“Thanks. So, maybe that’s what I know about.”
“Sounds like it.” He smiled at me and pulled away, but I held onto his hand.
There was a questioning look in his eyes, and I answered it by leaning in and kissing him, unable to stand it anymore. He didn’t hesitate with shock or tension this time. He kissed me back right away, his hands coming up to cup my face, and my hands holding onto his arms, wishing there wasn’t a table obstructing us.
I wanted to be with him and damn everything else. I had to see it through. Knowing Sadie and Jane would likely be with their respective partners, I blurted out an idea, and as the words left my mouth, I wondered if I was truly going crazy.
“Want to come back to my place?”
CHAPTER13
CASSIE
I was breathinghard as I waited for him to reply. His hands were still on my face as he thought about it.
“Are you sure?” he asked, and I knew we both knew what would happen if he said yes. If he actually came back with me.
“Yes, I’m sure,” I said, nodding, knowing that I was completely out of my depth but not caring.
“Then, yes, I’ll go back to your place.”
“Good.” I stood, hiding a little smile. “I’m off to the bathroom.”
“And I’ll sort this out,” he said, motioning to the table.
When I returned, after washing my face, and giving myself a little pep talk, I spotted Brad at the front entrance, talking to the maître d. When he saw me, he threw me a big smile, and I could see the heat in his eyes again.
It was a rare thing to feel so completely wanted by someone else. It was intoxicating, and my skin thrummed at the thought of just him and me alone in a room together, feeling that want coming from him like a vibration.
“Let’s go. Gus says taxi will be here in one minute.” He looked at his watch and then offered me his arm again. “Sorry. I know this is kind of old-fashioned.”
“No, I like it.” Plus, it gave me a chance to feel the strength in his body, to get close enough to smell him, and soon, I would see all of him. “Thanks for dinner.”
“No problem. I forgot to tell you what it was all about.” The taxi, right on time, rolled up in front of the restaurant, and he opened the door for me before jogging to the other side to get in.
“What was it about?”
“Well, I did say, but only briefly.”
I gave the taxi driver my address, and then we were off. I knew we only had a few minutes until we would be at my house and too distracted, so I wanted to hear what he had to say.
“I wanted to say thank you for actually spending time with Camilla and talking to her. I know it was crazy to ask you to watch her, but at the same time, it was brilliant. She had such a great time and learned so much. I really want my daughter to see women in science and see herself in the role someday. I really appreciate you doing that.”
“Of course. Honestly, even if it started out bad, it was a pleasure.” I paused.
I’d never conceded like this to someone. I thought of Stevie and how I’d told her I was furious that he’d asked me to watch Camilla. But I wasn’t anymore. I had other things on my mind right then.
“Well, you deserve the dinner. I also wanted to apologize for all the things going on at the lab. It’s kind of my MO, to storm in and change things up, catch people off guard. I can’t stand inefficiency or people taking advantage of a company, but I could have handled it a bit better, I suppose. You certainly let me have it.” His crooked smile made me bite at my lip, wanting to touch his mouth again.
Why was he talking about work? I didn’t want to talk about anything to do with work. Work only brought things into the sphere of reality and right then, I just wanted a fairytale. A sexual escapade with no consequences or concerns. Just sweaty, hot sex with unbelievable orgasms.
“I do tend to speak my mind,” I said with a chuckle, my heart racing at the sight of my apartment building. “Right here,” I said to the driver, hoping I didn’t sound as desperate as I felt, but I had waited long enough for this man.
“That’s good,” he replied, jumping out of the cab after paying, and then opening my door for me.
“Gosh, you didn’t have to pay for that too,” I said, starting to feel a bit guilty.
He took my hand, and I led the way to the door.