Wild Ways (37 page)

He gestured vaguely at her head, groping for something to point out as evidence. “By that certain light in your eyes and the way you move.”

Her mouth was getting tighter, her face redder. “By
what
light? And what way I move?” She came to a stop at a red light and turned to him.

He shrugged. “It’s just a vibe. I can’t put my finger on it.”

She shifted the van into park, leaned over, and plastered her mouth against his. Her hands gripped his shoulders, fingers digging in, and the moment his lips involuntarily parted, she plunged her tongue inside. Oh, buddy, she was so straight. His hands went to her waist, but he was too busy concentrating on the feel of her tongue against his to pay attention to whether his fingers could go all the way around.

When she started to pull away, he held her fast for another trip around her mouth. Finally, she smacked his shoulders, and he let her go. She fell back into her seat, rubbing the back of her hand over her mouth. Her breaths were coming faster.

Now he was really glad the cat was covering his lap. “All right, I believe you.”

Her eyes went from dreamy to narrowed. “You played me, didn’t you?”

He rubbed his forehead. “I was hoping we could go with the gay angle while I’m guarding your body. I mean, acting as your bodyguard. I was desperately hanging on.”

She frowned. “You want me to be gay?”

“Very much.”

“And … why?”

“Because you’re hot and you’re my client, and those two facts are a bad combination as far as my professional integrity is concerned. Why did you need to prove that you’re straight?”

“I …” Her mouth twisted as she seemed to search for the answer. “I don’t know. The impulsive side of me didn’t want to perpetuate the myth with you. Why did you suspect I was lying to begin with?”

“Because you ate me up with your eyes when I was changing shirts.”

She somehow managed to roll her eyes and look embarrassed at the same time. “I suppose women go gaga over you all the time.”

He chuckled. “Let’s just say that if I find myself near an available woman who revs my engine, we usually end up together.” His smile disappeared. “And you do. Which was why I realized that thinking you went the other way was actually a good idea. Light’s green.”

A horn blared behind her. She put the van into gear and pulled forward. “Well, no worries. That thing that happened between us, not happening again.”

“No siree.” He shook his head to further convince himself, because his body was having none of it. “I’m new to this civilian-bodyguard business, but I assume it would be unprofessional to bang my client.”

“Bang …” She blew out a breath of indignation, which made her horse do the same. “Aren’t you are the romantic?”

“Sorry.” He gave her a wooden smile. “
Making love
. Like that better?”

“I bet you’ve never
made love
in your life. But I’m sure you’ve
banged
plenty.”

No, he probably hadn’t made love to a woman, not with the appropriate feelings to match those words. He would comment only on the last part. “I don’t think I’ve, ah, indulged any more than the average guy.”

She arched her eyebrow and gave him a skeptical look. “Wow, you do have some modesty in there. Wait a minute. You said I revved your engine?”

He replayed his earlier words. Yep, he sure had. “In an off-limits manner of speaking.”

“And keep it that way. You’re totally not my type.”

“Good.” Before the words
and what is your type
could come out of his mouth, she went on.

“You’re too arrogant. Too good-looking. Clearly a player, and I have no idea how to play that game, nor any interest in doing so. Besides, I have more important things on my plate than satisfying the hunger of my flesh.”

She had to go and put it that way, didn’t she? He focused on the second part of that sentence. “More important things like staying alive, I presume?”

“Like saving animals.”

Oh, buddy, he wished she did play for the other team. Because protecting that beautiful body wrapped around all that sass was going to be boo-coops harder now that he’d tasted her sweet mouth.