“Isn’t this home to Kensington & Marks?”
“Yes. Fabulous design firm.”
“Then you’re part of a Fortune 500 company.”
“Not exactly. I know Jace Kensington from school. His dad’s a major partner in the firm and a huge supporter of up-and-coming designers. They offered me space for a decent price. I’m independent all the way.” She rocked on the balls of her feet. “Like I said, I lucked out.”
“Well,” Tague mused. “It was nice to meet you, L.L.”
“Likewise, Tague.”
His name seemed to roll off her tongue all too easily, sensuously. Making him wonder how’d it sound if she whispered it in the dark…on a sigh of longing…in the throes of passion.
Something about this woman crawled under Tague’s skin in a seductive way, and he couldn’t help but say, “If you’re interested in the Waldorf event, I’d like to take you.”
Her charismatic smile was a powerful magnet to his steel resolve. An inescapable reverse effect. He took a few steps closer to her. It made him crazy that he couldn’t get the full visual of her—had no idea what her hair really looked like, what her true eye color was. Couldn’t even speculate as to how she’d look naked and wanting him.
Regardless, she enthralled him.
The intrigue did as well.
“Sounds entertaining,” she said of the party. “I’m sorry to say I won’t be dripping diamonds, but I do have a sensational gown that ought to make up for it.”
“I don’t care if you’re dripping diamonds,” he assured her. “I care that you have a good time.”
They stood mere inches apart. He inhaled her rich scent and cinnamon-laced breath. His cock strained against the fly of his suit pants. Thank God for the jacket and overcoat. He had no idea how she did it, but this very alluring woman made him hard in a heartbeat. And he hadn’t even touched her.
She appeared equally entranced. She opened her mouth to speak. No words came out. Several suspended moments passed, with Tague’s mind wrapped mostly around kissing her. Slipping his hand inside her coat and palming her breast. Squeezing firmly and eliciting a moan of pleasure. Feeling her body meld to his.
Eventually, she gave a slight shake of her head and, finding her voice—though it was nothing but a lusty murmur—she said, “You are not at all what I expected.”
“Hopefully, you’re pleasantly surprised.”
“Remarkably so. And, as it happens, I’m a connoisseur of champagne, so if the Cristal or private-reserve Dom is flowing, it’s a guaranteed good time.”
His brow quirked. “Miss Branson is all about the champagne. Duly noted.”
She took a long drink from her iced coffee, teasing him by drawing this out. Then she gave a nonchalant shrug and said, “Perhaps the evening’s company will be more delicious than the champagne.”
“The managing partners would be glad to hear that.”
“I doubt I’ll even notice them.” Her parting smile was as beguiling as all the others. She whirled around on her four-inch heels and sauntered off. Not fully breaking the trance because, yet again, the sway of her hips held Tague’s full attention. Before she reached the revolving door of the building, she tossed over her shoulder, “Thanks for the latte.”
Then she disappeared inside. Leaving Tague to stare after her.
He grinned, despite the discomfort of an erection he’d never in a million years suspected would be the result of such a quick rendezvous.
When Chip had called him this morning and asked to meet outside of the office before they started their day—and had vaguely mentioned L.L.—Tague had been annoyed about the blind date.
Now he was deeply ensnared—and didn’t even mind suffering the aftereffects of the highly arousing woman his friend had set him up with.
It took Tague longer than anticipated to shake off the spell the spicy graphic designer had cast on him. Eventually, he dumped his untouched coffee in the trash bin at the light and crossed with dozens of other suits on their way to conquer the business world.
He wouldn’t say it was the smartest decision he’d ever made to invite someone as carefree and spirited as L.L. Branson into the lion’s den that was his life. But in all honestly, he couldn’t help himself. Somewhere between her zesty “hi” and her breathless “thanks for the latte,” she’d hooked Tague. He had to find out everything he could about this woman.
Right down to what sexy sounds would fall from those captivating lips when he made her come.
4