No Knight Needed by Stephanie Rowe Page B

for NASA. Coolest experience I’ve ever had.”
    Oh, God, it felt unbelievable to be touched like that. “Are you serious?” She could barely concentrate on his words, she was so startled by the sensation of his hand rubbing her muscles. “You went there?”
    He nodded. “Sure did.” He glanced at the stairs, moving his hand slightly so he could rub the base of her neck. “Katie must be very smart to get into that program.”
    Clare smiled, unable to hide her pride, even as a part of her began the slow process of melting at the decadently sensual sensation of his fingers against her bare skin. “She is. She works really hard.” Then she sighed, closing her eyes to focus on Griffin’s touch. It had been so long since anyone had touched her like that, and she didn’t want to miss a second of it. “But she’s a little resistant, as you can see.” She tilted her head, giving him more room to work on her neck. The slide of his fingers across her skin was delicious, the kneading of his knuckles was a luxurious sensation that made her want to surrender to his touch and turn herself over to him on every level.
    Maybe Astrid was right about the benefits of occasionally letting a man into her life. Because this felt amazing, unreal, magical…words she couldn’t even think of, creating sensations within her that she could barely even fathom. “Would you maybe talk to Katie about MIT? Tell her how much you enjoyed it? I mean, she thinks you’re so cool that maybe she’ll listen and—”
    “Sure.”
    Relief rushed through her, and she opened her eyes, startled to see Griffin watching her intently, as if he were trying to see right into her soul. “Really?”
    He nodded as he continued to dig his fingers into the knot in her neck. His offer to help and the soothing allure of his massage eased the tension that had kept her captive for so long. “Of course I will,” he said. “Consider it done.”
    A weight began to lift from Clare and she smiled at him, hopelessly lost in the intensity of his gaze. What if he could help Katie see the benefit of MIT and good grades when Clare had been unable to do so? It was worth the risk. “You can eat at my table.”
    His hand stilled, and his eyes darkened. “I would like that.”
    She swallowed at the sudden heat that flared in her belly. “It’s not personal,” she clarified. “It’s only to help Katie.” And then, she blurted out, “And to prove to my daughter that I don’t have a thing against men.” Oh, no. Had she really said that?
    His eyebrows went up, and a wickedly sexy smile curved his mouth. “Clare, there’s no chance in hell I would ever believe you’re frigid.”
    Her heart began to race. “No?”
    His gaze went to her mouth, and then back to her eyes. “Not with the way you look at me.”
    She swallowed, her body vibrating at the intensity of his gaze, and the weight of his hand as he caressed her neck. “How do I look at you?” she whispered, her voice too breathy.
    “Exactly how I want you to.” His voice was low, and his hand paused as his gaze dropped to her mouth again, and this time, there was no mistaking the desire that flared in his eyes.
    Oh, God. Her stomach jumped, and she felt light-headed. “What does that mean?”
    He winked. “Figure it out. I’m going to get my bags.” He squeezed her shoulder and then, without another word, he turned and walked back out the door, leaving her to wish desperately that the extra bedroom was not right next to hers.
    And, at the same time, unable to stop thinking about the fact it was.
     

Chapter Six
    It was already six o’clock by the time Griffin finally got his gear settled in Clare’s spare room, the afternoon somehow consumed by bringing in firewood, cleaning the mud off his truck, helping Clare unload mulch for her yard, and getting the Wi-Fi going. She hadn’t asked for his help with the chores, and he hadn’t thought to offer, but somehow, he’d ended up doing it.
    And he hadn’t