“My curiosity got the best of me. I wanted a drink, so I decided to check it out. I never imagined that you would be there. Our analysts hadn’t figured out your schedule yet.”
Okay, that was both reassuring and creepy.
He stepped closer. “Then I watched you shoot that guy down.” Real amusement colored his words. “That’s when I knew you were more than just a dossier—and that we didn’t know a damn thing about you.”
His words sent shivers coursing through her. Why? Why did this man of all people affect her like this?
Unnerved by the feelings he stirred up, she countered, “You still know nothing about me.” That was the truth.
Wasn’t it?
“That’s not true.” His smile was soft, kind. He closed the distance between them, stopping just within arm’s reach. “I know that if I trace my finger just up your jaw here, you’ll give a breathy little sigh.”
He suited action to words, his touch a whisper along her jaw and behind her ear.
Her breath caught.
See, he was wrong, she hadn’t sighed.
His chuckle was deep and warm and she fought the sensations it aroused.
“When I cup the back of your head and thread my fingers into your hair, you relax into my touch.”
He was wrong, dammit. He had to be. But when his hand cupped her head gently, she wanted to sink against him.
“And when I kiss you right here,” he whispered, his breath feathering over the sensitive skin by her ear, “you’ll melt into me.”
His lips were soft and warm against her skin. She shivered and leaned into him, seeking his warmth, his touch, his?—
“No.” She put her hands against his chest and pushed away. If her knees wobbled a little, well, that was to be expected. She’d recently run up several flights of stairs.
He released her immediately, his smile fading.
“It’s just physical,” she argued. Was she trying to convince him or herself?
“It’s more than physical, Portia. You felt it too. I’ve never clicked with someone that quickly. That deeply. Tell me you have.”
“I was married!” She and Tommy had been compatible. Had been happy.
“To your childhood sweetheart. Your compatibility had years and years to grow. This isn’t the same,” he growled.
“It’s just physical,” she repeated.
The light in his eyes faded and his expression smoothed out. Watching him withdraw tore at something deep inside her.
“If that’s what you need to believe.” He stepped back.
Her arm shot out to grab his shirt. He stiffened and glanced down at her hold. “What are you doing, Portia?”
“I don’t know.” Running on pure instinct, she tightened her grip and tugged him closer.
He resisted for a moment, but when momentum brought their bodies together, his strength kept them from tumbling to the floor.
Her arms snaked around his neck. One hand cupped his head as he had hers. His hair was short and soft against her fingers. She remembered weaving her fingers through it that night when he’d kissed his way down her body.
Heat flooded her cheeks and pooled between her legs. Embarrassed and aroused, she tugged his head down to kiss him.
“Are you sure?” he whispered against her lips. “Don’t toy with me. Please.”
