Desire (#1) by Cox, Carrie (important of reading books .txt) 📕

As he ignored us, I studied his back. Even though he was sitting down, I could tell he was a tall man. His back was ram-rod straight, but it was his dark hair that surprised me most. I’d expected his hair to be streaked with grey and fair like Colin’s.

I bit my lower lip. There was something about his hair…

Before my mind had a chance to piece together fragments of the jigsaw, he turned around.

I gasped and stumbled backwards. Luckily, Colin Easton caught my arm before I fell on my backside for the second time today.

“Are you all right, Miss Taylor?” he asked as he pulled up a chair so I could sit down.

I slumped down into the chair and looked up into Colin’s concerned face. Then I peeked behind him to see if my eyes had been playing tricks on me.

But my eyes had not deceived me. There he was, larger than life, dressed in an expensive, dark grey, well-cut suit and a pristine white shirt: My gardener, from this morning.

Chapter 4

He looked very different. Perhaps even hotter in the suit. And he radiated power. How could I have mistaken him for the gardener? Still, I supposed at least I knew his name now. Benjamin Easton. It suited him. It also explained why Carter, the butler, called him sir. How could I have missed it?

Still frowning, Colin said, “May I introduce Miss Katherine Taylor, the talented artist who has been restoring our mural.”

Benjamin Easton smiled, his eyes focused on me.

“Katherine.” He pronounced each syllable of my name: Kath-er-ine. As he spoke, I felt the stirring of desire. How could simply saying my name be so hot?

I should have answered, but my brain wouldn’t function properly. Was he going to fire me? He definitely wouldn’t be recommending me to any of his rich friends. I swallowed and sat up a little straighter in my chair.

Poor Colin Easton seemed to be at a loss.

Benjamin Easton’s eyes remained fixed on me, and I couldn’t tear my gaze away.

Colin cleared his throat. “Ah, she has worked miracles. Really a first-class job. Have you seen the mural, Benjamin?”

Benjamin steepled his fingers beneath his chin and grinned at me. It was a grin filled with wicked intentions. My heart beat sped up. Perhaps he wasn’t going to fire me. Perhaps he had other plans. I felt a warmth tingling between my legs. Oh no, no.

That shouldn’t turn me on. I should have been annoyed he’d tricked me into almost having sex with him in the estate gardens. As I remembered the scene this morning, an image of Benjamin, shirtless above me filled my mind. My face flushed.

“Yes,” Benjamin said, his voice deep and impossibly sexy. “Katherine is very talented.”

My cheeks grew hotter at his innuendo. I shot a sideways glance at Colin. Did he realise what had happened between us?

“Perhaps I could have a private conversation with Miss Taylor, Colin,” he said, keeping his gaze fixed on me all the time.

My mind whirled with the possibilities.

He wanted us to be alone? Did that mean he was going to finish what he started this morning?

I felt a stab of raw lust. If my brain had been functioning properly, I would have made an excuse and left before things got more complicated. But I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to feel those strong hands on me again.

“Oh. Well, all right, I suppose, but I did want to talk to you about cleaning the pottery collection.”

“Later, Colin,” Benjamin snapped, finally turning to face his cousin. “We can talk about it another time.”

Colin sniffed and nodded, clearly put out. “Fine. I’ll make an appointment, shall I?” He turned to me. “Goodbye, Miss Taylor.” He gave a stuffy little bow and stalked out of the room.

As Colin slammed the door, I turned back to Benjamin, my eyes wide. I must have looked like a startled rabbit. His dark, dangerous eyes studied me for a moment. Then he stood up.

My heart raced as he moved towards me.

I made a funny squeaking sound as I stood up quickly and held out my arms to ward him off. “No, hang on a minute,” I said, trying desperately to stay in control. “I think you owe me an explanation.”

He stopped advancing towards me and leaned back on his desk, raising an eyebrow. “I owe you an explanation?”

I faltered a little, trying to gain confidence. “Yes. You led me to believe you were a gardener.”

A bemused smile flickered over his lips. “I don’t believe I actually said I was the gardener.”

“But you didn’t tell me you were my boss!” I folded my arms across my chest. “And you … you let me … you made me …”

“I didn’t make you do anything, Katherine.”

There it was again. The musical way he said my name had me melting with desire. He was right, of course. He hadn’t forced me to do anything. I had been a very willing participant.

I nodded, conceding his point. “Okay, but you still should have told me you were my boss.”

He tilted his head to the side, studying me.

“And why were you working in the garden?” I asked

“I like to spend half an hour or so in the garden before my working day starts. I like gardening. I’m very good with my hands.”

I looked down at his hands as he spoke, imagining just how good he could be with those hands and fingers.

“Come here,” he said softly.

I shook my head. “I don’t think this is a very good idea.”

“You liked me well enough when you thought I was a gardener. I’m up for a bit of role-playing if it makes it easier.”

My mouth dropped open. “I don’t mean that. It will complicate things. You’re my boss. I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

“That’s a shame.” He pushed off from the desk and went back round to his seat. He sat down and started shuffling through his papers.

I stood there rooted to the spot.

After a moment, he looked up at me.