No, that wasn’t true. She very much minded it, as a rule, but not from a man who was looking at her as if he was imagining what her naked body would feel like under him.
“I’m Will.” He extended his hand across the table.
“Kristen.” He didn’t offer a last name, and she didn’t ask. She didn’t care. And she also didn’t offer hers.
But she did take his hand, putting hers in his much larger one. It was less of a handshake and more of an excuse for physical contact, and the touch lingered as his thumb stroked over her knuckles. Even though he didn’t squeeze, she could feel the strength in him.
“Okay, Will,” she said, once he’d let go of her with visible reluctance. That was a very good sign. “What’s a guy like you doing reading a book like that in a place like this?”
“I’m reading a book like this because Abigail was an interesting lady and my mom recommended it to me. I’m in a place like this because I heard a rumor they make grilled chicken that isn’t over-seasoned rubber, and I keep coming back because the rumor was true and because I like hearing you laugh.”
“Sweet sentiment, but I’ve seen plenty of women hit on you, and you always leave alone.”
“They weren’t you.” He knocked back the last of his coffee and then leaned back in his chair. “You’re always alone. No significant other?”
“No time for others, significant or otherwise. But sometimes I like company.” At this point, if he didn’t take the hint, she was walking away. “I’m really choosy about it.”
“I’ve been told I’m pretty good company.”
Judging by the confidence evident in his body language and expression, she was willing to bet he was more than pretty good and he knew it.
That was okay. She liked confidence in a man. Sure, there was a fine line between confident and cocky, but Will seemed to have his feet planted on the right side of the line. Barely.
“You have any plans for tonight?” she asked, ready to move the party back to her place. She wanted to touch him again and more extensively, and she wanted that touching to happen behind closed doors.
“I was planning to spend the evening with Abigail here,” he said in a low voice, before he gave her a look that curled her toes. “But you arefarmore fascinating to me.”
“I live a couple blocks away. If you can stand the cold, you’re welcome to come keep me company.”
“I’m pretty comfortable with the cold. Let me pay for your drink and we can get out of here.”
“Thanks, but I pay for my own drinks. And I already settled up, so I’m ready when you are.” She drained her glass and stood as he grabbed his coat off the back of the chair and slipped it on.
Zach gave her a thumbs-up on the sly when she walked past the bar to get her coat, and she was impressed when Will took the parka from her so he could hold it. Holding the cuffs of her soft, cream sweater, she shoved her arms into the coat’s sleeves.
Then he gathered her hair in his hands, and she sucked in a breath as his fingertips brushed her neck in the process. Awareness of his body, so close behind hers that she could feel his breath as he tugged her hair free of her collar, sizzled through her. The anticipation of what was to come was delicious, and her hands trembled slightly as she zipped her parka.
The chivalry lasted throughout the short walk to her building. He held the bar door for her. He walked on the curb side of the sidewalk. And whenever the biting wind gusted, he’d try to adjust his pace to shield her from the worst of it.
So, Will was a gentleman in the streets, she mused as she let them into her building and nodded to the night security guard before crossing the lobby to the elevator. Hopefully he’d be just as attentive in the sheets.
“This is a really nice place,” he said as he followed her down the wide, well-decorated hallway to her door.
“I like it.” She figured he was probably fishing for more information about her. Like how she earned the paychecks that footed the bill for this apartment. Or whether she’d kept it in a divorce. She’d heard a few theories over the years, but so far none of her male visitors had guessed the truth. And she’d like to keep it that way. “Good security. Lots of cameras in the lobby and the hallways. Good amenities, too.”
Will made a noise that sounded like agreement, but he didn’t push the subject. He either didn’t care how she’d come to live here or he’d already figured out if she wanted to say more, she would.
Kristen liked that about him. She liked alotabout him, actually. As she glanced at him while unlocking her door, he watched her with those dark eyes and gave her a wicked grin that practically took her breath away.
She was definitely looking forward to getting to know him better.
Will Lecroix wasn’tsure what to make of the tall and very shiny building his new friend brought him home to, with its security desk and pass-carded elevator. She’d seemed more like the artsy loft type to him, and he’d been hoping he wouldn’t have to deal with a roommate situation. He was too old for that shit, and being shushed during sex was a serious mood killer.
Not that he was particularly loud, but he really hoped he was going to hear Kristen yelling his name into her pillow tonight.
He followed her into her apartment, standing to one side so she could close and lock the door, and looked around. The mystery of Kristen deepened. The place was immaculate, with high-end fixtures and one hell of a view of the city behind the large window. It looked like a large, open-concept, studio-type apartment, with a couple of doors on the back wall he assumed led to the bedroom and bathroom.
But rather than being filled with the kind of expensive décor that always made him afraid to make himself at home lest he knock something over, Kristen’s home was sparsely decorated with battered leather furniture that looked good quality and comfortable but definitely had some years on them.
