Page 11 of Charm Me
“Sorry, Zoe. Is that going to be a problem? I didn’t tell him it was your parents’ farm.”
On a professional level it wouldn’t be a problem and I knew it. My parents would be delighted to have me visit no matter the reason. They’d bend over backwards if they thought it would help my career. Plus, they took every chance available to get me to come home. My visits were getting less frequent in recent years as my job became more demanding. “Let me call them. I’ll see if they have room and are willing to accommodate.”
“Thanks, Zoe. He would like to talk with you about the travel arrangements. I’ll send him down.”
“Fine.” I nodded.
Why couldn’t Wyatt Strong had been an ugly, old man? Instead he was everything I’d ever dreamed about in a man. Rugged, too handsome for his own good, and sexy as fuck. I knew when I moved to the city, I’d be hard pressed to find a man that’d check off every one of my boxes and yet Wyatt barged into my life like a tidal wave and turned everything upside down in less than forty-eight hours.
I was a country girl at heart, but unfortunately, the career I wanted was in the city. After what happened with Michael, I was more than happy to put love on hold and focus on my career. I still wanted love, but I wasn’t in a hurry to repeat my mistakes.
What is wrong with me?I had no business thinking about love at a time like this. It was one kiss, albeit one hell of a kiss, but still just a kiss. Nothing more was going to happen between Wyatt and me. It couldn’t.
“Zoe.” His gravelly voice vibrated throughout my entire body. The sound of my name rolling off his tongue was just as sexy as the kiss had been. There was no way in hell I’d survive a week alone with this man.
“Yes, Wyatt.” A smile crept across his face and a flicker of light danced in his eyes at the heady sound of my voice, all sex crazed and laced with desire.
“Glen said you could arrange everything with the farm for a tour.”
“Yes. That won’t be a problem. I’ll call to make all the arrangements this morning.”
“Good.” He stepped into my office and stopped next to my desk. I hated how aware my body was of his. If my desk hadn’t separated us, I wasn’t so sure I’d be able to resist touching him. “Can you be ready to leave at seven tonight?”
“That should be fine. Where should I meet you?”
“I’ll pick you up, just tell me where.”
I held his gaze, every hair on my body tingled and begged to be touched by this man. I rubbed my eyes and sighed. I’d have to work hard to avoid his piercing green eyes. I wouldn’t be able to resist their pull for long.
I grabbed a pen and paper and wrote my address down and handed it to him. “I’ll be ready.”
He reached for the paper and brushed his fingers over the back of my hand. I sucked in a breath from his touch and my hand trembled.
“You just had to go and touch me didn’t you,” I said.
A huge grin spread across his face. “I’ve hardly thought of anything else since I left you yesterday.”
His honesty shocked me, and I nearly melted in a puddle right there. I had to get a handle on this. Getting involved with him was too great a risk. I stepped around my desk, pushed past him, and shut my door. “Listen. This cannot happen. It’s hard enough earning respect in this business as it is. If I slept with a potential client, I’d never overcome the stigma associated with that.”
In two quick strides, he shortened the distance between us. I suddenly regretted losing the protection of my desk. “You’ve thought about havin’ sex with me?”
“Don’t play dumb with me.” I narrowed my eyes on him and poked him in the chest with my finger. “A man doesn’t kiss a woman the way you kissed me yesterday and not think about sex.”
He took my hand and pulled me closer, wrapping his arm around me in such a way that he lifted me off the ground. I shuddered at the strength of his hold and the closeness of his lips to my neck. I was at least a full foot shorter than Wyatt and being held this close to his chest and face turned my brain to mush.
He leaned in close to my ear and whispered, “I apologize. You’re absolutely correct. I’ll do my best from here on out to restrain myself, but I’m not makin’ any promises.”
His lips grazed the surface of my skin and I felt the intake of his breath as he breathed me in. I involuntarily tilted my head to the side to give him better access. My mind was screaming for him to stop, but my body begged to feel the warmth of his lips against me again. I wanted this man more than I’d ever wanted another. He held me close for a moment longer before he slowly released me. I wobbled as I tried to regain my composure.
I felt his gaze on me, but I refused to look at him. If I did, I’d lose this battle. He twirled a strand of my hair between his fingers before he stepped around me to the door.
“I look forward to seein’ you at seven. Have a good day, Zoe.” Then he was gone.