One Night with Prince Charming (Aristocratic Grooms 2)
“Maybe I’ll try,” she responded lightly.
He glanced down at himself and then at her, his gaze seeming to linger on all her softest places. “In the meantime, why don’t we get ourselves ready and get out of here?”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“Don’t you have an appointment to meet with Lucy this afternoon at the house?”
She nodded again. “Lucy’s understudy is filling in for her for today’s performances.”
“Then why don’t you come straight back with me?” he offered. “The house will be a more comfortable place for you to shower and change than the gym. We could have something to eat and kill some time before you need to take your meeting with Lucy.”
Pia hesitated. Shower and change at his residence? No, no, no. She thought of her gym bag in her locker. In the ladies’ room, she’d be safe and surrounded by other members of the female tribe—not by a descendant of conquerors.
Hawk smiled. “I promise I won’t bite. There are a couple of guest bedrooms with en suite bathrooms where you’ll feel comfortable. You choose.”
Pia blushed because it seemed he’d read her mind.
But, then again, what could it hurt to accede to his suggestion? Lucy would most likely be at home or there soon, and then there would be the presence of the household help.
Except when they got back to Hawk’s house, Pia discovered that Lucy was not home and not expected back until shortly before her afternoon appointment with Pia. The staff, typically discreet, was nowhere to be seen.
Nevertheless, she chose a guest bedroom with cheery yellow-and-blue-chintz upholstery and a white canopy bed. She showered in the adjoining marble bath, and then wrapped herself in a plush blue towel.
The house was clearly appointed with luxury throughout, she realized. Before now, she’d only been in Hawk’s home to talk with Lucy, and she’d never been on the upper levels.
As she came out of the bathroom, Pia eyed the bed. It was tempting to allow herself to sink onto it and revel in its comfort. The mattress and the counterpane seemed soft and thick. In fact, the whole bedroom was decorated in a way she’d have aspired to in her apartment if she’d had the money. Instead, she’d contented herself with the budget version of many items.
Turning away from temptation, she dressed, pulling on an emerald top with a square neckline edged with red ribbon. She paired it with a full taupe skirt, wide black patent belt, black leggings and gold ballerina flats.
Today, the weather was a little cooler, the breeze having a little nip, so she’d pulled some of her fall attire from her wardrobe while packing her gym bag.
When she was done getting ready, she wandered out of the bedroom and down the hall. Stopping before the door of the bedroom that Hawk had pointed out to her as his, she hesitated just a moment before knocking.
When Hawk opened his door, however, she found herself swallowing and wetting her lips.
He wore a crisp white shirt and black pants, and his hair was still damp from his shower. He exuded a virile magnetism.
Why must he look so effortlessly but devastatingly attractive?
And then he looked at her, his eyes making a quick but thorough perusal.
He smiled, slow and sexy, and Pia felt her heart thump.
“A gorgeous woman knocking on my door. Under other circumstances, my next move would have been to invite you in and—” he winked “—allow my licentious nature free rein.”
She heated. “I—I didn’t want to wander around your house by myself, and I didn’t know where we’d be having lunch.” She decided to try to lighten the moment. “Heaven forbid someone spotted me and thought I was snooping.”
His smile widened. “Which fairy-tale heroine goes around snooping? I can’t recall.”
“No one,” she protested. “A-and I—I don’t believe in fairy tales.”
He took her hand. “Great, then we’ll just have to make up our own story.”
He stepped aside and tugged her into his room.
As Pia glanced around, Hawk made a sweeping motion with his arm.
“This is my bedroom.” He shot her a devilish smile. “In case you were wondering what it looked like. Or should I say, in