Book 1 - Page 52 (1/2)

I beat my fist against his chest, which was as effectual as. .h.i.tting a rock wall. ”What's wrong with you? You can go out with a catty b.i.t.c.h who calls me a wh.o.r.e and thinks she's going to marry you, but I can't have lunch with a dear friend who's been pulling for you from the beginning?”

”Eva.” He cupped the back of my head with one hand and pressed his cheek to my temple. ”Maggie just happened to be at the same restaurant where I had dinner with my business a.s.sociates.”

”I don't care. You want to talk about a look on someone's face. The look on yours...How could you look at her like that after what she said to me?”

”Angel...” His lips moved ardently over my face. ”That look was for you. Maggie caught me outside and I told her I was heading home to you. I can't help how I look when I'm thinking about us being alone together.”

”And you expect me to believe she smiled about that?”

”She told me to tell you h.e.l.lo, but I figured that wouldn't go over well, and there was no way I was ruining our night over her.”

My arms slid around his waist beneath his jacket. ”We need to talk. Tonight, Gideon. There are things I have to tell you. If a reporter looks in the right place and gets lucky...We have to keep our relations.h.i.+p private or end it. Either would be better for you.”

Gideon cupped my face and pressed his forehead to mine. ”Neither is an option. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out.”

I pushed up onto my toes and pressed my mouth to his. Our tongues stroked and dipped, the kiss wildly pa.s.sionate. I was vaguely aware of the mult.i.tude of people milling around us, the buzz of numerous conversations, and the steady rumble of the ceaseless midtown traffic, but none of it mattered while I was sheltered by Gideon. Cherished by him. He was both tormentor and pleasurer, a man whose mood swings and volatile pa.s.sions rivaled my own.

”There,” he whispered, running his fingertips down my cheek. ”Let that go viral.”

”You're not listening to me, you crazy stubborn man. I have to go.”

”We'll ride home together after work.” He backed away, holding my hand until distance pulled our fingers apart.

When I turned toward the ivy-draped restaurant, I saw Mark and Steven waiting for me by the entrance. They made such a pair with Mark in his suit and tie, and Steven in his worn jeans and boots.

Steven stood with his hands in his pockets and big grin on his attractive face. ”I feel like I should applaud. That was better than watching a chick flick.”

My face heated and I s.h.i.+fted on my feet.

Mark opened the door and waved me inside. ”I think you can ignore my previous words of wisdom about Cross's womanizing.”

”Thanks for not firing me,” I replied wryly as we waited for the hostess to check our reservation and table. ”Or at least feeding me first.”

Steven patted my shoulder. ”Mark can't afford to lose you.”