He laughed. “That shows what you know. All that stuff I told Helen out in the yard was the truth. I was yours the moment I first saw you, ranting about dental hygiene in a giant pink ball gown.”

She wouldn’t fall for it. She wouldn’t fall for him.

“If you knew anything about me, you wouldn’t call me old-fashioned,” she said. “Monogamous, maybe, but not old-fashioned.”

The appreciative gleam deepened. “I like the sound of that. Elaborate, if you please. Are we talking about your political views or your s-e-x-u-a-l ones?”

It was ridiculous that a grown man spelling out the word sexual should have so much power over her, but there it was. Had he just thrown the word out there, trying to get under her skin with his teasing flirtation, she’d have immediately stopped him in his tracks. But she doubted he was even aware he did it. Spelling out naughty words, protecting his daughter even when she was on the other side of the house, came as naturally to him as breathing.

“My views are none of your business,” she replied somewhat breathlessly. “Use your imagination.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” he asked. “My imagination can be quite…fertile.”

Taking one step forward, he drew so close they were within kissing distance. All Lila had to do was lift her chin up a few inches, and their lips would be touching.

She didn’t do it, though. Neither did he. It was as good a reminder as any that the game they were playing was just that—a game. His words, not hers.

“I’m not going to lie for you,” Lila said. A game had rules and boundaries—two things she happened to excel at. “Just so you know. I can’t stop you from telling those women anything you want, but if anyone asks me a direct question, I’m going to answer it truthfully.”

He didn’t seem dismayed by this. “Noted,” he said with a nod. “Loyal, monogamous, and honest. I clearly have great taste.”

“And I’d appreciate it if you kept things strictly professional between us. As strange as it may seem to you, I’m here to do a job.”

“A great work ethic, too. My heart can’t take much more.”

She gave in to the urge to laugh and immediately wished she hadn’t. Laughter carried with it a soft chuff of breath, which met his in a warm swirl mere inches from her lips. It wasn’t a very big leap from mingled breath to mingled mouths, to tongues entangled and—

“Ahem.”

Lila blinked, startled to still find herself in Emily’s bedroom—and to be leaning this close to Ford. She didn’t dare move, though. To do so would be to admit that she was aware of him, of how intimate the moment had become. “Um. What?”