Kristi Gold - From Single Mum to Secret Heiress

She glanced at the clock hanging over the bar and after noticing it was nearly 10:00 p.m., she couldn’t believe how quickly the time had flown by. “Actually, it’s getting late. I should probably be going.”

“It’s not that late,” Logan said. “Like I told you before, I’ll make sure you get home safely if you want to live a little and have another vodka and tonic.”

Hannah mulled over the offer for a few moments. Her daughter was at a sleepover, she had no desire to watch TV, and she was in the company of a very attractive and attentive man who promised to keep her safe. What would be the harm in having one more drink?

* * *

“I should never have ordered that second drink.”

Logan regarded Hannah across the truck’s cab as he pulled to a stop at the curb near her driveway. “It’s my fault for encouraging you.”

She lifted her face from her hands and attempted a smile. “You didn’t force me at gunpoint. And you had no idea I’m such a lightweight when it comes to alcohol.”

Funny, she seemed perfectly coherent to him, both back in the bar and now. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Just a little fuzzy and worried about my car. It’s not much, but it’s all that I have.”

He’d noticed the sedan had seen better days. “It’s been secured in the valet garage, and I’ll make certain it’s delivered to you first thing in the morning.”

“You’ve done too much already,” she said. “I really could have called a cab.”

In reality, he hadn’t been ready to say good-night, although he couldn’t quite understand why. Or maybe he understood it and didn’t want to admit it. “Like I told you, it’s not a problem. You don’t know who you can trust these days, especially when you’re an attractive woman.”

She gave him a winning grin. “I bet you say that to all the women who refuse a five-million-dollar inheritance.”

“You happen to be the first in that regard.” Absolutely the first woman in a long, long time to completely capture his interest on a first meeting. A business meeting to boot. “I’m hoping you haven’t totally ruled out taking the money.”

“Yes, I have. I know you probably think I’ve lost my mind, but I do have my reasons.”

Yeah, and he’d figured them out—she was refusing on the basis of principle. He sure as hell didn’t see that often in his line of work. “Well, I’m not going to pressure you, but I will check back with you tomorrow after you’ve slept on it.”

She blinked and hid a yawn behind her hand. “Speaking of sleeping, I’m suddenly very tired. I guess it’s time to bid you adieu.”

When Hannah reached for the door handle, Logan touched her arm to gain her attention. “I’ll get that for you.”

“Whaddya know,” she said. “Looks like chivalry is still alive and well after all.” She followed the comment with a soft, breathless laugh that sent his imagination into overdrive.

Before he acted on impulse, Logan quickly slid out of the driver’s seat, rounded the hood and opened the door for Hannah. She had a little trouble climbing out, which led him to take her hand to assist her. Weird thing was, he didn’t exactly want to let go of her hand, but he did, with effort.

He followed behind her as they traveled the path to the entry, trying hard to keep his gaze focused on that silky auburn hair that swayed slightly with each step she took, not her butt that did a little swaying, too.

Right before they reached the front porch, Hannah glanced back and smiled. “At least I’m not falling-down drunk.” Then she immediately tripped on the first step.

Logan caught her elbow before she landed on that butt he’d been trying to ignore. “Careful.”

“I’m just clumsy,” she said as he guided her up the remaining steps.

Once they reached the door, he released her arm and she sent him another sleepy smile. “I really enjoyed the evening, Logan. And if you’ll just send me what I need to sign to relinquish the money, I’ll mail it back to you immediately.”

He still wasn’t convinced she was doing the right thing in that regard. “We’ll talk about that later. Right now getting you to bed is more important.” Dammit, that sounded like a freaking proposition.

“Do you want to come in?” she asked, taking him totally by surprise.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Actually, it sounded like a great idea, but he was too keyed up to honestly believe he could control his libido.

She clutched her bag to her chest. “Oh, I get it. You’re afraid you’re going to be accosted by the poor, single mom who hasn’t had sex in almost seven years.”

Oh, hell. “That’s not it at all. I just respect you enough not to put us in the position where we might do something we regret, because, lady, being alone with you could lead to all sorts of things.”

She leaned a shoulder against the support column and inclined her head. “Really?”

“Really. In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve had a hard time keeping my eyes off you tonight.” He was having a real hard time right now.

She barked out a laugh. “I’m sorry, but I’m having a difficult time believing you would be interested in me.”

She couldn’t be more wrong. “Why wouldn’t I be? You’re smart and savvy and pretty damn brave to raise a child on your own and finish college at the same time.”

“Keep going.”

He could...all night. “You’re a survivor and very beautiful, although you don’t seem to know that. And that’s not only hard to find in a beautiful woman, it’s appealing.”

“And?”

“Right now I’d like to kiss you,” he blurted out before his brain caught up with his mouth. “But I’m not going to.”

“Why not?” she asked, looking thoroughly disappointed.

“Because if I kissed you, I might not want to stop there. And as I’ve said, I respect you too much to—”

Hannah cut off his words by circling one hand around his neck and landing her lips on his, giving him the kiss he’d been halfheartedly trying to avoid.

Logan was mildly aware she’d dropped her purse, and very aware she kissed him like she hadn’t been kissed in a long, long time—with the soft glide of her tongue against his, bringing on a strong stirring south of his belt buckle. He grazed his hand up her side until his palm rested close to her breast, and he heard her breath catch as she moved flush against him. He considered telling her they should take it inside the house before someone called the cops, but then she pulled abruptly away from him and took a step back.

Hannah touched her fingertips to her lips, her face flushed, her emerald eyes wide with shock. “I cannot believe I just did that. And I can’t imagine what you must be thinking about me right now.”

He was thinking he wanted her. Badly. “Hey, it’s chemistry. It happens. Couple that with a few cocktails—”

“And you get some thirty-year-old woman acting totally foolish.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You don’t have to feel foolish or ashamed, Hannah. I’m personally flattered that you kissed me.”

She snatched her bag from the cement floor and hugged it tightly again. “I didn’t give you a whole lot of choice.”

“You only did what I wanted to do.” Trouble was, he wanted to do it again, and more. “For the record, I think you’re one helluva sexy woman and I’d really like to get to know you better.”

“But we’ve just met,” she said. “We don’t really know anything about each other.”

He knew enough to want to move forward and see where it might lead. “That’s the get-to-know-each-other-better part.”

“We don’t live in the same town.”

“True, but it’s only a ninety-mile drive.”