Double Dealing (2013) (23 page)

“Excuse me,” she said stiffly, trying to ignore the jolt of energy lancing through her. And then, to her chagrin, she shivered visibly.

“Hey, you’re cold,” he said gently. “Here.” He pulled off his leather jacket and draped it around her shoulders before she could protest. Julie was enveloped in the warm smells of leather and musk. She realized that she was smelling
him
.

Underneath the jacket he wore a snug, white long-sleeved T-shirt. Julie tried not to stare at his muscular chest, which looked even larger now that it was uncovered. “Th-thank you,” she managed to stammer. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so off-kilter, a weird combination of desire and resistance she couldn’t quite get a handle on.

“It’s getting dark. Who knows who could be out here? Like I said, I’ll walk you home,” Cole stated firmly. He was still acting like a lawman, and his tone suggested that he was used to being followed without question.

Oh, no, no, no
. Cole walking her home was
not
a good idea. She was a busy woman. Too busy to mess around with a guy like Cole Grayson, with his sexy-as-sin smile. “No, thanks. I’ll get your jacket back to you tomorrow.” The sooner she got away from him, the better. Julie turned away and started walking through the park.

“Mmmm … no,” Cole said as he fell into step beside her. “You’re just going to have to get used to me.”

Not likely
. He was gorgeous.
Too
gorgeous. And boy, did he know it!

Julie stole a sideways glance at him, then slid her eyes quickly back. Her heart was beating too rapidly in her chest. She was breathless, dizzy—like seasickness, but without the sick. Whatever it was, it was bad news.

Who was she kidding?
This
was why she’d done her best to ignore him ever since he’d moved back to Star Harbor. Because her body betrayed her whenever he was around, just like it had so long ago when he’d stolen that kiss. At least then, she’d been able to keep her reaction in check. If you called slapping his face “in check.” Now, they were both adults, and of course the stakes were higher. She had a job to do, and she had zero time to worry about getting involved with anyone, let alone a notorious womanizer.

“Actually,” he said, his deep voice sounding slightly hollow in the thick of the woods, “I’m glad I ran into you. I need to ask you for a favor.”

“What kind of favor?” she responded warily.

“I’m planning a safety demonstration at the Spring Fair. I was hoping that you’d join us, as Star Harbor’s doctor-in-residence, to give a run-down on some basic medical care. I’ve got the Kingsport EMTs already lined up as your demonstration team. It would mean a lot if you’d agree to participate.”

The man seemed serious. “When is it?”

“The third weekend in April, same as always.”

“Okay. I’ll do it. For Star Harbor.”

“For me,” Cole underscored, softly.

“I’m happy to help out with your project,” Julie informed him. “In fact, I think it’s a great idea. But let me be clear: I am
not
doing this for
you
.” They had reached the front steps of her house. Julie gracefully vaulted up them and removed his jacket. “Here.” She turned around on the stoop, jacket in hand, with Cole right behind her, one step down. Even down five inches, he was still slightly taller, and she was staring right into his piercing eyes.

She was about to tell him to get lost, but he curled one hand around her upper arm as his other hand covered her hand holding the jacket. His hands were hot where they touched her skin.

“Why don’t you want to do this just for me?” She caught a whiff of his scent—all male and amazingly good. Like sea and spice and musk. Her pulse rate skyrocketed.

“You know why,” she managed to get out.

“Yeah.” His voice was husky. “Yeah, I know.” He slid his hand up her arm to her face and stroked her temple, pushing back a stray strand of hair, his eyes locked on hers. A low, dark shiver started in the base of her spine and jolted upward. “You’re not going to slap me again, are you?”

He remembers
. “I’m thinking about it,” she murmured, unable to tear her gaze away.

Cole didn’t smile. “Then you’d better go inside before I give you a real reason to.”

It took her only a fraction of a second to realize what he meant and when she got his drift, she swallowed. Hard.

Cole stared at her for just a moment more. Then, smoothly, he released her, grabbed his jacket, and walked down the steps. There, he waited patiently while she reached into the tiny pocket of her leggings and took out her house key. It was only when she’d let herself into the welcome comfort of her childhood home and flicked on the hall light that he gave her a nod before turning and disappearing into the darkness.