Ian's Ultimate Gamble - Brenda Jackson [37]
His question surprised her. She would have thought that after tonight he would avoid her at all cost, if nothing else but to see if she was out of his system. She gazed at him thoughtfully as she leaned forward and rested her chin on her hands. "Um, it depends. What do you have planned?"
He smiled. "After an important meeting with my event planner to make sure all the bases are covered for Delaney's birthday party, I'll be free to do whatever I want. Do you have any suggestions?"
They fell silent as Brooke contemplated his question. "Blackjack is definitely out."
He chuckled. "If you say so."
"Uh, what about a game of golf?"
He lifted a brow. "Can you play?"
"No. but I'd like to learn. Would you teach me the basics?"
"Yeah. I can do that."
"And I'd like to go swimming in your pool again if you don't mind."
He studied her for a long moment, remembering her in his pool. "I don't mind, but this time I'll take a dip with you."
She stared at him, thinking that was exactly what she had hoped he'd do. "All right." She glanced at her watch then back across the table at him before standing. "It's late. I'd better get ready to go."
He stood, his gaze intense. "Stay with me tonight, Brooke."
Her heart jumped at the invitation, spoken in a deep, husky voice. Her mind was suddenly bombarded with all the reasons she shouldn't, the main one being that if he ever discovered the truth as to why she was staying at the Rolling Cascade, he would consider her actions deceitful.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Ian. We were supposed to be doing the closure thing, remember?" she said softly.
"I remember," he said, coming around the table to stand in front of her. "But at the moment, the only thing I can think about is doing the opening thing with you."
She lifted a brow. "The opening thing'?"
A smiled touched the corners of his lips. "Yes, like this," he said, reaching out and working the buttons free on his shirt she was wearing. When the shirt parted he slid his hands over her waist then upward to her chest, tracing his fingertips over the hardened tips of her breasts.
He met her gaze. "Need I say more?"
The gaze that returned his stare shimmered with passion and desire, and when his hand moved lower and touched her between the legs, her breath caught. "No, you don't have to say anything at all," she said after making a soft whimpering sound.
And then she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his mouth downs to hers, deciding they would work on that closure thins another time.
Ian blinked. "Excuse me, Margaret. What did you say'?"
Margaret Fields smiled. It was obvious something else had her boss's attention. He definitely was not his usual alert self this morning. He seemed preoccupied. She couldn't help wondering if the others present for their meeting had detected it. "I said that I spoke with Mrs. Tara Westmoreland yesterday and she faxed me her preference for the menu. I've given it to the restaurant that will be handling the catering services."
Ian nodded. "How many people are we expecting?" "There are three hundred confirmed reservations."
Ian knew that in addition to family and close friends, because of Jamal's status in international circles, a number of celebrities and dignitaries were included in the mix.
"There's a possibility the secretary of state might make an appearance. We'll know in a few days if her schedule will allow it," Margaret said as if in awe of such an event taking place.
Ian then glanced over at Vance. "I take it security is ready to handle things."
Vance smiled. "Yes, and if the secretary does come, I will work with the Secret Service to make sure her stay here is a pleasant one."
Ian knew that Sheikh Prince Jamal Ari Yasir had also reserved a large portion of the resort to house the guests invited to his wife's surprise birthday bash. Ian glanced at his watch. "Okay, keep me informed of anything that develops. Otherwise, it seems everything is under control."
Ian stood. He was to meet Brooke in half an hour and he clearly had no intention