Intimate Seduction - Brenda Jackson [69]
If she truly expected him to walk away and leave her this way, then there was a lot she had to learn about him, about a Steele in general.
He turned to walk out of the auditorium. More than anything he was determined to bring her fire back.
Natalie glanced around her house—the first time she’d been back in almost a month. There was no use getting too comfortable since she would be leaving again in the morning. At least she didn’t have any plants to worry about watering while she was away.
Princeton was a college town, bucolic yet intellectual. She had purchased the house three years ago and never regretted doing so. It was close to campus and located in a really nice neighborhood. And it was just the right size for her.
She hadn’t bothered bringing more than a garment bag since she’d only planned to stay last night and tonight. She had already showered and was in her nightgown ready for bed. She had called earlier to check on her aunt, and since Aunt Earline hadn’t mentioned anything about Donovan, that had her wondering how he’d known where to find her since she hadn’t told him anything Wednesday night about leaving town. He hadn’t given her the chance to do so. More than likely he had gotten information out of Farrah, which wouldn’t be hard to believe since her best friend was convinced Donovan was the man for her. Farrah didn’t know just how wrong she was.
Natalie’s thoughts shifted back to that afternoon. When she’d come out of the ladies’ room, Donovan was gone. She could only assume he had taken his company jet and returned home, like she’d told him. It was for the best.
She was about to head up the stairs when her doorbell rang. She felt a sudden fluttering in her stomach at the possibility it was Donovan. How would she handle it if it was? Trying to keep her cool, she crossed the room and looked out the peephole. Instead of a face, all she saw was a bunch of balloons.
“Who is it?” she called out.
“Donovan.”
It was him. Her fingers on the doorknob began to shake. She leaned into the closed door. “What do you want?”
She wanted to kick herself for asking that question. Doing so had gotten her into trouble with him before—several times.
“Please open the door. I have a delivery for you.”
She should tell him what to do with his delivery, but she wasn’t that kind of person. Instead, she slowly opened the door and took a step back. He entered carrying a bunch of balloons and a bouquet of red roses.
“These are for you,” he said, handing her both.
She set the flowers on the hall table and then glanced around for a place to put a dozen colorful balloons. “What are these for?”
“No special reason,” he said, glancing around. “I had a hard time getting them. It seems most businesses in this town close at dinnertime.”
After placing the balloons down she folded her arms over her chest. “What are you doing here, Donovan?”
He inserted his hands into the pockets of his slacks. She thought that he looked good, as usual. “You said you accepted my apology, but you didn’t say it with passion.”
“Excuse me?”
“Passion, Natalie. That’s the one common denominator we’ve had from the beginning. I have a feeling it’s slipping away.”
She had news for him: it was already gone. She lifted her chin. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“That’s good because I don’t want to talk about it, either,” he said, walking into her living room. He dropped down on her sofa and began to remove his shoes and socks.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
He glanced up at her. “Bringing the passion back.”
His lips curved into a smile, the kind that always gave her goose bumps. Made her wet. It was the smile that made her want to do naughty things with him. She stiffened at the thought. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave,