Read Online Rub It In by Kira Sinclair - Free Book Online Page A

gaze returned to him and Simon felt a tiny thrill blossom in the center of his chest when she did “—was the first time I’d ever had access to a kitchen, actually.”
    “Wait,” he said. “Are you saying you taught yourself to cook while you’ve been living here?”
    When had she done that? And for heaven’s sake, why? “What’s wrong with our restaurant? And why haven’t you fixed it?”
    “Nothing,” she asserted. “There’s nothing wrong with the restaurant. We get rave reviews and our chef has an excellent reputation.”
    Simon’s eyebrows beetled. He didn’t understand. “Then what in the world made you take up cooking?”
    She looked away again. “I don’t know. I was bored, I guess. There really isn’t a lot to do after I leave the office. I’m not much for TV or movies. I guess I was used to a big city with lots of museums and theaters and social events.” Her eyes wandered back and she shrugged. “It filled the time. And I discovered I was good at it. Sort of surprised me.”
    A smile, gentle and unlike anything he’d ever seen on her face before, curved her lips. “Dad always said my mom was an excellent cook.”
    There was a vulnerability there that made the center of his stomach twist uncomfortably. While he liked this softer side to Marcy, he wasn’t used to it and didn’t know what to do with it. Vulnerable was the last word he’d ever use to describe the tiny bulldog that normally ran his resort. Capable, fearless, dominating, frustrating, enticing …these were all words he would have used.
    Searching for familiar ground, Simon grabbed on to something she’d said. “What do you mean there isn’t any entertainment on the island? We have plenty!”
    “Sure, if I was interested in a weekend fling with some stranger. And that’s assuming said stranger wasn’t just looking for T and A.” Marcy looked down at her own body and frowned. “It isn’t like I fit the stereotypical mold for that sort of thing.”
    “Putting aside your derogatory view of our guests, any man who doesn’t jump at the chance to sleep with you is an idiot. You’re beautiful.”
    Marcy blinked, appearing nonplussed. It was a new look for her, one he liked for some reason. Maybe it made her more human than he was used to her being. She was Marcy. Efficient, unflappable Marcy. But he’d made her stumble.
    “I…you…” She sputtered before finding her footing. “Thank you. I think.”
    They stared at each other for several seconds. Simon realized that at some point in their conversation they’d moved closer to each other, both leaning over the table that separated them. Whether from the heat of their argument or the awareness pulsing relentlessly beneath his skin, it really didn’t matter. The result was the same.
    He wanted her.
    And for the first time since she’d stepped foot on his island, he couldn’t remember why that was a bad idea.
    Oh yeah, she worked for him.
    Or, rather, she had.
    Past tense. Not anymore. Which meant there was no reason to deny what he wanted.
    The fantasy that had been haunting him since he’d opened that damn bottle of shampoo burst through his brain again.
    He wanted Marcy. And he was a man who usually got what he wanted.
    * * *
    M ARCY HAD NO IDEA what was going on behind those devilish blue eyes, but whatever it was made her…uncomfortable. In fact, she’d been uncomfortable since the moment Simon walked through her door.
    She reached up and fiddled with the straps of her tank top. Why was she suddenly so hot? The stove. That’s what it was.
    In a flurry of activity, Marcy began clearing the dishes off the table. The mundane chore allowed her to not only turn her back on Simon and the effervescent feeling he stirred in the pit of her stomach, but also to hopefully speed up his departure.
    Dinner was over. He’d had a shower. And now he could leave.
    Marcy’s lips were suddenly dry and tight. She ran her tongue across them to try to find some relief. It