The Seductive Truth

by Elizabeth Lennox

  Grabbing her purse, she headed down to the lobby, on a mission to get coffee. But not from the coffee shop across the street. No way! Not after what had happened to Jane yesterday! There was a small booth in the lobby that sold coffee.

  The coffee shop line moved forward and she shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs. Unfortunately, she couldn’t get her mind off of last night and her arguments with Stephen. Yeah, she’d enjoyed the arguments. It had been a long time since she’d had anyone worthy of that kind of cerebral effort. And the discussion about favorite places to travel had been extremely nice. But one conversation did not make him a good candidate for her next lover.

  Although, that kiss in the elevator had been…mind-blowing. She was honest enough with herself to acknowledge that no man had ever kissed her that way. Never before had she stopped thinking, almost stopped breathing during a kiss. No man had ever affected her in that way.

  So yeah, she gave him credit for that.

  But all the other stuff…he’d just been annoying.

  “Rough night?” a deep voice asked from behind her.

  Tallia swung around, only to be confronted by a hard, broad chest and hands reaching out to steady her, which under any other situation, she might have appreciated. But since the object of her argumentative thoughts was standing here, the reason for her exhaustion looking so fresh, alive, handsome, and sexy…her temper flared.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” she snapped, stepping back so his hands would fall away.

  “Getting coffee,” he replied calmly and pulled her back towards him just before she stepped on another woman’s shoe. Tallia realized what was happening when the woman turned to glare at her. She groaned when she felt Stephen’s hands on her waist. His hands were strong and confident. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself a moment to enjoy his surprisingly gentle hold, and then bit her lip as she stepped away from him again, more carefully this time.

  “Why didn’t you just get coffee delivered to your room?” she asked, trying to be cool and calm. Tallia was not going to think about their kiss last night. It would be really bad if she kept thinking about it. So, just push it out of your mind, woman!

  Unfortunately, the more she tried to not think about kissing him, the more she thought about kissing him until it was all she could think about.

  “If you don’t stop looking at me like that, Tallia,” he growled with a low voice, “I’m going to take you out of here and…”

  She spun around, her spine stiffening when she heard his laughter too close to her ear. “Wise choice, my dear.”

  She shivered, but didn’t turn around. He was too close anyway. If she turned, she’d know exactly how close and she might do something stupid. Like touch him. Or encourage him in some other way. The man was too confident. He didn’t need any more encouragement.

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked over her shoulder.

  He leaned closer, his cheek dangerously close to her own. “What do you think I’m doing?”

  “You’re taunting me,” she snapped back, and moved forward as the line moved.

  “And what’s my ultimate goal?”

  She sighed and stepped to the side so he couldn’t whisper in her ear again. “Stephen, perhaps we should just be clear…”

  “Skinny chai latte and an extra-large coffee,” he announced, interrupting her.

  She swung her head around, startled to see that the cashier was waiting to take their order. And how in the world did he know what kind of coffee she preferred? Or was the chai latte for him? She looked up at him and almost laughed. He definitely wasn’t a latte kind of guy. She dug into her purse, determined to at least pay for her own coffee, but he swiped his own credit card in the machine before she even had her wallet out.

  “Stop doing that,” she grumbled as she moved towards the area where their coffees would be placed when they were ready.

  “Stop doing what?” he asked as he put a hand to the small of her back, guiding her away from the coffee line.

  “Stop…” she fluttered her hands around in the air. “Stop doing that thing where you get close to me.”

  In a flash, his hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her against his hard chest. “You mean, stop doing this?” he asked, his voice lower. And then his head came closer. “Or should I stop thinking about kissing you?” His lips hovered just above hers. “Everywhere!”

  Stephen couldn’t help it. He wanted this woman. It was the most bizarre thing, but even her ridiculous liberal attitudes and hippy clothes turned him on. Maybe it was more about her intelligence than her liberal drivel that he found attractive, but either way, he’d thought about her all night. Leaving her at her door had been the most difficult thing he’d ever done.

  He could see the dark circles under her pretty blue eyes and knew that she hadn’t slept any better than he had. Why hadn’t she knocked on his door and demanded that he finish what they’d started? Every other woman of his acquaintance would have done that.

  Then again, he hadn’t wanted any other woman like he wanted Tallia.

  It was just the chase. Most women he had sex with were brazen and he loved their confidence. Tallia had confidence in spades, but she pulled back every time he got close. He also knew that her resistance had nothing to do with their opposing political views, although he suspected that she was using that as her excuse not to become involved.

  Fat lot of good it was doing her. They couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other, evidenced by the fact that she was clinging to him just as much as he was holding onto her. And he loved it. He loved her small hands holding onto his arms, he loved the way her fingers tightened every time he came close to kissing her. He doubted she was even aware of the small signs she gave off, signs of her arousal, and there was no way in hell he was going to tell her. He’d bet good money on her stopping those sweet signs if she knew what she was doing.

  “Chai latte and large coffee!”

  “That’s us,” he grumbled and pulled her more tightly against his chest. With one arm around her back, he held her closely as his other hand reached behind her and stacked both coffees. He released her waist, but grabbed her hand. “Come with me,” he ordered and pulled her out of the hotel lobby.

  The morning air was cool and crisp, unlike the sweltering heat that would envelope the city during the summer months. The coolness would warm up as the sun rose higher during the day, but right now, it was nice and everything was done up in Christmas decorations, making the whole area feel much more festive than normal.

  “Where are we going?” she asked, rushing to keep up with him. “And slow down!” she snapped, tugging at her hand.

  He turned to look down at her, realized how much shorter she was than the women he normally dated and slowed.

  “Sorry about that. Most of the women I date are almost as tall as I am.”

  “We aren’t dating.”

  He smiled as he approached a bench. “Not yet.”

  “We’re never going to date, Stephen. We don’t even like each other.”

  “I like you.”

  Tallia stared up at him, shocked by his comment. “You do?”

  “Sure. You’re beautiful, intelligent, and compassionate. Funny at times and stubborn at other times. What’s not to like?”

  She blinked, not sure she understood him. “But we disagree about everything. I consider you an unfeeling republican trying to ruin the country.”

  “And I think you’re a bleeding heart democrat who naively thinks she can save the world.”

  She tilted her head slightly but he pulled her down so they were sitting on the bench together. He was still taller than she was, but it wasn’t as much of a tilt for her to look him in the eye. “If people care enough and with some good ideas that take others’ ideas and needs into consideration, we can save the world.”

  “Only if we’re all eating carrots and fungus for food. I’m a steak man,” he tugged her hand, realizing that she hadn’t even real
ized he was still holding it.

  “I like steak every once in a while,” she told him, feeling proud that she could admit that. Normally, she avoided eating meat, but every few months, she needed a good, juicy steak or sticky, melt-off-the-bones ribs.

  He laughed, shaking his head. “Admit it. You have tofu in your fridge.”

  She took the cup he handed her, carefully taking the top off so she could let the liquid cool a bit. “Of course I do. Grilled, marinated tofu is delicious. And I make a mean tofu mousse.”

  “Those are words that should never go together in the same sentence,” he came right back, enjoying the banter. And the soft, pink color in her cheeks. She really was extraordinarily beautiful, especially when she argued because her eyes lit up, had a definite sparkle. “Steak should be marinated. Tofu should be…” he searched, trying to find an appropriate reason for even uttering the word. “It should be left to rot on the grocery store shelves,” he finished.

  Her laughter sounded amazing. “Have you ever tried tofu?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve tried a lot of things while traveling around the world. But tofu…nope. Not going to happen.”

  He watched as she took a sip of her coffee, the smile glistening in her lovely eyes. “You never know,” she pointed out. “It might be just as delicious as steak.”

  “Nope. I won’t ever believe it and there’s no way you could convince me either. In fact, as a Texan, I think you should be banned from entering the state for even speaking those words. They indicate lunacy.”

  She laughed, but then relaxed back against the bench. They stared out at the others hurrying along the sidewalk while they discussed other culinary delights or horrors. Apparently, they both enjoyed cooking, but neither of them had enough time most nights to actually cook a meal. And both of them hated grocery shopping, which only complicated the cooking problem.

  “What about roasted chick peas or roasted black beans?”

  He looked at her skeptically. “You’re really into the beans and vegetarian lifestyle, aren’t you?”

  She laughed. “Not really. I don’t adhere to restrictions. I eat what interests me. But roasted beans are pretty good and a great, healthy snack.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Hot wings are a great snack. Nachos are a perfect snack, especially with jalapenos. Not roasted beans.” He snorted to emphasize his point. “Beans,” he scoffed. And their debate raged on as the crowds thinned out and the sun climbed higher.

  Tallia glanced at her watch and jumped. “I have to go!” she gasped. “Lillian was meeting all of us for some sort of walk about New Orleans. She’s showing us the sights. I’m late!”

  Stephen stood as well and before she could rush off, he took her hand and pulled her into his arms. For some reason, it didn’t seem as wrong this time as it had last night. In fact, as his lips covered hers, she lifted her head, eager for his kiss. As strange as it seemed, she didn’t want to leave him.

  So, when he pulled away after only a brief caress, she felt…wanting. Unsatisfied.

  “What time are you supposed to be finished with the tourist thing?” he asked, his arms still holding her firmly against his body.

  “I’m not sure,” she replied, her hands sliding against his chest, feeling the muscles underneath and enjoying the way they tensed whenever she moved her hands.

  “Meet me later,” he urged when she tried to pull away.

  She debated that for a long moment, about to tell him no when he stopped her.

  “Have dinner with me tonight. I’ll even order tofu,” he promised.

  Tallia laughed, stunned that he would go so far just to have dinner with her. “Since you promised, what time?”

  He shrugged. “Call my room when you get finished with your friends. We’ll figure out a plan.”

  She nodded, then realized she was still standing in the circle of his arms, not even trying to pull away, and shook her head at the blasphemy. “I need to go,” she repeated and was actually disappointed when he released her.

  Stepping back, she took both of their cups in her hands so she wouldn’t rush back to him and ask for just one more kiss. Walking fast, she tossed the cups into the recycling bin and hurried across the street into the hotel.

  Chapter 5

  Returning from an exhausting day out and about, Tallia entered the lobby with a cautious eye. Was he going to be here? She thought about this morning, about talking with him, laughing with him. He was a dangerous combination of charm and intelligence. She’d never been this confused about a man. On the one hand, she hated his opinions and everything he stood for. On the other hand, she was so attracted to him, it was like a physical ache, needing him to touch her.

  Lowering her head, she made her way through the busy lobby, praying that she could make it to her suite without being caught. She was tired, sweaty from walking through the city all day, and confused about how she really felt about Stephen.

  She was only using their opposing political views as a defense now. After their two conversations, she knew that they had a lot more in common with each other than she’d originally thought. And he was kind and charming in his own domineering way. But even that, she sort of liked because she preferred a confident man. She knew that standing up to him wouldn’t offend him in any way. So many men considered an argument to be a personal attack on their masculinity. It was unbelievable how many men thought women should simply accept their viewpoint.

  Tallia was a political journalist, it was her job to come up with opposing arguments. Her occupation, as well as her opinions, narrowed her field of dating material significantly. She suspected that she might intimidate some men as well. She certainly wasn’t shy about speaking out about issues that she felt strongly about.

  And yet, no matter how attracted she was to the man, he still scared the bejeezus out of her for some reason. Maybe because he wasn’t like the other men she’d dated. She couldn’t control him and she was definitely used to being in control.

  Sliding her key card into the door, she stepped into the cool suite and leaned against the door. Shower, she thought. Her priority at this moment was a shower. Maybe a bath? No, she wasn’t in the mood to linger. Besides, if she stayed here in her suite tonight, Stephen would find her. He might even accuse her of hiding from him. No way was she letting him know how nervous he made her.

  So instead, she stepped under the water and showered quickly, thinking to pull on something comfortable and grab a drink outside of the hotel. She could get Becca and Jane, they could all head out together.

  Lillian had mentioned she needed to talk with Phillip tonight, although she wasn’t exactly sure what was going on there. Why was Lillian, the woman who was about to marry in a week, talking so much about a guy named George? Wasn’t George the guy she worked with? Why was Lillian so focused on the other guy? Wasn’t she in love with Phillip?

  Or was this just pre-wedding jitters?

  Tallia stepped out of the shower and dried off, wrapping an extra towel around herself as she padded barefoot through her suite to the dresser. Thinking about Lillian and Phillip last night, she discarded the idea that their behavior was simply because of nervousness about the wedding coming up. No, something had been off about Lillian and Phillip last night, and Lillian had been almost frantically nervous today. Last night, Lillian and Phillip hadn’t really touched or… even spoken to each other!

  Pulling on leggings, boots, and a soft sweater and piling her hair on top of her head, she added a bit of lipstick, mascara and powder, then surveyed her appearance in the mirror. She wanted to discuss her insights with Becca and Jane, but…earrings. She needed earrings.

  Sifting through her jewelry, she found a pair of hoops that weren’t too big, but not small either. She loved dangling earrings and the more outrageous, the better. Especially when she was going to ask her friends about…

  What were they going to talk about? She couldn’t remember.

  Oh yeah! Phillip. Or more specifically, George. And why a s
trange guy was on Lillian’s mind a week before she was about to walk down the aisle to marry someone else. A man she’d been friends with for years.

  Pulling her phone out of her purse, she started to text Becca and Jane, needing to connect with them and hear their thoughts on the issue. But as soon as she stepped off the elevator, he was there.

  Not right in front of her “there”. But in the hotel bar. Staring at her. It looked like he was talking to another guy that looked vaguely familiar, but with Stephen’s eyes on her, she couldn’t really place the other guy. Tallia couldn’t even look away from Stephen’s gaze. She saw him lean over and say something to the other guy, knew that the second man was glancing in her direction, but couldn’t decipher what was happening.

  Then Stephen stood up. He stood and he looked magnificent. He wasn’t wearing the same clothes she’d seen him in earlier this morning, but then, she had no idea what he’d done all day. She’d gone off with Lillian and her friends, so what had caused him to change his…

  He walked right up to her and, without warning, took her into his arms and kissed her. Really kissed her! Open mouthed, tongue and heat and intoxication kissing. All she could do was cling to him as he kissed her so thoroughly, her head was spinning when he finally lifted his head to look down at her.

  “Did you have a good day with your friends?” he asked softly.

  Tallia stared up at him for a long moment. Her lips were swollen from that kiss and she was confused. Day? What had she done all day today? Had she…um…

  “Didn’t you visit the sites around the city?”

  “Right!” she gasped and stepped back out of his arms. “Yes. We did.”

  “And?” he asked, taking her hand and leading her out of the hotel. Why was she following him? Didn’t she need to do something? With her friends?