you mind?’ he asked.
When I shook my head, he held out his hand.
I took it, let him help me into the taxi, and when his fingers lingered on my skin I tried not to hyperventilate. He followed me to the bench seat at the rear of the boat, sat down next to me and spread his arms along the top of the cushioned seat. The action brought his body sizzlingly close to mine, his aftershave tantalising my nostrils.
When the movement of the boat nudged his body against mine, I clenched my thighs to keep from making full body contact with him.
‘Aren’t you joining your guests?’ I asked as the small speedboat raced us towards shore.
‘No. A tactical withdrawal is in order tonight.’
I took in his attire, the way the tailored black trousers clung to his powerful thighs and his dark purple shirt emphasised the lean, hard masculinity of his upper body. He’d showered recently if the damp strands neatly styled were any indication. Thoughts of showers reminded me of what had happened in his hotel suite on our first meeting. Imploring myself not blush, I met his gaze.
‘Are you headed anywhere in particular? The taxi can take you if you like.’
He didn’t immediately answer, granting me the excuse to study his face as we stepped onto the pier. Something wasn’t quite right. There was a stiffness to his jaw, tension riding his shoulders. ‘Is everything okay?’
Piercing grey eyes locked on me. ‘Nothing a few drinks won’t take care of. And since I don’t have a destination in mind, mind if I join you?’
‘Join me?’ I parroted, fighting the throb of excitement suffusing me.
He nodded. ‘Unless you object? Where are you headed?’
‘For an appointment five minutes away. I don’t want to be late.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘Take me with you.’
There it was again, that odd note in his voice that tugged at something inside me. Still, I bit my lip in hesitation.
He closed the gap between us, wrapping me in his heat as he stared down at me. ‘I’m feeling...out of sorts. Not the kind that makes me want to drink alone and not the kind that wants Vadim’s sort of company. That leaves you. Also if I remember correctly we’re currently zero for two in the IOU stakes.’
‘And taking you with me goes a step towards evening our odds?’
A darkly wicked light gleamed in his eyes. ‘I’d prefer to even it out in like-for-like terms but if an evening with you is what’s on offer, then I’ll take it. Unless whatever you’re doing involves another man. In that case I’d strongly advise you to get rid of him. I’d hate for him to be an unwanted third wheel.’
I couldn’t help myself. I laughed. ‘Okay, you can come with me.’
He inclined his head in that almost-regal way that emphasised his upper-class upbringing and fell into step beside me. But even though we walked in companionable silence, there was an edge in the air, a swelling of angst and anticipation that shortened my breath.
Whatever he was feeling out of sorts about was huge, and I couldn’t help wondering if he regretted telling me about his family this afternoon.
Despite the dysfunction he claimed, every member of his family was supremely talented, with a sickeningly accomplished Gideon topping the bill. And while his playboy status was notable, it hadn’t disturbed me as much as I’d thought it would. I’d indulged in my first one-night stand as a means to numb my pain after Adam’s betrayal.
Gideon had admitted he’d gone off the rails after the double betrayal he’d suffered. His refusal to give in with me despite his blatant need turned me on more than I cared to admit.
‘Where are we going exactly?’ he asked in that deep sexy voice I wanted to hear up close and very personal.
I pointed to the street up ahead. ‘The restaurant’s a little more than a hole in the wall, but the food is good and the owner is great.’
‘As long as he has barrels of good wine on tap, I’m sold.’
I glanced at his clenched jaw and wondered if I was doing the right thing by letting him tag along.
Maximo, the Balkan Italian whose restaurant bore his name, greeted me with a smile. ‘Bellissima, it’s good to see you again. Welcome!’
He glanced at Gideon but didn’t address him as he showed us to a secluded table in the small restaurant.
Gideon pulled out my chair, then sat across from me.
‘You’ll have your usual, Leonie, yes?’ Maximo said.
‘Yes, thanks.’
‘And I’ll have a bottle of your best red, unless you have a Macallan stashed away in the back?’ Gideon asked.
Maximo smiled. ‘I’ll rustle up the perfect red for you, signor.’
When Maximo hurried away, Gideon glanced at me. ‘Your usual? How many times have you been here?’
‘I come every time I’m in town, which is about once every couple of months for the last three years.’
He looked around, and to his credit managed to keep his expression neutral.
‘Don’t judge before you try the food.’
His mouth twisted. ‘Food isn’t my number-one priority right now.’
‘What is?’
His gaze lingered on my face, my mouth. ‘Something else.’
‘I hope you don’t expect me to sit here and watch you get blind drunk to forget whatever’s bothering you. Because that wasn’t how I anticipated spending my evening.’
He regarded me for a long spell. ‘I got in touch with Bryce this afternoon.’
My breath caught. ‘Really? And...how was he?’
He shrugged. ‘We reconnected. There’s a strong possibility I’ll see him sooner rather than later.’
There was a throb of emotion in his voice. Fondness remembered.
‘I’m glad.’
‘You should be. It’s your fault,’ he said with a wry, fleeting smile.
I laughed. ‘I accept full responsibility, then.’
His gaze dropped to my mouth, charging the air with relentless lust as time ticked by.
‘What about your cousin? Damian? The one with the TV show—’
‘Him I most definitely do not want to talk about.’
The thick bitterness behind his words robbed me of breath. ‘He’s behind the betrayal you talked about, isn’t he?’
