Midnight At Tiffany's (From Manhattan with Love 0.50)

Stunned by the force of his own response, Chase eased away from her. “Why would you think that?”

“I’m told he’s insanely good-looking, he has a reputation with women and he was absent. There were some beautiful women there. He’s a man who appreciates beautiful women. It’s the only explanation in my opinion.” Her creamy cheeks d

impled into a smile. “What do you think?”

Chase thought that if there was a suitable door around he might well be tempted to take her behind it and act out the scenario she’d just described. Either way, her suggestion of his evening sounded a great deal more interesting than the evening he’d actually had.

“Chase is a planner. A strategist. He doesn’t act on impulse.”

“Not in his work, I’m sure. Even I can see that you’re not going to make a gazillion dollars by acting on impulse, but in relationships?” She pondered, her head tilted to one side. “A man like that would have the confidence to take risks.”

“Unless all the women around him are exactly like him. Planners, strategists, with their eye on the money.”

“You think women sleep with him just for his money? Ugh.” She wrinkled her nose. “But a man like that would be smart enough to spot the fake from something real, so there wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Unless he’d never met real.” Chase dropped his eyes to her mouth. “Then he’d have a problem.”

She smiled up at him. “In that case I feel sorry for him. Suddenly I’m not so envious of his lifestyle.”

“Are you envious?”

She shrugged. “It would be nice not to have to worry about where the rent is coming from. It would be nice to be free to make choices. But at least I’m never going to wonder if someone is with me for my money.”

They’d reached the main street and paused, confronted by the flow of pedestrians and traffic. Realizing how easy it would be for him to be spotted, Chase shrugged out of his jacket.

Her smile was amused. “Was that supposed to make you less conspicuous? Because you still look like someone worth mugging.”

“I’m with you and you work in security.” He knew she didn’t work in security, and it intrigued him that she wouldn’t tell him what she did. Most of the people he met couldn’t wait to tell him their job title. His circle never widened. Everyone he met knew who he was.

Except her.

“What was your reason for leaving the party?” She pulled the pin out of her hair and it tumbled, dark and luxurious, past her narrow shoulders as wild and curly as if she’d been caught in a storm. He wanted to sink his hands into it, feel its softness as he held her still for his kiss.

“I was bored.” But he wasn’t bored now. He was intrigued. “So you left without speaking to Chase?”

“I couldn’t find him. I hope Chase Adams doesn’t find out you sneaked out or you’ll never be invited again.” She looked up at him. Her eyes were cornflower blue, fringed by lashes as dark as her hair. She was pretty, rather than beautiful, her smile sweet rather than contrived.

“He hates these things, too.”

“Why would he go if he hates them?”

“Because it’s expected of him. Part of the job.”

“I would have thought when someone reached his lofty status they could pick and choose the bits they enjoyed. You’re telling me that even someone as successful as Chase Adams has to do the bits he hates? Don’t kill my illusions.”

His illusions had been battered to death years before.

Chase steered her round a group of tourists who were taking photos. “How far is it to Central Park?”

“You really don’t know New York, do you?”

He did, but he wanted to spend more time with her. “Like I said, I don’t walk much.”

“It’s the best way to see the city. Especially at night. And it doesn’t cost anything.”

“You walk round on your own at night?”

“It’s safe enough if you know where to walk. I love it. I love New York. All of it. I even love tourist spots like Times Square. And at night the whole city is transformed into a magical place. You feel as if anything could happen. Dreams could come true. Miracles can happen.”