Working on the roof terrace had been easier because the other members of his team had been there. But now they were alone.
Matt swiped the water from his eyes with his fingers, glanced across and his gaze collided with hers.
She felt as if she’d suffered a direct hit from a meteorite.
His eyes darkened and then he gave a slow smile. “Too damn hot for this sort of work.”
“Yes.” She jammed her hat down over her eyes. It was the heat that was making her crazy. The heat. Nothing else. Turning away, she focused on the planters but there was only so much staring you could do at a pot, and the more she tried not to look at him, the more she wanted to.
She was burning alive.
Hot and frustrated, she dropped into a crouch to take a closer look at the nearest planter.
A pair of scuffed, reinforced work boots appeared in her line of vision. “Stand up, Frankie.”
“What?” Was she even capable of standing up? She wasn’t sure, and she didn’t want to try it and find that her knees gave way. Landing on her nose would be another embarrassing moment to add to the long list of embarrassing moments. “Why?”
“Because we’re adults. It’s time we talked.” He reached down and hauled her upright as if she weighed nothing.
She stood awkwardly, conscious of the soil on her fingers and the sweat on her brow. The heat and humidity meant that her hair was having a wilder party than usual. She didn’t need a mirror to know she probably looked like a sheep that had collided with an electric fence. “I don’t have anything to say. And you have to stop crowding me.”
He was too close to her and she could see the smooth, bronzed skin and the dip and curve of powerful muscle.
She backed away until her retreat was blocked by one of the trees. Branches poked through her T-shirt like accusing fingers, pushing her back toward him.
Matt closed in on her. “Am I making you uncomfortable
?”
“Yes! You’re making me uncomfortable.”
“Good.” He gave a sexy smile that melted her bones.
“Back off. You’re invading my personal space and if I move back any farther I’ll be hanging off this tree like a Christmas decoration.” She risked a glance and was instantly trapped by his gaze, hypnotized by the look in his eyes. It was a look she hadn’t seen before in all the years she’d known him.
“Matt—”
“What?” His voice was husky and it stroked over her senses like a velvet glove.
“You know what.” She stood still, frozen by the delicious inevitability of what was to come.
He was going to kiss her.
Yes, do it. Let’s get this over with and then he’d discover the truth and they could both get on with their lives.
She closed her eyes tightly, trying to breathe, waiting for the touch of his mouth, but instead of kissing her he brushed the tips of his fingers along her jaw, raising the anticipation to almost unbearable levels.
She was helpless, drugged by the deceptive gentleness.
“If two people who are single and unattached have feelings for each other, I don’t see why they shouldn’t act on those feelings, do you?”
It was a struggle to speak. “Are you talking in principle or specifically?”
“I’m talking about us, Frankie.” The way he emphasized the us made her breath catch.
“In that case, yes, I can see why we shouldn’t act on any feelings. I think that would be a big mistake. You’re a friend. You’re important to me.”
“You don’t think friendship is a good basis for a relationship?”