“It fits you.”
“Maybe to a giant like you, but the rest of the world sees me as rather tall.”
“How the rest of the world sees you is unimportant to me.”
“Your arrogance is showing again.”
“And we both know how you feel about that.”
She turned away from the heat in his gaze. “I think your Sicilian blood is showing.”
“Maybe a little, but don’t chalk that kiss up to my Latin temperament.”
“You want me to believe I’m wholly responsible for your passion? Isn’t that giving me an awful lot of potential power?”
“Why should I attempt to hide what must be obvious?”
This was getting stranger by the second. Baron had always been careful to minimize the effect she had on him, or at least her impression of it. He had played control games, wanting her to believe the greater need was on her side. He’d spouted platitudes about love while withholding the security of knowing she impacted him with the same potency he did her.
Either Angelo was way more sensitive than Baron Randall or he was more confident. The latter was far more likely.
She turned her head and gave him a sideways look. “You’re a unique man, Angelo Gordon.”
“I’m glad you can see that.” He waited a beat. “Finally.”
No, no lack of confidence there.
A feminine hand landed on Angelo’s shoulder. “You’re it.” The buxom brunette swam away at speed, her string bikini leaving nothing to the imagination.
To Tara’s shock, Angelo joined in the game of water tag with enthusiasm and showed that he played shark in the water every bit as well as he did the boardroom.
CHAPTER FOUR
WHEN they climbed out of the pool forty minutes later to eat, Tara was panting from the exertion. She grabbed her towel and started drying off. He did the same.
She leaned over to wring her long hair out. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for that kind of water play.”
“What, you thought I only knew how to swim laps in a pool?”
“I would have thought water polo would be more your style—highly competitive and a definitive winner at the end of the day.”
“Actually I was on a team through high school.”
She straightened, surprised by the admission. “Were you really?”
“Yes, but the traveling schedule interfered with my studies and I dropped it my freshman year in college.”
“I was right then.”
He acknowledged it with a slight inclination of his head and then draped his towel around the back of his neck. “But I can also play a mean game of tag.”
“Definitely.” He’d tagged her several times, and unlike some of the men, made no attempt to cop a feel when doing so.
He really was different…from anyone she’d ever known. Even her stepfather…because as wonderful as Angelo was proving himself to be, she could sense he had a ruthless streak that would leave even a man of Darren’s strength in the dust.
That ruthlessness was in evidence when they arrived back at her apartment later that evening. “Invite me inside.”
“I don’t think I should.” She wasn’t sure she was ready to take the next step in their relationship, or if she ever would be.
“Because of the kiss in the pool.”
“Because of how much I want to repeat the experience.”
He got out of the car and came around to her door. He opened it and leaned over her to unbuckle her seat belt. He stopped with his face inches from her own. “I won’t continue to pay the price for another man’s stupidity.”
“You’re so sure I don’t want this because of what I went through with Baron.”
“You do want this.” His mouth claimed hers for another kiss that left any spoken denial useless. “You’re afraid of me because of him.”
“I told you about my mom.”
“She had bad taste in men.”
“Apparently so do I.”
The chill in his eyes made her shiver. “I resent that remark. You want me.”
“I didn’t mean to imply you’re a bad risk.”
“But that’s what you believe.”
Frustrated anger welled up inside. “Are you saying you’re interested in commitment? Marriage? That you’ll stick around if a business opportunity comes up that makes our relationship impossible?”
“Most men marry someday and I don’t do business in the bedroom so our relationship will never be compromised by my commercial interests.”
“What do you want from me?”
“Invite me inside and we’ll explore the possibilities.”