Page 21 of Sin City Lights

“It has. And I’ve been thinking…”

Yes, something was definitely off here. Nervousness tugged at her, and she sensed that what he was about to say with that expression on his face would be something she didn’t want to hear.

He reached across the table and covered her hand.“Eve…I brought you here because I wanted…” He hesitated.

There it was, that look. She’d seen it on other men before, and her heart kick-started into fight-or-flight mode.“What? To christen their crazy-fast elevator?” she tried, a little wildly.

He shook his head, those dimples flashing.

Alarm gripped her throat. Devon, refusing elevator sex? OK, this wasn’t normal.

“I want…” Again, he hesitated. This was bad.

No, no, no, don’t say it… Don’t.

Eyes darting around the restaurant, she frantically searched for a way out of whatever this was. She spotted a lighted green sign in the corner that looked like the occupied or vacant restroom indicator on a plane.

“Devon.” Her voice sounded strangled to her own ears.

Green eyes regarded her in concerned surprise.

Eve shoved back her chair, rising so abruptly that she wobbled on her three-inch heels.“I don’t feel well.”

It wasn’t a lie.

His brow furrowed.“What can I do?” He placed his fingertips on the table’s edge, starting to rise.

“No, no, you sit. Wait here, I’m going to the restroom.”

He hesitated, then nodded and sat back down.

Grabbing her clutch, Eve headed toward the corner of the restaurant, feeling his eyes on her back as she scurried away. Rounding the bend toward the hallway to the restroom, she pressed her hand to her chest, taking deep breaths to lower the fast beat of her heart.

Coming in from the bright main room, it was a lot darker here, and her eyes had to adjust to the lighting provided by strips along the sides of the corridor. Only guided by the glowing runners, she barreled down the dim hallway. The next second, her heel caught on the carpet, her clutch went flying, she lurched forward…and plowed straight into what felt like a human wall.

“Whoa.”

The voice was deep.

Strong arms caught her, and she found herself hauled against a tall, muscular body, her palms pressed to a very hard chest.

“Excuse me.” She regained balance and drew a deep breath, only to have it catch in her throat as a familiar scent assaulted her senses: Hermès, Eau d’Orange Verte.

Chapter 5

Eve

Adam was here.

And he had her.

Why did she feel such intense relief?

He leaned back slightly and looked down as if he needed visual confirmation that it was really her.

She stood on tiptoe, locked her hands around his neck, and pressed her face into the smoothness of his shirt, burrowing into it. His dark tie felt silky under her cheek. For a beat, she leaned into him, breathing in his essence, and instantly felt safe, as if in his embrace, nothing harmful could ever touch her.

Finally, she arched her back, leaning away to look into his face.

---