eyes away from his muscular thigh, staring out into the darkness in front of her. “You said that all the others who missed the lunch would also be attending. Why aren’t you driving them to wherever we’re going?”
She almost gasped when he put his arm around the back of her seat, leaning forward slightly. She thought he was about to make a move on her and her heartbeat went into overdrive. But he was only shifting slightly so he could see out the rear view window.
But as soon as he was turned slightly, making his broad shoulders almost come into contact with hers and invading her personal space once again, he said, “You’re the only one who missed the lunch. The others were all eager to meet me, to talk to me about their expertise and explain why they were essential to the firm’s success.”
Her mouth dropped open slightly. She knew it wasn’t because of his words or the surprise at his cynicism at her co-worker’s eagerness to maintain their jobs. It was simply because he was so close, his heat almost a physical force in the confines of the luxurious car.
He drove the powerful car with confidence, almost arrogance as he asked her questions about her current projects. As she answered his questions, relieved that they were work-related, she realized that she never felt unsure of his driving abilities as he easily moved between the slower traffic. When he pulled into an underground parking garage, she was relieved to be able to step out of the vehicle and breathe in air that wasn’t saturated with his spicy, male scent.
Unfortunately, he came around the car too quickly for her. She hadn’t had time to clear her mind, refuel her thoughts and get her equilibrium back in balance. Then his hand touched the small of her back again and she almost resented how quickly he could make her feel protected and secure. Which was a contradiction actually since the man made her quiver with strange feelings that she didn’t think she liked. So how could she feel safe and secure while at the same time, worried and….trembly? Was that even a word? Her mind really had turned to mush.
“What’s the name of the restaurant?” she asked as they both stepped into the elevator. Something deep in her stomach tightened when she noticed him put a key into the control panel and pressed a button.
“I’m cooking for you,” he said as he pulled the key out and let it slip into the pocket of his slacks. “I hope you like Italian.”
Sierra swallowed past the lump in her throat and unconsciously moved to the back corner of the elevator. Leaning against the rich paneling, she stared up at the numbers indicating that the elevator was quickly ascending. All the way to the top.
“You live in the penthouse,” she stated. A split second later, the elevator doors opened and she gasped in surprise at the beauty in front of her. She forgot her fears as she stepped out, walking slowly towards the floor to ceiling windows that showed the most magnificent view of the Rocky Mountains she’d ever seen in her life. “This is incredible,” she sighed with awe.
“Thanks. It certainly is relaxing. And a huge change from my place in Chicago.” He moved away slightly but Sierra couldn’t pull her eyes away from the view. “Would you like a glass of wine?” he asked almost softly so as not to disturb her.
“That would be lovely,” she said, and finally looked away. What she saw when she looked at his apartment, and the man, was almost as amazing. This penthouse was like an actual home with interesting details, quirky pendant lights hanging over the countertops, extremely comfortable looking bar stools with deep cushions instead of those uncomfortable wooden ones most people preferred because of their sleek lines, not because anyone actually wanted to sit on them. There was strategic lighting and a massive granite fireplace that switched on, warming up the whole area.
She found Drake behind the counter, uncorking a bottle of red wine, then pouring the rich liquid into two round goblets. He handed one to her and she was almost afraid to reach out and take it, afraid her hands were shaking too much to hold the delicate looking crystal.
She accepted the crystal goblet warily, careful not to touch his hands during the transfer.
“To new beginnings,” he said and raised his glass towards her before taking a sip.
Sierra didn’t want to drink