EMMA

Embarrassed I stammer, “I’m fine,” and jut my chin in a challenge, I dare you to tease me.

I have not one, but two, brothers.

I’m the oldest but the only girl.

I’m ready to skewer this guy.

He releases me, strolls into the empty bedroom, the hardwood floor making his presence all the more known. “You didn’t mention the plumbing. Modern or old?”  

My head feels cloudy as I follow him. I expected to be made fun of after all the jabs he’s given. Puzzled, I glance to their email and answer, “There’s a well on the property.”

Disapproval dashes across his eyes, and he slides a hand into his pocket while thinking of how to solve this. “I have friends in construction, connected with the water department here in town. I’ll throw a little business their way.” Inspecting a wall sconce he mutters, “If I were to buy, that is.”  

My parents work in the water industry. Desalinization, reclamation, reservoir maintenance. Large properties like this they’ve been known to do as well. “Are you talking about Likuss?”

Oddly, he sneers, a reaction I never expected. My mom and dad are loved by pretty much everyone they work with. Few exceptions, and those people I don’t like at all.

“I’d fly someone else here to do the job before I’d give Likuss my business.”

My temper kicks. What the hell is wrong with my parents’ company, you obnoxious jerk! But as the words itch inside my tongue, a loud vibration makes both of us look at my hand. My aunt’s name shining from the screen gives me the pause I need. This timing might have saved me my job. I’ve pushed my luck a lot.

Tanner catches my frown. “Is it important? Answer it.”

“She never calls unless there’s an emergency. I’m the phone-vine person for my immediate family.” I unlock the screen in time. “Aunt Rachel? Everything okay?” Walking to a sun-filled window, I stare at the beautifully landscaped backyard while we talk.

“Emma, I’m not sure what inspired me to call Cora, but I’m glad I did after what she just told me.”

“What’s wrong? Is she hurt?”

“Cora’s fine. Or crazy,” she mutters, asking more loudly, “Are you with a man named Tanner Hamilton?”

Surprised I blink. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Are you?!”

I glance from him back to the view. With forced casualness I answer, “Sure.”

“He’s watching you, isn’t he?”

I slowly answer, “In a way, yes.”

Rachel, my normally zen aunt, unleashes a torrent of information, totally out of her mind with worry, “Tanner and your father got into a huge fight, about ten years ago I think it was. Something happened. Jake wouldn’t say what. It cost him and Drew the job they were working on, some guy who was a friend of Tanner’s and when the drama hit… Anyway, I have no idea why Cora has you showing him houses, Emma, because she knows damn well that Jake said if Tanner ever came back to Atlanta he’d cut off his…you know what. Get out of there! I told Cora she has to cut ties with this one. Just make up an excuse. Say you have to get back to the office!”

I’m intrigued now, and have to ask, “Don’t you think you’re overreacting a bit?”

Rachel reminds me, “You know this family’s temper. How many times have the Cocker Brothers been in jail? You and your cousins, too! Justin is always pulling strings to bust one of you kids out. If it weren’t so funny it’d be mortifying. You all get riled up and don’t care what society thinks of your reactions.”

I tilt my head a little, because she’s right. “I’m with a client, Aunt Rachel. Do you mind if I call you later?”

“Be careful. I met Tanner once. He is as ruthless as he is handsome, and that can be very alluring.”

She’s not wrong about that either.

He also can inspire a good punch.

I’m not surprised Dad clocked him, I just want to know why?

Frowning I steal a look at Tanner to find him watching. His lips curve into a slow smirk. Completely unnerving how handsome he is.

“I have to go, Aunt Rachel. Love you.”

“Love you, too, Emma.”

Tapping the side of the phone against my open palm I force a smile. “I apologize for that, Mr. Hamilton. My family and I are very close. She was overly excited about a new recipe she’s concocted for our Family BBQs.” On an unconvincing laugh I wave my hand. “She’s always competing with my Grandma Nance over who makes the best chili.”

At their ranch, Uncle Jaxson is the chef.

Rachel doesn’t like to cook.

Grandma’s chili is incomparable.

Impossible to beat, it tastes so good.

How he’d laugh if he heard my lie.

The ruthless man I’ve been told to get far away from, strolls up next to me, and glances out the window. The sun sets fire to his profile. Hints of gold dance inside almost-black irises. He’s so watchable I don’t realize I’m staring.

With a frown, his volume private and almost intimate, he side-eyeballs me as he asks, “Your aunt warned you against me?”

“What?” I adjust my purse. “No!”

The sexiest, knowing smirk tugs at his lips. “You’re a terrible liar.”

On an uncomfortable laugh I insist, “I’m not lying. You’re looking at an honest face. How would she even know who I was with? What a crazy idea. Would you like a tour of the backyard now? We’ll pass the kitchen on the way.”

“I’d love one,” he muses.

Hoping I’m off the hook, I head for the door, all the while keeping my stroll steady and maybe even a little sexy in my attempt to act calm, cool and collected.

Raising his volume Tanner adds, “We’ll continue this tour but I know she warned you to run.”

I slide the phone away, zip my purse and adjust the sunglasses on my head while trying to think of a convincing retort. “You’re harmless so stop giving yourself so much credit.”

Okay, that sounded childish. I lock eyes with him as those smoldering lashes flicker and narrow.

“I’m anything but harmless, Emma.”

Speechless I get warmer by the second.

Tanner glances to the floor, chewing on his bottom lip. I lick mine. Walking toward me he asks, “What I want to know is, now that you’ve been warned to leave, why aren’t you leaving? Aren’t you afraid the flirting will lead to more?”

“Flirting?” I gasp. “Please! I’ve nearly hit you at least twice.”

“Because you’re attracted to me.”

My heart pounds. “You say the most annoying things.”

“Because?” he smirks.

“Annoying because they’re off base.” My temper flares, shoving me forward two steps, dangerously close to him. “First you call me a child, flat out tell me I’m incompetent. Then you repeatedly challenge me for almost two weeks of private touring. Now you’re saying that not only did my aunt psychically sense who I was with, but she also said, run! Which is ridiculous on many levels. And you believe I’m attracted to you? That’s insane. I apologize for having to tell you this, because you’re a client, but you are out of your damn mind.”

A dazzling grin flashes. I stare at Tanner and instantly realize I’ve never seen a man so attractive as he is. The effect multiplies with his growing and genuine laugh. Not a loud bursting kind but a steady and deep build from his gut that ends with his shoulders shaking as he rakes his hair back. “If you could see how hard you’re trying to convince me, when we both know you’re lying, you would laugh, too,” he finishes, walking past me but pausing to say in my ear, “You want me, Emma, and I want you, too.”

My jaw drops a little, heat pooling between my thighs as he leaves me all alone with that riveting proclamation. I’m staring at an empty doorway while footsteps fade.

What is this sensation in my core?

Everything burns.

My pussy is throbbing.

Quick, heavy pulses.

I’ve never experienced this without touching someone, and even then it wasn’t this.

Hurrying, I follow him and call out, “Mr. Hamilton!” At the far end of a hallway before descending stairs he pauses. “Did you still want to see the garden?”

A devilish smirk curves his mouth again.

I respond like it doesn’t affect me, but there is this thick heartbeat between my legs that he can’t see and I can’t stop thinking about.

“Alright, Emma, show me the garden.”

Swallowing, trying to pretend I’m just doing my job, I smile, “Good, because it is stunning.”

He cocks an eyebrow. “I’ve no doubt.”