He crossed the short distance between them and hauled her roughly into his arms. He took her hand and guided it to his groin so she could feel his rigid erection.

“Does that feel like I’m not attracted to you?” he asked hoarsely.

She licked her lips nervously but she left her hand where it was, lightly caressing the denim of his fly.

“Jesus, Eden, you have to stop. This is starting to get painful.”

“After we discuss where I stand with you,” she murmured.

“What exactly are you after here?” he asked bluntly. “Am I a distraction to you? Something to keep you entertained for a few days before you move on to someone else?”

Hurt crowded her chest and she withdrew, her features carefully schooled. She was used to giving the camera whatever emotion or expression the photographer demanded. The last thing she wanted was for him to see that he’d hurt her with his frustrated statement. What must he think of her to have said that? But then she hadn’t given him any reason to believe she wasn’t exactly what he thought. Some bored spoiled woman looking for a good time and nothing else.

“Jesus, Eden. I’m sorry,” Swanny said, regret swamping his face. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

So much for schooling her features.

“It’s okay,” she said lightly, proud of the way her voice didn’t quiver betrayingly. “I understand perfectly and I get it. You don’t have to beat me over the head with it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get unpacked. There’s a lot to do between now and tomorrow morning. Perhaps we’ll order in room service a little later.”

Before he could respond, she turned and grabbed one of her suitcases and hauled it toward one of the bedrooms.

He cursed colorfully and called her name, but she ignored it and shut the door behind her. She’d venture out to get the rest of her luggage later. Right now she wanted a long soaking bath and to lick her wounds.

Swanny watched her go, helplessness seizing him. He’d royally fucked that up completely. But it baffled him that Eden was attracted to him. That she thought him beautiful, for fuck’s sake.

He ran an agitated hand through his hair and stared at the suitcases still lined up in the middle of the living room. He should bring them into her room for her, but she’d likely locked the door behind her.

The hurt he’d seen in her eyes, just for a fleeting moment before her face had become expressionless, made him feel like he’d kicked a puppy. Most men would dream of having a woman like Eden throwing herself at him. But women didn’t throw themselves at him, and he couldn’t fathom the idea that Eden wanted him. She had to have an ulterior motive, but what?

She seemed genuine and sincere. She hadn’t teased or flirted with any of the other guys. For whatever reason, she’d zeroed in on him and he’d solidly stuck his foot in his mouth and likely fucked up any chance he had with her.

He sighed and bent to pick up his duffel bag again before heading to the bedroom. He left his door open so he could stay apprised of Eden’s comings and goings. The last thing he wanted was for her to take off from the hotel room because she no longer wanted to be around him.

To his surprise a knock sounded at the door and he hurried out, meeting Eden at her doorway.

“You stay put,” he ordered, directing her back into her bedroom. “I’ll see who it is. Don’t come out unless I tell you.”

She retreated, her features bland, but her eyes told a different story. Damn it, he’d hurt her feelings and that was the last thing he’d wanted. He wasn’t an expert when it came to women, fuck it all. He had no idea what to do with Eden. Oh, he knew what he’d like to do, but just not how to get there . . . gracefully. Without appearing to be a bull in rut.

A woman like Eden deserved to be made love to. Not fucked without finesse and have it all be over in two seconds.

He looked through the peephole to see Skylar standing in the hallway gesturing for him to come out. Perplexed by what she could want, he followed her out and shut the door behind him.

A small smile flirted at the corners of Skylar’s mouth. “Look, I’m here to save you from yourself. Because if I have to guess, you’ve probably already fucked this up royally. You can thank me later.”

Swanny sighed. “I don’t need you to tell me how badly I’ve fucked up.”

“Yeah, you do,” she said bluntly. “Look, Eden has a thing for you. I think it’s wonderful. It’s obvious she’s not some obnoxious snob who thinks she’s better than the rest of the human population. And she’s very interested in you. While you’re doing your best to fuck everything up. You couldn’t have looked more displeased when she asked you to room with her. She looked crushed.”

It irritated Swanny to be lectured by his own teammate, but at least it wasn’t one of the guys giving him shit. Skylar had a heart of gold and he knew he could count on her to keep her mouth shut.

“Look,” she said quietly. “Eden appears to be a very special woman. I’d say even more special in my eyes because she recognizes the good man you are and isn’t put off by the scars that would put off lesser, more superficial women. And she’s beautiful. But more than the fact that she’s beautiful on the outside, she seems to be genuinely beautiful on the inside. And that’s what’s more important. So don’t fuck this up, Swanny. I know you. You’ll spend all your time befuddled and asking yourself why instead of just going with it. I’m certainly not going to lecture you on not getting involved with a client because hell, the Kellys have made a regular practice of it. Not to mention our esteemed team leaders, Rio and Steele.”

Swanny sucked in a deep breath, embarrassed at what he was going to ask Skylar. “What am I supposed to do?” he asked in a desperate voice. “I’ve already hurt her feelings by suggesting I was just a distraction for her, a quick lay to pass the time and that she’d move on when this was all over.”

Skylar winced. “Ouch. Not cool, Swanny. No woman wants to hear that. That’s more of a man’s M.O. We women tend to be more emotional creatures. Having sex or making love, whatever you want to call it, means more to us than it does to men. I’d say you have some groveling to do with her now.”

“You really think she wants me,” he said bluntly. “Look at me, Skylar. I’m not a typical guy. Eden is surrounded by men a hell of a lot more polished and sophisticated than I am. Hell, she told me we all had to wear tuxes to her launch event, and I broke into a cold sweat.”

Skylar grinned. “Now that I’m taking pictures of.”

“Be serious a minute,” he pleaded.

“Yes, I think she wants you, Swanny,” Skylar said in a more serious tone. “She’s certainly made herself obvious at great risk of embarrassment to herself. She doesn’t strike me as the ho type who’ll make it with any available dick. Most men would be on their knees because she chose them. Any particular reason you aren’t?”

He took a long moment to answer as he grappled with his thoughts. “No,” he finally admitted. “Not a damn reason at all. I’m just not into the whole one-night-stand, casual-sex scene.” He was a little embarrassed to admit that to Skylar, but her face softened in understanding.

“I know you aren’t, Swanny. But if you think your scars make you any less desirable to a woman, you’re an idiot. I see the looks women throw your way. You, on the other hand, are oblivious. You’re so conditioned to see the worst in people that you never notice when you don’t get just that.”

He had no idea what to say to that. “You don’t think I’m . . . ugly?”

Skylar’s face softened even more and she briefly touched the scar that puckered his face. “I don’t find you ugly at all, Swanny. In fact I find you very handsome.”

The door opened and Eden stood there, a startled look on her face. Then crimson flooded her cheeks as she stared at Swanny and Skylar, Skylar’s hand still cupped over Swanny’s cheek.