Sanctuary

swimming pool, right inside the house.” She gave a long, wistful sigh. “Isn’t that something. They must be millionaires.”
    “And then some.”
    She filled her eyes with dreamy admiration and stared deeply into his. “You must be the very best, then. So important. So successful. Designing Mexican villas for millionaires.” She laid her hand on his thigh. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like, being able to build such beautiful things.”
    Uh-oh. The second alarm bell was louder and impossible to ignore. He considered himself a fairly intelligent man. An intelligent man knew when a woman was hitting on him. “A lot of people work on a project like this. Engineers, landscapers, contractors.”
    Wasn’t he sweet? she thought, and slid a little closer. “But without you, they wouldn’t have anything to work on. You’re the one who makes it happen, Nathan.”
    Retreat was often the intelligent man’s choice, Nathan decided. He shifted, managed to put the best part of an inch between them. “Not if I don’t get these plans done.” He gave her a quick smile that he hoped wasn’t as nervous as it felt. “And I’m running a bit behind on them, so—”
    “They look wonderful.” Her hand trailed up a little higher on his thigh. Intelligent or not, he was also human. His body reacted as nature dictated.
    “Listen, Lexy—”
    “I’m just so impressed.” She leaned in, inviting. “I’d just love to see more.” Her breath fluttered out onto his lips. “Lots more.” Deciding he was either too much of a gentleman—or too blockheaded—to make the next move, she pressed her mouth to his and wound her arms around his neck.
    It took him a minute. She was warm and tasty, and most of the blood had drained out of his head, making it difficult to think rationally. But he managed to take hold of her wrists, unwind her, and ease away.
    “You know ...” He found it necessary to clear his throat. “You know, Lexy, you’re a very appealing woman. I’m flattered.”
    “Good.” Her pulse picked up a little. The image of Giff’s face, enraged with jealousy, slipped into her mind and the pulse picked up a bit more. “Then why don’t we go inside for a little while?”
    “There’s this other thing.” He drew her arms down, kept his hands firmly over hers. “I really like my face the way it is. I’ve gotten used to it. Hardly ever cut myself shaving anymore.”
    “I like it too. It’s a wonderful face.”
    “I appreciate that. And I don’t want Giff to feel obliged to try to remodel it for me.”
    “Oh, what do I care about Giff?” She gave a careless toss of her head. “He doesn’t own me.”
    The edge that came into her voice, and the sulky heat in her eyes amused him, and told him that a lovers’ spat was certainly at the root of this current attempt at seduction. “Have a fight, did you?”
    “I don’t want to talk about Giff. Why don’t you kiss me again, Nathan? You know you want to.”
    Part of him did, a very primal part that was just a little too close to the surface right then. “Okay, we won’t talk about Giff. We’ll talk about Jo.”
    “She doesn’t own me either.”
    “No. I’m . . .” He wasn’t quite sure how to put it. “Interested in her,” he decided.
    “I think you’re interested in me.” To prove it, she freed a hand and made a beeline for his crotch.
    Managing not to yelp, he caught her hand firmly. “Cut that out.” His voice took on a lecturing tone that would have made any mother proud. “You’re worth more than this, Lexy. A hell of a lot more.”
    “Why would you want Jo more than me? She’s cold and bossy and—”
    “Stop it.” He gave her captured hands one quick, hard squeeze. “I don’t want to hear you talk about her that way. I care about her. And so do you.”
    “You don’t know what I care about. Nobody does.”
    Because her voice had cracked at the end, he felt suddenly and pitifully sorry for her. Gently he lifted her hands, and when he kissed them had her blinking in surprise. “Maybe that’s because you haven’t really made up your mind yourself yet.” Hoping it was safe, he released one of her hands to brush the hair back from her face. “I like you, Lexy. I really do. That’s another reason I’m not taking you up on your very tempting offer.”
    Shame washed over her, rushing hot to her cheeks. “I made a fool of myself.”
    “No. I damn near did, though.” Steadier at last, he eased back, reached for