Heated Rush - Leslie Kelly [32]
His smile wolfish, he asked, “Does that mean you want to go back upstairs and give me a piece of pizza for date two?”
Laughing softly, she shook her head. “Not on your life.”
During the ride to the restaurant, she checked out every inch of the car, peeking into the minibar, tapping her nail against the rim of a glass to test the crystal. She didn’t go so far as to open the sunroof and pop up through it, but otherwise, seemed to enjoy every typical bit of a standard limo ride. He suspected she’d never been in one.
Sean wasn’t the limo type. He much preferred taxis to get around cities he was visiting, or his own cars when he was at home. But it was fun to watch her. Considering the small apartment, her simple clothes, her understated jewelry and her salt-of-the-earth background, he suspected Annie didn’t indulge in luxuries very often.
He liked indulging her. And was glad to be in the position to be able to do it.
It certainly hadn’t always been that way.
Sean had grown up with money, though his father hadn’t believed in spoiling his son and heir. But he’d never lacked for anything. When he’d lit out on his own, however, things had changed. He hadn’t been broke, but the trust fund his paternal grandmother had left him had only gone so far. He’d nursed it along, doing the starving-student thing—hostels, backpacking—while figuring out what he wanted to do with his life. Still, the fund had grown dangerously small.
Then he’d figured out what he was really good at—charming people and making deals—and had begun to make serious money.
He’d never looked back.
“So where are we going?”
He named the restaurant, which she hadn’t heard of. That didn’t surprise him. He wasn’t taking her to one of the typical well-known establishments in town. This was the kind of place that only locals frequented, since it sat atop a private condominium high-rise. Sean had stumbled across it on a previous visit and knew its ambiance, location near the water and outstanding food were perfect for tonight.
As nice as the restaurant was, he did have one regret about its location. It wasn’t very far, meaning their intimate car ride would go by much too quickly. So he couldn’t even think about trying to introduce her to one of the nicest perks of being chauffeured—hot, steamy car sex.
Second date, remember?
“I could get used to this,” she finally said as she sank back into the seat, closing her eyes. Her long lashes brushed her high cheekbones. Sean suddenly had the urge to kiss her there, to brush his lips against those closed lids, then work his way across her temple and over to her fragile earlobes.
He resisted. They had a whole evening to get through, then an entire weekend surrounded by her family. He needed to get a grip on himself—on the desire that had been coursing through him since he’d first set eyes on Annie Monday night. For a man used to taking things slow, anticipating and savoring the very best things in life, his hunger for her was maddening.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Sean tipped the maître d’ to get the table he wanted. It was a very private one in an alcove beside windows that overlooked the lake far below them. The dull green water appeared crystalline from this height and glimmered under the last rays of the setting summer sun.
“Beautiful,” she murmured.
She was. The view was all right, too.
“You can see forever. It’s hard to believe the ocean is bigger than this. Not that I’d know.”
He raised a brow. “You don’t mean…”
“Nope. I’ve never seen it.” Her jaw stiffened. “But I intend to. In fact, I intend to see all of them.”
That would be a good trick, given the temperatures in the Arctic. But he had noted her resolute tone and wasn’t about to argue with her. This delicate, sweet-faced woman had serious will. She’d certainly proven the lengths she’d go to in order to get what she wanted…like a weekend with him.
Still, the idea that she’d never even traveled to either side of her own country stunned him. Maybe it was because the width of his country could be traversed in a single day.
Or maybe