when she’d walked in.
Mac on the other hand was feeling the effects of the beer. He was far from drunk, but he was more relaxed than he’d been in months.
When they finished their meals, she opened her bag to pull out some pound notes.
“Hey, I’m buying you dinner, remember?” He handed the bills she’d put on the bar back to her.
Katie shook her head. “Nah. If you’d been a boring ass, I’d make you pay. But I had fun talking to you. We’ll go Dutch.”
Macon and the bartender both guffawed. “It’s difficult to argue with logic like that,” he said, “but I, as a gentleman, would feel less of a man if you paid.”
Katie rolled her eyes. “Men. You’re the same everywhere I go. Fine. Pay.” She held out her hand. “Thank you for a lovely meal.”
He took her hand in his. “I had more fun tonight than I’ve had in months. I can’t remember the last time I had a—” He’d been about to say date, which wasn’t the right word. “A good meal with a beautiful woman.”
She blushed. Now, that was unexpected.
“I wish you’d let me walk you to your next destination. It can be tough to get a taxi this time of night, and some of the streets can be a bit dodgy.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Mac, are you hitting on me?”
God, she was forthright. “Yes,” he answered honestly.
She laughed out loud. “What if you’re some kind of ax murderer and you’re only saying pretty things to get me alone?”
“Oh, I want you alone, but there are no axes in the picture. Besides, Timothy will vouch for me. Right?”
Timothy grunted and rolled his eyes. “He’s better than most.”
“Now, that’s a rousing referral if ever I heard one.” Katie smiled.
Macon knew he should tell her who he was, but he had a feeling if he did, this connection with her would be broken. He wanted her, and if it meant withholding information for the greater good, who was he to complain? It had been so long since he’d felt any kind of connection with anyone. For the past six years everything had been about his work. He deserved some fun.
Okay, he was an ass. But he wanted this woman, and the feeling persisted that if she knew the truth all bets would be off.
He grabbed her bag with one hand and held her hand with the other.
“So where are we off to next?” he said as they stepped out onto the sidewalk.
“To the Dorchester,” she replied breathlessly, another blush creeping up on her cheeks, but not connected with the London chill.
She’s so tough, but blushes. This woman intrigued him and he had to know more about her.
Macon had several blocks to convince her why spending the night with him would be the best thing that ever happened to her. And then he would tell her the truth.
2
KATIE STOOD BESIDE MAC on the elevator chewing her lip.
What am I doing?
When Mac had offered to take Katie’s bags upstairs to her suite at the Dorchester, she’d known what he meant, and she wanted it. She wanted him. Knowing him for less than two hours didn’t matter. They had a connection unlike any she’d ever experienced.
When she left New York, she’d been determined to change her life. She would no longer be consumed by work and she’d start dating again. It hadn’t happened that way. The move to Texas to help Mariska settle in at the agency had left Katie with less free time than ever. Not that she minded at first. It had been exciting picking up the pieces and helping her friend keep the agency running.
Stonegate Investigative Agency was stronger than ever, and Katie didn’t have to carry the success of the business on her shoulders. Well, she’d never been alone—her friends Chi and Makala had been there, too—but Katie had been responsible for the day-to-day operations.
The only time she’d kissed a guy in the past six months had been on a case when she’d gone undercover with a DEA agent. Sad, that was the only way she could get a man to touch her, but it was the truth. She was like some kind of social pariah when it came to the opposite sex.
Her mother had always said she was too tough, but Katie couldn’t help it. That was her nature, and if a guy couldn’t handle it, well, to hell with him.
But Mac was different. He saw her as a woman. He didn’t have any preconceived notions about her past and he didn’t seem to care about anything except the now.
The elevator dinged and the doors slid open.
Could she do this? Could she have a one-night stand in a foreign country with a man she barely knew?
His hand touched her back to lead her off the elevator and a shiver of delight warmed her.
Yes. She most definitely could spend a night with this stranger.
Everything about him, from his tall, lanky surfer-boy looks to his deep melodic voice, screamed hot juicy sex. Didn’t she deserve one night with this man she knew instinctively could do dangerous and wonderful things to her?
They arrived at the door much too quickly. She slipped the key card in and the handle turned.
“Well, here we are.” He handed her the bag. “Thank you for a great night. I’m more relaxed than I’ve been in months. I don’t run into many Americans in my social circles, and it’s been nice talking about home with you.” He dazzled her with that smile again.
Wait. This was good-night? Katie was so confused. Had she read the signals wrong?
Then she saw it in his eyes—that moment where he was giving her an out. He didn’t want to pressure her into anything, and it made her want him even more.
“We never had dessert,” she said, her voice husky with need. She opened the door and pushed the case inside, holding the door for him to step through.
He watched her, as if he were trying to get a read.
She gave him a quick grin, and that was all it took.
Stepping in, he shut the door.
“Are you really hungry?” Mac asked as he brushed a hair away from her cheek. That brief touch sent shudders through her body.
Katie leaned back against the wall just inside the suite. The desire in his eyes made her belly tighten, and she didn’t trust her voice, so she shook her head.
He leaned in and kissed her, teasing at first with light touches to her lips. Katie restrained herself from shoving him to the floor and taking him right then and there, as his kisses caused a tingling straight through her from where their lips met.
Mac was so much taller and she found herself rising to the tips
