Playing to Win

his favor.



FOUR

    COLE DROVE SAVANNAH BACK TO HER CAR FIRST AND told her she’d need a change of clothes for later.
    Since she intended to shadow him to determine his routine, she told him he might as well follow her to her place, then they could go in one car.
    He’d expected her to live in a condo like he did, so he was surprised when she pulled into the driveway of a single-story home. The lawn was well maintained, with a huge tree in the front and a nice porch where two chairs and a table sat. Hanging pottery made it seem…homey.
    “Wow. Nice digs. Team footing the bill for this?”
    She didn’t answer and instead went to the door and opened it. He followed her inside, where it was also nice. It wasn’t a new home, but it was decorated nicely—all warm colors with overstuffed sofas and pillows and wood tables and flooring.
    She laid her briefcase on the table. “Would you like something to drink?”
    “Water is good.”
    “Help yourself in the kitchen.” She headed toward her bedroom, then stopped at the doorway and turned to face him. “What kind of clothes will I need?”
    “Got a party dress?”
    “Define party dress.”
    “Night club.”
    “Yes.”
    “Bring that. You can change at my place.”
    “All right.” Savannah went to her closet and selected a black and white cocktail dress and a pair of shoes, bagged her makeup and some jewelry, and came back into the kitchen.
    Cole had a bottled water in his hand and was standing at her back door, looking out at the lake.
    She’d bought the house for the lake view. She liked having the unfenced property, didn’t want the obstruction to mar the beauty of the lake. She liked sitting out back and watching kids play and parents walking them along the path. Occasionally, ducks would frolic in the water. It gave her a sense of peace and allowed her mind to settle.
    Her mind was definitely not settled now, not with a stunningly attractive man standing in her kitchen. He’d struck a casual pose and hadn’t yet noticed her, so he was relaxed and unguarded, just peering out at the water.
    In profile, he was magnificent, his shoulders wide, his waist lean, and his face photogenic. No wonder the media ate him up. He had the longest eyelashes she’d ever seen on a man, and the way his hair curled at the nape of his neck made her itch to slide her fingers into the tendrils and see if it felt as soft and thick as it looked.
    He finally spotted her, turned his head and smiled.
    He took her breath away.
    He was a client, not a date. Not a man she was going to sleep with, so everything on her body that was throbbing could just stop.
    “I’m ready.”
    “Let me take those.” He grabbed her garment bag and the small bag she’d placed her other things in. She opened the door and they went out and climbed into his SUV.
    She watched his hands on the steering wheel as he drove. Strong, confident. He even drove the speed limit, though she wondered if he was on his best behavior because she was with him. She’d read his file—he’d gotten so many speeding tickets she was surprised he still had a driver’s license.
    Which made her wonder just where one of those strong, confident hands would be if she were his date, not his image consultant.
    Maybe she should have had two orgasms last night instead of just one. She’d been on the road a lot lately, and had nearly doubled her clientele in the past six months. Good for business, bad for her tension level. And none of those clients were of the sexy, fantasy-inducing quality like Cole Riley. He might have issues, but she wanted to devour him like her favorite homemade biscuits, all slathered in butter and honey.
    Which got her to thinking about licking honey off Cole’s naked chest, her tongue dipping into the hollow of his oh-so-spectacular naked abs. Then she’d move lower…
    “You’re quiet.”
    Her gaze shot to his, her body in flames as she pushed the wicked fantasy to the back of her mind. She’d get back to it later. “Just taking in the view.”
    He frowned. “We’re on the highway, Savannah. Not much to see but a lot of shopping centers and a blur of lights.”
    “True. But I’m always driving. It’s nice to be a passenger for a change and get to take in the sights.”
    He shrugged. “Whatever rocks your world.”
    Cole, apparently, was rocking her world. In a most inappropriate way. She needed to get her mind back on track. It helped when Cole exited the highway and she had more to look