Need You Now (1001 Dark Nights)(26)

“If only it were that easy.”

“If only is right.” He takes my hand. “I’ll walk you out.” He starts to back up toward the living area.

I dig in my heels. “No room key. I have to go over the patio fence.” He turns and I pull him along with me, letting him reach around me to unlock the sliding door.

I step outside, realizing that I’m barefoot, but I had on sandals when I arrived. My eyes catch on them by the wall, and I reach down and snag the straps, dangling them in the air. “I don’t even remember taking these off.”

“I’m pretty sure they fell off when I lifted you.” My cheeks heat and he laughs, catching me around the waist. “How can you blush after everything we did last night?”

“Outside the moment is nothing like inside the moment.”

His expression turns somber. “Few wiser words have been spoken.” He reaches up and brushes my hair behind my ear. “When I’m in, I’m in, Danny. And I’m in now. With the company and with you. And don’t worry about that call. I’m not as easy to get rid of as they think.”

“I don’t imagine the word ‘easy’ being spoken often where you’re concerned. ‘Easy’ is like ‘nice.’ It’s rather unexceptional, and I know how you dislike unexceptional.”

“And perhaps that’s the answer to the mystery of why I can’t get enough of you.” He turns me toward the gate and leans in, pressing his lips to my ear.

I tilt my head and stare at him. “What’s the answer?”

He turns me to face the gate. “You’re exceptional, Danny Woods, and it seems it’s addicting. Which is why you really have to go before I strip you naked on this patio again.” He lifts me and sets me on my patio.

I turn to face him and he shackles my wrist, pulling me to the gate and him, his hand going to my jaw as he gives me a deep, fast kiss. “Make sure the maids didn’t lock you out of your room,” he says, settling me away from him.

Reluctantly, I walk to the door and slide it open. “It’s good,” I say.

“Yes,” he agrees. “It is good.” And then he turns and disappears into his room. I stare after him, and I’m not sure why, but something feels off. He’s just told me he can’t get enough of me. He’s just told me I’m exceptional and he’s working to save the company. What is this strange ball of anxiety in my chest? Fear over how drawn I am to him? How easily he could hurt me? Maybe. Or maybe not.





Part Ten: The Wolf



Forty-five minutes later, I’ve dressed in a pale blue sleeveless silk blouse and a black pleated skirt, with strappy black sandals. My hair is flat-ironed to a blonde, silky wave around my shoulders, and I’ve chosen a pale pink lipstick. I settle at the desk in my living area to begin making calls, trying to shake the anxiety from earlier, but I can’t. I try to call Meredith but don’t reach her, and I wonder if she’s on the call with Jensen. Next, I try Katie, only to get her voice mail. Finally, I call down to the front desk and make contact with the manager, who recovers from the shock of our presence quickly and promises to line up key staff for our interviews. Task complete, I repeat my earlier efforts and try to reach Meredith and Katie again, and upon failure, settle on staying busy. I pin down meeting times with the key management staff of the hotel, try to reach Meredith and Katie yet again with no luck, and find out which hotel is our biggest competition and lunch choice.

I’m just about to try Meredith again when there’s a knock on the door. I pause with my hand on the knob, telling myself Jensen will not impact me any differently than any other man I’ve dated.

I’m wrong.

I open the door and his presence slams into me with the fury of a hurricane, and I am definitely in the eye of the storm. And that storm is power and confidence in a pale-gray suit with a green tie that makes his already striking green eyes a pure emerald fire.

He looks me up and down and drags me to him, kissing me soundly on the lips. “Every time I’m away from you, I convince myself I won’t want you this much next time.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about that,” I say, despite having just done the same thing myself.

“I’m not either. Nor am I sure how I keep my hands off you while we conduct these meetings.”

He kisses me again, leaving me breathless. I reach up and wipe his cheek. “If we’re being discreet, I’d say leaving my lipstick off of you and on me is smart.”

“What fun is that?” he asks, wiping my cheek as well. “You’d better go fix your face and I’ll stay here like the good little Boy Scout I am, or you’ll never get that lunch I promised you.”

I laugh and turn away, but as I fix my lipstick, I remind myself to be cautious. He’s right. He’s no Boy Scout.





Thirty minutes later, Jensen and I are sitting outside on a wooden patio of a waterfront restaurant that’s part of a nearby hotel, and I am heartily enjoying my meal. “This,” I say, pointing at the bowl in front of me, “is the best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever tasted and I’m a mac n’ cheese connoisseur.”

“The lobster is two thumbs up as well, let me tell you.” He motions to the waitress, who quickly joins us. “Is the head chef in?”