Damn. She hadn’t realized he was standing so close.
“That one’s from my sister,” she said.
His eyes sparkled with mischief and intrigue, a combination that was quickly unraveling her. “Which begs the question… Yoursistersends you pictures of erotic vegetable art?”
“It’s… kind of a thing with us. Last night I sent her one with two bananas with whipped cream on the tips, and…” Charley caught herself and shook her head, dropping the phone back into her purse. “Why am I telling you this?”
“Maybe I’m easy to talk to.”
You’re easy to look at, that’s for sure…
He held her gaze another beat, his smile making her heart sputter, then placed his hand on the small of her back. “Follow me.”
I follownoman,Charley thought. The words were poised on the tip of her tongue, but instead of voicing them, she inexplicably gave in to the light pressure of his touch, heading back out into the hallway and wondering why the hell his presence made her so damn lightheaded.
Chapter Three
The walk from the bedroom was a blur, but when the fog finally cleared from her head, Charley found herself seated at the bar, furiously studying a cocktail napkin while her mystery man ordered drinks.
Shock. That’s all it was. And now that the last of it was fading, it was time to escort herself right on out of there. One drink was usually her on-the-clock max, and she wasn’t a big fan of accepting gifts from strangers, either—they always wanted something in return.
But she also sensed he wasn’t the kind of guy who took no for an answer.
Not a stellar quality in a man, but in certain situations? It drove her wild.
This was one of those situations.
Besides, she was feeling rebellious now. Rudy had her working auctions and charity events nearly every night this month, each one demanding a new identity—private collector, curator, estate lawyer, art student. The whole arrangement was giving her whiplash. And that wasn’t even accounting for the rich assholes she ran into on the regular. Granted, they hadn’talltried to corner her in a bedroom like Duchanes, but you never knew. Sometimes, words and threats could do just as much damage as hands and teeth.
A shiver rolled through her body as she remembered the ice in that awful man’s eyes, the bruising grip of his fingers. She didn’t see him among the guests now, but he had to be around somewhere. Charley was good with gut feelings, and right now, she could feel the asshole’s eyes on her, crawling over her skin.
As if he could sense her nerves, her man shifted his barstool closer, their arms brushing as he settled in.
His presence calmed her, even as it riled her up inside. As he spoke with the bartender, she stared at his lush mouth, imagining what it would feel like running over her lips, down her neck, down to her—
“You seem to be having quite a think,” he mused, turning to look at her full on.
Fucking hell, he was gorgeous. Something about his eyes… Golden-brown, threaded with rich undertones she could’ve sworn kept changing color. And that mouth…
Charley cleared her throat, blinking away the images of his red-hot kisses. “Maybe I was. Thinking about things, I mean.”
He leaned in close, warm breath stirring the fine hairs on her neck. “Wickedthings, I hope.”
Damn him.She held back a shiver. That deep, liquid voice and sexy accent were enough to drive any woman wild, but his gorgeous honey-brown eyes, tousled black hair, and the confident, masculine way he carried himself sealed the deal. Even sitting down, he projected the kind of energy that could command a room.
Or a bedroom…
Charley’s thighs clenched in a weak attempt to staunch her throbbing desire.
“Wicked thoughts,” she replied, “are the only ones that make these events bearable.”
He laughed, loosening his tie and releasing a button at the top of his white dress shirt. His smile was dazzling—equally rakish and warm, the kind of smile that warned of dangerous, delicious things to come. “So it isn’t the pleasant company?”
“Tonight? Not so much.”
He didn’t respond, just pinned her with his fiery gaze until the arrival of their drinks broke the heated connection.
She had no idea how he’d guessed her favorite drink, but he passed her the Sapphire and tonic, raising his scotch in a toast. “To better company.”
