“You make me want things,” she said on a breathless whisper.
“I know the feelin’, cupcake.”
I pressed my forehead to hers again as I slipped my hand from beneath her dress, pressing it firmly to her back, holding her close.
“I look forward to seein’ you again,” I whispered as I kissed her forehead softly, resigning myself to leaving. “Very, very soon.”
She nodded, her hand fisting my jacket. I hadn’t even realized she was touching me.
I forced myself to step back, to drop my hands to my sides. “It pains me to say this, cupcake, but good night.”
Jamie’s smile was so fucking sweet. “Good night, Cav.”
In what might’ve been the biggest test of my self-control, I turned and walked away.
SIX
EDGE
WHEN I STEPPED INTO MY HOUSE SHORTLY after midnight to find Cav sitting on my sofa, a glass of scotch in his hand, I found some of my exhaustion dissipating.
I was used to coming home to an empty apartment, although it hadn’t been this one until recent months when I’d moved. Part of my employment package with Chatter had included luxury accommodations in one of their remodeled apartments. I hadn’t exactly jumped at the opportunity, but after considerable thought, I figured why the hell not. Not necessarily because it was free, more so because it was convenient. Living in the same building I worked in was a definite plus.
“How was your night?” Cav prompted as I took off my coat and laid it over the arm of the chair.
I didn’t speak at first, allowing myself a few seconds to acclimate to having him there. Although Cav had stayed with me from time to time—sleeping in my guest bedroom at my previous residence—he had yet to be in this apartment.
But that wasn’t the only difference. Not once had I invited Cav over with the intention of seducing him. Or vice versa.
Certainly what you’re hoping for tonight, huh?
“Busy,” I finally said, rolling up my shirt sleeves. I thought back to an incident at the club but decided not to share the details. I was not looking to talk about business tonight. I was looking forward to … something else. “What about you? How was your date with Jamie?”
“Magnificent.” His expression was as cheerful as his voice.
I grinned. “The restaurant was nice?”
“Probably,” he joked, shifting so that his ankle crossed over his knee. “But I hardly noticed.”
“She is something, huh?”
“I’ll say.” His smile brightened. “Did you know she’s never been kissed?”
I was pouring myself two fingers of scotch and damn near missed the glass as I jerked my head up, my eyes slamming into his. “What?”
“Technically, she has now,” he said easily.
He beat you to it. How do you feel about that?
I expected to feel some sense of jealousy about the news. I didn’t. Curious, absolutely. I knew she was a virgin, but to have never been kissed… That seemed preposterous in this day and age. Especially for a woman like Jamie. Hell, I figured she had men lined up around the block waiting for a chance to spend just a little time with her.
“That’s … surprising,” I muttered.
“What? That I kissed her? Or that she’d never been kissed?”
I gave him a what do you think? look.
He laughed.
I carried my drink over to the chair, composing myself after that shock. We sat silently for a moment, the tension beginning to build around us. I’d felt it before a few times, but never like this. Never quite this potent.
Maybe not. But you can’t deny you’ve always been attracted to the guy.
Yeah, there was that. From the first time I met Chris Cavanaugh, there’d been something I was attracted to. His demeanor, his good looks, that devil-may-care grin. All of it together made up the man I’d fantasized about a few times about over the years.
You should try telling him that. Maybe break the ice.
I didn’t get a chance to say anything before Cav was on his feet, moving around to pour himself another drink. He seemed antsy. Whether that was in direct correlation to me or the date he’d had, I wasn’t sure, but I intended to find out.
“What is this, Cav?” I asked, not waiting for him to return to the room.
I expected him to play coy, so I was surprised when he answered with a simple, “I have no fucking idea.”
That about summed it up, I figured. We’d been doing this dance for a long time.
My gaze trailed him as he moved toward the sofa. He’d dressed up for his date and I got the feeling Jamie had been impressed. It was rare to see Cav wearing a suit. It was a good look for him.
“It’s been building for a long time,” I admitted, knowing we had to hash this out at some point.
He sat, stared at me. “I know. For me, too.” He took a swallow of his drink. “So where does it go from here?”
