Sleeping Arrangements (Silhouette Desire) by Amy Jo Cousins Page B

snow wedged in her pants with two curled fingers. She only managed to push it in farther. “Ai yi yi, so cold.” She gave up. Turning her back on Spencer, she unzipped her pants, gasped at the smack of cold air on her skin and finally managed to rid herself of the chilly clumps. Struggling with gloved fingers to pull her zipper back up, she heard what sounded suspiciously like choking coming from behind her.
    “I swear to God, if you’re laughing, Reed, you’re gonna know exactly what this feels like in about two seconds.”
    Before she could turn around, his arms were around her, bundling her up in an enormous hug. His lips were cold against her ear as he whispered, laughter in his voice.
    “I wouldn’t dare.”
    In a second, he had her spun around and pressed up against the side of his car.
    “Where were we?”
    She pressed her palms firmly against his chest and reared her head back out of reach.
    “We were making a big mistake, that’s where we were.”
    Tugging on her scarf, he tried to pull her closer. “No, no, no. I’m the sensible one.” He leaned his hips against hers and the focus of her entire body shot south. “You’re the one who can’t control her impulses.”
    “You’re the attorney,” she said, keeping away from his mouth and wondering where this sudden sense of responsibility had sprung from. “I’m the client.”
    “Your great-aunt was my client.”
    “Same difference.”
    “Not hardly.” But he gave in, dropping his hands and pausing only to press his forehead against hers. She felt him take a couple of deep breaths. “But I see your point.”
    Stepping out of his embrace, she put her hand on the car door and opened it. “Come on, let’s go.” After she slid into her seat, he pushed the door softly shut. He stood next to the car, motionless for a little while, before walking around it and getting in. He was shaking his head, but didn’t say anything.
    She waited until they’d arrived back at her mother’s house, double-parking next to her truck. After a moment of silence, she scooched around in her seat until she was facing him, one arm braced on her seat, the other on the dash.
    “Look, Reed,” she began, and then stopped. She didn’t want to be abrupt now. The words mattered because she knew she was right. “I appreciate the fact that you want to help. Really, I do. But this isn’t going to work.”
    His face was shadowed. “Which part of it?”
    She understood immediately. His offer to marry her and what happened between them every time they got within two feet of each other were separate things. Unfortunately.
    “Any of it.”
    His exhale echoed her own. “I don’t want you to give up on your great-aunt’s house, Addy.”
    “I’m not.” She laughed at herself and caught his answering smile. “I didn’t want to scam my way into her inheritance at first, but I’ll admit it now—I’ve changed my mind. If Great-Aunt Adeline wanted to put some crazy rules in her will, I’m willing to be a little crazy in turn.”
    He reached a hand over and squeezed her knee. “That shouldn’t be too hard.”
    Good, they were back to teasing insults. She was comfortable with that. “My insanity only goes so far. I’ll find someone to marry, but it’ll be someone I’m not so…” She drifted off into silence.
    His hand slid higher up her thigh. She felt every molecule in her body vibrate with renewed tension and caught her breath on a sharp inhale.
    “So instantly attracted to?” He bared white teeth in a sudden grin.
    “It may surprise you to hear this, Reed, but I don’t hop into bed with every guy I’m attracted to, much less marry them.” She popped the door open and jumped out of the car. She’d learned her lesson about staying near him when she felt like this. He leaned over the console between the seats to keep her in his sight.
    “It wouldn’t surprise me at all.” He laughed shortly. “Half of them are probably running scared after you give them a