Christian relayed the information to his driver.
Meanwhile, Bayli’s heart thudded in her chest, echoed in her ears. Not just because of the highly stimulating man sitting so damn close to her, but because Bayli didn’t like bending the truth. But The Cleveland was near enough to her apartment that she could walk the few blocks home. Not exactly a smart thing to do by herself, late at night. Not in that neighborhood. So she hoped she’d be much more successful this time around in securing a cab. At least the hotel’s doorman would help her with that.
So okay. It was a viable solution. A safer one than being anywhere near a bed when in Christian’s company.
She breathed a discreet sigh of relief. She could still play this hand calmly and coolly.
Bayli sat back in her seat and crossed her legs. Christian’s gaze followed her movements. Then slid slowly over her thighs to the extremely short hem that stretched taut and just barely covered her red lacy thong.
So much for being calm and cool. His eyes roving her body singed her as though he’d just blazed a trail over her skin with his fingertips.
She was ridiculously turned on and incinerating from the inside out.
And he hadn’t even touched her yet!
Yet …
Bayli groaned inwardly. She wasn’t doing herself any favors by being tucked into the back of a limo with the ultimate sexual lure. Except that at least she now had a ride home.
Christian said, “Since you’re off the clock, how about a glass of champagne? Or brandy? Scotch?” He indicated the side bar. “Whatever you’d like.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a sexy, inviting way.
There he went, once more putting all sorts of indulgent possibilities on the table.
“Champagne would be wonderful.”
Christian seemed to have a little trouble tearing his gaze from her to reach for the bottle in the chiller. He eventually did and popped the cork. He poured for both of them and handed over a flute. They clinked rims and he said, “Meeting you was the highlight of my evening.”
Bayli laughed softly. “Somehow I find that hard to believe, flattering though it is of you to say. I happen to know you won three coveted silent auction items and the grand finale in the live auction during dessert. Then there’s the matter of enjoying a cigar even Bill Clinton has difficulty getting his hands on.”
“Best damn stick I’ve ever smoked, no doubt about it. But the real pleasure was in the presentation.” He winked.
Shivers cascaded down her spine. Her gaze dropped to her glass so that he didn’t see in her eyes the flash of excitement he’d evoked. It was one thing to be aroused by a photo in a magazine—something entirely different in person. Because Bayli wanted to act on this obviously mutual attraction.
She sipped her bubbly as the limo passed through the tall gates at the entrance of the estate. Hands down, this beat the hell out of a cab and the ominous possibility that existed of her not making it safely back to Manhattan.
Christian said, “I’m curious as to how you know so much about me.”
“That’s an easy one.” Bayli smiled. “I’m a huge fan of your flagship California restaurant.”
“Bristol’s?” He looked taken aback. “How on earth—”
“I was born in River Cross. I still remember when the restaurant opened. I was seventeen, so it was the year before I went off to San Francisco State University.”
“A decade ago,” he said with a slight shake of his head. “Sometimes it seems like only yesterday. Sometimes it feels like an entire lifetime ago.”
“You’ve been busy, from what I understand. A new eatery every two years. I’d call that extremely ambitious. Aggressive, even.”
“What can I say?” He shot her a determined look, tinged with heat—a look similar to the one Rory had given her when he’d helped her to her feet, his gaze drinking her in from head to toe.
Both men looking at her with lust in their eyes did things to Bayli. Made her breath catch and her heart hammer.
“When I want something,” Christian told her with steely conviction in his voice, “I go after it.”
The tingling returned between her legs. Actually, it’d never fully gone away. It was just a bit more powerful now. She pressed her thighs together in an attempt to stave off the incessant thrumming.
Christian’s gaze dropped to her crossed legs as she squeezed them tight. A low, sexy sound slipped through his parted lips. A soft groan of desire.
He said, “You’re incredibly stunning. Damn tempting.” His eyes lifted, the pale-blue pools glowing seductively. “But you know that already, don’t you?”