He’s one of those men who ooze power, a rare breed indeed. And up this close, there was no need to guess what was going on beneath his suit jacket.
He was broad shouldered and it’s only because of the expensive cut of his clothes that I couldn’t make out more of his muscular physique. But his chest alone was enough to take me to my good place. Not quite happy, but well on my way there.
“Are you getting in Ms. Cross or no?” Dammit, he’s got the voice too. No fair!
“And what if I say no?” He didn’t answer but he didn’t have to. The look on his face said he had even less time for games than I did.
I swallowed hard and slid into the cool confines of the car in the seat across from him. I felt like I was on an interview, same nerves with just a little sexual tension to make me crazy. I don’t do well crazy, it always gets me into trouble. Big trouble.
Like the time I went skinny dipping in the Fontana Di Trevi on a dare. Come to think of it, Donna and Charlie as well as Wanda had been there then too. My friends! Always getting me into shit.
“And you are? You have me at a bit of a disadvantage.” I was trying hard not to forget that I’m a bad bitch with enough attitude for ten bleached, tanned and Botox riddled country-club housewives.
“Why don’t we get to that later. It’s a bit unconventional but I don’t usually tell people who I am on first acquaintance.” I squinted at him with a whole lot to say at the tip of my tongue. And yet somehow, nothing came.
It was his eyes, they seem to stop me in my tracks and I felt exposed whenever they flashed my way. Like now! Where did he learn to look at a woman like that?
He’d also stopped talking and now just watched me as he ran his forefinger back and forth along his upper lip, with his head angled to the side as if studying me.
“Anyone ever told you, you have the most disarming eyes?” Crap, did I mean to say that out loud? This guy would make a great cop. All he has to do is look at the suspect with that silent stare that seems to see more than the surface and they’d start telling on themselves.
“No!” Well damn! A girl is not supposed to cream on herself because of the tone of a man’s voice. Or get the sweet purr and tingles down below. There was a shit load of authority behind that one word. Authority is my weakness. I think I might be in trouble here.
Jonas
She’s even better up close and I’d already found her spectacular before. I still wasn’t sure why I’d done this. I could’ve easily bought a painting or something less earth shattering or life altering.
Was I so bored that I was looking for ways to shake things up? I had the feeling that she’d be good at that. Shaking things up. She certainly doesn’t fit into any of my usual norms.
“I hear you’re worried about not being properly dressed for the dinner venue.” I stopped and studied her trying to second guess what move she was about to make after my little announcement.
“We’ll do that tomorrow night or some other night of your choice. Tonight we’re having dinner at my penthouse in the city.” I watched her swallow hard again and her fingers clenched into fists as if she was trying to keep herself from doing something. Like, reach for the door.
“And where is that exactly?”
“I won’t be telling you that either. Relax, your friend who organized the benefit tonight knows where you are. Well, to a point.” I hid the smile that wanted to escape at the look on her face.
“She might have to jump through hoops to find out who the silent bidder was, but I’m sure if you come up missing the cops would have no trouble getting that information.”
“You seem to know a lot about me, whereas I can know nothing about you. Come to think of it am I supposed to know you? You do look kind of familiar.”
I leaned forward with my hands clasped between my knees. “No! you’re not.” I smirked slightly at her reaction to me telling her no. It was only the second time I’d said the word to her tonight, but I was already picking up on some weird vibe.
Each time I said it, I noticed that the pulse in her neck would go wild. That show of vulnerability from the obviously very confident woman sparked something in me. I sat back and released the one button I’d left done on my suit jacket. It promised to be a long evening…and night hopefully.