Jen_C’s Reviews > Tempting Trouble > Status Update

Better late than never 3.25 stars.

“Want to tell me why we’ve been waiting to do that?” he murmured into her hair. She smiled. “Because I’m an idiot.” A low rumbling sound erupted from him and it took a moment to realize he was laughing. “Don’t say that. Besides, I take some of the blame. I came on a little strong.”

He felt as if he’d been waiting forever to meet a woman like Lindsay. She was pretty, yes, but it was her smile that drew people in. It was absolutely contagious because it was warm and real. He never wanted to see her sad and if he could help it, he was going to put that sexy smile on her face tonight. And many nights to follow.

He’d been hiding a lot under those designer suits. While she’d known he had incredibly broad shoulders, he also had perfectly sculpted pectorals, a gorgeous eight-pack of abs and…a tattoo of an anchor on the right side of his chest. Her eyes widened. “You were in the Navy?” His nod was curt. “Four years.”

This conversation had been a long time coming and in truth, Randall had done nothing wrong. He’d kissed her but she’d met him half way. She’d just been too much of a chicken to tell him it couldn’t happen again. Instead, she’d avoided his calls. And he deserved a better explanation than her silence.

He couldn’t understand why she’d been avoiding him or what he’d done to make her so angry. He’d been harboring a mind-numbing attraction to her for over a year but as a member of management, he’d known he couldn’t make a move. When she’d been in a car accident 6 weeks ago and ended up hospitalized, he’d thrown all his rules—and the company’s rules—out the f-ing window.

Madison, I love you. I have for a while. I want to be with you and only you. I guess I just needed to get used to the idea that our lives were going to change. Your entire family means a lot to me. Damn it, I think I’m f-ing this up, but I’ve never been in love before. The bottom line is, I acted like an arse, and I’m sorry.” He’d never been so honest with a woman in his life or put himself on the line like this.

“I have a date.” She tried to bite them back, but the words just slipped out. It was a lame attempt to salvage some of her pride. Silence. “Uh, Rafe?”
“With who?”
“Who what?”
“Who are you going on a date with?” he ground out. She cringed and forced the lie out.
“Just a guy I met at work.”
Why had she said that? She hated playing games, but the thought of Rafe trying to let her down easy…it was too much.

He really hoped she had more of the sexy lingerie stashed away. If not, he’d buy it for her. Hell, he’d do that anyway. When things settled down, he wanted to take her on a real date. He wanted to treat her the way she deserved. Nothing about his feelings for her was casual, and he needed to make sure she understood that.

“Hey, what are you doing?” His lips quirked up slightly at the corners. “I only have one rule in my house. If you’re in my bed, you’re naked. No exceptions.”
“Is that right?” He nodded.
“And if you disobey my rule, you get punished.”
“That sounds promising.” Suddenly sleeping was the last thing on her mind.