Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
She cleared her throat. “As I’ve already said, the next time you call me, it had better be for a good reason, or I’m going to have to call the firm I work for and let them know you need someone else to work with you.”
He knew he should let it go, but he’d never felt an attraction this strong before. He’d been drawn to her the minute he set eyes on her, and now she was in his home, half dressed, and he was hurting and lonely, and all he wanted was to put his arms around her and feel her skin against his own.
In a gentle tone that held no pressure or cajoling in it, he said, “I know you’re here for work. But you’re also single. I’m single. We could have a lot of fun together.”
She hesitated for just a moment and then said, “Yes, I’m single. But I’m also a widow. I’m only here to be your caregiver, nothing more.” She paused a beat. “Good night.”
She turned her back on him and left the room.
As the door clicked shut, he stared at the spot where she’d just been standing, feeling like the worst jerk in the world. He hadn’t missed the pain in her eyes.
A widow.
He’d been coming on to a woman who’d lost the love of her life, robbed of happiness by death.
Way to completely blow it, Arch.
He let out a big sigh. Ten minutes ago, it had seemed like such a good idea to call Tessa down here. He’d so badly wanted to see her face, to let her know he was thinking of her.
But now he regretted the decision. Somehow, he’d let his emotions get away from him and override his common sense.
He twisted uncomfortably to turn off the bedside lamp. The room was thrown into darkness, leaving him once again staring at the ceiling. Sleeping was hard enough with his leg needing to be elevated all night, but even if his leg had been in perfect condition, he still wouldn’t get much sleep tonight. Not when he was utterly furious with himself for pushing Tessa’s boundaries.
And especially for not realizing that her tough exterior was hiding a world of pain.
Tessa had been married, and her husband had died. Though he didn’t know anything more than that, it had to be a lot to come back from. And jumping into bed with him to have “fun” was surely the very last thing on her mind.
From this moment forward, he vowed, he’d be a better man.
Even if it hurt like hell to still want her this bad, knowing he would likely never have her body… or her heart.
Chapter Thirteen
As he had predicted, Arch slept badly that night. It was impossible to get comfortable with his leg in the cast, and the open windows bringing in the soft ocean breeze did nothing to cool the heat in his body after seeing Tessa in her skimpy pajamas.
For what seemed like hours, thoughts of Tessa raced through his conscious and then his dreaming mind. The dark curls of her hair. The deep blue of her eyes. How soft the skin between her breasts had looked when he caught a glimpse.
Now it was eight a.m., and he was not rested.
Slipping on a T-shirt and shorts, he made his way on crutches to the kitchen. From the hallway, he could hear Tessa tending to breakfast. He paused in the doorway for a moment and watched as she made coffee. It was hard to predict how she would greet him. Like nothing had happened? Or would she be back to that matronly strictness that had been a major disappointment yesterday morning? He hoped not.
At the same time, he felt guilty for coming on to her last night. He owed her a massive apology.
Tessa still had her back to him as she made her way around the kitchen. Something in him softened as he watched her. She looked like she had been made to be part of his home and had been living here for months. He’d always loved his Carmel-by-the-Sea house, but suddenly it really felt like home. All because Tessa was here.
But when she turned to pour the coffee and saw him standing there, her whole body tensed, and she became stiff. Her long hair was pulled back in a practical and very nurse-like bun. She was wearing her uniform shirt again. The one with her name stitched across the front. Obviously, he had made her uncomfortable, and now she was redrawing the boundaries between them.
Not a good sign.
And it was all his fault.
Yet again, he inwardly cursed himself for his behavior. He’d always thought he’d escaped the curse of the totally self-involved celebrity. But from the way he’d acted last night, he suddenly felt like he was its poster boy.