Entwined with You(84)

“Sure.” I caught Brett’s hand and tugged it. “Good night.”


I hurried him to the elevators and didn’t relax until the doors closed.


“Can I ask why a reporter’s so interested in who you’re dating?”


I glanced at him. He was lounging against the handrail, his hands gripping the brass on either side of his hips. The pose was hot and he was undeniably sexy, but my thoughts were with Gideon. I was anxious to be with him and talk to him.


“She’s an ex of Gideon’s with a grudge.”


“And that doesn’t send up any flags for you?”


I shook my head. “Not like you’re probably thinking.”


The elevator arrived on my floor and I led the way to my apartment, hating that I had to walk by Gideon’s to get there. Had he felt like this when he’d spent time with Corinne? Weighted with guilt and worry?


I opened the door and was sorry that Cary wasn’t hanging out on the couch. It didn’t even seem like my roommate was home. The lights were off, which was a strong indicator that he was out. He always left lights on in his wake when he was around.


Hitting the switch, I turned in time to see Brett’s face when the recessed ceiling fixtures lit up the place. I always felt weird when people first realized I had money.


He looked at me with a frown. “I’m rethinking my career choice.”


“My job doesn’t pay for this. My stepdad does. For now, anyway.” I went to the kitchen and dropped my purse and bag off on a bar stool.


“You and Cross hang in the same circles?”


“Sometimes.”


“Am I too different for you?”


The question unsettled me, even though it was perfectly valid. “I don’t judge people by their money, Brett. Do you want something to drink?”


“Nah, I’m good.”


I gestured toward the couch and we settled there.


“So, you didn’t like the video,” he said, laying his arm over the back of the sofa.


“I didn’t say that!”


“Didn’t have to. I saw your face.”


“It’s just really … personal.”


His green eyes were hot enough to make me flush. “I haven’t forgotten one thing about you, Eva. The video proves that.”


“That’s because there wasn’t a whole lot for you to remember,” I pointed out.


“You think I don’t know you, but I bet I’ve seen sides of you Cross never has and never will.”


“That’s true in reverse.”


“Maybe,” he conceded, his fingers tapping silently into the cushion. “I’m supposed to fly out at the butt-crack of dawn tomorrow, but I’ll catch a later flight. Come with me. We’ve got shows in Seattle and San Francisco over the weekend. You can head back Sunday night.”


“I can’t. I have plans.”


“The weekend after that we’re in San Diego. Come there.” His fingers slid down my arm. “It’ll be like old times, with twenty thousand extra people.”


I blinked. What were the chances that we’d be home at the same time? “I’ve got plans to be in SoCal then. Just me and Cary.”


“So we’ll hook up next weekend.”


“Meet up,” I corrected, standing when he did. “Are you leaving?”


He stepped closer. “Are you asking me to stay?”


“Brett …”


“Right.” He gave me a rueful smile and my heart raced a little. “We’ll see each other next weekend.”


We walked together to the door.


“Thank you for inviting me along today,” I told him, feeling oddly sorry that he was going so soon.


“I’m sorry you didn’t like the video.”


“I do like it.” I caught his hand. “I do. You did a great job with it. It’s just weird seeing myself from the outside, you know?”


“Yeah, I get it.” He cupped my cheek with his other hand and bent in for a kiss.


I turned my head and he nuzzled me instead, the tip of his nose rubbing up and down my cheek. The light scent of his cologne, mingled with the scent of his skin, teased my senses and brought back heated memories. The feel of his body standing so close to mine was achingly familiar.


I’d once had a mad crush on him. I had wanted him to feel the same way about me in return and now that he did, it was bittersweet.


Brett gripped my upper arms and groaned softly, the sound vibrating through me. “I remember how you feel,” he whispered, his voice deep and husky. “On the inside. I can’t wait to feel it again.”


I was breathing too fast. “Thank you for dinner.”


His lips curved against my cheek. “Call me. I’ll call you no matter what, but it’d be nice for you to call me sometime. Okay?”


I nodded and had to swallow before speaking. “Okay.”


He was gone a moment later and I was running to my purse for the burner phone. There was no message from Gideon. No missed call or text.