And his hand was inching toward my shoulder again.
And his breath was warming my neck.
And when he whispered in my ear, commenting on Shane’s tense expression as he gave his presentation.
Yes, Shane had given us a glare. And yes, he was looking like he might spit nails once he was finished giving his rah-rah speech for the attendees. I was trying my best to discourage his so-called old friend. I couldn’t be blamed for Jordan’s inappropriate behavior.
The minute Shane wrapped up his speech and shook the hands of the man who’d introduced him, he was at our table. He took my hand in his, and was pulling me from my chair, when Jordan said, “Shane, wonderful speech.”
Shane didn’t respond. At least, not verbally.
“Please tell me you aren’t leaving already?” Jordan added, his lips curled into an evil smile.
“We have another engagement to attend,” Shane snapped. He hurried me out of the building, saying nothing until we were in the car. Once we were seated he mumbled, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I figured I’d just ignore him because I was getting the impression it was fairly useless arguing with him. I know he’s an old friend of yours, but he’s an arrogant ass.”
“You’re not the first person to tell me that,” he grumbled as he leaned back.
“I get the impression you have some problems with him.”
“I do.”
That was a short answer. Much too brief. I would have liked to ask more, but his expression said, don’t go there. After this conversation, I really wanted to know more. Especially why they shared women if they didn’t get along so well, but I let it drop for now. “Your presentation was wonderful,” I said, hoping it would perk up his mood a bit.
“Thank you.”
“You’re a very dynamic speaker. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was.”
“I’ve done a few of these things. It’s not such a big deal.”
“Says you. I would’ve been stuttering and stammering if it had been me.”
“Then I’ll give you a few pointers when the time comes.”
“I have no intention of giving a presentation anytime soon, though I do appreciate the offer.”
“You never know…” He gave me a lopsided grin that had me second guessing his meaning. Did he know I’d lost my job? Was he thinking of offering me a position with his company? I decided not to ask.
“Come here. I want to talk about something.” He pulled me onto his lap so I was facing him, my bent legs straddling his hips. He skimmed a hand up my thigh. “I heard about what you said to Alexis.”
“That’s her name, huh? Suits her. But--”
“I’m proud of you, Bristol.”
I blinked. “You are?”
“Very.”
“But isn’t she a potential contributor?”
Looking unconcerned, he shrugged. His lips curled into a smile that hinted at wicked secrets. “She’s too smart to let something like a little insult get between her and a big tax deduction.”
Returning his smile, I rested my arms on his shoulders. My fingers tangled in his silky hair. “Do you know what she said about you?”
“I know exactly what she’s up to. I’d be a fool not to check out any woman I have a relationship with. I need to know what her motivations are.”
Relationship. He’d had a relationship with that woman. A sick feeling settled in my belly. There was a reason for Alexis to believe she would be wearing Shane’s ring one day.
Was that reason over? Had he moved on?
Did I even have the right to ask him that?
As if he read my mind, he pinched my chin. “Bristol, what I had with Alexis is over. There’s no one else. I told you that. I wasn’t lying.”
No one for now.
He pulled my chin, coaxing me into a kiss. His lips were soft, the kiss patient and gentle. His other hand, the one resting on my thigh, began wandering up, toward my hip. A soft throbbing started beating between my legs. My tender tissues were resting against the rigid bulge in his pants. And, with every caress of his lips, that throb grew in intensity. My breaths were becoming shorter, faster. Little mini gasps. I parted my lips, pulling in air, and Shane’s tongue swept inside my mouth, filling it with his decadent flavor.
My moan filled our joined mouths, echoing in my head.
My tongue tangled with his, and they stroked and stabbed and explored until we were both tense and breathless. When the kiss ended, I had two fists full of his hair and was rocking my h*ps back and forth, grinding myself against him. And Shane’s eyes were dark, his gaze full of hard male wanting.
For some reason, the question, “Did you check me out too?” slipped out as I squirmed and writhed.
His hands cupped my bu**ocks, kneading their softness. “You’re a special case.”
I stilled. “What does that mean?”
“It means…I’m not worried about you trying to manipulate me for my money.”
“And that’s a good thing.” Smiling wickedly, I rubbed my warm tissues against the rigid lump in his pants.
He growled. It was a sexy sound that made every nerve in my body tingle. “A very good thing.” Using his hands, which were cupping my bottom, he stilled me. “You are insatiable.”
“Only with you.”
“Which makes me very happy. But you’ll wait.”
I made a sad face.
“You’ll be glad you did. I promise.” He kissed my nose. It was a silly gesture. And sweet. And it made my heart go pitter-patter.
He eased me off his lap. “I suppose that wasn’t helping.”
“It wasn’t hurting either.”
He laughed. How I adored that sound. I hoped I’d hear it for many months, many years. “Bristol, I’m so very glad we ran into each other that day.”
“Me too, Shane.”
Chapter 3
The rest of the drive was pure agony. We’d had such a nice conversation in the car, I was feeling closer to Shane than I’d ever felt. He was opening up to me, letting me see glimpses of the man he really was—the one some people, like Alexis, might never see. I felt like I was the luckiest woman alive.
When the car rolled to a stop outside of his house, he gave me a wicked I’m-going-to-eat-you-up look and every cell in my body ignited. Oh yes, this was going to be a night to remember.
Shane started things off by saying, “I have something very special planned for you tonight.”