He looked at her and smiled his approval. Then he turned toward her again giving her his undivided attention. His eyes moved over her body slowly in interest, before answering her. “Yes, it’s perfect. I can’t help but think about things I could do to that ass.”
She should have expected a straight forward blunt answer. Well, there went her cheeks again. She quickly turned away. Okay, he was way beyond her in experience. And, so flipping confident! She sure as hell wasn’t going to ask him what he meant by that. It didn’t matter anyway. She opened the floodgates now.
“Of course I’ll wait.”
“Wait?” Her eyes widened and she faced him again. Why did he have to look so relaxed, and confident, and so darn handsome during such a discussion?
He nodded at her question telling her she heard him correctly.
Hewasso sure of himself, and he had every right to be. Yet, here she sat next to him feeling very vulnerable and not worth his attention. It wasn’t often she felt that way despite the way Richard and her mother always treated her. After she distanced herself from her family, she found confidence in herself, her life, and her job. Still, the vulnerability around Lance, didn’t give her that sick twisted feeling in her gut that her mother was able to instill in her. It was the curiosity about the intimacy and the unknown that made her vulnerable. Furthermore, this seemingly indecipherable man was finally showing interest in her.
He took her hand, the one with the large engagement ring again, lifted it and ran his finger over the diamond before he kissed it and answered her. “We have a good connection. You are curious, and you let me kiss you. I’ll wait and let you decide if, or when, you want to take this further.”
She could have denied it, but he’d call her on it and she’d end up revealing how she really felt if she opened her mouth. His statement did leave her momentarily speechless though. It was true, that she was thinking he was showing some interest, but this was Lance Hartley! She started to brush it aside as soon as she thought it. To her, he was a God among men. Damn, she sounded like a silly teenager, but this wasn’t the same. She really did love him. No one has a crush that lasts five years unless you were an obsessed crazy person, and she wasn’t crazy. She stayed out of his way, never sought him out, and always stayed in the background. She never stalked him or asked family and friends about him. Instead she worked, and worked. She honestly never thought he’d show interest in her so she’d never tried. No, not a crazy person, just a fool in love.
“I won’t push you.”
“Thank you.” What else could she say? She couldn’t say ‘no’ because he’d give up on her, and God, she really really wanted him. Also, it may not end up in a long term relationship because, as she suspected, he got bored easily. He needed someone stimulating to keep his interest. Could she possibly do all that?
Well, she was approaching twenty-seven, a virgin, and never had a serious relationship. She sure as heck didn’t want to die that way, and she wanted to experience that with someone she loved despite the lack of reciprocation.
“So?”
She met his honeyed gaze. Even if she wanted to refuse, that look, right there, took everything from her. Then there was her screaming heart. “I think I would like that.”
His eyes darkened at her response, but he didn’t say anything more. He squeezed her hand but didn’t release it.
It was the carnal look again. For some reason it set a firecrackers off in her pelvis. If he could do that with a look, she just couldn’t imagine what he could do when he touched her,reallytouched her. The fact that he gave her control left her even more intrigued. He wouldn’t push her, but she’d have to initiate. For a man who was used to being in control and aggressive, she found that completely exhilarating. He’d pretty much submitted himself to her innocent hands. The fire that started in her pelvis drove up into her belly, then her chest. Desire. It was desire. She’d recognized it yesterday, but wow, did it really pull at her to initiate things between them. She resisted the urge because she was still too frightened. Hopefully he won’t get bored waiting for her and turn to someone else. That thought right there would give her courage. Yes, she could do this. Well, maybe a glass of wine would help. Heck, the whole bottle would be better.
Lance’s phone rang and he answered it releasing her hand. She leaned her head back against the comfortable leather and closed her eyes. She wasn’t tired, she was only resting—and thinking of what he’d just offered. His impression left a cool area on her skin. She liked the feel of his hands on her. He had callouses from working the ranch, but his hands were also very warm just like the rest of him. The memory of the feel of him pressed against her in the kitchen popped in her mind. She quickly started thinking of work to distract her from it.
It sounded like he was talking to one of his brothers. She tried not to listen because it wasn’t her business, but they were in close quarters. It was nothing personal, just sounded like some business with the ranch. Then her name. She opened her eyes to look at him just to see him staring at her.
“Yes, she’s right here. We’re heading to Hamptons for her brother’s wedding. Yes, you can tell Elaina she’s fine Colt.” His eyes met hers waiting for confirmation to back him up.
“I am,” she agreed softly counting her blessings that this family was concerned for her. She never knew that type of affection.
“It was a little rough for her in the beginning but she’s better,” he continued, not needing her to confirm it this time. “I’ll get her to call Elaina tomorrow and ease her worries.”
She watched him closely as his attention went back to the front of the car absently while he continued to talk to Colton. Gosh though, that was so thoughtful how he closely monitored her feelings. She honestly never thought he put much into it, but was just there to play a part.
He chuckled after listening to something his brother said. “Sure thing. I’ll see you Thursday night.” He ended the call and tucked his phone back into the inside breast pocket of his immaculate suit jacket.
“Everything good at home?” Home? Gosh she loved the sound of that.
“Elaina’s having a tough pregnancy. Jacob’s making sure she’s comfortable. Its summer, she’s hot, and feeling like a whale. Colton’s stressed about her. He worries. We all worry. That’s it in a nutshell.”
She laughed at his summery. Elaina was having a tough pregnancy because her husband, like the rest of the brothers, was a big man. Chances are it was another boy. Jacob and Tess had the only girl, and she was a peach just like her mother. She smiled, it will be another C-section for poor Elaina. “You Hartley men throw big males.” She said absently.
He chuckled, “Yes, yes we do.”
Big, beautiful males. She sighed inwardly. Lance would do the same. He’d have beautiful honeyed eyed males. She pursed her lips and looked out the side window not willing to let him see the longing in her eyes for a baby. More importantly, his baby.
The rest of the ride was occupied with small talk, and Lance got another three phone calls, all business. Funny that a retired, or semi-retired lawyer as he put it, should be so busy.
The car turned down the road to her parents’ house in Southampton. They were greeted at the gate by security who was checking invitations and identification. She supposed that with the Senator there had to be some sort of protection.
She could see that there were already several dozen limousines and expensive cars present on the cobble stone driveway. She already knew her mother spared no expense. Royce was her favorite, and she would make sure she gave an event that would be talked about for months. Chances are Anne didn’t have a say in any of it. She bit her bottom lip hoping that her brother’s wife would have an easier time with her mother than she ever did; that she wouldn’t be too controlling. It really worried her in the fact that it might interfere with the relationship. Her brother never had to endure the pressures she did and her mother really wanted the socially acceptable daughter figure. Well, at least she had Melanie. Thankfully Lance interrupted her gloomy thoughts. She certainly didn’t want it to show in her expression and pull anyone down with her.
