Miracle On 5th Avenue (From Manhattan with Love 3)

ard to pay the cabdriver. “I think any dog living with you would be lucky.”

And any man.

They rode the elevator to the top floor and he kept his arms wrapped around her. He told himself he was holding her because he wanted to warm her up, but he knew he was lying to himself. He was holding her because it felt good and he was in no hurry to let her go.

She leaned her head against his chest. “I’m still mad at you for making me a murderer.”

“You don’t sound mad.”

“What? This is my angry voice.”

“I think your angry voice might need work. Or you could just stop being angry.” He wondered if she’d ever been able to be mad with anyone for more than five minutes. “If it helps, I’ll be groveling for days.”

“What form does groveling take?”

“Whatever works. If you want a favor, now would be the perfect time to ask. You want to sacrifice another bottle of my ridiculously expensive wine? No problem.”

There was a pause and then she looked up at him. “Sex,” she said simply. “I want you to take me to bed and give me another orgasm.”

Fifteen

Laughter is good for the abs.

—Eva

Eva felt the sudden loosening of his grip and for a moment she regretted speaking. She should have stayed silent and let it happen. Because it would have happened, she was sure about that. There had been something in his touch that wasn’t all about warming her.

“I’ll give you anything else, but not that.” His voice was rough, his powerful body taut with restraint.

“Why?”

“You know why. We want different things.”

“I want sex. What do you want?”

He cursed under his breath. “We are coming at this from a different place.”

“As long as we’re coming, it doesn’t matter.”

He didn’t laugh. “You’re a dreamy romantic!”

“You’re worried I’ll fall in love, but I won’t. Take a close look at me.” She lifted her face to his. “Do you see stars in my eyes? Do I look dreamy? Am I gazing at you as if you’re a gold-plated unicorn? No. And that’s because you’re not looking at a woman in love, Lucas, you’re looking at a woman who wants sex. Are you in or out?”

A smile touched his mouth. “Are you talking figuratively or literally?”

“Both, I hope.”

His smile faded and he grazed her cheek with his fingers. “Feelings aren’t that easy to control.”

“So now you’re saying you’re irresistible? That’s arrogant.”

“I’m saying you’re vulnerable. And I don’t take advantage of vulnerable women.”

“I’m not vulnerable. I’m open. It’s not the same thing. I’m not scared of feelings, Lucas. That’s the difference between us. Feelings are part of life. Feelings are how we know we’re alive.”

He stared into her eyes for a long moment and when the elevator doors finally opened he took her hand and led her to his apartment. “You need a hot shower to warm you up.”

“Are you taking one with me?” She slid her hand under his shirt and he clamped his hand over hers.