Page 29 of Smoke

“Of course. You have nothing to worry about in that department. I’m looking a million dollars and ready to work my womanly charms,” I’m being sarcastic of course, but the growl I get back in return tells me he doesn’t get it and seems to have just pissed him off.

I step out into the hallway with my purse tucked under my arm; I turn to lock up my apartment.

“What time, and where are you meeting him?”

“He’s here, downstairs. I’m about to take the elevator,” I report to him as I hit the call button. The indicator above tells me it’s three floors up, but on its way.

“He’s at your place, your actual place? How the fuck did he find out where you live?”

“Not sure, but he has.” The elevator door opens, and I step inside. “I gotta go. I’ll be in touch as soon as I get back. Don’t wait up,” I add, hoping he’ll give me some time and space to do what’s needed without interruptions.

The call cuts as soon as the door closes, as the signal inside the lift is non-existent. I slip the burner back into my purse and secure it by the time I get down to the lobby. As I get to the glass doors at the front of the building, I check around for the horrible colored car, but when Paddy steps out of the driver’s side of a sleek black Lincoln Continental, I’m blown away.

As he walks towards me, I see that he’s dressed in black suit pants, forest green shirt with the top two buttons open, giving me a peek of smooth skin. The color of his dark tan blazer-style jacket matches the leather loafers that adorn his feet. His hair, both facial and head, is groomed to within an inch of their life.

Holy shit, Paddy Dunne looks like he’s ready to shoot the front cover of Vogue magazine, while in reality, he’s here to see little old me.

“Tenley,” he growls in the most sensual way. “Mmm, you’re breathtaking. That dress.” He steps up to me, his hand falling to my hip as he leans forward and places his lips on my cheek. The cologne he wears, with hints of sandalwood and musk, hit my senses, making me a little heady. “Green, my absolute favorite color.”

“I could say the same about you,” I giggle, leaning back and doing an exaggerated head to toe skim of him. “Color coordinated too,” I add as I stroke the tips of my fingers down the front of his shirt. Even through the fabric, his chest is firm to the touch, a distinctive valley between his pectorals. “People will think we planned it.”

“When in truth, it’s a simple coincidence.” He takes my hand in his, clasping it, but with a gentleness that surprises me, and leads me towards the car. “Or could it be that we are connecting on a level that even we don’t understand? At least, not yet anyway.” The skin on his palm is soft and warm, and strangely comforting. Dare I say natural. As soon as we get to the car, he pulls open the passenger door for me.

“Maybe,” I smile coyly up at him as I slide carefully into the car seat. For a few seconds, his eyes drop to thesplit in my skirt, but I’m on it, holding the fabric together.

He still has hold of my hand, as if worried I might flee. Part of me is wondering if I should, but the rest of me. Well, the man is charming and has me intrigued.

“I’m hoping that you’ll give us a chance to explore this on many levels.”

Wowza.

My smile slips a little while my mind digests what possible levels he’s referring to. No words come to me in response, not even when he leans partially into the car, brings my hand to his lips and brushes a gentle kiss to the back.

After he pushes the door closed, I take the time it takes for him to circle around the car to the driver's side to suck in a couple of deep breaths to calm not just my nerves but the arousal that’s building between my legs. Damn, I need to get laid, however Patrick Dunne is not the man for the job despite his ability to wake my libido and looking to party.

Chapter

Nineteen

Tenley

No words pass between us, which is surprising, as rumor has it that the Irish have the gift of the gab. However, not wanting to lose the relative ease between us and throw us into the land of awkwardness, I take the plunge.

“I’m taking it with the way you’re dressed we’re ditching the diner tonight?” I say only loud enough to break through the soft background music playing through the speakers.

“I take it you already knew that?” he smirks. “Otherwise, you’d be dressed differently, too.”

“You did say dinner. If this isn’t suitable, you can always drop me back home to change.” I tease.

“Darling.” The endearing word rolls off his tongue like smooth, hot caramel. “Like I said before, you’re absolutely stunning — perfection. I can say unequivocally that I do not want you to take off thedress.”

With a pleasant sigh and smile on my face, I crunch up my shoulders and smooth down the skirt of the dress, content at his words of praise.

“But I won’t lie. I’m hoping that it will be me that’s removing it from your delectable body later tonight.”

I almost choke on my tongue but hide it by laughing out in response to his forward remark.

“Cheeky,” I giggle, slapping him playfully on his upper arm with the back of my hand in an attempt to make light of it. “Where are you taking me, anyway?”

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