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I sincerely wanted to know. The idea had been forming in my head for a couple days now. “So, do you—do you collect nudes…or something?” I looked down at my plate.
“No,” he answered immediately, “I was
working security for the Andersen gallery that night. There were a few high profile guests and I merely went to make an appearance. I have employees who do the actual on-site work.” He paused. “But I’m very glad I attended because I saw your portrait.” His voice sounded amused. “I wanted it, so I bought it.”
I could feel his eyes calling to me to look at him. I lifted my eyes up.
“And then you walked in, Brynne.”
“Oh…”
“I heard what you and Clarkson said by the way—about me and my hand.” He tapped his ear. “High tech security gadgets in my line of work.”
My fork dropped with a clang and I must have jumped a foot. He grinned and looked smug, and far too sexy to be here with me. I was so mortified I wanted to run out the door. “I am so sorry you heard—”
“Don’t be, Brynne. I try to avoid my hand to get off, especially if there are other, more lovely, options.”
I felt his fingers tug on my chin. I allowed him access and felt my body heat up. Whoa…breathe, Brynne, breathe.
“Like you.” He whispered the rest. “I want the real thing. I want you underneath me. I want to get off with you.” His blue eyes never left mine. He did not let go of my chin either. He held me firm and made me acknowledge his words.
“Why, Ethan?”
His thumb flicked out and brushed my jaw. “Why does anyone want anything? It’s just how I react to you.” His eyes rolled over me and got that smoky look in them. “Come home with me. Be with me tonight, Brynne.”
“Okay.” My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it. And just like that I agreed to something that I knew would be life changing. For me, it would be.
The instant the word left my lips I witnessed Ethan close his eyes for just the briefest flicker. And then it was all a flurry of activity and purpose setting the pace from there; everything in sharp contrast to the sensual conversation we’d just been having. Within minutes he closed the bill from our dinner and led me out to his car. Ethan’s firm touch pressed against my back, pushing me forward, taking me away to a place where he could have me. Alone.
~*~
Ethan drove us to a gorgeous glass building sitting high above the London skyline of previous centuries, modern but reminiscent of pre-war Britain in an elegant way.
“Good evening, Mr. Blackstone.” The uniformed doorman greeted Ethan and nodded politely toward me.
“Evening, Claude,” he returned smoothly. The pressure of his hand, ever present on my back propelled me forward into the open elevator. As soon as the doors closed us in he spun me and crushed his lips down on mine. It was just like the Shires Building all over again and I felt the punch of arousal hit me hard between my thighs. And I was starting to get a clearer picture of my companion as well. Reserved in public, Ethan was all proper gentleman and restraint, but behind closed doors? Look. Out.
His hands were all over me this time. I didn’t resist as he backed me into a corner. His touch warmed and made me soar both at once. He dragged his prickly whiskers down my neck and pushed his hand up my blouse to cup a breast. I gasped at the feel of his hot hands roaming as they made purposeful strides toward knowing my body. I arched into him, my chest thrusting out, pushing my breast further into his hand. He found my nipple through the lace and tugged.
“You’re so fucking sexy, Brynne. I’m dying for you,” he spoke against my neck, his breath tickling my flesh.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened to an elderly couple waiting to get on. They took one look at us and passed on the lift. I tried to push back from him, to put some space between our bodies. For the second time today, I found myself panting for Ethan like a harlot, out in the open for all and sundry to see me.
“Not here, please, Ethan.”
His hand left my breast and reappeared from where it had been under my shirt. He brought it to rest on my neck. I felt his thumb start moving in a slow circle right under my chin. And then he smiled at me.
Ethan looked happy as he took my hand with his free one and brought it to his lips for a kiss. Damn, I loved when he did that.
“You’re right, and I apologize. Do you forgive me, Miss Bennett? I am afraid you make me forget where I am. ”
My belly flipped down low with an ache. I nodded at him because I couldn’t do anything else, and whispered, “It’s okay.” The elevator, bless its mechanical heart, kept moving us closer to his floor. I wondered what he would do as soon as he got me inside his apartment. Ethan had me totally under his spell and I was pretty sure he knew it too.
Finally the lift stopped at the top floor, the soft settling made my belly roll again as Ethan put his hand on me. The man was tactile—always touching if he could get away with it.
He used his key to unlock the carved oak doors and pushed one open, ushering me into his private space. It was a beautiful room, lighter than I would expect for a man. The main room sported a grey and cream palette, lots of wood and mouldings and decorative elements for such a modern space.
“This is beautiful, Ethan. Your home is lovely.”
