The Winner Takes It All: Winning Back His Wife / In Her Rival's Arms / Royally Seduced. Melissa McClone

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       CHAPTER EIGHT

      BILL PAULSON SAT next to Sarah on the couch with an impish grin on his lips and a suggestive gleam in his eyes. “So what do you want to do now?”

      Charming might describe Hood Hamlet, but it didn’t come close to describing the friendly, easy-on-the-eyes firefighter in well-worn jeans and a faded T-shirt. Sarah enjoyed being with him. He made her feel feminine and pretty even when she looked like a boxer, albeit one who’d been out of the ring for a couple of weeks.

      “I have no idea,” she admitted.

      The guy had a great sense of humor. He could give any pop-star pretty boy a run for the money in the looks department and kick their butts with his athletic build. He was fun to hang out with, albeit a little immature with some of his not-so-subtle, yet humorous innuendos.

      “You’ve kept me entertained all afternoon. I’m not sure what’s left for us to do,” she added.

      Mischief twinkled in his eyes. “I’m sure I can think of a few things.”

      Bill Paulson would be considered a catch, except for two things—the guy knew he was good-looking and he was an incorrigible flirt. No way would she encourage him.

      He rubbed his chin. “I could paint your toenails. That has to be tough to do with your dominant hand in a cast.”

      Okay, the guy was a good listener. He’d taken their earlier discussion on being right-handed and come up with this. But however tempting that might sound, she could survive without nail polish. The only man who should be doing any toenail painting on her was Cullen. Not that he would. Or that she would ask him. “Thanks, but I think a nap would be better.”

      He scrambled off the couch. “I’ll fluff your pillows. Be right back.”

      Sarah bit back a laugh at his eagerness to help. Bill was half player, half Boy Scout rolled into one. Adorable, but a handful if you were a single woman who happened to be attracted to him. Neither of which she was.

      The front door opened. Leanne must be back.

      Sarah turned to say hello, but the word died on her lips.

      Cullen stormed inside, wearing his scrubs. His gaze was intense and focused on her. Lines bracketed his mouth.

      “The bed’s ready,” Bill announced from the hallway.

      Cullen’s face reddened. A muscle pulsed at his jaw.

      Bill grinned. “Hey, Doc. I’ve been taking good care of Sarah.”

      Cullen balled his fingers. He looked as if he wanted to punch someone. “I’ll bet you have.”

      Sarah had never seen him act like this. She didn’t like it. “Cullen?”

      He glared at Bill. “What’s this about a bed being ready?”

      Bill held up his hands in front of him, as if to surrender. “Dude, I don’t know what’s got into you, but if you’re thinking I’d put the moves on your pretty wife you’re way off. I just fluffed her pillows.”

      Cullen’s dark gaze bounced from Bill to her. “You fluffed her what?”

      “Her pillows,” Bill said.

      “The pillows on my bed,” Sarah clarified. “I wanted to nap.”

      “A nap,” Cullen repeated.

      “A nap,” Bill reaffirmed.

      Cullen seemed to be digesting the information. She didn’t know what his problem was. She looked up at Bill. “You’ve been a big help this afternoon.”

      “Anytime.” He smiled. “If you need a ride to Taco Night…”

      “I’m taking her,” Cullen said. “After her nap.”

      Bill pulled out his car keys from his jeans pocket. A grin twitched at his lips. “Looks like my work here is done.”

      “Thanks for the brownies,” she said.

      “You made her brownies?” Cullen asked incredulously.

      “I made both of you brownies. Well, my mom did.” Bill had explained how his mom cooked his meals, cleaned his house and did his washing. No wonder the guy hadn’t grown up yet. He didn’t need to. “She dropped them off at my place this morning.”

      Sarah stood. “Thank your mom for us. And thanks for keeping me company.”

      “My pleasure.” Bill looked at Cullen. “Your wife is quite the card shark. She kicked my butt at Texas hold ’em. A good thing we weren’t playing strip poker, or I’d have been buck naked in no time.”

      A confused expression formed on Cullen’s face.

      Bill didn’t seem to care. Or maybe he didn’t notice, since he was looking at her. “See you at the brewpub. If Doc changes his mind about going, give me a call.”

      With that, Bill left.

      Cullen stood next to the breakfast bar. His lips narrowed. “Please tell me you know better than to get involved with a guy like Paulson.”

      Defensiveness rose. “Get involved? What are you talking about?”

      “A lot of women like him.”

      Sarah didn’t like Cullen’s tone. “Bill’s a nice guy.”

      “He’s a total player who will never grow up.”

      She saw that. She didn’t СКАЧАТЬ