The elevator arrived and she slid her key card into the penthouse access slot. Immediately she started to rise, the numbers flashing above the door. Glancing at her watch she saw it was late. Walker would probably be asleep, grabbing a few hours’ peace where he could. She’d have to be quiet.
But when the elevator stopped at her floor and she disembarked, her feet slowed to a stop at the door.
She should unlock it, slip off to her room, and fall asleep thinking about Todd.
She wouldn’t, though. If she entered the home before her, she’d spend the night thinking about Walker.
And the fact that he didn’t want her the way she wanted him.
She swallowed hard, lifting her chin. These things happened. It was no one’s fault. He couldn’t control who he was or wasn’t attracted to any more than she could.
But why doesn’t he see me?
Why was he worming his way even deeper into her heart while the reverse wasn’t true for him? What was so wrong with her?
Nothing. Todd thinks I’m great.
Too bad Walker just viewed her as a go-to for baby advice.
He values me more than that.
Just not the way she most wanted.
Straightening, she rolled back her shoulders. Too much of her life had been spent waiting to see if anything would ever happen with them. That ended now.
He kissed me out of stress, not desire. Remember that and push him back into the friendzone. We don’t need to lose each other over this.
Not if she could help it.
Mind made up, she unlocked the door and slipped inside. Kicking off her shoes at the entranceway, she hung up her coat and tiptoed toward the stairs.
Only to stop when she saw the light of a single lamp on in the living room. Curious, she moved to the doorway and saw Walker waiting up in one of his leather armchairs, his gaze fixed on her.
A shiver raced down her spine. A quick glance showed he was alone. Hunter must have gone to sleep. Which made this even more dangerous. It was late, dark, and her nerves were raw. She should toss him a wave and make her way upstairs to the safety of her bedroom. Everything would seem better in the sunlight. They could find their rhythm again and things would be back to normal.
She stepped into the room.
He said nothing as she glided toward him on silent feet. The grand room was more intimate in the near darkness. Walker’s face was shadowed so she could barely make out more than his glittering eyes.
Tossing her purse on a chair, she stopped a few feet from him.
“How was the date?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Todd is a great guy. We had a lot in common.”
“Going to see him again?”
She glanced away. “Probably. It’s been a while since I had such a successful first date. I wouldn’t mind seeing where it leads.”
“Sounds like a good time.”
“It was.”
It just would have been better with you.
Shaking her head, she walked around his chair and headed for the windows that lined one wall of the penthouse. Pressing a palm to the cool glass, she gazed out over the twinkling city. One of the things she loved best about this place was the view at night. She could almost imagine she drifted above the city, free of all the cares that usually plagued her.
One of which rose to his feet behind her.
She watched him in the window that acted like a dark mirror as he walked up to her. He didn’t touch her but stood close enough that she felt the heat of his body along her back.
“Diane will be glad to know it all worked out.”
“I’ll have to thank her,” she said, watching his reflection rather than the city spread out below them. “Maybe return the favor at some point.”
“Going to set her up with some eligible bachelor?”
“If I can find one. You’re the most eligible single I know,” she tried to joke.
But his reflection didn’t crack a smile. “I’m not interested in her.”
She turned then, her back pressing up against the window. “Then who are you interested in?”
Those bright blue eyes darkened as he looked down at her. “Million-dollar question.”
“You can afford it,” she breathed.
“That’s not the cost I’m worried about paying.”
Had he moved closer or was it just her imagination that was making it harder to breath? Her heart thundered in her ears even as she told herself she should slip away. Say she was tired and head off to bed. Alone.
She held still, waiting with bated breath to see what came next.
“It’s not like you to worry about consequences.”
“Ouch,” he mocked, sliding close enough that his clothing brushed hers.
“Am I wrong?”
“No.” His fingers ghosted along her jaw and down the long column of her throat. “Maybe I’m growing up.”