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“I can do it. I’m good at this. My dad taught me.” She stepped closer to him. Her fingers tangled with his as she took the tie, and her eyes were fixed on the task as she concentrated.
Even though she was wearing those thin spiky heels, he was still more than a head taller than her. When he looked down he had a perfect view of the thick sweep of her eyelashes, the soft curve of her lips and the slope of her bare shoulders. She held her breath as she concentrated and he closed his eyes, disorientated by lust.
She was dressing him, not undressing him. It shouldn’t feel this intimate.
There was the scent again, summer meadows and wildflowers, and this time there was no escape. His mind picked up the scent and ran with it, providing him with disturbingly vivid pictures. He pictured her in the shower, water flowing over that perfect body, sliding into all the parts he wasn’t allowed to touch. He imagined droplets of water and opalescent bubbles of soap clinging to that creamy skin.
Trying to shake off the images, he opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on the illuminated buttons, willing the elevator to rise quickly, trying to ignore the gentle brush of Paige’s fingers against his throat. Never before had he considered having sex with a woman in an elevator. He was a man who thought that if something was worth doing it was worth doing well and sex in a moving capsule would be like eating fast food while walking to work.
Why had he suggested visiting the venue?
He could have seen it perfectly well from the picture.
He could have—
“There—” she stepped back, releasing him from his erotic thoughts. “That’s better.”
Not for him.
He pressed his shoulders back against the mirrored wall, putting as much space between them as possible. If there had been an emergency exit, he would have taken it.
“How was your day?”
“Busy.” She checked her lipstick in the mirror. “Frankie was talking to one of your designers and she has come up with an idea for a floral design in binary code. It’s original and very cool.”
“Binary code.” He glanced at the illuminated buttons—35, 40, 45—hurry up. “That sounds innovative.” He didn’t care if the flowers sang and danced, he just wanted to get out of this damn elevator.
The doors slid open, releasing him from his torment and he forced himself to let her walk out first.
When her back was turned he ran his hand over his forehead and straightened his jacket.
Security staff stood aside to let them pass and they were greeted by their host.
Alysson Peters was CEO of a successful tech start-up. Jake had been an early, and generous, investor and it was that generosity that earned him an enthusiastic greeting.
“I didn’t think you were coming!” Alysson embraced him. “This is great.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it.” Jake kissed her on both cheeks, ignoring Paige
’s raised eyebrows. “Where’s the bar, Aly?”
“Of course that would be your first question. You’re a Bad Boy, Jake Romano. Which is why I love you, of course.” Amused, she slapped him gently on the arm. “Everyone will want to be introduced to you, but as you’re at the top of the food chain you can afford to ignore anyone that doesn’t interest you. And anyway, I see you brought company.” She smiled at Paige. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your date?”
“Paige Walker.” Paige stepped forward and shook hands.
“Paige is CEO of a new start-up, Urban Genie, an event and concierge company.” Jake dropped it in casually, his eyes scanning the room. “If you ever want a fabulous event and flawless execution, you should give her a call. If she’s able to fit you into her schedule, it will be your lucky day. She’s the best there is.”
“Is that right? In that case—” Alysson held out her hand. “Do you have a card?”
Paige handed one over and Alysson glanced at it and slipped it into her purse.
“I’ll be in touch. Have fun!” She walked away to greet more guests.
“Thank you for the introduction—” Paige sounded breathless “—but it might have worked better if you hadn’t all but told her we were too busy to fit her into our schedule. Now she won’t call.”
“She’ll call. First rule of human nature—people always want what they can’t have. If you’re in demand, everyone will want you.” He lifted two glasses of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter and handed her one.
She took it, but only because he gave her no choice. “I’m working.”
