Carly Phillips - Hot Property

Amy knew Hannah meant what she was saying, but as she knew from watching Roper deal with his family, it was one thing to talk a tough game, another to execute it against a well-meaning but interfering parent. “You need to be blunt and tell her to let you live your life.”

Hannah sighed. “She thinks it’s her job to direct my life. Tell me, is it possible to prevent a steamroller from doing its job?”

“I wish I knew,” Amy said, thinking of Cassandra Lee.

Amy had spoken with Micki earlier and Cassandra had given her hell for sequestering her son and refusing to discuss his whereabouts. Micki had assured Cassandra that Roper was fine and taking care of himself for a change. She’d offered the woman anything she needed from advice to reservations. She just wouldn’t give Cassandra the one thing she wanted. Her son’s current address.

Amy looked into Hannah’s eyes and said, “Just remember it’s your life. If you don’t take control of it, everyone else will.”

“Sound advice,” Roper said, coming up behind them.

“It is. It just isn’t easy,” Hannah murmured. “I should go talk to Mike. We’re supposed to go over some things for this summer’s upcoming concert. We’ll talk later,” she said to Amy.

Hannah worked her way over to her band and, with great finesse and a lot of sex appeal that included swaying hips and a full pout, managed to extricate Mike from the rest of the guys.

Impressive, Amy thought.

And when Roper strode over and cornered her, she hoped she had the nerve to act as boldly as Hannah had. What a difference a week made. Now Roper glanced at Amy with a devilish grin, all evidence of his anger at being tricked gone. So when he turned his sex appeal her way, it wasn’t hard to believe in herself and her ability to act on her feelings.

Because Amy was finished fighting the attraction between them.

ROPER STUDIED AMY, HER tight jeans and sexy loose-fitting top, and realized she fit right in here. The woman who’d been uncomfortable earlier in her one-piece bathing suit was gone. In her place was the siren who called to him day and night, in his dreams and when they were wide-awake. Like now.

She shoved her hands into her pants pockets. “So have you calmed down?” she asked.

As if he hadn’t had a reason to be upset with her, he thought wryly. He wasn’t fooled by her attempt to put the onus on him. But he didn’t mind it, either.

He leaned against the wall, just plain enjoying her. “You mean, have I forgiven you for dragging me up here against my will?” He was teasing. He just wasn’t sure whether or not she knew it yet.

She stepped closer until they were inches apart. Her scent, strawberry shampoo and pure woman, overtook his thoughts and all he could concentrate on was taking her in his arms and kissing her senseless-with no cell phone, Treo or family member interrupting them.

“I was looking out for you.” She met his gaze with those huge brown eyes that broke down his defenses.

Not that he had any left when it came to her. “I know that now.” He treated her to a slow, easy, genuine smile meant to relax her and put all conflict behind them for good.

She released a puff of air, her relief that he was no longer angry evident. “So what made you come around and finally understand?”

“You did.” A stray curl fell onto her forehead and he plucked it off with one hand, allowing himself the pleasure of smoothing his palm down her head in a gentle caress. “Deep in your heart, you aren’t a manipulative sneaky person. Some time up here alone, no one to bother me, a workout and a whirlpool, and I relaxed enough to remember that.”

“Wow. You’re complimenting me.” The corner of her lips turned up in a cheeky grin. “Not only have you forgiven me but you’re pretty mellow.”

“And you seem to be enjoying yourself, too. You must be pretty relaxed yourself.”

“I wasn’t, but I am now,” she said.

He hoped the reason was his forgiveness, but he couldn’t be sure and raised an eyebrow in question. “And what’s so special about now?”

“Your calmer attitude, for one thing.”

“And the other thing?” he asked.

She shrugged, her attitude playful. “Isn’t a girl allowed to have secrets?” She bit down on her lower lip.

His gaze followed the movement, his gaze drawn to her sensual mouth. So she was playing coy. Miss All Business was suddenly flirting, he thought, amused. Hmm. Well, he couldn’t say he minded.

She was one of the perks of being here. “I took a walk earlier and discovered an amazing place. Want to see?” he asked.

She glanced over at their hostess, who appeared pretty tied up with her drummer. “I don’t think they’ll miss us,” she said, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Come.” He took her hand and together they walked through the lodge’s main lobby where people wandered, some alone, some in small groups, while others gathered around the big-screen television at the bar.

“Do you want to stop first and have a drink?” He gestured to two empty stools in a private area.

She shook her head. “I’d rather have all my faculties tonight. Nothing to drink. But thanks, anyway.”

He inclined his head and kept walking. Normally he’d think her unwillingness to indulge in alcohol was her way of reminding him they were only business associates, but something was different about her tonight. It wasn’t just her light mood or her teasing. It was her. She hadn’t removed her hand from his grasp and there was a sudden confidence emanating from her he hadn’t seen since meeting her at the wedding. Whatever had brought on the change, he was thankful for it. And he had the sudden hope that her unwillingness to drink had more to do with her desire to remember each and every minute between them.

He led her past the gift and sundry shop to a point beyond the restaurants. While working off his frustration earlier, he’d come upon a solarium that was being cleaned. He let himself inside and found himself viewing a winter wonderland beyond the glass. It was a place he’d spent a quiet, contemplative hour.

The door was closed and he knocked once. When no one answered, he pushed it open and led her inside. Instead of turning on the lights, he kept the room dark, and when the door slammed shut behind them, he quietly turned the lock, giving them complete privacy.

“What is this place?” she asked.

“A sunroom,” he said. “I asked Lisa and she said it’s usually only open during the summer. But when I walked by, a crew was dusting and I peeked inside.” He’d looked out the wall-to-wall windows at the snowy landscape beyond and immediately knew he wanted to share the sight with Amy.

She strode to the windows and stared outside. Instead of looking at the scenery, he watched her. Eyes wide, she stared at the frosty view, lit up by outdoor lights and the ski trails in the distance.

“Wow. It’s beautiful,” she said in awe. “I’ve never seen snow like this before. I mean, I’ve seen the dirty slush in the city this winter but nothing like this.”

He hadn’t realized what she’d missed growing up in Florida. “Then I’m going to have to get you outside to experience the snow for real while we’re here.”

“Ooh, I’d love that.” Her voice dropped to a deeper husky sound that resonated inside him.

He stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and looking out from over her shoulder. White snow covered the bare branches and stars filled the night sky. Without even realizing it, he eased himself forward so his body pressed more fully against her back. His hands splayed across her stomach, and of its own volition, his penis grew hard and aching. It thrust against his jeans and pressed insistently against her rear end.

She sucked in a deep breath, but she didn’t protest or try to escape his hold. Obviously much had changed and he wasn’t about to question why.

He rested his chin on her shoulder. “It’s beautiful,” he said, turning his head slightly and nuzzling his lips against her neck.

“Mmm. Growing up in Florida, I always thought I had it all. Sunshine and beaches, warm weather. But now I know what I was missing. Will you really go outside with me? I want to touch the snow and feel it between my fingertips,” she said, her excitement rising.

He was rising, as well.

“I want to make a snow angel like I’ve seen on TV,” she continued.

Her enthusiasm was contagious, and he felt as if he were experiencing the same surge of emotions as Amy-all for the first time. “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go,” he promised her.

She tipped her head backward. “I believe you,” she whispered.

She stared out the windows some more while he continued to nuzzle her neck with his lips, which quickly turned to suckling her soft skin. He couldn’t get enough of her taste, her scent, all of her.

He slipped his hands into the waistband of her jeans. She didn’t object, so he let his fingertips dip lower until he passed the low band on her panties and brushed the soft hair beneath.

She sucked in a shallow breath, and at the moment, he let his waist jerk forward, seeking relief he knew he wouldn’t find just yet. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy and he intended for her to do just that.

In the silken silence that surrounded them, he unbuttoned her jeans and lowered the zipper, never once turning her to face him.

“John?” she asked, her voice uncertain.

“We’re alone,” he reassured her. “I locked the door. Besides, no one comes back here. And with the thick trees out there, no one can see in. It’s just us,” he promised her. “Isn’t that what you wanted for me? Peace and quiet? Time to focus on what’s important?”