Chapter 18

Despite the urge to run from Wade as fast as her legs could carry her, Liza was glad he'd walked her to her car.

She wouldn't have made it otherwise. Her knees shook so badly after their impromptu make-out session in a dark corner of the underground car park, if it hadn't been for his steadying arm around her waist she would've definitely stumbled. And her head was shrouded in a passionate haze, her only excuse for slipping up and not waving him away before they reached her car.

‘You drive this?'

She slipped out of his grasp and fumbled for her keys. ‘Yeah, why?'

‘I pictured you in something swift and sporty.' Bemused, he walked around her ten-year-old people carrier. ‘You could fit an entire football team in the back of this thing.'

Or a wheelchair, but that was on a strictly need-to-know basis.

‘I like big cars.' She tried not to sound defensive and failed, if his raised eyebrows were any indication.

‘So it seems.'

She flicked the remote button to unlock the doors but he laid a hand on her forearm and stopped her from opening the driver's door.

‘Wait.'

She couldn't, because if she spent one more second around him she'd fall into his arms and beg for a repeat of that one memorable night they'd spent together.

‘I really have to go.'

In response, he moved in closer, placing a hand either side of her waist and pinning her between cold, hard metal behind and hot, hard body in front.

‘Come home with me.'

Her heart lurched with longing but before she could protest he rushed on. ‘You doubted my sincerity the first night we were together? Then let's start afresh. Make tonight our night. No work. No excuses. Just two people who are crazy about each other indulging their mutual passion.'

His heated gaze bore into her, unrelenting, demanding an honest answer. ‘No complications at the office tomorrow. No second-guessing. Just you and me, and an incredible night to be ourselves.'

Liza was tempted. Beyond tempted. Her body strained toward him of its own volition, miles ahead of her head in saying yes. But what was the point? One more night would only solidify what she already knew.

She could easily fall for Wade Urquart given half a chance.

But she couldn't. Not with her responsibilities. Not with her life plan. It wouldn't be fair to encumber a guy with Cindy's full-time care and she would never leave Cindy to fend for herself. It was why she never considered a long-term relationship, why she would never marry.

Normally, it didn't bother her. But she'd never met a guy like Wade before, the kind of guy who elicited wild fantasies, the kind that consisted of homes and picket fences and a brood of dark-haired, dark-eyed cherubs just like their dad.

‘Stop thinking so hard.' He placed a hand over her heart and it bucked wildly beneath it. ‘What does this tell you?'

To run like the wind. But she swallowed that instinctive response and reluctantly met his gaze.

She had to refuse.

But an incredible thing happened as her eyes met his. She saw a confusing jumble of hope and vulnerability and desire, every emotion she was feeling reflected back at her like a mirror.

No guy she'd ever been with had been so revealing and in that moment she knew she couldn't walk away from him. At least for tonight.

‘Okay,' she said, mimicking his action and feeling his heart pound beneath her palm. ‘But this is a one-off, okay? We don't discuss it again or bring it up at the office.'

‘Okay,' he said, swooping in for a kiss that snatched her breath and quite possibly her heart.

Liza didn't remember much of the short drive to Wade's Southbank apartment. She could barely concentrate on the road with his hand on her thigh the entire time.

He didn't speak, sensing her need for silence. She couldn't speak, not without the risk of blurting how he made her feel. Uncertain and flustered and high.

Hell, how bad would it be come morning after another amazing night in his arms?

She shouldn't have agreed, but the part of her that had the life she'd planned ripped away following the phone call from her financial adviser's office still craved a little indulgence.

She was doing her best: with the biography, with the marketing job, with caring for Cindy. She deserved a break, deserved to feel good, and Wade was guaranteed to make her feel incredible albeit for a few hours tonight.

His penthouse apartment was everything she'd imagined: glossy wooden floors, electric controlled slimline blinds, glass and chrome and leather everywhere. Minimalist chic, reeking of money.

Not that he gave her much of a chance to study it, because the moment they stepped down into the split-level living room he had his arms around her and backed her against a sleek marble-topped table.

‘Do you have any idea how much I want you?' He framed her face with his hands, staring deep into her eyes.

The depth of his need shocked her, as if he'd given her a glimpse into his soul. He shouldn't want her this much. It wouldn't end well. But she'd come too far to back out now and she couldn't if she wanted to. She needed him just as badly, if only for tonight.

‘I have a fair idea,' she said, undulating her hips against the evidence of how badly he wanted her.

He growled. ‘Tease.'

‘No, a tease would do this.'

Her hands splayed against his chest, caressed upward before stroking downward. Lower. And lower. Stopping short of his belt buckle.

‘A tease would also do this.' She slowly slid the leather belt out, toying with the buckle.

‘And this.' She flicked the top button of his pants open.

‘A tease would stop here.' She inched his zipper down, the sound of grating metal teeth the only sound apart from his ragged breathing.

‘But I'm no tease.' She pushed his pants down. Slid a hand inside his black boxers. Cupped his cock.

His groan filled the air and, empowered, she went for broke.

He let her undress him until he was standing before her, gloriously naked, incredibly beautiful.

Bronze skin, rippling muscles, hard for her.

‘One of us is way overdressed,' he said, taking a step toward her.

‘Wait.' She braced a hand on his chest. ‘I'm admiring the view.'

‘Later,' he said, bundling her into his arms. ‘Much later.'