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Interest grew large and demanding inside her. Kia leaned against the opposite counter and eyed the man in front of her. “Okay, so tell me about the history of my house.”

She sipped her own beer as she watched his expression. He was thinking about how much to tell her, of that she was sure.

“People died here,” he finally said.

Now that was interesting information. “Really, how?”

“A father and two sons were attacked by an animal right in the front yard.”

“Thanks for the tip. I’ll watch out for marauding bunnies.” She took a long drink of her beer to hide the smile.

He sent a narrow-eyed look her way. “A couple who lived here in the seventies was killed by an escaped criminal.”

“I’m careful, and I have Dracula to protect me.”

The dog barked to second her assessment.

“Ms. Wolfe—”

“Kia.”

She heard him sigh. “Kia, I’m trying to tell you that you might not be safe out here alone.”

She put the back of her hand against her forehead and leaned dramatically against the counter. “I’m just a poor little woman in this big old house all alone. Oh thank you, kind sir, for trying to protect me.”

“It isn’t funny.”

She put her hand down, and saw irritation along with what looked like true concern on his face. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”

He nodded before he turned up the last of his beer.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the dreaded wardrobe smirking at her from the living room door. She took a pull on her beer to cover her smile. “Hey, cowboy. I bet all that physical labor you do makes you good and strong.”

He eyed her as if he didn’t trust her. Good instincts. “Reasonably.”

“Good, ’cause I need some help.”

“Does this ‘help’ involve heavy furniture by any chance?”

She nodded. “There’s this horrible old wardrobe that just won’t budge for little ol’ me.” She batted her eyes in his direction.

He sighed. “Where is it?”

She smiled her prettiest smile, and led him to the offending piece. “When I got this thing, I didn’t realize how heavy it was.”

He gave it an experimental push. “You’re not kidding. What’s this thing made of, lead?”

She took hold of the other side. “Yep, it’s where I keep the kryptonite.”

He caught her gaze and grinned. “Don’t worry, honey. I’m immune.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure, cowboy.”

It took a lot of struggle on both their parts to move the wardrobe twenty feet across the foyer and into the parlor/bedroom. They were both gasping and drenched with sweat when they were done. “You gonna pay for my hernia surgery?” he asked.

“No, but I will give you another beer.”

“One’s enough. I’ll take some water, though.”

“Coming right up.” She went into the kitchen and took out two bottles. “Thanks for helping,” she said as she handed him one of them. She hoped her true appreciation was showing through. Maybe he wasn’t a pushy jerk after all.

“You’re welcome.” He gulped the water.

She smiled. How could drinking water look so sexy? “And for believing my ghost story.”

He nodded.

“And for trying to warn me.”

He looked at her then. “Even if you don’t believe me?”

There was concern in his eyes again, and it tugged at her. “It’s not that I don’t believe you.”

“You just aren’t scared of ghosts?”

“Not really. I think they’re kind of cool.”

“Got a piece of paper and a pencil?”

She pulled a small notebook and pen from her purse. “Gonna write me up a bill for the furniture moving?”

He gave her a slow up and down perusal. “As intriguing as that might be, no.”

“I appreciate your help.” She felt a smile pull at her face, as her blood began to heat. Wanna help with another little problem? Maybe something involving a bed?

“You’re welcome.” He handed her back the pen and notebook. “That’s my number. I only live a couple of miles from here.”

Convenient. “In case the ghosts try to get me?”

“Yes.”

She looked into his bright green, way too serious, eyes. “Thanks, cowboy.”

He tipped a nonexistent hat. “Anytime, little lady.”

Kia watched as he sauntered across her lawn and climbed into his truck. The view was stunning.

“I do believe I’m going to like it here,” she told Dracula.

* * *

As he drove the two-point-three miles between Kia Wolfe’s house and his, Garrett considered what sort of person would move to the middle of nowhere, live alone, and actually enjoy encounters that would send most people running and screaming.

A sexy one, that’s who. Swallowing hard, he tried to ignore the heat that moved through him just picturing her body. The energy that woman had. And the fire. She would be an awesome lay, that was for sure. And she’d made it pretty clear she was interested.

So why wasn’t he in her bed right now? It was a man’s dream come true—a sexy woman ready to offer herself up without strings. He suspected that she’d be insulted by an offer of commitment.

So why not take advantage of the situation?

Because he was far from convinced that would be a good idea, that’s why.

The fact that she seemed thrilled to have bought a haunted house bothered him. Did he want to get involved with another screwy woman? Hadn’t his ex-wife taught him anything?

Not involvement, he reminded himself. What Kia Wolfe was offering was a roll in the hay. At least that’s what she seemed to be offering. You never knew with women. Again, there was his ex-wife as an example. Tricky creatures they were.

Then again, it had been a long time since he’d been with anybody. Kia was offering, and he was tempted. Fun, that’s what she wanted. And he could use a little fun. Short-term fun. Until the house scared her away.

If she was lucky.