Page 19 of Scarred Heart

“Dinner has been over for an hour, in case you didn’t notice.”I looked down at our plates, and she did the same.“I’m much more interested in you.If it would make you feel better, we can have a conversation in some packed, airless club.I wonder how long we would last before our voices gave out from all the screaming.”She hesitated, giving me no choice but to break out the big guns.“I will bug the shit out of you every single day.You know I’ll do it.I’m not going to let up until I’m satisfied.”

“Exactly when will you be satisfied?”

A slow smile stretched my lips.“I couldn’t tell you.It hasn’t happened yet.”

I had her.I knew it the second she grinned.“One drink at your place.I’ll set a timer on my phone.”

“You know how to make a man feel appreciated.”She laughed off my sarcasm, waiting for me to settle the check while she pulled out her phone.“Don’t tell me you’re doing it now,” I groaned, nodding to the device.

“No, for fuck’s sake.”She was chuckling as her thumbs tapped the screen.“Texting my sister, if you must know.”

The Rowan I used to know would have almost swooned at the sight of the Bentley waiting for us at the curb once we left the restaurant.“Wow.They brought the car without you having to request it.”That was what impressed her.Not the vehicle.She was a sophisticated woman now, not a wide-eyed girl.

“It’s the little touches.This place is owned by a good friend of mine,” I explained.“He’s always talking about ways to set his businesses apart from the rest.”

“Very smart.”She wore a playful grin as she took my hand, allowing me to help her into the car.“Look at you, having smart friends.Times have changed.”

She was right, which was why I couldn’t do anything but laugh, closing the door.It wasn’t long before we were on our way, the apartment only minutes from the restaurant, even on a Saturday night when traffic was dense.It occurred to me I wouldn’t have minded getting stuck with her.It would mean an excuse to spend more time together.

There was something about her that was magic.I didn’t have to pretend, didn’t have to show off.I could be myself.How rare was that?

It was only when I pulled into the building's attached garage that she realized where we were.“Wait a second.You still live here?In the same building?”

“Same building.Same penthouse.”

“Get out!I guess some things don’t change.”She was laughing softly by the time we parked and headed into the lobby, shaking her head as she looked around at what hadn’t changed much over the years.“My God.I feel like a time traveler.This is too funny.”

“I remember you always loved the view,” I reminded her, prompting her to smile up at me as the elevator carried us to the top floor.That smile.I had yet to meet another woman who radiated that tempting touch of wickedness.It was alluring, like so much about her.Heat raced through me and made my hands tremble with the need to touch her.

What a time for the elevator doors to slide open onto a quiet hallway directly across from my front door.Once I entered the passcode on the keypad, I swung it open and stepped aside, allowing her to enter first.

“You’re kidding.”She barely stifled a squeal, her heels clicking on the hardwood as she entered the living room.Tossing her purse on the couch, she turned in a slow circle.

“Like it?”I asked.

“This is such a trip.”She laced her fingers on top of her head and blew out a heavy sigh that puffed her cheeks and pursed her lips.“It’s just like I remembered it.”

Which meant she had been thinking about it.I knew it.Running into each other had stirred up just as many memories for her as it had for me.

“I can’t believe you kept the place.”There was wonder in her eyes once she stopped gawking long enough to look my way.“All this time?You haven’t been living here in Beverly Hills, have you?”

“No, the townhouse in San Francisco is home base.Close to the office.But with my family living nearby and friends out here, it made sense to keep the place.”

She shot me a snide look on her way to the window.“A penthouse in Beverly Hills and a townhouse in San Fran.No need to brag.”

“I don’t have a need to brag.You know that.”Motioning toward the bar opposite the sofa, I asked, “Drink?I have a nice Pinot Grigio you’d like.”

Her brow furrowed long enough to tell me she was arguing with herself, but it was a short-lived argument.“Sure.But only one glass,” she added, holding up a finger.

“Don’t worry,” I assured her as I rounded the bar and reached underneath into the wine refrigerator.“I’m not trying to get you drunk and have my way with you.Though I’m not against the idea, either.”

When she didn’t snap at me, a warm sensation that felt a lot like victory swelled in my chest.She was loosening up, letting her guard down.That dress was as good as puddled on my bedroom floor.I would have to ask her to keep the shoes on.I practically felt the heels digging into my ass cheeks as I poured the crisp wine into a glass.

“I forgot how beautiful the view is from here.”She was staring out the window, her back to me as I approached with her drink.The glow from so many lights below highlighted her hourglass figure to perfection.The woman was temptation itself, and no matter how I reminded myself not to push her too hard, there was only so long I could deny the natural need to reach out and stroke her arm.

Instead, I settled for touching her shoulder while I handed her the wine.It was electric.There was no other word for it, no way to explain it.It was undeniable, either way, the tremor that ran through me and demanded I take her in my arms.It was natural, as necessary as breathing.I had to hold her again.For closure, if for no other reason.

At least, that was what I told myself.

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