A Wicked Game(12)
“Jack,” she said, halting midstride.
He advanced on her, studying her from head to toe, taking in how perfect her short, sculpted, white-and-gray dress highlighted every one of her curves. “Victoria.”
She straightened her back, dragging her gaze around the room. “What are you doing here?”
“I came looking for you,” Jack said in a low voice.
Tori took two steps toward him. “Why? Did you forget our agreement?”
“I bet you didn’t think I’d figure out what you tried to do.”
Her lips twitched into a sly smile. “It took you long enough to find me, which begs the question: how did you?”
He shoved his hands in his pockets, fighting the impulse to set her hair free from the french twist holding it up. Jack imagined curling his fingers around her nape and kissing her right there and then. “It doesn’t matter how I did. What matters is I’m here to call you on your bluff.”
She crossed her arms. “Listen, Jack. I don’t have time for this. Great. You found me out. I never thought I’d ever say this… you were right. We—” Tori gestured between them, “—will never have an even score. If you want me to apologize for my old prank, then please accept my sincerest apologies.”
Jack chuckled. “I don’t want an apology.”
She angled her head. “No? What do you want?”
He caught a glimpse of the receptionist’s curious eyes on them and looked back at Tori. “Have dinner with me.” Yes. This time he’d take a different approach. She wouldn’t know he’d seduced her until after she lay underneath him in his bed.
Tori opened and closed her mouth. Finally, she said, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Why not? I’m sure we can manage to have a meal together without killing each other. Come on, Tori. If there’s a way to bring closure to our years-old grudge, this is the way to do it.”
“I-I don’t—”
“I’ll pick you up at six. I’ll be just outside the lobby.” He closed the short distance, tipped her chin up with his fingers, and placed a kiss on her soft lips.
Jack left before she had a chance to say another word.
Chapter Ten
What was she doing? She must have been crazy to accept to have dinner with him. With Jack. Yeah, she’d lost it. She could stand him up. Skipping the lobby altogether and riding the elevator straight down to the parking garage didn’t sound such a bad idea. Not at all. Tori glanced at the elevator’s floor panel, rubbing her fingers together, fighting the urge to press the G2 button, where she’d parked her car.
The beeping sound of the elevator alerted her out of her thoughts. She pursed her lips, realizing she’d missed her chance when the doors opened to the lobby. Perhaps it wasn’t too late for her to dash to the stairs. She could try. Tori lifted her gaze, finding the familiar pair of those darn beautiful smoky-blue eyes she’d dreamed of during the past month.
A crooked smile formed on his lips. Jack stood by the reception desk, hands in his pockets. He wore his dark suit jacket unbuttoned and he’d gotten rid of his tie. His hair seemed tousled, as if he’d raked his hands through it several times.
Tori liked it—she liked it a lot. Deep inside, she knew this was all wrong, but temptation had a strong hold on her, pulling her to him. A hold so great, she’d let it take her where it would, which was bad, bad, bad.
“Tori.” He sauntered her way.
She stepped out of the elevator and met him halfway. “Jack.”
He grabbed her hand and laced his fingers with hers, guiding her out of the lobby to his car. The valet opened the passenger door to a black Mercedes, and she nodded a thank you while Jack walked around and got in the driver’s seat. “Do you have any food preferences?”
“No,” she replied.
“Good.” Jack smiled and merged into traffic.
Tori looked out the window, taking in the passing skyscrapers as Jack drove in silence. Some other time, with anyone else, she would’ve felt uncomfortable. For some unknown reason, she didn’t with Jack.
Fifteen minutes later he pulled into a crowded parking lot and drove to the valet. He walked to her side to help her out, then took her hand and led her to a black door.
Her jaw dropped the moment she stepped inside the place. Elegant tables sat under the open sky in a courtyard decorated with colorful flower displays. Lit candles were placed on the center of every table, and the dimmed lighting provided a romantic atmosphere. The setting was spectacular. It was as if she’d just taken a trip to a magical place in Greece.
“Jack, it’s good to see you.” A handsome, tall man approached them.