“You don’t have to do anything tonight you don’t want to,” he said. “You know that, right?”
When she didn’t respond, he said, “Right?”
She nodded.
“I would love for you to stay the night, but if you want me to take you home after dinner, I will. No pressure. I want you to feel comfortable.”
She looked up at him. “I don’t want to run this time. Please, don’t let me run.”
He frowned. “Beth.”
“Please, Shane. Promise me.”
He shook his head, his expression a mix of conflicting emotions. “I’m not going to pressure you to stay,” he said.
“I’m not asking you to pressure me.”
“Then what are you asking?”
She shrugged, clearly frustrated. “I don’t know. Just don’t let me run. Promise me.”
“All right, I promise.” Shane turned her so that they were both facing the mirrored wall in the elevator. “Look at us,” he said. He moved behind her, his hands settling on her shoulders as he held her against him.
She gazed at their reflection, mesmerized by the sight of the two of them together. The contrast between them was stark. She was pale in comparison to him, and her body was dwarfed by his height and broad shoulders. Just looking at him made her feel weak in the knees.
One of his arms snaked around her torso, just under her breasts, pulling her back against his chest. He leaned down, putting his mouth to her ear. “You take my breath away, Beth,” he said, his blue eyes glittering hotly as he met her gaze in the mirror. “Since the first moment I saw you, I’ve been a wreck. I want you more than I want my next breath.”
Their gazes locked in the mirror, and the heat in his expression generated a corresponding heat low in her belly. She could feel his erection pressing against her lower back. His hand came up and played with a tendril of hair that hung down to her shoulder, coaxing the strand to wrap around his long index finger.
“I love your hair,” he said, pressing his lips to the side of her neck.
Beth tilted her head to the side, giving him access to her throat. She shivered at the feel of his lips on her sensitive skin.
He released the tendril of her hair and ran his fingers up into her loose updo, his fingers stroking her scalp. Tingles rippled through her. “I want to take your hair down and feel it brushing against my skin.”
She closed her eyes and melted into him, and his arms tightened around her, providing some badly needed support. He could seduce her so easily. One hot glance, his mouth on her skin, his heated breath in her ear, and she was lost. It frightened her to think how easy it would be for him to simply take what he wanted from her.
The elevator came to a gliding stop, and Shane turned Beth to face him. “I meant what I said.” He dropped a light kiss on her mouth. “It’ll always be your call. Don’t forget that.”
The elevators doors slid open, and they stepped out into the foyer. Beth came to an abrupt halt when she saw a man standing in front of a door across the room. His gray hair was cut short, and he had a handsome face with a strong jaw line and warm brown eyes framed by dark lashes. He was clean shaven, fit, with well defined biceps and a lean abdomen. He was dressed in worn blue jeans and a black t-shirt that molded itself to his muscular torso.
The man straightened and smiled warmly at Beth. “Good evening, Miss Jamison,” he said, with a faint southern drawl.
“Good evening,” she said, feeling at a distinct disadvantage. She glanced at Shane.
“Sweetheart, this is Daniel Cooper. He shares the penthouse with me. He’s my best friend and right-hand man.”
“Somebody has to keep an eye on the big boss,” Cooper said, winking at Beth.
She couldn’t help smiling. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Cooper.”
“Just Cooper,” the man said.
“Cooper, this is Beth Jamison,” Shane said, completing the introductions.
Cooper nodded at Beth. “It’s a pleasure, ma’am,” he said. Then the man turned his attention to Shane. “The caterers are almost finished setting up.”
“Thanks, Cooper,” Shane said. He handed Beth’s overnight bag to Cooper. “Would you mind putting this in my suite?”
“Sure thing,” Cooper said, failing to suppress a knowing grin.
Beth blushed hotly. That man knew she was planning to spend the night!
Cooper opened the door to the apartment for them, and he followed them in. “I’ll be in the office if you need me,” he said to Shane, then turned to walk away.
“Cooper.”
Cooper stopped and looked back at Shane.
“Hold all calls this evening,” Shane said.
“Understood,” Cooper said, with a ghost of a smile on his face.
Shane led Beth into an open space of immense proportions, and she found it hard not to gawk. She’d thought her brother’s condo in Lincoln Park was fancy, but it was nothing compared to this. There was so much space! She glanced around, finding it hard to take it all in at once.
As Shane led her further into the room, she found her eyes fixed on the exterior wall, which was floor to ceiling glass, providing an unimpeded view of Lake Michigan in the distance. The vista was breathtaking as the lake stretched as far as the eye could see.
Despite its grand size and soaring ceilings, the apartment felt cozy. The polished dark hardwood floors and the earth tones of the furnishings and area rugs created a sense of warmth. This apartment was a real home, not just a showcase with an astronomical price tag.
“Why don’t you sit and relax while I check on dinner?” Shane said, leading her to a seating area in front of a stone hearth.
“Thanks.” Sitting down right now sounded like a really good idea. She needed a few moments to collect herself.
She dropped down onto a sofa that sat facing a wood-burning fireplace, which was currently ablaze. The scent of the burning wood and the sizzle and pop of the flames were familiar and comforting. A large flat-screen television hung above the fireplace on a towering stone hearth that reached up to the high ceiling.
The apartment was an unexpected combination of elegance and rustic charm. “Your apartment is beautiful, Shane,” she said.
“I’m glad you like it,” he said. “But I can’t take credit for it. My sister Sophie is an interior decorator. If I’d decorated the apartment, it would probably look like a bus station.”
Beth’s laughter was interrupted by the appearance of a striking young woman with a short bob of black hair and dark eyes. She looked tidy and professional in her black trousers and black dress shirt and tie. In her hands was a small, silver tray bearing two slender wine glasses filled with a light golden bubbling wine.
“Good evening, Mr. McIntyre, Miss Jamison. I’m Danielle. Robbie and I will be serving you this evening. Would you care for an aperitif? We brought a lovely Prosecco, a Mionetto Rosé, compliments of Mr. Capelli. He thought Miss Jamison would like it.”
Shane took both of the wine glasses from the tray and handed one to Beth. “Thank you, Danielle,” he said. He took a tasting sip. “It’s perfect. Please give Peter my thanks.”
“I’ll be sure to tell him, sir,” Danielle said. “Dinner will be ready to serve in about ten minutes. If you’d care to relax, I’ll come get you when we’re ready.” With a respectful nod, Danielle headed back to the kitchen on the far side of the open floor.
Shane took another sip of the wine. “I asked Peter to send something you might like. It’s sweet and fruity; I think you’ll like it.”
Shane joined her on the sofa and lifted his glass to hers. “To a memorable evening.”
Beth touched her glass to his. “Cheers.” She took a sip of the wine.
“I told Peter you weren’t much of a drinker and to choose the wines accordingly. If you don’t care for it, there are plenty of soft drinks and fruit juices in the bar.” He watched her sip the wine again. “Would you prefer something different?”
“No, no, this is fine,�
� she said. She took another sip, hoping the wine would settle her nerves a bit. “It’s very good.”
Shane picked up the remote control on the coffee table and pressed a couple of buttons. The quiet, soulful strains of old-fashioned delta blues filled the apartment.
Beth smiled. “Muddy Waters. You have good taste in music, Mr. McIntyre.”
“You know Muddy Waters?” he said, clearly surprised.
She nodded. “My brother’s taken me to a lot of barbecue joints. I know my blues.”
“What type of music do you like?” he said.
“I like just about everything,” she said, taking another sip of wine.
She took in the collection of antique tavern signs artfully arranged on the interior red brick wall. Period light fixtures showcased the chipped and faded signs. “Are those real?”
“Yes. I like to use reclaimed building materials,” he said. “The bar over there came from an old tavern in Lincoln Park that was slated to be demolished to make room for a new shopping center.”
“This place is amazing,” she said, looking around.
He smiled. “Thank you.”
Danielle reappeared. “Mr. McIntyre, dinner is served.”
Shane stood and offered Beth his arm. “Shall we?”
“I would be delighted, sir,” she said, standing. “Should we bring the wine?”
He shook his head, setting her wine glass on the sofa table. “There’ll be a different wine with the meal. I just need you.”
Shane escorted Beth to the dining table, where two place settings were laid out at one end. The lights in the apartment dimmed throughout the floor, and an elaborate crystal chandelier hanging over the dining room table came on, casting a golden light over the table setting. There were a half-dozen tapered candles, already lit, randomly placed at their end of the table. The setting was beautiful and romantic, and she realized he’d gone to a lot of effort to make the evening perfect.
As soon as they sat, Danielle and a young man with short, curly blond hair came to the table carrying wide, shallow bowls.
“Italian Wedding Soup,” Danielle said as she placed a bowl in front of Shane.
Her companion set the other bowl in front of Beth. “I’m Robbie,” he said.
Danielle returned to the table with two salads. Robbie carried in a basket of sliced warm bread and another bottle of wine – a Chianti, he said – which he presented to Shane for inspection.
Robbie opened the bottle with a well-practiced flourish. “May I pour you a glass, sir?” Robbie said.
“Please,” Shane said.
Robbie poured Shane a small amount of the dark red wine. Shane took a sip and nodded, and then Robbie filled both Shane’s glass and Beth’s.
Danielle and Robbie remained standing quietly at attention, and Beth wondered if they were going to stand there watching them throughout the entire meal.
Shane tasted the soup. “Excellent, thank you,” he said, and Danielle and Robbie visibly relaxed.
Beth tasted the soup as well. “It’s delicious.”
Danielle smiled at the praise and said, “Thank you, ma’am.”
“We have Pasta Bolognese for the main course and Tiramisu for dessert,” Robbie said.
“Thank you both,” Shane said. “Please, help yourselves in the kitchen.”
That must have been the cue they were waiting for, because they retreated quietly to the kitchen, leaving Shane and Beth to enjoy their meal in private. Beth was relieved when they left; their attentive hovering was making her self-conscious.
When they finished their soup and salad, Danielle and Robbie reappeared as if on cue. Danielle cleared away the dishes, while Robbie set out plates of pasta. He poured Shane another glass of the Chianti and asked Beth if she wanted her glass topped off, but she declined and asked for a glass of water instead.
Once again, they were left to enjoy their meals. Beth was blown away by the delicious food and the beautiful table. It was like dining at a 5-star restaurant at home. She’d never experienced anything so extravagant.
“This is an amazing meal, Shane. Thank you.”
He smiled. “I’m glad you like it. This is one of the perks of having friends in the restaurant business.”
“I’ll never be able to eat all of this, though,” she said, looking at the bowl of pasta in front of her. There was enough food in front of her to feed a small army.
“Just eat what you want,” he said. “We can have the leftovers tomorrow, if you’d like.”
Tomorrow. As in, she was going to be an overnight guest?
And just like that, she lost her appetite. Butterflies began tumbling wildly in her stomach, and she felt a little queasy. She didn’t want to stuff herself if what she thought might happen tonight actually happened. From the way Shane kept looking at her with his heated gaze, she suspected that it just might happen. And the thought of being intimate with him definitely killed her appetite.
“The pasta’s delicious, but I’d better stop now,” she said, laying down her fork. She picked up a burgundy cloth napkin and discretely touched her mouth, just in case she was wearing some of the delectable sauce.
He frowned at her plate. “You hardly touched your food. Would you rather have something else?”
“No! The food is wonderful. I just can’t eat any more.”
She sipped her water while Shane finished his meal. When he laid down his own fork and wiped his mouth, Beth’s heart rate kicked up a notch.
“You have to have some dessert, though,” he said, giving her the most disarming smile.
As if on cue, Danielle carried in two dishes of Tiramisu and set one down in front of each of them.
“I’d better not,” Beth said.
Shane picked up his dessert spoon and scooped up a small bite of his Tiramisu and offered it to Beth. “Just one bite?”
She opened her mouth, and Shane slipped the spoon between her lips. His gaze was fixated on her lips as they closed around the spoon.
“Oh, wow,” she moaned, tasting the sweet combination of cream, espresso, and chocolate. The spongy cake literally melted on her tongue. “That’s really good.”
“Another bite?” he said, offering her another spoonful.
Beth grinned. “All right. Just one more.” She opened her mouth for him to feed her another spoonful of the creamy confection.
“You have some cream on your lip,” he said, reaching out to wipe her bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. He licked the cream from his thumb, never taking his eyes off her as he watched her cheeks flush. My God, she had no idea how sensual she was.
He was watching her intently, and she was pretty sure it wasn’t Italian desserts he had on his mind. But the glitter in his eyes was giving her a little bit of confidence, so she thought that two could play this game. She used her own spoon to scoop up some of her dessert and held it out for him.
Shane reached out and wrapped his fingers around her hand, guiding her spoon to his mouth. He readily opened his mouth and drew the spoon inside, his gaze never once leaving hers. When she pulled the empty spoon back, he leaned forward and kissed her, and they both tasted like sweet cream and chocolate.
Shane growled as his hand slipped around to the back of her head and he held her still for a deeper kiss. “Hmm, dessert as foreplay,” he said. “I don’t think I can take much more. I’ll tell the caterers we’re finished.” He rose from the table. “We can save the leftovers for tomorrow, unless Cooper eats it all in the night. How’s that?”
Beth nodded, and her nerves went into a sudden tailspin. Her expression must have given her away, because Shane looked down at her.
“Relax, sweetheart,” he said, reaching down to gently touch her face. “No pressure, right?”
She’d never been any good at hiding her emotions.
“Why don’t you go sit by the fire and relax?” he suggested, pulling her chair back from the table. “I’ll show Danielle and Robbie out.”
Beth stood. “Thank you for a
wonderful dinner,” she said. “And please thank Danielle and Robbie for me.”
“You’re welcome, and I will.” Shane leaned forward and planted a chaste kiss on her lips. “Go sit down before you fall down. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
Beth was only too happy to escape for a few minutes. She headed back to the sofa and sat in front of the fire, which was a soothing distraction. She leaned her head back on the sofa cushion and closed her eyes, focusing her mind on the quiet music coming through the sound system. In the background, she could hear Shane speaking with the caterers, thanking them as he walked them to the door.
A few minutes later, she felt the sofa cushions dip as he joined her on the sofa.
“They’re gone.”
She opened her eyes and looked at Shane. He’d loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.
“Are you all right?” he said.
She nodded. “I’m fine.”
“You’re very quiet.”
She chuckled. “I think I’m in a 5-star coma.”
“I hope you mean that in a good way.”
“I do,” she said. “The food was amazing, especially the dessert.”
Shane picked up the remote control and pressed a couple buttons. The soft blues segued into big band and the air was filled with the unmistakable vocals of Frank Sinatra telling some lucky lady he had a crush on her.
Shane stood and offered Beth his hand. “Dance with me.”
Despite the fact that her heart immediately took off into a gallop, she took Shane’s hand and let him pull her up from the sofa and lead her to an open space in the middle of the room. The sun was setting, and the night sky was now a light shade of indigo. Out on the lake, lights from the chartered cruises sparkled like diamonds on the water, as the stars twinkled faintly overhead in the clear night sky.
Shane pulled Beth into his arms.
“I’m not very good at this,” she said, trying to follow his subtle movements without stepping on him.
Vulnerable: (McIntyre Security Bodyguard Series - Book 1) Page 13