Chapter 7

7

G wen checked behind them at the other cars as Will pulled into his parking garage near Central Park. "I don't think we were followed, not by a hulking, black sports utility."

He drove them up to his parking spot and turned off the motor. She didn't look over at him as he expected, still sitting with her hands clutched tightly in her lap. He cracked open his door. "You okay?"

"Sure." She sagged against the seat. "Are we taking a taxi or walking from here?"

"It's late, let's see if we can get a taxi." He went to her side, took the empty to-go containers from her, and tossed them in a trash receptacle on the way to the elevator.

"That's good." She still didn't make eye contact.

Was it him? Or simply that she didn't make a practice of going home with guys. He didn't know if she did, but he suspected she didn't. Either way, he would have to do what he could to keep things low-key.

* * *

Outside the garage, they took a taxicab over to Broadway and up into his neighborhood.

Will lived on the twentieth floor of a new building. A subtle glow from the ceiling molding lit their path down a hall from the elevator. He pressed his thumb against a pad near his doorbell, and his apartment door unlatched. Will held the panel open. "Welcome to my humble abode."

The foyer, painted a muted gray, contained a black lacquered console and a tree stand. She smoothed her palm over the granite kitchen counter and dropped her tote on the floor beside the microfiber sectional, heading for the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room. The night skyline of skyscrapers across the river rose like a glittering curtain. "There's nothing humble about this view."

Will came to stand beside her. She studied his honed profile. He posed an intriguing puzzle she'd love to unravel—navy intelligence, marine engineer, two married sisters. Maybe, someday.

Uncle Tim liked him, and he wouldn't have told her if he didn't trust Will. She liked him, too, more than she should considering they'd only met. He was handsome, sure, but there was something else, something that drew her like metal to a magnet. But she couldn't get involved.

Not yet. Supervising the research lab for the next few weeks would need her complete focus. She knew from the past that a new relationship with a guy, any guy, would distract her.

Will caught her watching him. He raised his auburn brows. "What?"

Had she been quiet too long? She shrugged with a smile. "Just taking in the scenery."

"Is that so?" His voice teased, and his gaze seemed to sparkle.

A flutter sprang to life in her tummy. Oh yes, they could easily move this acquaintance to the next level. "More or less." She surveyed the open plan of his apartment. "This is nice place."

"I can tell what you're thinking."

"What am I thinking?" He thought he could read her mind, did he? Not good, when she was trying so hard not to notice how being around him made her feel so feminine, so…so…desirable.

"That I'm loaded, but I was broke when I finished my degree." His deep, rich voice rolled over her like a soothing wave lapping a shore. "I was lucky, too. The mother of one of my classmates is a realtor and she got me into the lottery for the last apartment in the building, which had been reduced."

"You made a nice buy." Upper Westside building with a doorman, beautiful finishes in common areas, floor to ceiling windows. No wonder he protected this place with the latest technology. She should suggest security like this to her boss for their research lab.

In the street below a yellow taxi traveled up the street. In a few more blocks the cab would pass the university and her lab on campus. Had she seen the T-shirt guy at the school? Maybe in the union at lunchtime? If only she could figure out where, and that place made sense, she'd feel less threatened.

Will returned to the kitchen and switched on the lights. "Are you hungry?"

"I finished my sandwich on the way home." She joined him there. "Remember?"

"Definitely. The smell of bacon was driving me crazy, even though I'd already had plenty." He smiled.

She was again struck by his physical attractiveness. Not that she'd ever be likely to forget, but she couldn't get used to being around a knockout guy who wasn't fixated on his looks to the exclusion of other positive traits. To her, Will's poise and kindness were much more appealing.

He opened the fridge. "I have cheese and deli meats in the fridge, if you want more."

"I'm fine, thanks." She sank onto a stool at the breakfast bar.

"I'm having a glass of wine." He placed a half-full, corked bottle on the counter. "There's enough here for two. It's Friday night."

"Finally." Gwen read the label. She'd love to taste this, but she was here alone with a guy she liked, a guy who appealed to her, a guy who seemed to be attracted to her. Things could get intense between them very easily if she let down her inhibitions. She rubbed her palm across the cool marble breakfast bar. "I'd better pass."

She handed back the bottle. "Are you always prepared to entertain?"

He chuckled. "Not usually, but my older sister and brother-in-law stayed here earlier this week to take in a show for her birthday. He brought along the wine." Will lifted the bottle, ready to pour his glass. "You sure you don't want to try some?"

"Maybe I'll have some after all. Just a tiny bit." She slid her fingers down the cool stem of the second glass.

He poured less than a swallow and raised his gaze to hers. "More?"

She laughed. "That's barely a taste. A bit more, please, but save some for yourself."

"I will." The edges of his mouth curved up, and she again got lost in his warm gaze.

He filled a glass for himself and clinked against hers. "I know this isn't your place, but I hope you'll feel at home enough to relax."

She took a sip of her wine and rolled her neck against a hand. "I'm definitely more relaxed than I would have been in a motel or my apartment."

"You don't feel safe now?" A furrow cut between his brows.

"With your security system, I feel untouchable." But… She picked a fingernail and caught his skeptical expression. "I keep trying to remember where I could have met the rock band fan who followed us. I think I'd seen him somewhere before tonight, like in passing. When I wasn't paying attention, but should have. Maybe I even encountered the driver of the black SUV, too."

That she couldn't recall any specifics worried her. But neither of them had attacked her. They'd simply been mysterious presences, and she should let it go. "I've worked in the city since I graduated from college. I can't believe how shaken I am by what happened tonight. It was too much. I used to be good at ignoring disgusting people."

Will braced his palms on the marble. "What he was doing qualified as harassment."

"I guess. Leslie is always saying I'm too tough to let things like this get to me." Mostly though, her supposed toughness was all a bluff.

"Tough, huh?" Will slapped one of his cheeks, his eyes glinting with amusement. "If you hadn't told me, I never would have realized."

"Oh, you." She shook a finger at him. "You're going to get it."

"I can hardly wait to find out what that's going to be." His gaze darkened, sizzling through her, and every cell in her body stood to attention. He came around the counter, pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her waist. He lowered his head and murmured, "Gwen…"

Any minute he would kiss her. She should back off, do something radical. Instead, she turned in his arms as if this were the most natural thing in the world. With two fingers he lifted her chin, and they gazed at each other for a long moment. One of the appliances shifted into a louder hum, breaking the moment. She stilled. What was she doing?

He released her. He didn't move away, though, and his body heat held her captive. She swallowed to moisten her mouth. "Are you trying to seduce me?"

"I think it's the other way around."

She tilted her head. "I'm seducing you?"

"From the moment I met you." He stepped away.

She straightened her sweater and tucked her hair behind her ears. "But I must look like a wreck."

"On the contrary."

Warmth rose to her face. "I-I," she sputtered.

He touched a finger to her cheek. "It's true, but don't worry. I remember what I promised."

What had he promised? Oh, yeah. No strings. He held her gaze as if challenging her to say that's what she still wanted or to rescind her request.

Should she? They'd already spent more time together tonight than they would have on several dates. She'd told herself she didn't want to rush into another romance, but would she be rushing when the way she felt with Will seemed exactly right? Why not be one of those dynamic people who went after what they wanted?

He divided the last of the wine between their glasses and tossed the empty bottle. "Everyone's allowed a little down time from being tough."

She sank down onto the stool, glad to have a change in the topic. "You sound like you speak from experience, but I don't believe that." He came across as interested and focused. Was that because she'd been in what could have been a dicey situation? And he needed to step in and help?

"Eventually. Back at base." Will finished his wine and braced his hands on the countertop.

"Could have fooled me." They shared a smile, and in the moment of stillness that descended, she reached over and touched the back of his hand. "Will…"

He turned his hand and linked his fingers with hers. "Hmm?" he said in a rough, sexy voice.

That little flutter inside settled down to stay. She looked up into his smoldering gaze. Before she could overthink this, she went around to his side, cupped his face, and brought his mouth down to hers—where he belonged.

And had forever. She was certain.

He broke the contact and lifted his head to stare down at her.

Why was he stopping? She clasped her hands behind his neck, sinking her fingers into the soft hair at his nape, and kissed him again. He drew her even closer, aligning their bodies. Everything about him, the strength in his arms, the scent of his body, intoxicated her.

She seemed to be falling into a dream. The world vanished, all those external trappings burned away in the heat of his kiss. She lost herself in sensation as he took the kiss deeper. When he finally broke the contact, they were both breathless.

He tucked her into his shoulder and leaned his cheek against her hair. "Wow."

She had to wait for her heart to stop pounding before she said, "I wasn't expecting that."

He stilled.

Uh-oh. Had that been the wrong thing to say? No, she wouldn't second guess. She would go for what she wanted.

One corner of his mouth rose. "You had preconceived notions of how a naval engineer would kiss?"

She smiled back. "Not exactly. Certainly not before I ran into your office this afternoon, unforgivably late."

"I'll take late any time if it means…" He broke off what he was saying and led her into the living room.

"Means what?" She was about to sink onto the sofa when he scooped her up and sank down with her in his lap.

He pressed his forehead to hers. "Meeting someone like you."

"You are sweet." And so hot you're driving me crazy. She rubbed her hand up one strong arm.

"I can be dangerous, too."

"Like how?" she teased and unbuttoned his shirt.

He cupped her face and took her mouth. He swept his tongue over the seam of her lips and dove deeper. When they finally came up for air, they stared at one another. "You know I want you, but we can take things slow. If that's what you want, we don't need to rush."

Oh, but they did. "I don't want to wait."

He'd already rolled his sleeves to his elbows earlier, and now he made fast work of completely stripping off the shirt. Swirls of auburn hair covered his pecs.

She traced the pattern until he caught her hand. Undeterred, she moved on, pressing kisses along his shoulder blade. He bent his head, and kissed behind her ear before trailing kisses down her neck. "Hmm. If we're going to get serious, we?—"

"We are."

He ran his hands over her breasts and around to the back of her athletic top, cocking an eyebrow. She laughed. "My top comes off over my head."

She reached for the hem, intent on pulling it up, but he stopped her. "Let me."

His fingers brushed against her skin, and she shivered deliciously. He inched her top higher, a hand on either side of her ribs, and her nipples beaded before he pulled the top free. Bending his head, he dove in close to take her breast. His beard brushed against her sensitive skin, setting tingles running wild.

She lay back, and he stretched over her, caressing her with both hands and lips. Her insides melted. When he braced himself on his elbows, licking down and over her breast, her pulse galloped. The brush of his beard sparked unexpected shivers. His fingers popped the button on her jeans and slid the zipper lower. He slipped his hand down to caress the center of her desire before giving her a devilish smile. "You want me."

He didn't bother to ask, but there was no denying the truth. She smiled back. "We still have on too many clothes."

He pushed her hands away, whispering roughly, "Let me."

Bending his head to take her mouth again, he rose and discarded his own clothes.

She looked up at him, letting herself feast on his long, hard body, a body without an ounce of fat, a body very eager to get on with what they were doing. She wanted to be close to him, skin to skin.

"You're so beautiful," he said, his voice nothing more than a rasp. He planted a knee on the cushion and slowly peeled off the rest of her clothes, kissing each newly exposed inch.

She gasped. "If you don't stop, I'm going to explode."

"Good," he murmured against her upper thigh. The brush of his breath tightened her skittering nerves. She fought the urge to both push him away or pull him closer. Then he touched her core with his fingers. And his tongue. She moaned, unable to keep from slipping into a vortex of sensation. He moved up to kiss her just as she came apart.

The heat rippling through her finally subsided. Will cradled her, and she teased her fingers down on muscled arm. "This is not fair. I'm getting all the attention."

"We're not through, are we?"

"No, but?—"

He pressed his fingers against her lips. "I'll be right back."

Will left the room and returned with a foil packet and a chenille blanket. He set them both conveniently at hand. "In case you get cold."

She smiled "I doubt I'll be getting cold anytime soon."

"Not if I can help it." He came down beside her again, and before she could count to five, his mouth was everywhere, urgently kissing and nibbling. The sweet pressure built all over again. She closed her eyes, intent on holding off until he could join her.

"Hurry." She urged.

He sheathed himself and braced himself above her, his fingers tangling in her hair. "Look at me, Gwen." He held her gaze, easing himself inside her, watching her expression. "This okay?"

She nodded and then lost herself to the exquisite tension building between them.

Sometime later, as their bodies cooled, Will spread the blanket over them. She snuggled against his chest under the spread . She wanted to relax, enjoy this moment of togetherness, but perverseness urged her to set the record straight immediately. "Will…"

"Hmm."

She should probably move to a chair to say this, but his embrace and his hard muscles pressed to hers felt so good that she couldn't resist resting her head on his shoulder. "I don't want you to get the wrong idea."

"What idea would that be?" His brows lifted.

"Thinking I'm playing with you."

He stilled then stroked his fingers down her arm. "Why would I think that?'

"I'm coming off a bad experience with a guy. A romantic relationship," she tried to clarify, but probably none of this was making sense to Will.

"I'm sorry."

"Me, too. Mostly because it's destroyed my confidence."

A frown rumpled his forehead. "You seem self-assured to me. How else would you have gotten that research job at a world-famous university? You insisted on meeting me tonight and took the necessary steps to get there."

"What I meant was, I fell for this other guy too soon, and I guess I idolized him to some degree. He could do no wrong, but whenever I wanted him to meet Uncle Tim and Aunt Kathy, he invented an excuse. When he kept stalling, I confronted him and discovered he was dating me simply to make his quote one-true-love unquote jealous. He didn't want to leave the city because he needed to finesse meeting her when I was with him. He wanted to make her jealous. His former girlfriend had apparently refused to continue seeing him because she thought him self-centered."

"Sounds like he proved that true, Gwen." Will smoothed her hair off her face and cupped her cheek. "No one likes being used, but I met your family."

"True, but I rushed into that relationship. I don't want to repeat that mistake. I like you. I like you a lot." And I could fall for you so easily.

"Shh." He pressed his fingers to her lips. "There are no timelines here. We just see how it goes. Right?"

She chewed a fingernail. "You won't feel that I'm playing with you the way my ex did with me?"

"No. Because we're talking about it." He tucked the blanket around her shoulders. "If we're confessing, I've got one to make, too."

Her stomach jittered, but she looked into his glittering ice blue gaze, torn between wanting to know his secret, good or bad, or pretending he hadn't said anything. "Please don't tell me you have a girlfriend you want to impress."

"You don't seriously believe that." His gaze searched hers. "Do you?"

"No."

"Good." He kissed her quickly. His Adam's apple moved as if he swallowed hard. "I never thought I'd feel this way about someone. I'm thirty-four so it's been a long time coming. I feel as if we fit together. Belong together. It's a strange feeling. I'm pretty sure I won't change my mind about this, but I can wait as long as you want."

He spoke as if her response was a foregone conclusion, but she wasn't sure. Tonight might be a one-time thing. Who knew what could happen tomorrow?