Heat crept up my neck. I shouldn't have liked that. But I did.
"I've been here a few weeks," I said, taking a sip of wine to give my hands something to do. "Working at the gallery here in downtown."
"The one on Fifth?" I nodded.
"Good spot," he said. "Quiet."
Biting at my lip, I peered up at him. "You been there?"
"Once or twice, just casually looking for something I might like." The way he said it made my pulse skip. Like maybe he'd been there more than that. Like maybe he'd been watching.
Girl, get yourself together,I told myself.You're being paranoid.
"I'm Killian by the way," he said, extending a hand.
I stared at it for half a second too long before taking it.
His palm scraped against my own softly, and the heat from his body traveled up the length of my arm. "Lena," I murmured softly.
"Lena," he repeated, like he was tasting my name. "It suits you."
Suddenly, I became aware of how close he’d gotten in just a moment. It was as if he’d moved so quick I hadn’t even realized it.
"So what brings you to this circle of hell?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Breathe,I thought.
"Same as you, I imagine," Killian offered with a smile. "I’m looking to add something special to my collection."
I grinned. "Art collector?"
"God, no." He glanced around the room, his expression unreadable. "I work in finance. Remote. Boring shit. But I thought my place could use a more…feminine energy."
"Oh,” I managed to murmur as his eyes came back to mine.
The way he’d said feminine dripped in seduction. His words hung between us. I should have walked away. Should have made an excuse, maybe find someone else to talk to, anything. But I didn't.
"So, did you find that sort of piece?” I asked.
The deep timbre of his voice had me clenching my legs together in an instant. “I think I did, Lena. You’re the most exquisite looking piece in this place…”
The way his lips curved into a smile after his words dropped felt almost predatory.
"You don't know me," I said, my voice quieter than I intended.
He licked at his bottom lip. “No. Not yet."
Fuck.
I took another sip of wine, buying time, trying to figure out what the hell was happening. This man was looking at me like I was something he'd been searching for. Like he'd found exactly what he needed. And I didn't know if I should run or lean in.
"That's a bold assumption," I said finally.
"Is it?"
"Yeah. I'm not really looking to…" I gestured vaguely. "Get involved with anyone. I just moved here. I'm focused on work."
"I didn't ask you to get involved," his words came out in a maddening tone.
