Impulsive. HelenKay Dimon

back and forth on this subject, internally justifying her snooping as no big deal and not harmful to Eric. But as much as she wanted to spin this into someone else’s deal, the guilt still gnawed at her.

      The only reason she didn’t tell him was that she figured there wasn’t a need because she didn’t matter to him. Because every time she saw him she thought it would be the last. She never expected him to keep coming around…no matter how much she wanted him to.

      She locked all the jumbled feelings inside. Somehow, some way, she’d figure out how to deal with her role and minimize any impact on Eric. But for now, she’d concentrate on him. If this was their last meeting, she’d enjoy it.

      “Before you sauntered over to me—”

      He smiled down at her. “Sauntered?”

      “You did more than walk, buddy.”

      He rested his hands on the small of her back. “Interesting.”

      “Not like you had a choice. I was staring you down pretty hard. You came over because I wanted you to come over. You got under my skirt because I invited you.”

      “That’s some big confidence right there.”

      “It’s not ego talking.” She poked his chest. “It’s reality.”

      “Then what about the part where I came looking for you after the wedding? Where I found out the company that catered the event and went hunting for a pretty brunette with eyes the color of the sky right after sunrise?”

      The thawing inside her started the second the words left his mouth. “You are smooth.”

      “I have my moments.”

      He was a good man, and she was screwing him in more ways than one. But she wasn’t guilty of the sin he wanted to leave at her door and she needed him to know that. “I’m still not talking to anyone about us. You don’t need to worry. Your secret is safe with me.”

      He frowned. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with you thinking of yourself as some big secret.”

      “Is that why you brought coffee instead of asking me to go out with you? Out in public where someone might actually see us together?” He actually blushed. Under that tan skin, she saw a rosy hue burn into his cheeks. “Ahhhh, there it is. I can almost see reality nipping at your ass.”

      “I never thought you were a setup. Honest.”

      No matter what he said, she worried about the possibility. There was no hiding that guilty look on his face. She saw the same one on her face in the mirror each morning since she’d met him. “But…?”

      “I do have to be careful in public.” His hands eased up until his fingers dipped under her hair to massage her neck.

      “At places like your ex’s wedding.”

      The gentle kneading slowed. “You do know everything, don’t you?”

      “The entire island knows about that romance. You looked perfect together on the outside and then the unspeakable happened. Most people thought you got screwed in the process.”

      Then his hands were gone. They hung at his sides. “Things happen.”

      Katie wasn’t letting go that easily. Wrapping her hands around his neck, she leaned in close. “Can I ask you something?”

      “The conversation can’t go worse, so shoot,” he said with a sigh.

      “Sure it could.”

      He rolled his eyes. “Now there’s some bad news.”

      “Why did you go? Why put yourself through that?” She waited to feel his touch against her somewhere—anywhere—but it never came. “I mean, I’m assuming that’s why you needed to hook up with me. You were upset at seeing Deana and then this woman you didn’t know crossed your path. You needed to feel something and there I was.”

      “I’m not sure if that explanation is less flattering to you or to me.”

      “Probably me, but answer the question.”

      He exhaled a long agonizing breath. “I needed to prove that I could.”

      “Have sex?”

      He didn’t even blink. “Stand there on that perfect day, in that incredible oceanfront spot, and watch Deana marry Josh.”

      Since he’d given an honest answer, Katie finally broke her hold on him and let her fingers slide down to his shoulders, then to his waist. “That’s a tough test of personal courage. What if you couldn’t stand it?”

      “I did.” His face didn’t show any emotion.

      “Or was the real point to make your head and your heart face it?”

      “Pretty much.” He grabbed her hands and pulled them away from his body. The only good thing was that he didn’t let go. His warm fingers entangled with hers even as their bodies broke apart. “I’m not stuck on Deana. I’m not using sex with you as some sort of antidote.”

      “You sure?”

      “Positive.” He brought their bound hands to his lips and kissed her palm.

      The sweet gesture sent Katie’s hormones racing. “You really don’t have a condom on you anywhere?”

      He chuckled. “No.”

      “That’s a shame.”

      “I’m trying to show you that I can do something besides have sex.” Said the man as he licked his tongue over her skin.

      “I hear you’re also pretty good in a courtroom.”

      “Want to know why I’m still standing here despite the tough questions? Honestly?”

      “Do you know how to be anything else?”

      “Because I like being with you.”

      “On top of me.”

      He treated her to a devastating smile. “I can’t lie. That, too.”

      With his mouth on her skin and those eyes watching her, she couldn’t help but be lured in. Even felt a little disappointed by his determination to do something other than have sex with her. But it was hard to ignore the gesture. Pretty damn awesome in her book.

      “Would you settle for a little necking and then another round of dishwashing?” she asked.

      His mouth left her hand long enough for him to glance at the stacks of dishes around the sink. “Let’s try a lot of kissing and then some cleanup.”

      Her hands found their way to his neck again. “I’m starting to like you, Eric Kimura.”

      “I’ll remember that when I’m looking for campaign volunteers.”

      Then his mouth was on hers and she forgot about anything other than him.