She skated over to him. “Cobra.”
“Desiree.”
“What are you doing here?”
“You ran off after dinner.”
She lifted a brow. “Was I supposed to hang around or something?”
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “I guess not. You looked good out there. I take it you’ve had lessons.”
“Yes. From the time I was four,” she said, letting her guard down a little. “I don’t skate as much as I used to, and I miss it. Tonight I decided to dress the part and run through a few routines.”
“Well, I’m impressed. You’re a wonderful skater.” And that was an understatement. Her body had personified sensuality in motion. Each movement had been flawless. And when she had spun around at the end, she’d stolen his breath away.
“When I was young, I’d dreamed of being on France’s Olympic figure skating team. Then my parents died, and I came to the States.”
“Did you stop your lessons?” he asked her.
“No. Granddad promised Aunt Margot, who was on the Olympic team when she was younger, that I would continue my lessons. He signed me up for them at boarding school.”
“So, why didn’t you try out for the US team?”
She pushed a lock of hair back from her face, making him even more aware of her stunning facial features, especially the beauty of her eyes. “I would have felt like a traitor. After all, I learned everything about it in Paris.” She shook her head. “Youstill haven’t told me why you’re here. Who gave you the passcode to get off on this floor?”
“You ran off so quickly after dinner. I wanted to make sure you were okay. You’re here all alone. I was worried.” For an unclear reason, he had developed a protective instinct toward her.
But there was another reason he’d sought her out. He had gone almost four weeks without interacting with her. He had to admit, avoidance had taken the edge off his horniness somewhat. And flying out to LA last week to spend some time with his nephew also helped. However, being in Desiree’s presence during dinner-although for less than an hour-had changed things. Just sharing space with her had immediately sent his libido into overdrive.
Sitting across the table, he’d had a good view of her, and he’d been close enough to be enveloped in her sensual scent. She barely looked at him, but he hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off her. He was glad Richard had carried most of the conversation, with him and Desiree responding only when prompted.
“Well, as you can see, I’m alone but fine. And I happen to enjoy my privacy, so there’s nothing to worry about. Feel free to leave,” she said, dropping onto one of the rink-side benches to remove her skates.
Not ready to leave just yet, he slid onto the bench beside her. She looked up and glared at him. “Do you mind?”
“Do I mind what?” he asked.
“Could you give me some alone time?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her he’d already done that. For four whole weeks, he’d avoided her. This weekend would mark a successful nine months of celibacy, with only three more to go. That was almost historic. “I’d prefer to spend some time with you, Desiree.”
“Oh? Is that why you’ve avoided me for nearly four weeks?”
He could tell by the way she suddenly returned to the task of removing her skates that she hadn’t meant to ask that question. It would appear that she had been bothered by his absence. “Do you miss me not coming to the office to take you home, Desiree?”
“Of course not!” she said with indignation.
“Then what’s the issue? I haven’t changed my schedule since you moved back to New York. I still play chess with Richard every Thursday night at the condo where you live. So, it seems to me that you’re the one doing the avoiding.”
“I have no reason to avoid you, Cobra. You’re the one who wanted to kiss me that night. I was just a bystander.”
Her words hit a nerve because, yes, he had wanted that kiss. Desperately so. And although he should have regretted their encounter, he didn’t. Memories of that kiss were what had kept him sane for the past four weeks. Even now, just looking at her mouth was gripping his gut because he wanted to taste her as he’d done before.
“What about you, Desiree? Do you ever think about that kiss?” he asked, trying like hell to keep his gaze on her face and not let it dip to her chest. He lost the battle, and nearly swallowed his tongue when he saw her hardened nipples pressing through the fabric of her outfit. Didn’t she know that was one of the signs of an aroused woman? Damn, he wished he didn’t.
“I can barely remember it,” she said lightly as she stood.
He stood as well, and their bodies brushed against each other. His breath caught in his throat, and his gaze moved to her lips. She was so close… But he couldn’t. Could he?
