Sleepless in Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love 1)

She made an impatient sound. Who in their right mind would ever forget that Jake Romano was a man? He was testosterone in a tux. She’d been aware of every single sexy part of him from the moment he’d strode into the foyer of the building. He didn’t blend into his surroundings like so many other people at this event—he owned them. Talking to him, sharing a conversation that for once hadn’t felt like unarmed combat, had tipped her over from professional to personal.

And she’d made it awkward for him and embarrassed herself.

Again.

All she could do now was get through the rest of the evening as fast as possible.

Trying to pretend it had never happened, she adopted her most professional expression and showed him the rest of the venue, introducing him to the conference manager and walking him through Urban Genie’s plan for his event.

He listened carefully, asked a few questions, added a few ideas of his own, all of them good.

By the time they’d finished talking, there was a crowd of people hovering close by hoping to grab a slice of his attention.

It was always the same. Some, she knew from experience, would have tech ideas they wanted to discuss with him. Some would simply be looking for business advice, some would be hoping for investment. Some of the women would be hoping for something more personal, too, and Paige didn’t want to be around to see if he delivered on that.

“You’re in demand, so I’ll leave you now and see you at the office tomorrow.” She managed what she hoped was a professional smile and walked to the bank of elevators.

Her feet were telling her that her choice of shoes sucked and she was longing to change into her flats. There was some footwear that even gel inserts couldn’t rescue.

She’d chosen them based on the height of the heel. Intimidated enough by Jake’s presence, she’d thought the extra height might give her confidence.

All it had given her was blisters.

Her feet, at least, were happy he’d refused to dance.

The moment she walked through the door she was going to take a long bath. With a glass of wine and a good book maybe. Or perhaps some brain-pounding music. Something to fill her head and distract her from thoughts of Jake.

Paige lifted her hand to press the button but a strong male hand reached past her and pressed it first.

She’d been so lost in her own thoughts she hadn’t heard him come up behind her, but she’d know that hand anywhere.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m leaving, too.” He hadn’t touched her, but his voice alone was enough to send sizzles of awareness across her skin.

It was brutally unfair that she felt this way about a man who wasn’t interested in her.

“You had a crowd of people wanting your attention.”

“I’m with you.”

If only. “This wasn’t a date, Jake.” She was pleased with how casual she sounded. “It was business. And anyway, since when did the presence of one woman prevent you from pursuing another?”

“I’ve never cheated on a woman.” His voice was quiet and disturbingly close to her ear. “And I always make sure a woman gets home safely.”

Her stupid heart, the one bit of her that never behaved as the textbooks said it should, skipped a beat. “You’re taking women home now? Careful, that sounds almost like commitment.”

“Their homes, not mine.” There was a smile in his voice. “And it’s good manners, rather than commitment.”

She wished the elevator would hurry up. “Have you ever given your address to a woman?”

“Never, although they do occasionally show up at the office.”

“Given that you virtually live there, they probably think that’s the best place to catch you.”

“My team make good bodyguards.” The elevator finally arrived and he held the door while she walked past him. “My driver is waiting downstairs. He’ll give you a ride home.”

Her feet were yelling at her to accept without argument. Her independent streak made her shake her head. “I can take the train.”