We lock eyes, and for a moment it’s as if the air has been sucked out of the room. Then he moves toward me, and suddenly I can breathe again as the real world rushes back in around me.
I raise my hand to ward him off. “Damien, no.”
“I assure you, Ms. Fairchild, your messages here and at my apartment have been well received.” His expression tightens, but I see the humor around his eyes and relax a little.
“Oh. Good. That’s good.” I take a deep breath. “It’s just that you look—”
“How?”
“A bit like the big bad wolf.”
“And would that make you Little Red Riding Hood? I may want to devour you, Ms. Fairchild, but I promise you that I’m capable of controlling my urges. Most of the time, anyway.”
“Of course. I’m sorry. You just make me …”
“What?”
“Skittish,” I admit.
“Do I? Interesting.” He looks pleased by the thought. I frown, feeling exposed.
“Listen, thank you for the painting. It’s amazing.”
“But you can’t accept such an extravagant gift?”
“Hell no. I love it.” And I love that he wants me to have it. “I’m perfectly happy to keep it if you really want me to have it. Despite, well, you know …”
I trail off, and he laughs. “Good. I was afraid that since you’re in the habit of denying yourself things that you so obviously want …”
Zing. Well, he definitely got me with that one.
“Actually, I was going to say that good manners would require me to offer you a drink.” I smile sweetly. “But I’m not going to, since I’m hoping you’ll leave.”
“Because I make you skittish?”
“Pretty much,” I confess.
“I see.”
Apparently he doesn’t, though, because he’s still standing there in my apartment.
“Well?” I ask.
“Well, what?”
I sigh. “Well, are you going to go?”
His eyes widen with surprise. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you wanted me to. I thought you were speaking hypothetically.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. And as I do, I realize I’m not feeling quite so skittish anymore. “I’m going to have a drink. Of course my bourbon’s probably not up to your exacting standards. But if you’d like one anyway …”
“So I can stay?” He looks very smug and self-satisfied. And sexy as hell.
“I guess you’ll have to. We only have two highball glasses, and if you take the drink with you, Jamie will get pissed off.”
“Wouldn’t want to disturb the subtle inner-workings of roommate relations. I accept your invitation.”
“Straight up? Or over ice?”