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“Rewarding,” he finished, cocking his head to the side.
Huh? I stared, dumbfounded at his choice of word. What did he mean?
“I like that you call me out,” he said, scratching the short stubble on his beard. “That hard exterior is born from years of defence.”
“It...it, well,” I stuttered. “You got me there.”
I couldn't very well deny it now, could I? The bastard had seen straight through me. But I wouldn't let him get past my wall of brambles. No one was going to get those bushes down. Sleeping Beauty slumbered happily in ignorance, trapped in my heart where no one could reach her. She was safer there.
“What do you want from me?” I blurted, my cheeks heating when his eyes flared as he sat forward again, leaning on the table to get closer.
The intensity of his gaze made the hair on the back of my neck rise and the moisture in my thong increase.
“As you're so good at cutting to the chase,” he drawled, “I'll return the favour.”
I swallowed and came closer, daring him to continue. The thrill that slipped down my spine made me cross my legs under the table. “Go on.”
“You kissed me.” He raised a hand when I went to defend myself. “Whether or not it was an accident, doesn't matter. I know we both felt something.”
My breath quickened as he stared into my eyes.
“Yes,” I breathed, pleased that it hadn't just been me who had felt that attraction.
“And if you're game,” he went on, “I'd like to pursue it to see where it leads.”
A small smile lifted my lips. Phew, now that my dirty little secret was in the open, I could relax. And knowing that he felt the same upped the excitement game.
“I'm twice your age. Old enough to be your father, if I’d had you young.” His sentence brought me back to earth, making me retreat slightly. His hand came out and took mine, his thumb caressing my palm. “But I quite like that.”
A shudder moved me as I realised that I liked it too. I'd never had a father figure so there was no confusion when it came to age. All that mattered was that we were both adults who wanted to get naked together. And he just happened to be more experienced than me. Not that I would tell him that.
“Are you hungry? Do you want to stay here?” he asked, glancing over my shoulder.
I shook my head, not daring to look behind me.
“If we're quick, we can leave before our food arrives.”
I giggled as we shot to our feet and made a hasty exit, trying not to bump into tables as we wound through them. No one said anything, or even looked up from what they were doing, as we exited the room, falling about laughing when we were in the lobby.
Joseph sobered first, forcing me to get serious. My insides quivered as he stood in front of me and dug a hand into his jacket pocket. He stared at me intently as he pulled something out and cupped his other hand over his palm.
“I have two surprises here,” he said, holding out both clenched fists. “Pick one.”
Smiling, I tilted my head to the side and reached for his left hand, tapping it gently. He opened it to reveal a car key. I frowned, not quite sure whether he was giving me a car or something.
“This is the key to my car. We can say goodnight and I can take you home to your place. Or,” he paused for effect, “you can gamble it for what's in this hand. If you gamble, you have to take the prize, no questions asked.” Lifting his right hand, he narrowed his gaze on me.
A part of me wondered whether I should just go home. Now that Joseph was taking an interest in my designs, my career could be at stake if I played with him. My defences were also at stake if I took that step to let him get close.
My fingers stretched out and gently tapped his right hand, which unfurled, revealing a card key emblazoned with the hotel's name on it.
“This,” he said, stepping closer and tucking my hair behind my ear before bringing his mouth to my lobe, “is a key to an apartment nearby.”
Swallowing hard, I gasped in a breath. I hadn't expected him to be so assuming on our first date, although I could hardly blame him. The tension between us was fire.
“You can say no, despite what I said a moment ago,” he went on, “but I hope you don't.”
My hand came up to cup his head, bringing it closer so his cheek rested against mine. “I don't want to say no, but I'm a little scared.”
