She stared up at him, fighting down the words that bubbled up inside of her. “Yes.”
He finished his coffee. “Let’s go.” He took her hand and led her back down the hallway and out the front door. “How’s work? Everything ready for the software run this weekend?”
She glanced at him, locking her door behind them. She’d been talking to Bianca about her weekend plans, not him. “You eavesdrop often?” she asked.
“Pretty much. Hazards of the job, I guess. Always listening,” he admitted.
What else had he heard? She swallowed down her nerves and focused on the question. “I’ve done everything I can do. Charles seems to have done his part. Now all we can do is sit back and watch.” She shrugged as she entered the elevator.
The doors shut and she looked at him. “You clean up well, Detective.”
“Still intimidating?” he asked, glancing at her. “If the need arises.”
She grinned. “It won’t. Poor Charles.”
His gaze met hers, setting off all sorts of tingles. “We rode an elevator on our first date, didn’t we?”
She arched a brow, unable to deny the impact those memories had upon her. “Are you asking because you don’t remember? Or because you’re wanting to get me flustered?”
He turned toward her, stepping closer. “Would you?”
“Would I what?” she murmured, unable to move.
“Get flustered?” he asked.
She shook her head, knowing her voice would give her away. She was beyond flustered, but he didn’t need to know it. He had the advantage here. She had no idea how he felt about her...or why he’d left her apartment when she’d taken her marathon shower. She studied him. The slight tightening of his jaw, the rasp in his breathing and the undeniable heat in his eyes. His hunger for her was the ultimate turn-on. As if she could get any more turned on.
She tore her gaze from his, ignoring the throb of her body, and watched the numbers count down on the elevator. Lust she understood. The rest, feelings and doubt and conflict, she didn’t. Add in the whole Bianca and Zach mess and she knew they had no chance outside the bedroom. Better to keep it simple, enjoy the sizzle between them, instead of letting her emotions get in the way. The elevator opened to her building’s lobby. The limo was parked out front. She glanced back to find him staring at her butt. “Patton.”
“What?” he asked, following her slowly. “I’m appreciating the view.”
She laughed. She couldn’t help it.
Once they climbed into the limo, Cady knew she was in trouble. His fingers grasped hers, turning over her hand so he could stroke the inside of her wrist. She shuddered, the stroke of his touch radiating. She had no idea her arm was an erogenous zone, but damn, he had her aching. She didn’t know how much more she could take, but the drive wasn’t that far.
“Patton...” Her protest was more plea than anything else.
He lifted her hand, kissing her skin, raking his nose along her arm to the bend of her elbow. “I like the way you smell,” he whispered hoarsely.
She pressed her palm to his face. “You plan on seducing me in a limo?” She hissed as his tongue flicked between her fingers. “Isn’t that a little too cliché?”
“No.” His lips descended on hers, softly, lightly. “I don’t have cliché fantasies.”
“Fantasy?” she asked. Far be it from her to deny a man his sexual fantasies.
His fingers traced the edge of her skirt, eliciting a full-body shiver from her. As his hand slipped beneath the fabric of her dress, his mouth latched on to her earlobe. He was two seconds away from discovering she’d left her panties in her apartment—when the limo came to a stop.
“That was fast,” she muttered, grappling with her disappointment.
“Too fast,” he said against her neck. He groaned, putting some space between them.
She glanced out the window, staring at the hotel. It was the hotel—the one they’d stumbled into that first night together, too caught up in one another to care where they’d ended up—as long as there was a bed.
“Awesome,” she whispered, the instant thrill of memory warm upon her skin.
“Déjà vu,” he murmured.
She cocked an eyebrow at him.
“That night’s crystal clear.” His voice was gravel.
She looked at him then. “So you were trying to get me flustered earlier?”
The hunger of his gaze made her insides melt. She knew this evening had the potential to be complicated. He was the first date she’d ever brought to an office party. And while she knew the only threat Charles posed was to her promotion, Patton thought he was there to defend her honor. Not that having him at her side was a bad thing. If anything, it might help. Mr. Hembrecht was all about family and stability. Maybe showing up with an upstanding member of the community could work in her favor. If she could only get a handle on this...this crazy, electric, pulsing connection that made the air around them hum, it might just turn out to be a nice evening.
The valet opened the door, forcing them out of the car, “Good evening.”
“You ready?” Patton asked.
She nodded.
“Maybe we can take the long way home,” he teased.
She laughed as she took the valet’s hand and slid from the car. She was still smiling when Patton hooked her arm through his and led her into the lobby. Try as she might, she was hyper in tune with this man. When he released her arm to let her go ahead of him, his hand rested on the base of her spine. His scent, clean and musky, wrapped around her—making her dizzy. It was going to be a long night.
As they reached the ballroom, she turned to Patton and smoothed the front of his shirt. “Here we go, Detective.”
“Anything I need to know?” His hand took hers. “Or should I just stand here and be your arm candy?”
She burst out laughing, totally thrown by his sudden humor.
“Cady?” Her boss, Mr. Ronald Hembrecht, stood just inside the dimly lit ballroom. “You look lovely.”
She accepted his handshake. “Thank you, Mr. Hembrecht. I’d like to introduce you to Patton Ryan. Patton, Mr. Hembrecht—”
“Ronald, please, Cady.” Mr. Hembrecht shook his head. “Very nice to meet you, Patton.” He looked back and forth between them. Cady could only imagine the barrage of questions she’d have directed at her on Monday morning.
Patton smiled at her then shook her boss’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you. I know Cady enjoys her work—that says a lot about who’s in charge.”
Mr. Hembrecht’s smile grew. “I agree. A happy employee is a loyal employee.” He regarded Cady then. “Cady is a huge asset to the company, one I want to keep on my payroll.”
“She’s a catch,” Patton agreed, taking her hand again.
Cady glanced at their hands, pleased at the warmth and support that simple touch provided her.
“Hey, Cady.” Charles joined them. “You look great. Charles Hembrecht,” he said, offering his hand to Patton.
“Patton Ryan.” Patton shook his hand. “Nice to meet the man behind the texts.”
Cady stared up at him, horrified. But Patton was smiling, at ease. By all appearances, he was teasing—making small talk. But she knew better. She squeezed the hand she held tightly.
“Guilty.” Charles smiled even as he glanced at his father.
Mr. Hembrecht glanced back and forth between Cady and his son. “Texts? After-hours?”
Charles blew out a deep breath.
“Just while he was getting situated,” Cady filled in. “It’s a demanding job.”
Mr. Hembrecht wasn’t pleased, but he was a true professional. With one quick look at his son, he conveyed disapproval. “Indeed,” Mr. Hembrecht murmured. “What do you do, Patton?”
“He’s a detective,” she
offered, eager to steer the conversation in a new direction. “Like his father before him.”
“Talk about a demanding job.” Charles was clearly assessing Patton.
“It has its moments,” Patton agreed.
“Thank you for your service,” Mr. Hembrecht said. “It’s a noble profession, one that doesn’t get the respect it deserves.”
Patton smiled, nodding his head at her boss.
“Or the required breaks that the corporate world gets. Talk about dedication. How many hours have you gone without sleep?” she asked.
He shook his head. “A few,” he admitted, grinning.
“Then he must be equally dedicated to you,” Mr. Hembrecht offered.
Cady felt the weight of Patton’s gaze on her but resisted the urge to look at him. She was mortified to feel the heat in her cheeks. More troubling was the nervous giddiness that welled inside her, pressing against her chest and tightening her throat.
“Cady, I took a call from Japan this afternoon. No one was able to get away,” Mr. Hembrecht continued, “but the chairman said he would be touching base with you Monday.”
Cady nodded, relaxing somewhat. “Let’s hope everything runs without a hitch.”
Mr. Hembrecht nodded. “It will. I have every confidence in you. You two go get something to drink. Have a nice time.”
The night went surprisingly well. She hadn’t known what, exactly, to expect. But this Patton—this charming, easygoing guy—was pretty much the ideal date. He shook hands, made small talk and took care of her. When Meg from Human Resources got a look at him, she gave Cady the thumbs-up. When her team met him, she watched their reactions with interest. Overall, Patton seemed to be the most exciting thing to happen to this year’s party.
The problem was, he was the most exciting thing to happen to her—ever. And, as much as she didn’t want to admit it, she no longer had a choice. She accepted the terrifying truth. She was in love with Patton Ryan.
* * *
PATTON’S ATTENTION FOLLOWED CADY. Watching her was revealing, not just because of her actions but because of the reactions of those around her. People responded to her, warmed to her. She had that spark, the thing that drew people in and made them want her attention. He was careful; he didn’t want Cady to think he was fixated on her. He sighed. Who was he trying to kid? He was fixated on her... No, dammit, it was way past that. He wasn’t just interested. He cared about her.
Why else was he here? Cady could handle a flirtatious coworker. After meeting Charles, he knew he had nothing to worry about. It was time to come clean. He’d wanted to come, to be a part of Cady’s life—since she’d invaded almost every aspect of his.
Once he accepted his feelings, he decided he might as well go with it and enjoy Cady—her energy and spirit. She knew how to work a room, radiating a sexy-as-hell confidence he couldn’t help but admire. More than that, she was smart. He saw how respected she was, not just by those who worked for her or with her, but by her superiors, as well. They found Mr. Hembrecht and two other partners, and Cady spent the better part of thirty minutes explaining a new interface she was considering. She knew her stuff. Confidence and competence in one sexy package.
Her presentation was impressive. He didn’t understand a lot of the lingo she was using, but he understood the concept. Security. Cady’s job was keeping computer information secure. If there was a glitch, it was her job to find it and fix it. And the new programs she’d put into place had reduced the security breaches and hacks to their clients’ databases by a third.
When her eyes met his, he saw the thrill of pride she was experiencing. He knew how that felt, to be proud of the job you’d done. To be confident and in control. She was amazing—and gorgeous.
He wasn’t sure which was more rewarding, that Cady was as celebrated as she was or that he was the first guy she’d ever brought to any office function. Something that was repeated by pretty much everyone he was introduced to. Either way, he was having a surprisingly good time. Even if part of him was ready to go home and face-plant in bed—preferably Cady’s bed.
“Tired?” she asked.
“Nope, I’m good.”
Her gaze searched his face. “I’m tired... And starving. We’ve made the rounds. Since I don’t need to be here for our Japanese client, there’s no point in sticking around. We can go to a drive-through, grab some burgers and hit the hay.”
“Burgers?” he asked. “You’re speaking my language.”
“If you think I’ve done my job?” she asked, staring up at him. “Have I shown the top brass how amazing I am? That I’m the only one for this promotion and they need me?”
“I think so. I’d give you the promotion.” He smiled down at her.
“So, you’re satisfied?”
He leaned closer. “I’m nowhere near satisfied.”
He loved the sound of her shocked laughter. “You have something in mind?”
He nodded, his gaze dipping to her chest.
“Tonight, you’re mine.”
She shivered, her breath escaping on a shaky exhale. “I am?”
He pulled her closer, bending his head to whisper, “I’d like to drag you out of here and get things started... In the limo. Unless you have any problems with that?”
She shook her head, her gaze caught up in his. “That’s not very gentlemanly of you.”
“So tonight you’re in the mood for a gentleman?” He watched her eyes widen and her breath hitch. He loved the way her lips parted and her cheeks colored.
“I can’t tell if you’re teasing me or propositioning me,” her voice was husky.
He tucked her blond streak behind her ear, his thumb brushing along her jawline in the process. “Guess I need to work on my proposals then.”
Meg interrupted them, grabbing Cady’s arm. “Cady,” her voice slurred slightly. “Did you hear? Rumor has it Charles got the job.”
Patton took Cady’s hand in his. He kept his mouth shut, knowing he’d have plenty of time to defuse the rumor bomb Meg was dropping. Rumors and alcohol were never a good mix.
“I’m so sorry, Cady. You’re the one that’s worked your ass off—covering for him. We all know it. If you’re not the boss, maybe it’s time to find a new place to work,” Meg kept on, her words running together. Patton took in her dilated pupils and flushed skin. Meg had drunk more than her fair share of the bright yellow drinks she’d been enjoying all evening.
“Meg, come on. Charles isn’t a bad guy,” Cady argued. “We’ll see what happens, okay?”
“You’re so sweet...” Meg sighed, glancing at Patton. “And you’re so lucky.” She raked her finger along his chest, then giggled. “Do you have a brother?”
“One single. A few cousins, too.” Patton grinned at her then. “You need to take a cab home.”
Meg winked. “All right.”
“Promise?” Cady asked, shooting Patton a glance.
“Sure.” Meg swayed forward. “No problem.”
Patton understood Cady’s look. He didn’t like it, but he understood. Instead of hot limo sex, he was going to help Cady get Meg safely home. “We’ll give you a ride,” he offered.
Cady’s smile was blinding. “Yeah, come on. We’re leaving anyway.”
“I don’t want to be a party pooper,” Meg argued even as she slid her arm through his and leaned against him heavily. “Get in the way of any...plans.” She bobbed her eyebrows, looking between them and smiling.
Patton glanced at Cady. “Don’t worry, Meg. Only plan I can count on is a burger.”
Meg looked confused, but Cady burst out laughing as she said, “Come on.”
“Better be a good burger,” he added as he steered Meg across the ballroom while Cady made their goodbyes. He was having a hell of a time keeping Meg upright as they maneuvered up the stair
s.
He nodded his farewells and watched Cady make a graceful exit. If she was upset over what Meg said, he couldn’t see it. It was only after they managed to get Meg into the limo, where she proceeded to pass out on Cady’s shoulder, that he saw her smile slip.
11
CADY COULDN’T SEEM to sit still. She was so mad...she wanted to scream, to yell, to fight. She stared blindly out the window, the shops and buildings a blur as the limo navigated the streets. She glanced at Patton, the already accelerated rate of her heart picking up. She’d stare at him. Staring at Patton would take her mind off work, the promotion and her profound disappointment in Mr. Hembrecht. Patton was gorgeous and a nice distraction.
A gorgeous man who’d had no problem carrying Meg up the stairs to her apartment. A gorgeous man who fed Meg’s meowing cat while Cady helped Meg get into bed. He’d done it all without a single complaint.
Tonight, you’re mine... His words were the most thrilling thing she’d ever heard. Her heart thumped, warmth pooling in the pit of her stomach.
He glanced at her. “You okay?”
She hadn’t said anything since they left—she couldn’t. And now she was even more mixed up. “Yeah.”
“Mad?” His voice was low.
“I am. I’m trying not to be, but I am.” She gripped the edge of her seat, her anger bubbling up. “Why the hell would Hembrecht promote him? I mean, besides the fact that Charles is his son. He’s incapable of doing the job. He has no idea what’s going on—unless I explain it to him.” She sat back in her chair, sighing. “It really pisses me off.”
“It should.” Patton’s deep voice rolled over her. “But all you have to go on is Meg’s story. And, considering how drunk she was, I’d hold off on reacting.” His hand found hers in the dark. “Glad you have the weekend to think things over.”
He was right. He was supersexy, supersupportive...and they had some time to kill.
“Enough talking,” she said, sliding across the seat.
Seducing the Best Man (Wild Wedding Nights #1) Page 14