Wilde Thing. Jannine Gallant

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СКАЧАТЬ one fine ass.

      “God, that feels good, in a torturous sort of way.”

      She stroked her hands across warm and elastic oiled skin. Despite having put him through a tough session, he still smelled good, citrusy and primal. She drew in a breath and stepped back from the massage table. Time to wrap this up before her imagination got completely out of control.

      “You aren’t quitting, are you?” Turning his face to the side, he met her gaze. Green eyes the color of the forest outside the window, sparkled with humor. “What about the happy ending?”

      A smile curved her lips. “You aren’t paying me enough.”

      “Are you sure? When I opened your bill, I almost fainted.”

      The smile broadened. “You wanted me to work exclusively with you. That costs.”

      “No friends and family discount?”

      “What I gave you was the discounted rate.” She wiped her hands on a towel. “We’re finished. You can go take a shower now.”

      He rolled over and sat up. “I don’t suppose you want to join me?”

      She eyed him up and down. “As tempting as you are, all greased up like a pig at the county fair, I’ll pass.”

      He let out a snort of laughter. “With you around, I don’t have to worry about getting an inflated ego, that’s for sure.”

      “Consider ego squashing a free perk. I’ll see you later, Tripp.”

      As she headed toward the door, he reached out to grab her arm. Lean fingers held her in a loose grip, but she didn’t try to pull away when he tugged her one step closer.

      “Do you know what tomorrow is?”

      One of her brows shot up. “Sunday?”

      “Yes, but more importantly, it’s my birthday.”

      “Oh yeah? The big three-oh?”

      “I’m officially ancient. Want to know what I’d like to do to commemorate such an auspicious occasion?”

      She scowled. “If you say have sex—”

      “Believe it or not, I have a little more class than that. A real date…not a burger at the Bridgetender. A grown-up, dress nice and go out to dinner date with an elegant and fascinating woman. What do you say?”

      Dating a client wasn’t an option. Ever. And getting emotionally involved with Tripp was the last thing Hannah wanted. She had absolutely no doubt she’d wind up with a bruised and battered heart if she was foolish enough to give in to his persuasive charm. She’d fallen for this man once before with no more encouragement than a few easy smiles, and all her youthful fantasies had been hopelessly crushed. Still, turning him down on his birthday seemed…wrong. Forewarned is forearmed, right?

      “Since you put it so nicely—and it’s your birthday—I accept.”

      “Great. Sunday’s my rest day, so I won’t see you in the morning.” He regarded her steadily. “I’ll make a reservation for seven at that new lakeside restaurant in town and pick you up at a quarter to. Will that work?”

      She hesitated for a moment then nodded. “I haven’t eaten there yet. Thanks for asking me.” He slid his fingers down to her wrist, leaving tingles in their wake before he released her.

      “I’m looking forward to trying something different for a change.”

      “Tripp?”

      His gaze met hers, warm and filled with pleasure. “Yes?”

      “Have a happy birthday.”

      “I intend to.”

      Chapter 5

      “You’re going out to dinner? With Hannah?”

      Tripp slid the razor across his foam-covered jaw with one hand while he held the phone to his ear with the other. “That’s what I said. Uh, is this going to take long? I’m trying to shave, and I don’t want to be late.”

      His sister was silent on the other end of the line for a long moment. “Why?”

      Deciding she was obviously in no rush to get off the line, he engaged the speaker and set the phone on the bathroom counter. “What do you mean, why? Because it’s rude to pick up your date late.”

      “Why are you taking her out? I know you flirted with her a little last fall at Griff’s engagement party, but I thought that was your usual knee-jerk reaction to the nearest available female.” Eden’s voice dripped sarcasm. “Anyway, Hannah basically ignored you.”

      Tripp scowled then swore when he nicked himself. “She can’t ignore me now since we see each other pretty much every day for my therapy sessions.” He pressed a piece of tissue to the cut. “I like her. She keeps me on my toes.”

      “She’s not your usual ski groupie.”

      “You think I don’t know that? I’m not stupid.” He finished shaving and wiped the last of the foam from his face with a wet washcloth. “Did you call to wish me a happy birthday or to insult me?”

      “I can do both. I’m excellent at multitasking.”

      Tripp choked with laughter. “Well, you don’t have to worry because Hannah is fully capable of taking care of herself. For now, we’re just friends.”

      “For now?” Eden’s voice rose.

      “Hey, you never know about these things.”

      “If you hurt her, I’ll personally drive down to Tahoe to kick your ass.”

      Giving his still damp head a shake, he dropping the towel tied around his waist on the tile floor then pulled on a clean pair of boxers. “Why would I hurt her?” He carried the phone into the closet and came out with a button-down green dress shirt and a pair of slacks. “As I mentioned before, I like Hannah.”

      “Because I know how you operate. Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time.”

      “What the hell are you talking about?” Walking into the bedroom, he dropped the phone on the tangle of sheets then jerked the pants up his legs.

      “She kind of had a thing for you when we were in college.”

      His hand stilled on the zipper. “She did?”

      “Yes.” His sister let out a sigh. “We were both at the ranch for summer break, and your friend, Danny, asked me out. I didn’t want to ditch Hannah for a movie date, and she didn’t want to be a third wheel. Then you offered to go along with us as a foursome.”

      He shrugged on his shirt, taking care to ease it over his injured shoulder. “Why don’t I remember any of this?”

      “Probably because you bailed at the last minute when СКАЧАТЬ