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Brenda took a deep breath and peered at Deke from the corner of her eye. He was in the kitchen, trying out a recipe for the restaurant for their evening meal. He’d been polite, friendly and distant since she’d come home from work. Something she intended putting an end to as soon as possible.
“I thought we could watch a movie together tonight,” she said casually as she sat on one of the breakfast barstools.
“I need to go over the details for the restaurant.” He didn’t even look at her as he spoke, and she noticed his shoulders were so tense that he had to be developing a headache.
“You’ve got time to keep me company for a couple of hours.”
“No can do. But feel free to watch what you like.”
There went her plan of cosying up together on the couch. She’d even downloaded a couple of really hot movies to get him in the mood.
“Can I help with the restaurant prep?” At least that way, they could spend some time together. Something he’d been avoiding since he insisted she stay at his place.
“No thanks.” He continued stirring sauce.
Brenda wanted to snatch the wooden spoon from his hand and beat him over the head with it. A million suggestions ran through her mind, but none of them were suitable to break through his new icy demeanour. She was pretty sure he’d run for the hills if she suggested they shower together.
“Okay, once you’ve finished here, how about I give you that massage I promised and help you relax? You look tense.” She kept a wide smile plastered in place, in case he turned towards her. He didn’t. He focused on that saucepan as though it held the mysteries of the universe.
“I’m going to be working late. Some other time, maybe.”
It was no use. He had an answer for everything, and Brenda was fed up with being subtle. Well, subtle for her, anyway.
“What’s going on?” she said. “You almost kissed me, now you can’t even look at me?”
His back went rock solid. She hoped he was getting a tension headache, because he was sure giving her one.
“Now isn’t a good time,” he said stiffly. “We need to concentrate on the danger. We can’t afford to let our guards down. The kiss was a mistake.”
“Fantastic. Just what every woman wants to hear, that she’s a mistake. It’s right up there with ‘you need to lose some weight’ and ‘Chris Hemsworth is happily married.’”
She saw his lip twitch, but he fought the urge to smile. Stubborn monkey.
“You weren’t a mistake. The timing is a mistake. We need to concentrate on eliminating the threat to you, then we can let ourselves become distracted by other things.”
Brenda threw up her hands in disgust. “There will always be a threat. I live under constant threat. Does that mean I should put my life on hold forever? Does it mean I shouldn’t have any fun? Shouldn’t have any romance? Shouldn’t have friends? Or laughter? Or sex?”
He shifted the pan off the burner and turned to look at her for the first time since she’d entered the room. He leaned back against the counter, crossed his ankles and folded his arms. He was top to toe in army green, except for his heavy black boots. She half expected to see dog tags around his neck and a machine gun strapped to his back.
“This current situation isn’t forever,” he said. “But we need to be smart. I can’t protect you properly if I’m distracted.”
He looked so calm, so reasonable, so freaking mature that it made the top of Brenda’s head blow off. She slapped her palms on the counter in front of her and stood on the rung of her stool.
“I can’t think properly if I’m this frustrated,” she snapped. “If I don’t have a decent orgasm soon, I’m going to snap and go on a rampage.”
His eyes popped wide, but Brenda was on a roll.
“I should have known better than to depend on a man to help me out. I’m better off sticking to my toys. At least they don’t make excuses for not touching me.” She jumped off her stool and stalked towards the guestroom. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself. As usual. And don’t think I’m going to fantasise about you while I do it. That ship has sailed, mister.”
She was cursing Deke’s stubbornness under her breath when an arm wrapped around her waist. The next thing she knew she was sitting on the breakfast bar with Deke standing between her knees. She opened her mouth to ask him what the hell he was doing, because she was too damn angry to argue anymore. The words never came out because her face was cupped in his huge, strong hands and his lips were on hers.
He tasted delicious, like the best meal she’d ever eaten. She moaned into his mouth as he deepened the kiss. She kissed back with everything she had, ravenous for him. Deke shifted closer until their bodies were flush against each other and she felt his hard length press against her. It felt wonderful. Her fingernails bit into his shoulders as she tried to pull him even closer. She wanted them naked. She wanted him inside her. She wanted it now.
Suddenly, Deke was half a dozen steps away, panting hard. His lips were swollen and his cheeks were red. Desire-filled eyes gazed at her as his hands fisted.
“What?” she said, feeling all sorts of dazed.
With a growl, Deke turned on his heels and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him. Brenda was too stunned to move. She sat on the counter, breathing hard and wondering what just happened and why he’d stopped.
A moment later, the door opened and Brenda’s eyes shot to it hopefully. Grunt stood there and her heart sank.
“Deke’s got stuff to do. I’m with you.”
Great. Just what she needed. The human version of King Kong as her companion.
“I’ll be in my bedroom.” She jumped down from the counter.
Her only answer was a grunt. With each step, Brenda became more furious. And more frustrated. If Deke thought he’d dealt with this issue between them by running, he was about to be sorely disappointed. After that kiss, Brenda was certain he wanted her just as much as she wanted him. And she was going to make sure he got her.