Page 25 of Relentless Pursuit

She nodded.

“I want to hear you say it.” He cupped the side of her face, his gaze burning into hers. “Are we clear?”

“I won’t come here without you.” Now that she had what she wanted, what reason could there be for her to return?

“Go home and get a good night’s sleep.” He nipped her bottom lip before kissing her hard, slipping his tongue inside her mouth, probing deeper before abruptly releasing her. “You’re going to need it.”

Hell!She stumbled back, breathless and more aroused than she’d ever been before.

Chapter 7

Julian ran along the park trail Saturday morning, clocking five more miles than usual. He’d had a sleepless night. No matter how hard he had tried, his mind couldn’t be settled. The early morning run was supposed to help. It hadn’t.

After his shower, he dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans and a gray t-shirt and began the task of making lunch. Once the chicken salad from his favorite deli and fresh baked croissants from the bakery down the street were delivered, he cut up some fruit and made fresh squeezed lemonade. Kayla would be too nervous for a heavy lunch, and he wasn’t sure how much eating they’d do once she arrived. Not much if he had his way.

Patience. A word that didn’t normally grace his vocabulary, but one he may have to become more familiar with. He had become accustomed to waiting for nothing. He’d have to use his determination if this was going to work.

Just as he put the plates on the island, the doorbell chimed. He glanced at the clock on the microwave. Two minutes to noon. He appreciated punctuality. Walking through the long hallway of his penthouse and to the foyer, he caught his reflection in the mirror, taking a moment to get a grip on this new reality. He took a deep breath and stared at the man in the glass, knowing once he opened that door, his entire world would change. He had a large responsibility waiting for him on the other side. Many women had placed their trust in him over the past few years, and he always treated them with respect and fairness. Kayla was new territory. That excited him on so many levels. The heights her innocence would take them had him eager to begin, but her purity made him apprehensive.

Don’t screw this up.

When he answered the door, he found her admiring the entryway. It was a large area enclosed in skylights. The sun shined around her, bouncing off her hair, surrounding her. Angelic, he thought.What am I about to do to this vision before me? Corrupt her mind, body, and soul. God help her. God help me.

“Hey.” She turned and smiled at him, focusing on him with those wide, trusting eyes. “This building is off the charts. I can’t wait to see the inside.”

“Please come in.” He directed her toward the foyer. “Let me take your jacket.”

“I brought wine.” She handed him the bottle. “I’m not sure it will go with lunch, but I didn’t want to come empty-handed.”

“That was thoughtful of you.” He read the label. “It’s perfect.” He leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. If he attempted more, they would bypass the kitchen and head straight for his bedroom.

He helped her out of her jacket and hung it in the closet. Dark skinny jeans graced her long legs. He trailed his gaze up her body, admiring how the silky blue tank top that sat above her waist revealed her flat, tanned stomach. “You can leave your bag there, if you’d like.” He pointed to the foyer table. “The kitchen is this way.” He headed down the hall with her following behind him.

“Your place is gorgeous,” she said. “I didn’t realize how big it would be. It’s hard to judge from the outside of some of these buildings.”

“This one was two separate units. I bought them both so I could have two floors.” He stepped into the kitchen. “It works well for me.”

“Wow.” Her eyes widened when she joined him. “This kitchen is fabulous. Do you cook much?”

“Hardly.” He retrieved a wine glass out of the cabinet. “I don’t have that kind of time, but with the amount of money I invested in this apartment, it made sense to put in an upgraded kitchen.” He uncorked the wine and poured her a glass. He grabbed a bottle of sparkling water for himself. “Please have a seat. I hope you like chicken salad.”

“It looks delicious.” She sat on the high-top stool at the island. “Aren’t you having wine?”

“Not now.” He sat next to her. “I don’t drink when Ientertain.” He liked to keep his wits about him. His mind had to be sharp, so he could make sure his partner was okay with what was going on in the bedroom.

“I don’t have to have it either.”

“You should have it.” He grinned as he set it in front of her. “One glass might be a good idea.”

“You want me drunk?”

“No, just relaxed.” He handed her a plate. “Help yourself.”

“I have been a little nervous,” she admitted as she placed a sandwich and some fruit on her plate.

“I’d be worried if you weren’t.”

“There’s something we haven’t discussed yet, and I think we should.” She tapped her fingers on the granite. “It’s probably not a big deal right now, but what should we do, if anything, about Jack?”

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