by Sarah Morgan
She was so anxious about Valentine she could barely summon a smile. “So you really are a Knight? What sort? White or shining armor?”
“I guess that all depends on perspective.”
“I think I’ve lost all perspective.”
Dark brows met in a frown. “You need to sit down, but first we should both clean up. Take a shower, then I’ll make us something to eat. Whatever questions you have can wait until then.” He led the way upstairs. “There’s a guest bedroom and bathroom you can use. Help yourself to towels. I’ll find something for you to wear and leave it on the bed.”
She’d given no thought to the state of her clothes, but now she realized she was almost as much of a mess as he was.
“Valentine ruined your suit. And what he started, the rain finished. I’ll pay to have it cleaned. And if it’s beyond repair, then I’ll—”
“Molly,” he interrupted her gently. “Go take a shower.”
“Right. Shower. Sounds good.” She felt tears sting her eyes and blinked rapidly. Crying on him would be the final insult to his suit. She turned away but Daniel reached out and caught her arm.
“He’s going to be fine, Molly.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. I have good instincts.” He let his hand drop, as if he’d decided touching her was a bad idea. “You’re shivering. Get in the shower. And don’t lock the door. If you keel over, I want to be able to drag you out before you drown.”
“I’m not going to keel over.”
“Maybe not, but don’t lock the door.” He left the room and she gazed at her surroundings.
If the circumstances had been different she would have been reaching for her phone and sneaking photographs because she was unlikely to see this view again in her lifetime.
She’d never been inside an apartment on Fifth Avenue. The generous expanse of glass that framed the room boasted an incredible view of Central Park. In her apartment, if she stood on the toilet and leaned out of the window, she could see the tops of a few trees, but no way would she ever be able to claim to see the park.
She stripped off her clothes, left them in the room and walked into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the stress of the past couple of hours. She tried not to think about Daniel, a man she barely knew, just a few steps away.
They hadn’t even been on a proper date, and yet without him she wasn’t sure she would have made it through tonight.
Afraid of missing a phone call from the vet, she didn’t linger. Wrapped in an oversize towel, she walked back into the bedroom and saw a pair of jeans and a sweater lying on the bed. The sweater was a soft shade of pink. You didn’t need a qualification in psychology to know it belonged to a woman who wasn’t afraid to release her girlie side.
She wondered how many women had left clothes in Daniel’s apartment.
Her own clothes had vanished, so she had no choice but to wear the ones he’d left her.
The jeans were a tight fit, but the sweater was perfect and it felt good to be clean, even if she did look like a swirl of fondant icing.
“Are you decent?” The deep tones of his voice came through the door and suddenly she felt self-conscious, which was ridiculous given that she was here because of Valentine. It wasn’t romantic, or even personal. In fact her presence in his apartment didn’t have anything to do with their relationship at all.
“Yes.” She croaked out the word. “Come in.”
He strolled into the room and the sudden heat almost suffocated her. Maybe it wasn’t romantic, but it felt personal. Suddenly all she could think about was the way his mouth had felt on hers. The searing heat, the urgency, the dizzying chemistry.
“The clothes fit? I would have given you a bathrobe, but it would have swamped you.”
The thought of walking around his apartment naked under a robe did nothing to cool the heat pumping around her body.
“The clothes are fine, thank you, although whichever one of your girlfriends left them is a little smaller than me.” She tugged slightly at the jeans and saw his gaze travel slowly down her body and linger on her hips.
“They belong to my sister.” His voice was huskier. Thicker. Layered with a new intimacy as if he, too, was reacting to the forced familiarity. “I don’t entertain a whole lot of overnight guests.”
She’d assumed his apartment was as busy as Grand Central Station with women coming and going according to a strict timetable. “Fliss?”
“Harriet.” The corner of his mouth flickered. “Fliss wouldn’t be seen dead wearing pink. She’d think it was some sort of statement. If you know her, then you probably know that.”
“I don’t know her well. We exchange a few words when I drop off Valentine, that’s all.” But now she had a million questions, most of them about Daniel. She’d thought he was a player, but now he was telling her he didn’t have overnight guests. “Having a woman in your apartment is unfamiliar?”
“I work long hours, more hours than most relationships can tolerate. When I date—and that is nowhere near as often as rumor would have you believe—I’m often late, or I end up canceling, so most of the time I relax by seeing friends. I sent your clothes to be cleaned, by the way, along with my suit. They’ll be back here tomorrow. You must be hungry. Come downstairs and I’ll make you something to eat.” He walked out of the room and she stared after him, digesting everything he’d said.
Her stomach was knotted with tension, as were her limbs. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to force food past her dry throat.
She told herself her lack of appetite was caused by anxiety about Valentine, but in reality she knew the cause was more complicated than that.
She followed him, passing a large book-lined study and a master bedroom decorated in muted shades of green and brown. The place had a feel of understated luxury, but it was lived-in luxury, as if every design feature was there to add comfort for the inhabitant, not to impress.
The stairs were an elegant curve of contemporary glass and the centerpiece of the living room was more glass, the floor-to-ceiling windows framing the dazzling lights of Fifth Avenue and the darkened expanse of Central Park.
Almost as eye-catching was the artwork on his walls.
“Are you interested in art?” He opened a bottle of wine and poured two glasses.
“Yes, but I’m not knowledgeable.” Now she wished she was. It would have provided them with a safe, neutral topic of conversation at a moment when she badly needed it. “Are you a collector?”
“It’s an interest of mine.”
“That’s why you chose to live in this area?”
“One of the reasons. Then there’s the fact that I like the view, and it’s close to my office. I’m not a big fan of commuting.”
The mention of his office reminded her that she owed him an apology. “Listen, about today…” She slid onto one of the stools by the granite counter, feeling uncomfortable. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For showing up at your office with Brutus and—”
“And embarrassing me?”
She caught a glimpse of his smile before he turned and reached for his wine. “You didn’t seem embarrassed.”
“Trust me, it’s going to take a while to live that experience down. It’s the first time a woman I’m seeing has shown up at my office. And you shouldn’t apologize. You were angry, and you had every right to be. Still do.”
She was about to say that she wasn’t seeing him, and then realized how ridiculous that would sound. She was sitting in his apartment, her hair still wet from the shower she’d taken in his bathroom. And then there was that kiss. The fact that neither of them had mentioned it didn’t change the fact that it hovered between them. If anything, not mentioning it increased its significance.
“You carried my sick dog to the vet. Right now you can pretty much do anything and I’d think you were a hero.”
“I’m not a hero, Molly.” The way he was watching her made her heart beat faste
r.
“The first time I saw you, I thought I had you sorted. I thought I knew who you were. It was the dog that threw me. You didn’t seem like the type to own a dog, and that really nagged at me.”
“There’s a type?”
“Yes. A dog is a responsibility and you didn’t strike me as a man who ties himself down.”
“Smart.”
“My instincts told me you were all about the light and the superficial.”
“I seem to remember I told you that, too.”
“Yes, and yet tonight, with my dog sick—what you did— what you’re doing—those aren’t the actions of a man who is superficial.” She broke off and met his gaze.
And then he smiled. “Don’t kid yourself. I helped with Valentine because I thought you’d be so grateful you’d get naked with me.”
“You want me to sleep with you out of gratitude?”
“As long as you’re naked, I don’t care about your motivation.”
She knew he was teasing her and it made her laugh. “You’re outrageous.”
“So is that a yes?”
“You’d take advantage of an emotionally vulnerable woman?”
“Definitely.” He topped up her wine. “But it won’t hurt to get you drunk, too, to make sure I’m covering all bases. Drunk, emotionally vulnerable women are my favorite type.”
“I don’t believe you for a moment. I think you’re a decent, honorable guy.”
“Damn. What gave me away?”
“You carried a Dalmatian who was being sick everywhere. And you gave me a place to stay, even though you don’t normally allow women to sleep over.”
“Just don’t leave a toothbrush or I’ll expect free therapy.” The gentle amusement in his tone made her pulse pound.
To distract herself, she took a sip of wine. Berries and wood smoke exploded on her palate. “This is delicious.”
“My neighbor and I share a passion for wine. This was one of his discoveries. We share tips.”
“You have neighbors?” She glanced around the spacious apartment. “It feels as if you’re in your own private castle.”
“There are other private castles close by. Which is useful on the days I need to borrow a cup of sugar.”
She laughed. “Or a dog.”
“That, too.” He topped up his glass. “Is that why you were so angry this morning? Not because I borrowed the dog, but because you misread me?”
“I was thrown.” The alcohol slid into her veins and she felt some of the tension in her body ease. “I formed an opinion of you based on your relationship with Brutus. And then it turned out you didn’t have a relationship with Brutus, so none of the things I thought about you were true. It was confusing.”
He put his glass down. “My relationship with Brutus is real enough.”
“You’re fond of him. And given that you only borrowed him to make me notice you, that surprises me.”
He grinned. “It surprises the hell out of me, too. Brutus is a great character. Turns out I might be more of a dog person than either of us thought.”
Every conversation she had with him seemed to erode another of her defenses. He was charming, that was true, but usually she found charm easy to resist. Charm could be all surface and it could tarnish under certain conditions. But there was so much more to Daniel Knight than charm.
“Are you telling me you’re thinking of buying a dog?”
“No. I’m telling you I like Brutus. It’s an individual thing.” He pushed his phone toward her. “I didn’t call the vet. I thought you’d want to do that. While you talk to them, I’ll make us something to eat.”
“Thanks.” She took the phone, almost afraid to use it in case the news was bad.
“Do you want me to do it?”
She was touched as much by the fact that he understood her thought process as she was by his offer.
“No. But thank you.” She gripped the phone and dialed, all the time telling herself that if it was bad news they would have called.
It turned out she was right. There was no news. Valentine’s condition was the same, and so far none of the tests had shown anything useful.
“No change.” She pushed the phone back toward Daniel. “They’re still pretty sure he must have eaten something, but without knowing what they can only give him supportive treatment. They said something about trying to maintain normal function of the organs until whatever he ate is flushed out through his body.”
“Harriet called twice while you were in the shower. She’s worried.”
“Harriet is wonderful. When you told me you had sisters, I had no idea it was Fliss and Harry.”
“I didn’t know you knew them, otherwise I would have insisted on an introduction. Would have been easier than borrowing a dog.”
“I still can’t believe you did that. Are you always that inventive?”
“No, but you were totally engrossed in your dog and it seemed like the only way to get your attention.”
“Was the running in the park for my benefit, too?”
“I’ve been running in the park for years. It’s the best part of the day. After the sun comes up and before the crowds arrive.”
She felt the same way. “This morning when I went to your offices I never in a million years dreamed I’d be spending the night in your apartment.” In the moment of crisis she hadn’t given it much thought. She’d snatched at the chance to stay as close to Valentine as possible. Only now, when the immediate crisis was receding, was she starting to feel the intimacy of their situation. Whatever the reason, it didn’t change the fact that she was alone with him, sharing dinner and sleeping under the same roof.
She was acutely aware of him.
She told herself that she was feeling this way because of Valentine. Daniel had been strong, decisive and protective. And it was perfectly fine to lean on someone occasionally. That didn’t make her weak or incapable. It made her human. And any woman would feel fluttery under those circumstances.
He studied her for a long, disconcerting moment and then turned and tugged open the fridge. “I wasn’t expecting guests, so the level of hospitality isn’t going to impress you. I have cheese and cold cuts that will go perfectly with the wine. And don’t tell me you’re not hungry. You need to eat. If you don’t, you’ll faint and I’ve delivered my quota of medical care for one day.” He pulled various items from the fridge, removed the wrappings and arranged them on plates. “No bread. Wait there while I make a call.”
She took another sip of wine, promising herself that she’d eat a few mouthfuls and then make her excuses and go to bed. She’d close the door between them and everything would be fine.
As she formulated her plan, she heard him say “Do you have any of your delicious bread?” to someone on the phone, and wondered who he could be calling this late. Did he intend to go roaming Manhattan looking for fresh bread? Or was he ordering takeout?
Moments later there was a knock on the door and she heard a female voice. “I brought bread, and you’re in luck because I was experimenting with bite-size quiches for an event we’re doing next month, so I need tasters. Try it and tell me what you think.”
“Isn’t Lucas doing that?”
“He already has. His feedback was ‘tasty,’ but he says if I don’t cook a big fat juicy steak sometime in the next twenty-four hours, he’s going to put me in a book and kill me.”
Recognizing the voice, Molly slid off the stool and walked to the door. “Eva?”
The pretty blonde laughing with Daniel turned her head. “Molly! Well, this is a surprise.” She thrust the food she was carrying into Daniel’s arms and the next moment Molly was wrapped in a cloud of perfume, warmth and friendship.
“What are you doing here?” She pulled away, thinking not for the first time that Eva was possibly the friendliest person she’d ever met. “I thought you lived in Brooklyn?”
“I do. I mean, I did. I spend most of my time here now because I’m with Lucas, and I can’t drag him awa
y when he’s on a deadline. Also his kitchen makes an amazing backdrop for my YouTube videos. What are you doing here? Now I think of it, this is the first time I’ve ever met a woman in Daniel’s apartment.” She gave Daniel a meaningful look and Molly intervened.
“Valentine is sick, and Daniel helped me, and this place is closer to the vet’s so—”
“Valentine is sick?” Eva’s expression changed from curious to worried. “How sick?” The horror in her voice made it all the more real and Molly felt the panic she’d suppressed bubble to the surface again.
“Pretty sick.”
“But he’s going to be fine,” Daniel said. “How do you two know each other?”
“Molly is a client of Urban Genie. We were the ones who fixed her up with the Bark Rangers. Do you have everything you need? You’re happy with your choice of vet? Can I fill your fridge? Do your laundry? Anything at all that will help you focus on Valentine, just let me know.”
Molly was so touched that for a moment she couldn’t speak.
Daniel took over. “You can fill my fridge,” he drawled. “The contents are pitiful.”
“You don’t have a meal plan?”
“My plan is to get my guests drunk so that they don’t notice the lack of food.”
Eva laughed. “I took a call from Marsha today. Do you know about that?”
“Is this about the summer party?”
“That’s the one. I knew you were behind it. Thank you.”
“Much as I’d love to claim the credit, it was all Marsha’s idea. Your reputation is spreading.”
“You won’t regret it. I promise it will be a party to remember.”
“It usually is, although often for the wrong reasons. Certain members of my team tend to let their hair down.”
“Nothing we can’t handle. Now go and eat.” Eva gestured to the food. “The quiches only came out of the oven half an hour ago so they’re still warm. Do you have salad? I can get some.”
“You should join us,” Molly said impulsively. Any moment now the door would close behind Eva and she would be left alone with Daniel. She wasn’t sure she could handle the deepening intimacy.
His questioning glance told her he knew exactly why she’d issued the invitation.