She cried out when his tongue finally lapped at her clitoris, but it quickly turned into a moan as he took the nubbin between his lips and tugged. And when he began to suckle, she screamed.

His fingers plunged deep and when he retreated, he dragged them over the top of her sex, stimulating sensitive nerve endings and sending her plummeting over the edge.

Her climax hit her hard and fast, heat rocketing through her, inner muscles clenching as she locked her thighs around his head and squeezed tight. Shamus continued to draw out her pleasure, sucking on her clit and teasing her with his fingers until she couldn't stand it any longer.

Relaxing her thighs, she reached down and pushed his head away. “Enough,” she gasped.

Shamus leaned back, a satisfied grin on his face. “We're just getting started.” He raised his fingers to his mouth and licked off the evidence of her orgasm.

Cyndi shivered, goose bumps racing down her arms and legs. Cream slid from her body and ran down between the cheeks of her behind.

Shamus lowered her legs from his shoulders, letting them rest against the countertop. His hands went to the button of his jeans. She licked her lips in anticipation, eliciting a groan from him. “This won't last long if you keep that up."

Her eyes were on the front of his jeans. She wanted to see him, to touch him. Then she wanted him buried deep inside her.

Suddenly, he stiffened.

"Shamus?"

Swearing, he reached into his pocket and drew out his phone. She realized that he must have set it on vibrate. “Yeah.” He listened a minute, sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. “Yeah. I'll be there in about ten minutes.” He ended the call and slid the phone back into his back pocket. “I'm sorry, Cyndi. There's a problem at the job site. I told the foreman not to call unless it was important."

Embarrassment began to drive out the flush of pleasure. She was lying naked on her kitchen counter for heaven's sake while Shamus was still mostly dressed. Scrambling off the counter, she grabbed her underwear and yanked them on. Ignoring her bra, she reached for her shirt.

"Cyndi?” Shamus grabbed her top first. Taking his time, he turned it right side out and slid it over her head. She felt marginally better when it covered her. Shamus dropped a quick, hard kiss on her lips. She shivered, as she tasted her arousal on his lips. “I'm sorry about this, sweetheart."

"No. No, that's okay.” She found her jeans and began to tug them on.

"It's not okay.” Shamus yanked on his T-shirt, tucking it into his jeans. “You're upset and you have every right. I shouldn't have started something I couldn't finish."

Cyndi stopped, her hands on the zipper of her jeans. Was the man apologizing for having to stop? She blinked, not quite believing she was hearing him correctly. He was the one who hadn't gotten to come. She glanced down and sure enough, he was still rock-hard in his jeans.

"It's really okay.” Now she was reassuring him. The ridiculousness of the situation hit her and she began to giggle.

Shamus raised his eyebrow at her while he gathered his hair back into his customary ponytail and wrapped the leather thong around it. She began to laugh. Shamus grinned at her as he finished tying back his hair and tugged her into his arms. “Think this is funny, do you?” he growled as he nuzzled her neck.

She nodded, unable to stop laughing.

"It's fine for you,” he grumbled. “I've got to get rid of this slight problem before I get back to work.” He gripped her hand and laid it over his erection.

"I'd say that there's nothing slight about this problem,” she gasped in between laughs. “It's rather large."

"Vixen,” he chuckled and then captured her lips in a searing kiss that drove all the laughter out of her. Moaning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and sank into the embrace.

It was Shamus who pulled away. “I've got to go, but I'll be back later tonight, after work. If that's okay?"

She nodded, rubbing her fingers over the fabric of his shirt. She was suddenly feeling shy with him. He tucked one of his fingers under her chin and tilted it up until she was looking at him. “We'll talk more about your renovation plans. Then we'll finish what we started here."

Cyndi took a step back, knowing she had to distance herself from him. “That's fine.” She finished zipping up her pants, grabbed her bra off the floor, and stuffed it into her back pocket.

"I'll work up some quotes for you when I know what you want done.” He was serious about this, she realized.

"You can't.” She shook her head for emphasis. “Your family won't like it. Your business partner won't like it.” That was putting it mildly. Burke wouldn't want to do business in any way, shape, or form with her. “Maybe you can recommend someone else to do the work."

Shamus shook his head. “I'm doing it.” When she stared to protest, he cut her off. “You want the best, don't you?” She nodded, sensing the trap tightening around her. “Well, B & O Construction is the best. I'll handle my family. Don't you worry.” Dropping a quick kiss on her lips, he grabbed the remains of his sandwich and headed to the front door. Cyndi trailed behind him, her head spinning. “I'll see you after work.” He grabbed his jacket and then he was gone.

Standing on the porch, she watched him drive away, wondering what the heck she was getting herself into. It was easy for him to say not to worry. She didn't think he had any idea just how complicated things could get with them working together and seeing each other on a daily basis.

Cyndi knew she needed to think, and she had to get moving with her plans. She'd call the auction house right now and get that started. Then she'd take another look at the list of renovations she wanted done. It was almost complete, but she'd had a few more thoughts. Tomorrow, she'd have to make herself go out to the hardware store and start choosing her paint colors.

Chewing her bottom lip, she tried to put thoughts of her and Shamus on the backburner for now. They'd talk tonight. Still worrying, she turned and went back into the house.

Chapter Nine

It wasn't easy to make it through the rest of the afternoon at the job site, but Shamus managed. He was semi-erect most of the time, just thinking about his lunch date with Cyndi and anticipating the night to come. The fact she was staying in Jamesville eased some of the tension that had been riding him the last few days. He knew she was still unsure about them spending time together, in spite of the intense physical connection between them, maybe even because of it. He planned to wear down her resistance, and now he knew he had plenty of time to do so.

He grinned as he imagined just how he'd go about that. Hmm...so many possibilities.

"Well, you look like you're in a good mood."

Shamus swiveled his head to find his brother standing off to his right, hands on his hips. Patrick was wearing his khaki uniform, his badge gleaming on his chest, and looked every inch the town sheriff. Shamus lowered the hammer he'd been using to finish installing the molding in the almost-finished living room. His plans of a quick getaway after work were beginning to appear slim. His brother looked as if he had a lot on his mind.

Climbing to his feet, he laid the hammer aside. “Sure. This place is almost done.” Shamus surveyed the room with pride. This was one of six luxury, getaway cabins. More house than cabin, really. They'd spared no expense on the professional-grade kitchen or the spa-like bathroom. There were three bathrooms upstairs and two baths. The floors were hardwood and each room had details such as crown molding and large windows. It would definitely attract someone with money.

Patrick nodded and strolled to the window. The view of the lake and the surrounding forest was spectacular. B & O Construction had been very careful when clearing the building sites and had left almost all the surrounding wilderness untouched.

Shamus sauntered over to stand beside his brother, sensing there was something he wanted to say, but didn't quite know how to say it. He waited, letting his tension fade away as he looked out over the land.

Finally, Patrick sighed and turned to him. “I want to apologize for the other night."

Everything inside him stilled, but he said nothing.

His brother's eyes narrowed into gray slits. “I allowed my personal feelings to interfere with the job."

Shamus crossed his arms over his chest. “Isn't me that you should be saying this to."

Patrick swore and raked his fingers through his hair. “Look. I still don't trust Cynthia James."

"Cyndi Marks,” he immediately corrected.

"Whatever name she goes by, I don't trust her. Not after what she did to Dani.” Patrick thrust his hand out in front of him as if to keep Shamus from protesting. “But regardless of that, I should have been more concerned for her safety first. It's bothered me."

"Again, it's not me that you should be telling this to."

Patrick crossed his arms over his chest and glared at him. “Well, I am telling you."

"Fine.” Shamus turned away and went to pack up his tools. He glanced at his watch. It was half past five and most of the men had already left. He'd had a few things he'd wanted to finish before he called it a day. Most of them were done. The rest could wait until tomorrow.

"Damn it, Shamus.” He heard his brother stomping after him.

Turning, he lifted a brow questioningly. “What?"

"I still think you should stay away from that woman. She'd obviously trouble."