she wore teasing his senses.
She faced him. "As you can see, the property encompasses areas that have been designated as wildlife refuges. Nicholas will probably include a clause in any sales contract, which guarantees that those areas will remain undeveloped. The state of Nevada is also very protective of the refuges, especially the eagle sanctuary, and they’ll expect ironclad guarantees from you before they’ll sign off on the sale."
"Nick briefed me on the situation." Thomas stepped back after inspecting the property lines on the map. "I’m prepared to make an offer on the lodge and the acreage today." He named a dollar figure.
Her surprise at the amount showed in her startled expression. "I’ll convey your offer to Nicholas as soon as possible."
Thomas ignored her attempt to delay the process. "He led me to believe that you’re empowered to act on his behalf. Is my offer too low?"
"I am empowered, and I suspect you already know that your offer is quite appropriate, but the lodge is in a remote area. Being so isolated might not appeal to you after a few months. A trial run makes more sense, especially since you’ve spent the last several years of your life in the city. I think Nicholas would suggest a lease, with the option to purchase the property at the end of either six or twelve months. That way, you’ll have a chance to experience the winter months before you make a permanent commitment."
"It’s November," he pointed out. "And I haven’t forgotten what it means to be snowed in."
Geneva persisted. "I believe it would be best if we try a lease with an option to buy."
Although frustrated with her delaying tactics, he managed not to lose his temper. He also decided not to dance around the real issue at hand. "You don’t want me as your nearest neighbor, do you?"
"It isn’t that, it’s just that I…"
He reached out and touched her cheek as she spoke.
Geneva fell silent, her eyes locked on his face.
Thomas felt the stillness that settled over her, felt even more acutely the arousal that steamed through his own veins. "You’re holding your breath. Why?"
Geneva inhaled sharply, then took a step away.
He moved closer, turning her so that she could see his face. "I want you, but I’d never force you. Not under any circumstances."
She stiffened and stared at him.
"You don’t have to be afraid of me, Geneva. I’m not a threat, nor am I a fool. I realize you have some genuine concerns about my motives."
"Not afraid," she said, and she wasn’t. Not of him. She feared herself and her hunger for him.
"Then you doubt my motives?"
"I do not," she insisted.
He carefully weighed his next comment. "If you know yourself, then you know some very important facts about me."
She frowned. "I don’t understand what you mean."
"You will in time. Look, you know I want you. You knew that the first time we talked."
"You’re talking about sex. I’m not so irresponsible that I’ll sleep with a man just because he wants me."
He didn’t react to her flaring temper. "Making love is part of the equation, but it’s just part. I’m not asking you to be irresponsible, but I think you want me just as much as I want you, so why deny it?"
Spots of color flagged her cheeks. "Life isn’t that simple. Not my life, anyway."
"You’re right. Real life’s like a minefield most of the time."
"This conversation is pointless."
"I don’t agree," he said.
"Thomas, you don’t understand."
"Then help me to understand."
She gathered herself then, an implacable expression filling her face. "We’re here to discuss the lodge, nothing else."
Thomas ignored her comment. "What do your instincts tell you about me, Geneva?"
She hesitated, studying him so intently that he wondered if she’d bother to answer him. When she did respond, she surprised him.
"My instincts tell me that you’re the first man I’ve ever met who makes me want to abandon my common sense. My instincts keep urging me to go with the moment every
She faced him. "As you can see, the property encompasses areas that have been designated as wildlife refuges. Nicholas will probably include a clause in any sales contract, which guarantees that those areas will remain undeveloped. The state of Nevada is also very protective of the refuges, especially the eagle sanctuary, and they’ll expect ironclad guarantees from you before they’ll sign off on the sale."
"Nick briefed me on the situation." Thomas stepped back after inspecting the property lines on the map. "I’m prepared to make an offer on the lodge and the acreage today." He named a dollar figure.
Her surprise at the amount showed in her startled expression. "I’ll convey your offer to Nicholas as soon as possible."
Thomas ignored her attempt to delay the process. "He led me to believe that you’re empowered to act on his behalf. Is my offer too low?"
"I am empowered, and I suspect you already know that your offer is quite appropriate, but the lodge is in a remote area. Being so isolated might not appeal to you after a few months. A trial run makes more sense, especially since you’ve spent the last several years of your life in the city. I think Nicholas would suggest a lease, with the option to purchase the property at the end of either six or twelve months. That way, you’ll have a chance to experience the winter months before you make a permanent commitment."
"It’s November," he pointed out. "And I haven’t forgotten what it means to be snowed in."
Geneva persisted. "I believe it would be best if we try a lease with an option to buy."
Although frustrated with her delaying tactics, he managed not to lose his temper. He also decided not to dance around the real issue at hand. "You don’t want me as your nearest neighbor, do you?"
"It isn’t that, it’s just that I…"
He reached out and touched her cheek as she spoke.
Geneva fell silent, her eyes locked on his face.
Thomas felt the stillness that settled over her, felt even more acutely the arousal that steamed through his own veins. "You’re holding your breath. Why?"
Geneva inhaled sharply, then took a step away.
He moved closer, turning her so that she could see his face. "I want you, but I’d never force you. Not under any circumstances."
She stiffened and stared at him.
"You don’t have to be afraid of me, Geneva. I’m not a threat, nor am I a fool. I realize you have some genuine concerns about my motives."
"Not afraid," she said, and she wasn’t. Not of him. She feared herself and her hunger for him.
"Then you doubt my motives?"
"I do not," she insisted.
He carefully weighed his next comment. "If you know yourself, then you know some very important facts about me."
She frowned. "I don’t understand what you mean."
"You will in time. Look, you know I want you. You knew that the first time we talked."
"You’re talking about sex. I’m not so irresponsible that I’ll sleep with a man just because he wants me."
He didn’t react to her flaring temper. "Making love is part of the equation, but it’s just part. I’m not asking you to be irresponsible, but I think you want me just as much as I want you, so why deny it?"
Spots of color flagged her cheeks. "Life isn’t that simple. Not my life, anyway."
"You’re right. Real life’s like a minefield most of the time."
"This conversation is pointless."
"I don’t agree," he said.
"Thomas, you don’t understand."
"Then help me to understand."
She gathered herself then, an implacable expression filling her face. "We’re here to discuss the lodge, nothing else."
Thomas ignored her comment. "What do your instincts tell you about me, Geneva?"
She hesitated, studying him so intently that he wondered if she’d bother to answer him. When she did respond, she surprised him.
"My instincts tell me that you’re the first man I’ve ever met who makes me want to abandon my common sense. My instincts keep urging me to go with the moment every
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