“Oh ... oh.” She licked her lips. “Of redoing the kitchen.”

  He let loose a sigh that was filled with aggravation. “Patience, you already gave me that estimate.”

  She nodded. His voice had deepened. Patience would bet he was a groaner. There was no way Chance would be quiet in bed. She’d bet he was a talker too.

  “If you don’t stop looking at me like that, you are going to have trouble on your hands.”

  The rough edge of his voice skated along her nerve endings. Her body warmed as a slow roll of heat unfurled in her stomach.

  “Looking at you like what?”

  “Like you want to eat me up with a spoon.”

  She drew in a shuddering breath and his gaze dropped to her breasts.

  Chance closed the distance between them and drew her into his arms. Before she could protest--before she could think--his lips were on hers. His hands fastened on her waist as he pulled her body against his. Even through their jeans, she could feel the hard ridge of his erection against her stomach.

  His tongue traced the seam of her lips. As the heady mixture of desire and Chance spiraled through her, she opened her mouth without a second thought. He invaded her mouth, not like a consummate lover she’d heard about, but like a man possessed, a man determined to conquer.

  Patience threaded her fingers through his hair and felt herself slipping. The taste of him--untamed and seductive--sent another flame of heat through her. His hands slid to her ass as he pulled her tighter against his straining cock. All she could think was that she wanted him. Here. Now.

  A tidal wave of need crashed through her. She couldn’t fight it--didn’t want to. She wanted to surrender to the onslaught of emotions.

  The jingle of her cell phone broke the silence of the kitchen, echoing off the walls, and figuratively splashed cold water on the two of them. They both pulled back, gasping for air. His face held a puzzled expression, one that she knew she mirrored. What the hell had she been thinking?

  What the hell had he been thinking? Chance drew in a deep a breath and tried to count backward from ten. But he kept losing track because the taste of her was still in his mouth, branding his soul.

  Patience shook her head, apparently trying to bring her better judgment back. Lord knew, he wouldn’t have any for a while. With most of his blood shooting south to his cock, he’d be of no help.

  She pulled her cell phone from the clip at her waist and clicked it on.

  “Hello.”

  Jesus. He could still hear the husky edge to her voice. His dick twitched. Hoping not to embarrass himself further, he turned and walked away. He needed space. And a beer. And Patience naked, beneath him.

  Shit.

  “I haven’t had time to call, Cary.” Her voice had turned peevish. Chance could tell she was pissed at whoever was on the other end of the line. “Chance is not a strange man; I’ve known him for years. And I am in no danger.”

  His interested sharpened. Was Cary a woman or man? He’d immediately tried to think back to any gossip about her at the hotel. Hotels were their own little worlds, like small towns, and everyone knew everyone else’s business. She might have dated, but apparently he’d never heard of any relationships on the job.

  “Listen, I know you’re trying to be helpful, but you’re not. Just because you’re a man doesn’t mean you’re smarter. And just because you think you can tell me what to do doesn’t mean I’ll listen. I am thirty years old and I can do whatever the hell I want, so butt out.”

  She clicked off the phone and he turned to see her expression. Oh, shit, he’d never seen her this pissed. Even when she’d found out that one of the waitresses had been turning tricks in the employees’ lounge. Her breasts heaved with each breath; her face was flushed with heat. More stray strands of hair had escaped. Damn, she was beautiful. And she wasn’t mad at him, but some other man. A flame of jealousy ignited in his gut before he could stop it.

  “Problems?”

  She shook her head. “Always. Why do big brothers think they know better?”

  Brother. The word was a balm to his irritation. “Same reason big sisters do.”

  She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, and a smile curved her lips. “How many?”

  “Two.”

  She sighed.

  “You got off lucky. I have four older brothers. And all of them think they need to tell me what to do.” She looked him in the eye. “I think we need to ignore what happened before.”

  His body screamed no, but he knew better. “Agreed.”

  “It must be the heat or the lack of food that did it.”

  Agitated, he shoved his hand through his hair. She thought she had to be starving before she'd want him? Shit. Knowing Patience, it was probably true. She followed the rules. As a business partner, he fell firmly within those rules. He sighed, knowing that she was right, and not liking it one bit.

  “I have some food out in the car to help with that hunger.”

  She offered him a blinding smile. “That sounds great, Chance.”

  As he walked down the porch steps, his body still hummed with unrelieved passion and he decided that he had been right. A cold shower was exactly what he needed.

  He just hoped this wasn’t going to turn into a habit.

  3

  Chapter 3

  The sound of sawing usually didn't bother Patience. The constant back and forth sound soothed her all time. The sound of progress, of moving closer to her dream, was a joy.

  But today the sound irritated her. The fact that it was sunny irritated her. Everything irritated her. And it began and ended with Chance. Worse, he had no idea and was being an amazing partner.

  While she had spent the last month going over linen choices, working on their marketing, and choosing all of the paint colors, Chance had done his bit too. He’d worked on a menu, one she approved of, and had been pitching in to help the contractors.

  She leaned back in her chair when she heard him laugh outside. The sound of it slipped beneath her flesh and warmed her from the inside out. He was messing with her mind and her body. Every time she heard his laugh she wanted to move closer to be He was there, hanging out with the workers, easily fitting in like she never would. That didn’t bother her. Patience knew her strengths. She was a good manager, but she also understood that she wasn’t one to sit around and talk. It actually made her skin crawl. There was always something to be done.

  So that didn't bother her. What bothered her was that Chance was down there with his shirt off. It had started last week. He'd stripped off his shirt thanks to the unseasonably warm weather. It was another hot day and Patience both cursed and welcomed it.

  He was driving her insane.

  Still, knowing that she shouldn't do it and that it would leave her with yet another lust filled dream, she inched her chair closer to the window. Then, a little closer—until she saw Chance.

  There were a lot of other workers around that were bigger in the muscle department, but lordy, not one of them drew her in like Chance. He was chugging water down, leaning his head back to complete the task. Sweat rolled down his chest. Her body heated as her gaze slipped down to that six-pack of abs. Who knew a man who ate and cooked so much would have such a fantastic body? But—he did. One that she wanted to smear with her favorite frosting, then lick it all up. Hell, forget the icing. She just wanted to lick every inch of flesh he had on his body.

  Chance turned to say respond to one of the contractors, and she apparently caught his eye. That slow, knowing smile spread over his lips. She could feel her face heat, but she refused to look away. Soon, he laughed again and raised his bottle of water in salute, then he got back to work.

  Drawing in a deep breath, Patience turned back to her desk and tried her best not to think about him. Or that cocky smile, or his delicious body. They had a lot of work to get their bed and breakfast up and running.

  Just as she started working on updating their website, she heard a car drive up. She glanced out the window and tried not to cringe when she saw the behemoth of an SUV parked in the drive. She watched as Barbara Smith slipped out of her car. She had her sunglasses on, so Patience couldn’t see her eyes, but there was no missing that bitchy smile of hers. She was on the prowl.

  Patience wanted to stay inside and ignore Barbara. It would be best for her blood pressure. Just as she thought that Patience watched the other woman wander over to Chance. She couldn't hear what Barbara said, but when she reached for Chance cheek to brush off some dirt, Patience shot up out of her chair and walked determinedly toward the door. No stupid business committee chairwoman was going to manhandle her partner.

  She stepped outside and blinked against the brightness of the sun. Patience had grabbed a small bedroom on the first floor for the office, and it was shaded by the trees out front. Once her eyes adjusted, she zeroed in on Barbara.

  From the moment she and Chance had met her, Patience hadn’t like the woman. Barbara’s fake blonde hair, fake boobs, and her bitchy attitude made Patience…well…bitchy.

  She smiled at a couple of the contractors as she made her way over to Chance and Barbara. A look of disgust passed over his expression before he hid it. For some reason, Patience felt lighter because he felt the same way about the woman.

  “Barbara,” she said somewhat louder than she usually talked. It had nothing to do with the jealousy still humming through her blood and everything to do with the noise of construction.

  She took her sweet time removing her hand from Chance’s face and turning to face Patience. The look of disdain on Barbara’s face was more than a little irritating. In fact, she wanted to use the right hook her brother’s taught her, but she wouldn’t. Hopefully.

  “Patience. I was just telling Chance he should come into town. We’re planning a bachelor auction to raise money for literacy.”

  Chance rolled his eyes, and Patience had to fight a snort.

  “And I was telling Barbara that I’m just a little too busy right now. Maybe next year.”

  There was a part of her that wanted to mess with Chance and push him to do it. It would be good publicity for the B and B, but she just couldn’t do it. The idea of him being up for auction and Barbara saving up all her money…it was too much to take.

  “We are at a critical stage right now, or I would throw him into the mix for sure. When is it taking place?”

  “Not for another couple of months,” Barbara said. “Plenty of time.”

  “Oh, then for sure I can’t spare him. We’ll be opening right about then.”

  Barbara pouted and crossed her arms. Patience was surprised that she didn’t stomp her foot.

  “I just don’t understand why it would be a problem.” There was enough whine in her voice to make Patience want to offer her cheese. Growing up the way she did, Patience couldn’t abide whiners.

  “Because Chance will be in charge of the kitchens. I’m sure Chance would be happy to offer a meal for two. Maybe to the bachelor who grabs the highest bid?”

  He nodded. “I would even let them pick something special for it.”

  Oh, Barbara wasn’t happy about it, but apparently, she didn’t have a backup plan.

  “That sounds like a good compromise. Thanks.” She sighed. “I need to get back to town. So much to do to get ready for the auction.” She turned back to Chance and leaned in to try and kiss his cheek. He stepped back.

  “I wouldn’t want you to get dirty.”

  Another sigh and she nodded. Without saying anything to Patience, she wandered off back to her SUV. As they watched her back away, Chance stepped up next to Patience.

  “She’s a scary woman.”

  Patience glanced at him out of the side of her eye but said nothing.

  “You saved me.”

  “I think you can handle yourself.”

  “No.”

  “Are you telling me you couldn’t handle a woman like that? Please.”

  “Don’t beg.”

  She rolled her eyes and turned back to the house.

  “Why did you come out here?”

  She faced him and crossed her arms. “I saw her drive up.”

  “And you came to save me?”

  “I came to protect our new business.”

  He said nothing for a moment or two. Then, a small smile curved his lips. “You were jealous.”

  “That’s stupid.”

  “To be jealous?” he asked, his voice teasing, seductive. Dammit. He was hard enough to ignore when he wasn’t flirting with her.

  “No, that you would think I was.”

  “What? You don’t think she’s interested in me?”

  “No, I am pretty sure she was planning on being the highest bidder for you.”

  “And you rushed out here to save me from her clutches. I’m so touched.”

  “I came out here because I don’t trust her.”

  “So you are jealous of her.”

  Patience didn't like the inflection of his tone or the fact that he was teasing her. She wasn't good at this kind of flirtation. It made her uneasy, and she always felt as if she were missing out on some sort of joke.

  “No. I just didn't want to worry about you dating her, then dumping her. We can't deal with bad publicity, and that is one woman who would do everything she could to get back at us for that. This isn't a big city.”

  “Sure,” he said with a laugh. Then he turned around and headed back to work.

  Without another word, Patience walked back up the stairs and into the house. She didn’t need to fight with him because she would inevitably find herself wanting to strangle him. And kiss him. A lot.

  “Get your mind out of the gutter,” she said to herself. She needed to keep her mind on work and only work for the next few months. Then, maybe, she would have time to get a social life.

  4

  Chance walked down the stairs. He was awake and edgy... again. It had been this way since the two of them had moved into the house to refurbish it and get it ready to open. They were civil for the most part, but by the end of the day, he was snapping at her like a caged tiger. And that's what he felt like. Caged ... and in heat.

  When he reached the bottom step, he paused to run his hand over his face. His whiskers were as rough as he felt. Since that kiss in the kitchen the first night, he'd been dreaming day--and night--of that and more. Nothing in his life had tasted as sweet as Patience's lips. The need to touch her, taste her, was so overwhelming he spent most the day pissing her off. That way she stayed away from him. But when she was off pouting, he couldn't help but want to see her. He was one sick screwball. A masochist.

  He needed to blow off some ... steam, but the truth was, they'd been working day and night on plans, and he hadn't made it into town in the last three weeks. The thing that scared the hell out of him was that he didn't want to. He had no interest in tipping anybody into bed except Patience's.

  And she didn’t even notice. He walked around most the day half erect, with no blood in his brain. She treated him like a brother.

  Shaking his head, he entered the kitchen, allowing his annoyance with his sex drive to be replaced by satisfaction. The last two months had been a whirlwind of activity. With the help of a carpenter, the cabinets had been designed and installed. The gleaming cherry wood matched the décor of the rest of the house. They’d had the floor buffed to a shine, and the island he’d wanted was in the center of the kitchen. It was a dream come true.

  He loved cooking. Had since his mother taught him how to make his first batch of chicken and dumplings. But the past few years had been getting old. Late nights, temperamental staff, temperamental customers ... he'd lost his love of the work. The hassle of being head chef had drained the joy out of the job. He knew being in charge was where he should be, but he no longer wanted to run a kitchen in a four or five star restaurant. When Patience had come to him with the idea, he'd first been surprised and then intrigued. She would handle the hotel side of their business and he the kitchen. Perfect arrangement.

  Late the night before, his boxes had been delivered. He’d opened the two he thought most important, the one with his music and the one with his cooking equipment. To keep himself busy, he’d hung his pot rack over the island. His hands were itching to hang up his copper-bottom pots.

  He rummaged through the boxes, but his mind drifted to Patience. He hadn't realized exactly how efficient the woman was. Usually it would drive him crazy. He hated rules and refused to live by them, but he knew the importance of her work starting their business. She'd been right alongside him working to clean the kitchen floor, and had spent more time than he thought possible weeding out their gardens.

  The lights flickered, and he swallowed. Shit, it was still happening. Anytime he had a stray thought about the house, something strange occurred. The lights would flicker. A door would slam. It was enough to make a person uncomfortable. He'd come to the conclusion that their house was haunted.

  The lights flickered again. He ignored it and let his mind drift back to Patience. She lived up to her name, that was for sure. She'd spent hours not only helping him with designs for the kitchen but also working with designers on the interior of the house. When they added electricity to the house, there had been damage to walls and ceilings. Patience researched the architectural information from the era of the house, including pictures she'd dug up on the internet, trying to reproduce the look of the home as closely as possible.

  He found the box marked “music” and opened it. Shifting through the contents, he thought about his feelings for Patience. They were more than lust. With each day, she’d chipped away at his defenses, building up his need for her. It wasn’t just primal, although there was a lot of that going on. No, this had more to do with respect ... and love.

  Shit. Maybe he’d been falling in love with her for the last two years. There’d been other women. But he couldn’t count the times he’d tried to make Patience smile, or catch her on her break so they could talk about nothing in particular.

  Why her? She was an uptight, list-making, by-the-book woman. But ... she was also sweet as jasmine. Lord, he’d spent hours watching her in the gardens, tending, loving, cultivating. She’d asked him what he needed in the way of herbs and bought a couple of strawberry pots and planted what he needed. It was just so damn ... sweet.

 

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