She felt awkward, all large curves and stiff muscles. She couldn't flow with the moment.

He moved his mouth away from her lips and planted a kiss by her chin. An electric jolt rippled through her. Another kiss caressed her jawline. He slipped toward her ear, ending up by her neck. Sizzling impulse leapt just under her skin, and she fought against the need to sag against him. Holding herself stiff and straight took so much energy.

Then Jordan licked the sensitive skin just under her ear. Heat exploded inside her. The unfamiliar fire whipped through her, fanned by needs she didn't understand. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s ached as if they'd swollen. For the first time in her life, she could actually feel the inside of her soft cotton bra pressing against her nipples. It was uncomfortable.