He wanted her. And drat it all, she wanted him. Desperately.
But it could never be.
The moment the ding sounded and the elevator doors slid open, she was out like a shot. Her heels clicked loudly on the marble floor as she hurried through the lobby. People threw her odd glances as she whizzed by, no doubt wondering why in the world she was practically running out of the hotel. She hoped Hunter didn’t think less of her for running away from him.
It was all about self preservation now. She couldn’t afford to let herself linger. One false move and she’d give in to him like the too-easy girl that she was.
She’d almost made it to the doors leading outside when she felt him just behind her. Reaching for the door, he held it open, and she had no choice but to slip out with a murmured thank you.
“I practically had to run to keep up with you,” he chastised as they stood together outside of the hotel. He didn’t even sound winded. “What’s your hurry?’
“I’m, um, anxious to get home.” She offered him a tentative smile and nodded eagerly when the bellman looked her way. She needed a taxi as soon as possible, had to get away from Hunter and quick.
“She’ll ride with me,” he said to the bellman, and she turned to Hunter in surprise. Great, there went her plan of escape. “I have a car waiting. I can take you home,” he explained.
She frowned. “A car?” Oh, right. Sometimes she forgot just how rich and powerful the Worth family was. Of course, he had a car with a driver. He could afford to keep a fleet of ten cars with a driver for each one at his disposal, the Worths were that wealthy.
“It’s right over there.” He waved a hand toward a sleek black Lincoln Town Car and cupped his other hand around her elbow, guiding her toward the vehicle. “Where do you live?”
“Um, Queens.” She winced. It would be at least a thirty-minute drive to get to her place. And though she lived in a decent neighborhood, it was surely nothing like the posh Manhattan apartment she knew Hunter kept.
“Not a problem. You can give your address to Donny,” Hunter offered smoothly, referring to his usual driver. “He can get you where you need to be.”
She smiled weakly in return. Just great. Thirty-plus minutes alone with Hunter in the back of a car. It sounded like absolute torture.
And also absolute bliss, not that she’d ever admit it.
Hunter opened the car door for her and she slipped inside, the warmth of the interior wrapping around her like an embrace. She scooted across the buttery soft leather seat, settling herself in the corner, as far away from Hunter as possible.
This was exactly what she’d wanted to avoid, being alone with him for a long stretch of time. After giving him the speech about their not mixing well and leaving him alone on the dance floor, she thought she wouldn’t have to deal with this tonight. Or ever. She’d hoped to wipe her hands clean of him and all the potential chaos he could bring into her personal life if she let him in once and for all. Strictly professional, she told herself again and again. That’s how she needed to keep their relationship.
But here they were. She had the distinct feeling Hunter was secretly pleased.
Maybe the telltale smirk on his face was the first clue.
He slammed the car door and looked her way. “Are you comfortable?”
She nodded, and his eyes narrowed, but she ignored him. Her butt was lodged between the seat and the door, but she’d survive.
“Why are you sitting so far away?”
Gracie was tempted to roll her eyes, but she restrained herself. “I should’ve taken the subway. Much safer,” she muttered under her breath.
He laughed, damn it, which meant he’d heard her. “Do you hate me that much?”
“Oh, I don’t hate you.” Her unspoken words lingered heavy in the air. The car pulled away from the curb and inched out onto the crowded street.
“Really?” He arched a cynical brow. “I find that hard to believe.”
“How could I hate you? You’re my boss. You’re fair, reasonable, smart and an excellent leader.” He chuckled and she shook her head. “I’m not trying to suck up, you know. And of course, I respect you.”
Hunter immediately sobered, all remnants of his laughter gone in a snap. “Even after what happened between us?”
She swallowed hard, stunned that he would mention it. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one who couldn’t let it go.
But how stupid could they be, not letting it go? He was her superior. They had to work together closely every day. It would make things terribly awkward if they were to assume some sort of secret affair.
Whatever they would start, it wouldn’t last. Hunter was a notorious womanizer. All the Worth men were known to be, especially Rhett. Though of course, Alex had become a one-woman man thanks to his sweet new wife Tessa.
That Gracie would consider Hunter relationship material was beyond foolish. She didn’t do relationships and he definitely didn’t do them. He was just looking for a good time. She knew he would provide it too. His reputation preceded him. Her own personal—though brief—experience with him cinched it.
“I played just as much a part in what happened that night between us as you did,” she finally said. Keeping her gaze locked on her hands folded in her lap, she continued. “I would never blame you for what happened.”
“Even though you asked me to stop.”
“I asked you to stop and you did. That made me respect you more.” It was true. He hadn’t pushed, he hadn’t tried to convince her to keep going. And despite everything, she’d wanted to. If she’d been careless, like her younger, much more foolish self, she would’ve definitely let more happen.
They remained silent for a long stretch, and she turned away from him, staring out the window. The car was moving at a snail’s pace, the traffic heavy since it was a Saturday night, and she nibbled on her lower lip in thought. She could feel him, smell him. Angling her head just so, she glanced in his direction and checked him out, turning away before he caught her.
He was so close, so dangerously sexy sprawled in his seat, the jacket long forgotten, the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up to his elbows. Those couple of undone buttons at the neck of his shirt revealed a wedge of firm, tanned chest that was covered in a sprinkling of dark chest hairs.
Gracie gulped, clenching her hands together so tightly her knuckles turned white. He seemed perfectly capable and in control, and she wanted to fling herself at him like a mad woman. Why couldn’t she keep it together when it came to Hunter Worth? What was it about him that drove her out of her mind with lust?
And why did the thought of allowing him to get close to her, to learn all of her secrets and what made her tick, not scare her?
Her thoughts were crazy. Reckless. She’d been reckless long ago, when she was a teen and so angry with the world and her circumstances she’d let caution fly. Done such wild and ridiculous things that, luckily enough, she’d survived. Supervision had been practically nil growing up. Foster parents hadn’t given a crap about her, not really. Her real family was nowhere to be found.
She wouldn’t wish her childhood on her worst enemy.
A lonely, angry girl who learned from her mistakes and grew up, that was Gracie. After dropping out of high school, she got her GED. Went to college and got a degree. Stopped drinking, stopped doing drugs, stopped fooling around with guys who were complete losers and made her feel bad about herself.
Hunter represented something that Gracie hadn’t faced in years. Dangerous, terrifying risk. And for the first time in years, tonight she was almost willing to jump off the cliff and fly into the unknown.
Looking at him once more, warmth filled her and her muscles turned loose and languid. Something about this particular risk didn’t seem so scary. She was an adult, and a responsible one at that. Sometimes indulgence was a good thing.
His gaze met hers, and he smiled, slow and sexy. The sight of it made her head spin. “Traffic’s bad,” he murmured.
She nodded, not fighting the hazy feeling that threatened to sweep over her. How easy it would be to let it take her. Not worry about any major decisions and just go with her gut. “Uh-huh.”
His eyes heated, smoldering in their intensity and he reached across the seat, his hand coming precariously close to hers. “We’re in solid gridlock. It’ll take hours to get out of Manhattan.”
Gracie pressed her lips together, shifting her body off the edge of the seat and closer to him, as if she had no control.
Hours
to get out of Manhattan? She had the distinct feeling he was exaggerating. “What do you suggest we do?” Oh, what was she doing? What was she
saying?
Had she lost her mind?
His hand finally connected with hers, and he tangled their fingers together. Her entire body tingled at that first gentle touch. “We could wait it out at my place. Just for an hour or so. I’ll be on my best behavior, I swear it.”
Maybe she didn’t want him on his best behavior. Maybe she wanted him to be bad. Extremely bad.
Her breath lodged in her throat, and she watched as he rubbed his fingers against hers, his thumb brushing across the top of her hand. Feather-light and oh-so seductive, she wanted more. She wanted it all.
She wanted Hunter Worth, and damn the consequences.
“All right,” she said softly, shock filling her that she’d actually agreed.
The triumph that lit his eyes was unmistakable. “You won’t regret it, Gracie. I promise.”
She could only hope he was right.
Despite the gridlocked traffic, they made it to his apartment within fifteen minutes. They hadn’t talked much, which hadn’t bothered him. His mind was awhirl with what could potentially happen with Gracie. He remained mum for fear of saying the wrong thing and sending her packing. She was so deathly quiet he wondered if she was making a mental list as to why she should reject him on sight.
But she kept her hand in his. That seemingly innocent physical contact was driving him absolutely wild.
Her slender, elegant fingers wrapped around his, the cool press of her palm. She stroked him softly, her touch like a whisper, and his body reacted swiftly.
Hunter had a raging erection and hoped like hell she didn’t notice as they entered his apartment.
“Oh my gosh, it’s gorgeous.” She stopped in the middle of the living area and stared at the floor-to-ceiling windows. The view was breathtaking, Manhattan lain out before them like a glittering, never-ending blanket. “You can see everything.”
“You like it?” He sounded like a jaded ass, but most of the time he didn’t even notice the view anymore. He’d lived there for over five years. One became accustomed to their surroundings rather quickly, and he was so busy with work, he was rarely home anyway.
“I love it.” She slowly approached the windows for a closer look. “I think I’d sit on the couch every night and stare at the city. I wouldn’t need any television. The view would be entertainment enough.”
“I rarely watch TV,” Hunter confessed. He quietly approached her, his movements stealthy. He didn’t want to startle her.
“Really? I probably watch too much.” She sighed and offered a little laugh. “I really enjoy all of those fashion reality shows.”
“Have secret aspirations to be a designer? Or maybe a stylist?” She dressed with flair, he knew that. Had more than once admired an outfit she put together.
“No.” Gracie shook her head; the sleek swing of her hair moving to and fro mesmerized him. He wished she’d worn her hair up tonight. Giving him a firsthand view of her elegant neck, the image filled him with thoughts as how to get his lips on that neck so he could taste her skin again…
“The shows actually inspired me,” she continued, and he realized she was still talking about the reality programs. “I’ve gotten a couple of ideas for marketing from what I see.”
“You’re kidding. So your secret weapon is reality TV?”
She turned her head, her eyes widening when she realized he stood so close. “Uh-huh.”
Her eyes looked a little dazed, a look that was good on her especially considering he felt exactly the same.
Dazed. Confused. Euphoric. Oh yeah, and horny.
“What else are you hiding from me, Gracie Hayes?” His voice lowered automatically, and he realized he should at least offer her a drink before he tried something he shouldn’t. He’d promised to be on his best behavior and he was already breaking that vow.
Seduction was on the forefront of his mind, and he hoped she was on board.
With Gracie, he couldn’t help himself. She was too great a temptation to resist.
“I—I’m not hiding anything from you, Hunter Worth.” She cocked her head, her hair falling over one eye and giving her a mysterious, sexy air. “I’m not that interesting.”
“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong. I happen to find you very interesting.” A complete understatement, but he didn’t want to scare the hell out of her, so he kept his enthusiasm toward her dialed down.
“That’s the problem.” She visibly swallowed, and he could tell she was nervous. “We find each other interesting when we should probably leave well enough alone.”
What a specific choice of words.
We find each other interesting.
Well, that revelation just gave him hope. “Do I make you nervous, Gracie?”