Page 49 of Three Sweet Nothings (The Blindfold Club)

“Okay.” He climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine, which purred instead of roared. “Explain why me being a gentleman has you upset.”

“No dates, no flowers, no opening doors. This,” I motioned between us, “is just sex.” I needed to keep him firmly compartmentalized, or my feelings would stray into a muddy, gray area of emotion.

His expression was smug. “Please point out to me where in our agreement it says I can’t do anything you label as romantic.”

My face twisted as I tried to recall the exact wording he’d used in the text. Surely it was in the non-negotiable final paragraph.

But, was it?

Oh, shit. No. It wasn’t.

His tone was evil, yet attractive. “If I want to open doors for you, Ruby, I’m fucking going to.”

And with that, we were off.

For the first few minutes, we were quiet. I stared out the window and settled into the seat. Should I have been surprised I felt comfortable? Like no time had passed between us? I frowned. So much had changed.

I studied him as the stop lights and glowing neon of shop signs strobed colors over his face. One hand was perched at the top of the steering wheel and the other was on his thigh, fingers splayed out. He looked at ease, yet in command. His brown hair was perfectly styled, and when I drew in a deep breath, I caught a hint of his sexy cologne.

His head was fixed forward, but the corner of his mouth curled into a half smile.

“What?” I asked.

“You’re looking at me.”

“And?”

He braked slowly as we hit a yellow light, and his gaze turned my direction. His voice was smooth as velvet. “I like having your attention.”

Uh oh. I turned away from him so fast I risked getting whiplash. I didn’t want him to see the effect his words held. After what we’d done this afternoon in his office, anticipation was thick between us. It clung to my skin like a matte coating. It couldn’t be seen, but it could certainly be felt.

“How is it,” he asked, “over at Sterns and Clifford?”

“It’s all right.” My voice went quiet. “I thought I’d be out of the junior pool by now.” He made a noise of agreement, and when he didn’t say anything else, it prompted me to ask him, “What about you? How is it working for your parents?”

It was so subtle, the way his shoulders tensed and his grip increased on the steering wheel. “It’s fine.”

Yeah, that was convincing. I wasn’t going to press him, though. Kyle had always been closed off, and perhaps it was good to keep distance. “Sounds like they keep you busy. Today was the only spot I could get. Your assistant said you were booked solid.”

He grinned, and before he said anything, I knew.

“Shit,” I groaned. “You set me up.”

“I wasn’t sure how much convincing you were going to take.” He shot me a quick look and his eyes were full of mischief. “Or how loud you’d be while I was persuading you.”

“Asshole.” But was I mad about his manipulation? No, I wasn’t. I liked to think I could dish it out as well as I could take it.

The turn signal on his car ticked as we waited to make a left. Traffic was cooperating for once, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Being in this quiet, confined space with him was overpowering.

His voice dipped low. “Did you fill out your list?”

My heart beat faster. “Yes.”

“Did you bring it with you?”

Of course I did. This was supposed to be a business meeting, and I wasn’t going to show up for one unprepared. The fucking list was burning a hole in the purse sitting on my lap, and I’d swear I could feel the heat of it on my legs. Most definitely between them. It fried the ability to be anything but serious.

“Yes,” I whispered.

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