Holy shit.
I make the mistake of meeting Kane’s piercing stare, a fleeting moment which is already too long.
“Everything okay?” his low voice rumbles.
Ah… nope. No, things are definitely not okay.
“Fine,” I lie once more. For someone who hates liars, I’m becoming incredibly skilled at it. Silencing my cell, I slip it back into my clutch and take a deep, steadying breath. “No more interruptions, promise.”
“Your hands are shaking.”
A nervous giggle takes me by surprise and the corners of his lips turn the slightest degree. He seems amused by me, although I can’t think why. Firstly, I’m stalling on giving him an answer to his project because I simply don’t know if I can meet his expectations given the restraints, and he has the luxury of choosing any interior designer money can buy. Secondly, I’m clearly not his type. This man belongs with glamorous supermodels who are as otherworldly beautiful as he is.
So, why is he so persistent?
“So, what were we talking about?” I ask, aiming to take the focus off me, only to have it put straight back on me.
“Indulgence. Wanting something that isn’t yours… yet.”
Damn it. He is the original sin. Every damn bit of him.
I inhale sharply. “What’s to say that the particular something wants the same thing.”
This time his smile reaches his eyes, his index finger tapping his cheek in a well-timed beat. “Are you telling me otherwise?”
Am I?
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“I never shy away from a challenge, Blythe.”
I swallow hard as his eyes ravage me. They’re all sex—passionate, explosive, powerful sex. The kind which would have me on my hands and knees unable to stand for days. The kind that would have me whimpering no more, but begging for him not to stop. The kind I so desperately need after a year’s drought. The kind Kane Alexander is so willing to give.
* * *
“Thank you,” I start, the street lamp coating us both in a golden glow. “Dinner was wonderful. And that restaurant is mind-blowingly beautiful. I had no idea it even existed, and I know this city pretty well.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Blythe. And I agree. Some of the best places are the best-kept secrets.”
“Speaking of secrets,” I say, walking to the building entry. My palms grow sweaty, and I hope the exquisite champagne isn’t influencing my decision.
“Evening, Mr. Alexander. Ms. Blakely.” Gerry, the doorman tips his hat, and I greet him in turn before turning my full attention to Kane who’s expertly feigning indifference.
“You are shameless!” I state, unable to hide my amusement. “You now have Gerry using my maiden name?”
He shrugs as we enter the lift, dark, devious eyes meeting mine. “I told you, Cooper doesn’t suit you.” His eyes linger on mine too long, those same salacious thoughts passing between us.
The man is like a fucking wizard. A sexy one. One whose main spell is to have you open your legs and be screaming his name.
“As you were saying about secrets?” he prompts.
“Um… yes… well, I’ve given it some thought, and while I’m still apprehensive about the whole approach, I’ve decided to take on the project but on one condition.”
The elevator doors open and he follows me down the hall to my apartment. I pull out my swipe card but don’t scan it. I face Kane who towers at least a foot above me.
“And what would that be?”
“You can’t leave me floundering. I’m going in blind with this, and it’s a big gamble for my business to take on something so large-scale yet so mysterious. My business in my baby, so if you see I’m heading in the wrong direction, don’t let me flounder. You may have to guide me through, and perhaps even reveal a little more about your mystery establishment and trust me.”
He considers my words, not once breaking his hold. I can see he’s happy with my response. After all, the man’s gotten his way, just as he said he would.
“Blythe, you’re not capable of floundering… over anything. But I promise your gamble will pay off.”
While a heavy weight lifts off my shoulders, I still have a fleeting thought that I hope I won’t live to regret my decision.
Kane holds out his large hand. “So, we have a deal?”
If this is what it feels like to make a deal with the devil.
I take his hand which engulfs mine, and I feel the spark pass between us. I know he feels it too, the need to explore my body the same way I want to his. “Deal,” I murmur because that’s all I can manage.
Kane turns my hand, lifts it to his lips and gently kisses while locking eyes to mine. A shiver of delight courses through my body, the same feeling I imagine his lips would give when trailing kisses.
Lowering my hand, Kane steps away, his eyes hooded with a lust I too share for him.