His gaze shuttered as he replied, “Fine.”
Clearly he had no intention of elaborating, and she wouldn’t push him. “I should get going. With the snow, it’s going to take me awhile to get back to the train station.”
“It’s actually pretty bad out. I took my SUV so I can drive you there. Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“You’d like to forgive my asshole tendencies and have dinner with me.”
He treated her to a smile she found incredibly appealing. And sexy. She exhaled a slow puff of air. “I’d like to. Really. But with the weather the way it is, by the time I get back, it’ll be hard enough to drive home.”
He leaned against the doorframe. “Actually by the time the train gets you back, it’ll be dangerous for you to drive on the roads. The weather on Long Island is blizzard conditions.”
“Oh, no.” She ran a hand through her ponytail and groaned. “I should have paid more attention.”
“The storm shifted during the day. I’m not sure you could have planned for this.”
“So what are my choices? Have dinner with you and stay over in a hotel?” She bit down on her lower lip, knowing she hadn’t planned for the possibility. No change of clothes, no toiletries.
“That’s one possibility. Or I have a guest room. You’re more than welcome to stay over. My sister leaves things for when she sleeps in the city, so I’m sure you’ll be comfortable. I’ll even be on my best behavior.” His light blue eyes gleamed with a promise she didn’t want him to keep.
“Hmm.” She obviously needed to remain in town, so the only question was where. “Decisions, decisions. A hotel room all to myself for the night with room service and movies. Or hang out with you.”
“Come on, princess. Live a little.”
“Princess?”
He shrugged. “It’s what I used to call you—in my mind—way back when.” His cheeks turned red and she flushed in response.
Princess, huh? Well, she supposed there were worse things he could call her. “I think I’ll take the hotel.”
“Seriously?”
No, she thought, but it really was fun to push his buttons. “You said to live a little. I just thought you meant to treat myself to the finer things.”
“I’ll treat you to the finer things,” he muttered. “You’re staying with me.”
“Yes sir, caveman.” She grinned, pleased with their easy banter.
And the fact that she was staying over at his place. She had a chance to get to know him better. To lay out the parameters for the interview. And who knew what else might happen between them.
She certainly knew what her fantasies demanded. Ever since he’d come back into her life, her dreams had been more vivid.
And arousing.
Dream Derek had magic hands that slid over her body in a sensual caress. With his mouth, he sucked her nipples and pinched with his fingers, until waves of desire pounded at her, her body seconds from an intense climax. And when he thrust inside her, she came immediately, her skin, her entire being consumed with passion.
She’d wake up, tangled in sheets, a light coating of sweat on her body, her breasts heavy, her sex tingling in the most delightful of ways.
She trembled at the memories, suddenly aware she stood in an apartment hallway, Derek staring at her intently. “You’re flushed. Do I want to know what you’re thinking?”
Definitely not, she thought. “Let’s go see what the weather’s like,” she said, not meeting his gaze.
“Your wish is my command,” he said, an amused smile on his handsome face as he turned to lock up the apartment and follow her to the elevator.
Chapter Four
By the time they exited the building, the snow was coming down in heavy drifts. The weathermen had definitely underestimated this storm, Derek thought, grateful for their mistake that gave him Cassie all to himself.