Evidently he grew tired of waiting.He pushed away from the wall and strode forward to open her door.
He offered his hand.She slid hers into his.His touch and strength simultaneously made her feel protected and overwhelmed.Never had she experienced anything like that.“You scare me just a little,” she admitted.
“Good.”
Her heart skidded to a stop.“That response made things worse.”
“I want you clear on what you’re getting into.”He drew her hand to his lips.“I’m glad you came.”
“I wasn’t sure I was going to.”And she still wasn’t sure she should stay.
He smiled.“I like bravery.”
If he hadn’t added the end part, she might have turned and run like her feminine intuition was urging.Instead, she extricated her hand and he closed the car door.
“Shall we?”
Before she lost what remained of her brain cells, Lara tucked her keys into her purse.Once she was situated, he placed his fingers at the small of her back and guided her toward an elevator.
She’d never had a man do that before.She found it a little intimate and, damn it, a bit sexy.
He pushed the button for the thirtieth floor, and she took a step to the side to put some distance between them.
They exited into a hallway and he indicated she should precede him to the end.
His loft was considerably more modest than she’d expected for a man of his stature.Though there was no doubt that his furnishings and the few decorations were pricey, nothing was ostentatious.
A small but functional kitchen was off to the right.Everywhere she looked, bricks and beams were exposed, giving the main living area an industrial feel.He had several large paintings all hanging from a picture rail.Each was accentuated by individual lighting.
The loft’s furnishings were sparse, making the space seem large and airy.A low-slung leather grouping was arranged in front of the fireplace, creating an inviting area for conversation or relaxation.Windows offered a view that was all city, with its vibrancy.Somehow it suited him.
“Feel free to make yourself at home,” he encouraged.“After all, I’m hoping you’ll be spending a considerable amount of time here.”
She didn’t respond to that.
“You’re welcome to put your purse over there.”He pointed to an interesting piece of furniture.It was crafted from mahogany and had a tall back with hooks placed at various intervals and a bench opened for storage.
She laid her purse on it, near an iPod and his fitness watch.
“Shall I show you around?Nothing’s off limits to my potential bride.”
“About that…” She turned back to face him.
He waited.
“We need to talk.”
“That’s why you’re here,” he agreed.
Damn.He was devastating.
This evening was the first time she’d seen him without a suit.And he was no less appealing for it.His shirt could have been custom-made, the fit was that good.She noticed his biceps were well formed.She’d previously guessed that he was a runner or biker, but she now knew his slender physique was a result of a tremendous amount of exercise.
The ends of his hair were damp, but he obviously hadn’t shaved.The stubble on his jaw was masculine.As if that wasn’t enough, he smelled of danger laced with an undercurrent of invitation.
“Something to drink?Wine?”he offered.“Red?White?”
“Water,” she replied.“I need to keep my wits about me.”
