She leaned closer, running a finger over the smooth line. “Definitely Eames.”

“You know about design?” Karina asked. “Is that a hobby or a career?”

“Neither,” Jane demurred with a wistful twist of her head. “Just a passing interest.”

Carter was watching her with that intensity that made her insides turn to mush.

“You were talking about your parents’ divorce. I’m sorry, that was rude of me to interrupt.”

His frown deepened. “I never talk about my parents’ divorce. And you don’t have to apologise for anything.” He put a hand on her knee.

“Are your parents on good terms?”

Karina laughed, and held a hand up to excuse herself.

“She’s laughing because they would maul one another if they ever had to be in the same state. My father remarried a month to the day after his divorce was finalised. His new wife is the mother of my half brother, Eliot. Eliot’s a year younger than I am.”

“Oh.” Jane pulled a face. “That’s got to be tough on your mom.”

“She took Ivana’s advice and got everything she could in the divorce. Her heartbreak was neatly consoled by a huge chunk of money.”

Jane leaned back a little way, her eyes studying him covertly. The bitterness on his face was impressive. “So money was the answer and the problem.” She said to herself, but he heard it.

He turned his head sharply to look at her. “What do you mean by that?”

She flushed. “I shouldn’t comment. I don’t really know anything about it.”

“I’m interested in everything you have to say,” he contradicted, earning an appraising look from his cousin. The admission had shocked him, too. Since when? Since when had he been interested in everything any of his lovers had to say? He ran a hand through his short blonde hair, his eyes pinned to Jane.

The scrutiny made her uncomfortab

le. Her chocolate eyes held his briefly and then dropped away. Her smile was not real, but her emotions were. His curiosity, fascination and obsession all leaped ahead. “No. I really should get going.” She stood, setting her almost full coffee cup down on the Eames and smiling politely at Karina. “It was lovely to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Karina agreed with a nod. Carter recognised the expression on his cousin’s face. She, too, was fascinated by Jane. Her innocence was so at odds with her beauty; her shyness so completely strange given her intelligence and rightness. “Perhaps I’ll see you again sometime?”

Jane didn’t reply. After all, how could she? To see Karina again, she would need to remain in Carter’s life, and that decision was entirely his. She hooked the strap of her bag from the floor, where it had fallen shortly after she’d walked in the door. Memories of the way he’d pulled her to him flooded her body and she almost lost her footing. Carter, following behind her, put an arm out to grip her waist, steadying her easily.

Her eyes lifted to his face, but the simple ‘thanks’ she’d been about to mutter died on her lips when she saw the way he was staring at her. Hooded blue eyes were trained on her mouth, and his fingers on her hips were running up and down, making her insides clench.

“You won’t stay? Karina likes you.”

“She seems nice,” she said quietly, looking away.

“She isn’t. She’s a pit bull. She was being kind to you because she seems to like you.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “So stay. It’s late.”

“I have to go.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Jane,” he called, stepping out into the plush hallway and closing the door. “Martins will take you home. I don’t want you using the subway while we’re together.” He reached into his pocket and detached something from his keys.

She wanted to say, But we’re not together! Only the words clogged in her throat. Curiosity kept her silent.

“Here. Press this whenever you leave my apartment, and he’ll have the car at the front for you by the time you’re in the lobby.”

She looked at the small device. “That’s a handy little thing.” She tilted her head to the side. “Are you sure you’re not really Bruce Wayne?”

He laughed. “Batman could learn a thing or two from me.”

She grinned. “I like the subway you know. Lots of interesting people watching.”