screwed
it up…well, I never really had a chance.”
“ What’s he look like?”
“He’s so…intense. Charismatic.” I
shrugged. “He’s just awesome, but I don’t really know him.”
“Tall, dark hair, mid-thirties?”
“Yeah. How’d you guess?”
“That guy over there’s staring at
you.” She pointed behind my head.
I glanced over my shoulder,
recognizing the man standing by the doorway. “Oh, shit!”
“Is that him?”
“Yeah.”
“Looks like he’s found you.”
“Oh, my God.” Would I be arrested
now? I didn’t see the police. It looked like he was alone. “I don’t know what
he’s doing here. Must be coincidence.” Or the beginning of a
nightmare.
“Um-hum.” Emily sipped her cocktail.
“He’s coming over!” My first instinct
was to hide behind the bar, but it was too late.
“The Fox sisters,” he said evenly.
“It’s good to meet you, Emily.” He held out his hand. Here was the man who
would not shake my hand when we first met. I’m
sorry. I don’t shake hands...
“I’ve heard about you. You provide
our funding. Thank you so much. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.”
His attention was on me. “I need to
speak with Gretchen, if you don’t mind. My car’s waiting.”
Emily winked. “Looks like you’ll be
going then.” I stared at him dumbfounded while my sister hugged me. “Call me
tomorrow before my flight. He’s gorgeous,” she whispered.
“He’ll probably take me to the police
station.” He had overheard every word I said.
“No he won’t, silly,” Emily laughed.
“Always such a ham.” She gave me a look.
I grabbed my purse. “Time to face the
firing squad.”
“Have fun.”
Oh, yeah, loads .
A sleek black car was waiting for us,
and the chauffer held open the door. “Thanks.” I got in and slid to the end of
the seat. Mr. Gordon joined me, his expression void, yet interested. “Okay,
what do you want? I thought you were going to ruin me? I’ve been waiting for you to make a move.”
“I am making a move.”
“How so?”
“I’m here with you now.”
“Where are we going?”
“To my apartment.”
That was a shock. My mouth hung open,
my brain having frozen. He stared at me for a long time, so long, in fact, that
I began to tingle everywhere. Whether he felt the buzz of recognition or not, I
didn’t know, but I felt it. It pinged between us like a sensual static charge,
making me almost dizzy with longing. When I was on the edge of not being able
to take it another moment, I saw him inch towards me. I slid down the seat, and
we collided, our mouths fusing, my arms snaking around his neck. The kiss was
hungry and unapologetic, our tongues meeting, deepening the connection. I was
utterly lost in him, my body pressed to the steely length of his chest. His
hands were on my back, pulling me further into him, while the sweetness of his
breath filled my lungs.
It was a while before I realized the
car had stopped. We were in the confines of a parking garage. I was still
kissing him, as the driver opened the door. We managed to extricate ourselves
from the vehicle, hurrying for the elevator. Once inside, he grasped my upper
arms, drawing me to him, covering my mouth with his soft lips. The door slid
open, but we were on the wrong floor.
“Shit!” He pressed the button again
impatiently.
If he was distracted, I was more so, sucking
on his lip, trying to eat him alive. I drove my fingers through his hair,
altering his perfect locks. He looked marvelously bedraggled by the time I was
through with him. When we emerged from the elevator, he led me to the door of
his apartment, inserting a key. I hardly had a moment to take it all in,
because of the speed at which he escorted me down the hall to his bedroom. The
modernly appointed space was decorated sparingly, the bed being the largest
piece of furniture in the room. We fell onto it, an excited heap of flesh and
bones, encased in far too many pieces of clothing. His tie came
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