and me.
Leia raised her eyebrows. “You sure you’re okay?” She swept snow and ice from his sleeve.
She’s cringing. Great. Yeah, not the manliest of moments, was it? Kiss goodbye to a second date. He lifted his chin. “Never been better.” I can’t wait to tear these flippin’ skates off. My feet are gonna be a horror show. Reaching inside his coat, he pulled out his flask, offering it to her.
“Uh, no—thanks.” A passing frown dipped her lips as she cleared her throat. “I don’t drink, remember?”
He unscrewed the cap. “I know. It’s orange and lemonade. For you.” Not that it matters a jot. After this, I’ll probably never see her again.
Leia’s expression softened. “Oh”—she tucked her mittens under her arm—“that’s sweet, thanks.” She accepted the flask, taking a quick sip. She licked her lips and shivered. “Our session’s almost over…”
And so is our date. Tarquin nodded. It’s for the best. She lives in New York. This was never going to work. “Yeah. Just in time too.” He shrugged. “At least you’ve got the rest of your night—”
“What?” She glanced up, her brows furrowed as she handed back the flask. “No, it’s too early to go home.” Clutching her mittens in one hand, she released her ponytail with the other and fluffed her hair, letting it pool around her shoulders. “I was going to suggest heading somewhere together to warm up.”
She doesn’t want to cut and run? “Actually, it would be nice to feel my toes again.” He half-laughed, screwing on the flask’s cap. Okay, here’s my chance to say goodbye properly. “I know a place across the river with an amazing view. The OXO Tower on the South Bank?”
“It sounds wonderful and…classy.” Leia snapped her hair tie over her wrist and pointed at her skates. “Bet they’d love me showing up with these over my shoulder.” She tugged on her mitts.
Bugger. “Ah, right. You brought them with you.” So much for taking her somewhere special. He tucked the flask in his coat’s inside pocket. “Well, we could go for noodles or sushi? Head to a pub? What do you fancy?”
She stroked closer, curling her mitts around his coat’s lapels. “It’s not a question of what I fancy…but who,” she whispered, her breath sweet with orange. The unwavering stare of her blue eyes urged his surrender.
Fuck. Me. A rocket of heat pulsed through Tarquin’s body. He dipped his chin toward their skates. “How quick can we get out of these things?”
Nine
LEIA
Padding into Tarquin’s dark living room in her stocking feet, Leia glanced over her shoulder. Can he see me from his coat closet? No? Be quick! She stooped and tugged her hosiery taut while she kept an eye on the doorway. Stupid things, always falling down. Mid-pull, an image of Tarquin doing the opposite flashed through her mind, his strong hands peeling the tights down her thighs…past her knees, past her pedicured toes…
A feverish rush frolicked in her chest, tussling with nerves she fought to squash. Sleeping with someone new is always a bit… argh! Being naked for the first time… Will he still be attracted to me? Will he like what I like? God, I hope he’s not hairy in weird places! She chuckled to herself. I think I’ve chosen wisely. Tarquin’s not a dick. He’s friendly, respectful—we have amazing sexual chemistry. She smoothed her dress as the lights came on. And he’s fit! I can’t wait to explore his muscles, his happy trail…
She bit back her smile and stood up, a low-pitched mechanical hum rising behind her. I know that sound. Playfully, she rolled her eyes. Boys and their toys. She spun toward the whirr of the rising wall of electric blinds disappearing into the ceiling. I bet he—holy shit! Her eyes bulged. It’s… that old bridge! She gasped, marveling at the massive neo-Gothic towers dramatically lit against the cold, dark sky. There’s crazy rich—and then there’s THIS. A heavy swallow bobbed her throat. He said he lived near Tower Bridge—he didn’t say he lived on TOP of it!
All thoughts of happy trail joy flittered away, replaced by the spectacular picture-postcard view. The bridge’s famous Victorian towers crowded his penthouse’s floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the impression that they were just another enviable trophy Tarquin had acquired along with his framed marathon medals, neon-flashing Guardians of the Galaxy pinball machine, and…
No way! It’s not! Is it? Leia’s jaw dropped.
A large framed silkscreen print stole her breath. This one’s always been my favorite. It must’ve set him back… well, I don’t even