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Tears welled in her eyes. She was crying for a love that could never be returned. Yet, she had no regrets. She’d gone into this with her eyes wide open. And she’d walk out of it the same way.
“THE FOOD AT THEbanquet was wonderful. And the people you work with are so nice.”
Frazier glanced over at Rylee when they stepped off the elevator on their floor. “They can be.” Raising her hand to his lips, he said, “Did I tell you how beautiful you looked tonight?”
She smiled up at him. “Yes, you did. Several times in fact.”
And Frazier had meant it every time. She looked absolutely gorgeous in the off-the-shoulder style dress she was wearing. It came to her knees, showcasing her striking legs and was fitted at the waist to show off her small waist and curvy hips. He’d noticed more than one man checking her out and he’d been glad she was with him.
“You impressed a lot of people about how well-versed you are in so many subjects.” Tonight, it was clear to all that Rylee had brains as well as beauty.
She chuckled. “I read a lot.”
When they reached her hotel room door, he said, “Tomorrow, our fun starts at nine. That is, if you’re still up for it?”
“Oh, I am,” she said, pulling her passkey from her purse.
“Good. We’ll do breakfast and then catch the ferry. Goodnight, Rylee.”
She hesitated before going into her suite, which prompted him to ask, “Is anything wrong?”
She shook her head. “No, nothing is wrong. I was just wondering.”
“About what?”
“If you would share a glass of wine with me before bed?”
He was surprised by her invitation. During lunch, she hadn’t been as talkative as she usually was and they hadn’t kissed again. It was as if, after what happened earlier today, she was avoiding getting too close to him.
“I’d love that.” If what had happened earlier was still bothering her, they should talk about it. He needed to assure her that there was no pressure. When she was ready—ifshe was ready—he would be too. Until then, he was content to wait.
She smiled and invited him into the spacious suite which was a mirror copy of his. After placing her purse on a sofa table, she walked over to the wet bar. Looking over those beautiful bare shoulders, she asked, “White or red?”
“I’d be satisfied with either.”
“I have a taste for Riesling.”
He had a taste for her. And he definitely missed kissing her. “That sounds good to me, too.”
Moments later, she returned with both glasses and handed him his. “Thanks.”
He took a sip and studied her over the rim of his wine glass. She seemed nervous. And the last thing he wanted was for her to feel uncomfortable around him. “Is there anything that you want to talk about, Rylee?”
• • •
Rylee pondered Frazier’s question. No, she didn’t want to talk about it--she wanted to act on it. Even now, her mouth was aching for another Frazier Connelly kiss. Her entire body was. Besides, what could she say? That tonight she had realized something important? That while dancing with him at the banquet, with his arms wrapped around her and his masculine scent surrounding her, that she’d accepted just how much she’d grown to love him?
At the banquet, he’d barely left her side and had introduced her to his colleagues as a very special friend. And it hadn’t been the way he’d introduced her, so much as the sound and texture of his voice as he did it, that touched her deep inside. She could tell there had been some people at the banquet tonight who’d been surprised to see him with someone. She had surmised from that alone, that she was special to him. One of the wives had even commented on it.
So, they would sit and talk for a little while and then she would see how he decided to handle things from there. “We can talk. Let’s sit over there,” she said.
She led him to the loveseat by a window that overlooked downtown Toronto. While she kicked off her shoes, she watched how he placed his wine glass aside to remove his jacket. He looked so good in a suit. Maybe it was the way his shoulders and chest filled out the shirt or the wayhis slacks were tailored to his hips and thighs. He picked up his wine glass and sat beside her.
A smile touched her lips. “I honestly don’t know where to start, Frazier.”
“Start anywhere you like. I want you to feel comfortable with me, Rylee. I’m sure you’re aware by now there’s a connection between us. It’s there and it’s not going anywhere. I wish I could explain it, but I can’t. I felt it the moment I saw you that day in my office.”
She took a sip of her wine and then licked her lips. She watched as his gaze followed the movement and her body stirred in a sensual way. She wanted to be honest with him tonight. Totally honest. It would be up to him how he handled her honesty. He just might freak out, thinking she wanted more out of this relationship than he did and put her back on his jet tomorrow, headed for home. But if that was the case, it would be better for her to find out now instead of later.
