Sensual Confessions - Brenda Jackson [6]
It was obvious she had stunned Blade, so everyone was giving him a chance to recover. From the way he was staring across the table at her, he had to be wondering why—since they had the same outlook on life when it came to commitment—she had refused to give him the time of day.
Sam looked away as she ran a finger around the rim of her glass, then seductively touched the tip with her tongue, knowing Blade’s eyes followed her every movement. She tried to ignore the shudder that passed through her each time their eyes connected. When the waitress delivered their food, and she began eating, she tried to overlook the intense sexual chemistry between them even as they shared the table with others. She wasn’t sure whether Mac and Luke were aware of what was taking place between them or not, but both she and Blade knew it. Dinner was as enjoyable as it could have been under the circumstances, and at the end of the meal she thanked everyone for inviting her, and stood up to leave.
“Where are you rushing off to?” Blade asked, quickly rising to his feet.
The tone of his voice, to her way of thinking, sounded a lot throatier than it should have. It sent shivers up and down her body.
She met his gaze. “I’m going home. I drove Mac over. But since Luke’s SUV is here, I’m sure all three of you will be riding back together and—”
“No,” Blade said smoothly. “I’m staying at a hotel in town.”
That surprised her. “You are?”
His smile widened. “Yes. I didn’t want to impose on the newly weds. Would it be a bother to drop me off at the hotel?”
“Drop you off?” she asked, as if she hadn’t heard him right. She inhaled deeply, silently telling herself to get a grip. Handle her business. So what if she had to drop him off at some hotel? She could do that. Put him off at the curb and keep going.
“Yes, at the hotel.”
Before she could answer, Luke spoke up, giving her an out. “No need to bother Sam. Mac and I can drop you off at the hotel, Blade. Besides, your luggage is in my truck.”
She cast Luke an appreciative smile. “Then it’s all settled. Luke and Mac will make sure you get to the hotel,” she said, looking back at Blade. “It was good seeing you again, and thanks for dinner.”
She was about to turn for a quick getaway when he said, “I’ll walk you to your car.”
Sam forced herself not to tell him she preferred if he didn’t. She knew he hadn’t intended to let her go that easily, not until he found out what he wanted to know. “Fine.” She glanced at Luke and Mac. “It’s always good seeing you, Luke, and I’ll see you in the morning, Mac.”
“Yes, bright and early,” she responded. “We have to go over our notes for the Penton’s case.”
Sam nodded and gave her a thumbs-up before turning to leave, with Blade by her side.
He didn’t say anything until they had walked out of the restaurant and were waiting as the valet attendant went to get her car. Then Blade faced her and said, “I think you owe me an explanation.”
“About what?” she asked, deciding to play innocent as she tilted her head back. He held her gaze with an intense look in his eyes.
“If you don’t have any problems with casual dating, then why have you been giving me the cold shoulder every time I approach you?”
Before she could answer, the valet brought her car around. “The reason is rather simple,” she said, opening the door and tossing her purse on the passenger seat.
“Is it?” Blade asked, watching as she slid into the driver’s side of her sporty red Mercedes two-seater.
“Yes,” she replied, buckling her seat belt and rolling her window down.
He gazed at her. “And what reason is that?”
She turned the radio to a station that played soft music before looking back up at him, staring straight into his eyes and stating what she knew was the biggest lie of her life. “You, Blade Madaris, don’t interest me. Good night.”
And before he could utter another word, she revved the engine and drove away.
Chapter 2
Blade tossed the hotel key on a table after settling into his suite. He couldn’t help the smile that touched his lips as he recalled Sam’s parting words. He didn’t