“I wanted you to myself. I’ve wanted you to myself all day.”
“I told you I haven’t had much luck with relationships, Charles.” She rose to wander to the windows. “I’m single-minded, driven, and haven’t given any relationship I’ve been in the attention it needs. Deserves.”
“I think your luck’s about to change.” He turned her to face him. “I know mine has. Louise.” He lowered his head, skimmed his lips lightly over hers, once, then twice, drawing her in. He circled her into a dance, deepening the kiss when her arms came around him. Bringing her closer when she trembled.
“Come to bed with me,” he whispered. “Let me touch you.”
Her head fell back as his mouth trailed along her throat. “Wait. Just . . . wait. Charles.” She eased back. “I’ve thought about this. I spent entirely too much time thinking about this today, and last night. Since I first saw you. Part of my problem is overthinking things.”
She stepped away, needing a little distance. “There’s such a pull. I haven’t felt a pull like this . . . ever,” she managed. “But I’m not going to bed with you. I can’t.”
He kept his eyes on hers, nodded slowly. “I understand. It’s difficult for you to accept the idea of being intimate with me.”
“Difficult,” she said with a half laugh. “No, I wouldn’t say difficult.”
“You don’t need to explain. I know what I am.”
She shook her head. “What you are?”
“Licensed companions don’t generally have a lot of luck with personal relationships either. Not real ones in any case.”
“I’m sorry.” She held up a hand. “You think I won’t have sex with you because you’re a professional? Charles, that insults both of us.”
He walked back to the table, picked up his wineglass. “I’m confused.”
“I don’t want to sleep with you now because it’s happening too fast. Because I think what I’m feeling for you goes deeper than that, and I’d like a chance to find out before . . . I’d just like to slow down a bit. I’d like to spend more time getting to know each other. I wouldn’t be here now if what you did for a living was a problem for me. And if you think I’m so petty and narrow-minded that I’d—”
“I could fall in love with you.”
It stopped her short, stole her breath, just the quiet way he said it. “I know. Oh God, I know. Me, too. It scares me a little.”
“Good, because it scares me a lot.” He crossed back to her, lifted her hand. “We’ll slow down.” Kissed it. Then her wrist. Drawing her in again, he brushed his lips over her temple, her cheeks.
Her pulse spiked. “This is slowing down?”
“We won’t go any faster than you want.” He tipped her face back and smiled. “Trust me, I’m a professional.”
And while she laughed, the buzzer sounded.
“Give me ten seconds to get rid of whoever that is. And remember my place.”
When he opened the door, McNab shoved him back a step. “Okay, you son of a bitch. We’re going a round.”
“Detective—”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” McNab shoved him again. “You think you can treat her that way? Rub your next skirt right in her face?”
“Detective, you don’t want to lay hands on me again.”
“Oh yeah?” Maybe the second bottle hadn’t been such a good idea, he thought vaguely, but gamely lifted his fists. “Let’s try these instead.”
“Detective McNab.” Calmly, Louise stepped between them. “You’re obviously upset. Maybe you should sit down.”
“Dr. Dimatto.” Flust
ered, McNab lowered his fists. “I didn’t see you over there.”
“Charles, why don’t you make some coffee. Ian . . . it’s Ian, isn’t it? Let’s sit down.”