both some breathing room.
“This,” he motioned between them, “isn’t going to affect your employment, Bailey. I’ll put it in writing if you’d prefer.”
This. If it didn’t affect her job, did that mean they could feel more of it?
No. Absolutely not.
“As for the rest,” he continued, “while I want to avoid unnecessary arguments and power struggles, I always prefer passion and purpose to pandering.”
She wasn’t turned on. She wasn’t. “That’s a lot of Ps.”
He bit his lower lip. “I’m not the easiest man to deal with, but I don’t take on projects to fail. I don’t think you do either. You know the area and the locals, and I know my business. If we work together, I think you’ll be satisfied with the results. Maybe you can see me as a partner instead of a trespasser.”
“Partner,” she echoed softly in agreement.
His eyes flared in reaction. “I’m glad we’re finally on the same page.”
He’s talking about the inn, Bailey. Not sex. Different page.
Bailey’s head wobbled like a broken toy. “If it’s the page where I don’t have to live with my friends and go on a sexual apology tour, then I think we are.”
“A sexual what?”
“Nothing, Mr. Locke.”
“You’ll call me Cam, Bailey.”
Presumptuous. Another P word.
If he was always this intense, working under him on a regular basis wasn’t going to be easy.
Under him. And he wants to be hands-on.
Stop!
“Will do.” She really needed to pull herself together. “Do you need anything else, Cam?”
“You have no idea.” He sighed again and she felt it in her bones. “Take care of that scrape before you go to bed. And come and lock the door behind me.”
“Yes, sir.” She nearly saluted.
He turned away abruptly, his long strides carrying him toward the exit so swiftly she needed to jog to catch up with him.
He paused at the door when a loud, grating noise from above startled them both.
It sounded like a demon was banging a metal pipe on the roof for laughs. Or maybe the spider was still ticked. “Great.”
Cam’s expression was thoughtful. “That’s why you were up there?”
“Trying to get up there, but yes. Honestly, I think the wind from the last storm might have broken some of the roof tiles. I’m just thankful it hasn’t woken up any of my guests.”
Nothing had. Cameron Locke could be down here doing all sorts of kinky things to her and none of them would have a clue.
You wish.
So much.
“I’ll send a roofer in the morning. I’ll pay double to make this his priority.”
“Her priority,” she corrected. “Celeste is my roofer and she’ll be thrilled. She’s been dying to get her hands on my tiles for years.”
“Has she?” His scowl returned. “Is this a friend of yours an actual roofer?”
“She could bench press you for breakfast and moves across rooftops like a cat. But yes, she’s a friend. Good kisser, too.” Bailey wanted to slap a hand over her mouth. “That was not relevant information, obviously. It’s been a weird night. And it was one time years ago, when we were tipsy. She’s living with a drummer now.”
Stop. Rambling.
“Find someone else.”
“What? No. There is no one else.” When he didn’t respond, she took a step closer. “Based on my research, you’re the opposite of a prude. And if you take away the tourists, Sedona is a very small town. The pool of kissable people is a puddle. There’s bound to be some personal and professional crossover. It doesn’t mean she isn’t great at her job.”
He muttered something under his breath, walking out the door without another word.
“So, I’ll phone her in the morning,” she called as he disappeared down the stone path and into the night.
She shut the door and turned the lock, spinning on the spot to slump back against it. That was…something that could never happen again.
He was beyond tempting, but way too complicated. Whatever that was, it was guaranteed to mess up all of her plans.
“Forget it, spider,” she murmured as she stared up toward the once-again silent attic. “Someone took a wrong turn today, because this isn’t happening.”
No matter how much she wished it could.
Chapter Three
Bailey. Bailey. Bailey.
He slowed and sniffed the air. He was home. Or home for now. The scents were too distinct to be mistaken. The brightly lit building was his destination.
He padded up the steps, unsurprised when the double doors opened for his arrival. They were expecting him. Light and warmth from the inside poured out onto the large patio, along with a wicked laugh that never failed to delight