Her face fell, but he continued.
“Darling, you are stunning,” he corrected with a look of interest. Then he scanned the length of her slowly, taking his time to savor her appearance, before he met her eyes. “Your legs are sexy as hell, Tammy. Firm, long and smooth.”
She flushed and waved a hand at him to change the subject. “Look at you. You’re going to have women following you like the Pied Piper.”
He chuckled. “Flattery? And so over the top.”
She gave him a sly sideways smile. “This from the man who confessed how he looked to the opposite sex.”
He nodded. “True. I know what I look like. I’m also rich and smart as hell. So I know this is a pathetic distraction to stop me from complimenting you.”
She rolled her eyes embarrassed, but she should have known better. “Yes Lance, you are intelligent, but I meant it—popular with the opposite sex.”
“One woman at a time suits me fine.” He met her eyes.
“Until you get bored.”
He nodded in agreement.
“What is the life expectancy of your semi-serious, Lance?”
“Depends on the woman, and our compatibility.”
“Such as?”
He threaded his fingers through her hand, gave her a sly look, and led her toward the door of her room. “To answer your question, you have to answer mine first. If you want to know about my personal relationships, you have to tell me about Richard.”
That shut her up.
“Good choice.” He glanced at his watch. “Time to go. We have a two hour drive in traffic to reach the Hamptons before noon. Do you have everything you need?”
“Oh, my purse.” She went back and picked it up from the end of the bed where she left it. She turned back and soaked up his striking image while he stood in the doorway waiting patiently and poised with his eyes on her. Suddenly she felt a wash of gratitude. The way the Hartleys, and especially Lance, were going out of their way for her was very overwhelming. She couldn’t possibly return the favor in her lifetime. She walked up to him and squeezed his hand. “Lance, I have to thank you for all of this.”
He stared down at her thoughtfully. She could see something shift in those gorgeous honey-brown eyes of his as he contemplated her words. She felt her abdominal muscles contract involuntarily as they stared at one another. Then he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “No worries, Tam. Like I said before, you are part of our family.” His thumb caressed the diamond ring she wore. “And you are one of the most unselfish people I know. Sometimes you need to be looked after too.” He led her out of the room without another word. His compliment warmed her insides.
***
“Why did you kiss me?” She wasn’t going to bring that up, but she couldn’t help it. It was niggling her. They’d been riding in the car for ten minutes in silence; him in complete comfort, and her feeling awkward. Out of all the women he had to choose from, it seemed as if he was beginning to get interested in her. Not that she’d complain, but she had problems trying to understand why, and more importantly she really didn’t want her heart shattered.
He adjusted his big body on the plush leather of the seat to stare at her. His eyes moved over her face for a moment before he spoke. “First, because you seriously needed it. Second, because you have an incredible mouth, Tammy. I wanted to taste it,” he answered honestly and softly.
Her brows rose. “Really?” He thought her mouth wasincredible?
He nodded.
“And?” Her curiosity got the better of her again. She wanted to know what he thought of her kisses.
He grinned.
She blushed. “Thanks Lance, I needed that boost of confidence for today.”
“You’re very welcome. I did mean it.”
She smiled up at him. Yes, she believed him. He had enough experience with women to let her know and Lance wouldn’t lie about something like that. It made her heart soar.
“You also have a great ass,” he added out of the blue.
Her eyes darted to him. Leave it to Lance to say something like that and not be embarrassed. “Lance!”
