His lips hovered dangerously close to hers, and the warmth from them heated her own. She dared not run her tongue over her bottom lip, a habit when nervous. He might take it the wrong way. His gaze met hers and held. Was he going to kiss her? Like I want him to?
Oh yes she did. A man like Easton must have been with many women, but she wondered if he’d learned in his experiences to please her, or was he all about himself, as a few of her lovers had been? Could Easton satisfy the need that plagued her on a daily basis and drove her to using toys? She stared into the eyes that were pale but hot with lust.
“When I marry, I will be faithful to my wife.” He touched a fingertip to her tiny diamond earrings. “Before then…”
She dropped her gaze and swallowed, a mistake because it brought his lips into focus again. Too much time had passed since she’d kissed a man—a man with skill and who tasted delicious. He leaned even closer, a subtle movement she hadn’t thought possible without connection. Her lips parted of their own accord, but she steeled her resolve. No, to get involved with Easton at this time wasn’t a good idea.
“Kenzie,” he breathed, and her knees buckled. “An unusual name.”
“I—” Refuse him, girl. Do it now before it’s too late.
He reached into the pockets of her slacks where she’d deposited her cell phone earlier and drew it out. She frowned at him, but he smiled, nonchalant. “I’m giving you my number. I know you’ll change your mind.”
“About what?” She put her hand on her hip.
“About helping me find a wife. Was there anything else on the table?” He raised his eyebrows, and her palm itched she wanted to smack him so badly.#p#分页标题#e#
Flouncing away to check on her dinner, she turned her back on him. She’d made a fool of herself, opening her mouth like she had expected him to tongue kiss her, and the man knew what she expected. He acted like he wanted it just as much. “I think you should go. You might not be hungry, but I am. I don’t eat much at work because I’m so busy.”
She peeked back at him, and his hot gaze swept her figure. She blushed. Her figure wasn’t bad, not too big but not skinny either. The generous hips and ass were a plus despite average-size breasts.
He held out her phone, and it was all she could do not to snatch it. Where had her enjoyment of the day gone? Maybe because he made her feel vulnerable, and it was a rare occurrence for a man to make her feel that way. Then again, she didn’t go around dating men of his station in life either. The most she’d ever done was see a lawyer a couple years ago, and he worked for a midsize firm, nothing spectacular.
“I will be in our downtown offices tomorrow on State Street. If you call around noon, we can have lunch.”
She folded her arms over her chest and didn’t say a word. He moved toward the door, but turned back before he reached it. “By the way, those are flawed.”
Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
He pointed to her ears. “I’m in the business of selling diamonds. Just thought you should know.”
“Of all the arrogant…” She blew out a breath. “Good night, Easton.”
“Good night, Kenzie.”
The door clicked softly behind him.
Chapter Three
Kenzie stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom and reexamined her dress. The material, decorated in fall leaves and muted shades of green, brown, blue, and white, appeared whimsical, but she’d paired it with a denim jacket, dark tights, and high-heeled lace-up boots. The braided tote bag would complete the outfit, giving her an appearance of casual elegance—not too dressy but not bumming it either.
Clothing, makeup, and hair done, she gave a critical eye to her earrings. She’d loved the small diamond studs, a gift to herself, but after Easton’s comment, they lost a bit of their appeal. Why did he have to say anything?
Sighing, she removed the earrings and opted for bronze leaf ones. Let him say something about those. She left the condo soon after and made her way over to State Street by way of the Red Line. The short trip didn’t take too long, and after speaking with the guard in the lobby, she took the elevator up to Easton’s floor. From the moment the bell dinged and the doors slid open, she knew she’d entered a whole different world—monetarily at least.
A receptionist occupied the desk at the entrance to the floor, and behind her a sign on the wall held the name Tremaine Financial in gold letters. If Kenzie had doubted Easton’s station, the company name did away with such reserves.
She squared her shoulders and stepped forward. “Hello, you must be Judy, right?”