“Work ran late.” He held up his hanging bag. “I need five minutes and a shower.”
“A shower?” Her mind went crazy with the possibilities. She’d need more than five minutes. And then they’d be late. “Now?” she asked, stepping aside so he could come in.
He stopped inside, his gaze locking with hers... He might be tired, but he wasn’t dead. The flare of want in his eyes had her wetting her lower lip with the tip of her tongue.
“Cady...” He growled in warning. “Keep that up and it’ll be at least ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes? Wow.” She grinned, arching a brow. “What did you have in mind?” She ran her pointer finger along the waist of his boxers. So what if they were late?
He shook his head, closing his eyes. He sucked in a deep breath, backing away from her touch. “You’re all dressed up and ready to go. I don’t want to...mess up your hair.” He swallowed.
“You don’t?” she asked.
“I want to. I will. After,” he promised. His gaze swept over her again. He swallowed. “How about a cup of coffee?”
“Coffee coming up.” She grinned. “You know the way.”
“Thanks.” He nodded, his eyes traveling over her. He groaned, cupping her chin and kissing her. She parted her lips, inviting him in. He groaned again, breaking the kiss. “Five minutes...maybe ten.” He shook his head again then brushed past her and down the hall to her bedroom.
She watched him go, appreciating the view of his arms as he shrugged out of his shirt. She had it bad. She blew out a slow breath, staring after the man who continued to knock her off her feet.
He paused, winked and disappeared into her room.
Her bedroom. The room she’d kept to herself, her own little oasis—no men allowed—until Patton. And after he’d left her, she remembered why she’d never brought anyone else back here. It was because it was Patton that it had hurt to find her bed empty. She’d never felt so alone and vulnerable.
She busied herself in the kitchen, making a cup of strong coffee. Sexy or not, she could tell he was wiped out. If he’d been on the job all night, who knew when he’d eaten last? It took no effort to make him a roast beef sandwich—protein would do him some good. She added an apple and a handful of almonds to the plate and carried the coffee and snack to her room.
The bedroom door was ajar, so she nudged it wide with her hip. She couldn’t help but smile at the neatly folded jeans and shirt that sat on the chair in the corner. His boots rested underneath it—all neat and orderly. She heard the water shut off and called out, “Coffee’s ready.”
He pulled the door open, releasing a cloud of steam into her bedroom. She tried not to react, but it was hopeless. He was all wet and sexy as hell with his hair flopping into his eyes. He reached for the coffee with one hand. The other held his towel—dangerously low—around his hips. “Thanks.”
“Are you up for this?” she asked, trying not to ogle while offering him the plate. “I can think of other things we could do tonight.”
He took the plate, smiling at the food, before leveling her with a hard stare. “Any of them have the potential to forward your career?” He smiled broadly.
She smiled, perching on the edge of her bed. “Look who’s being all gentlemanly tonight.”
“A rarity, I know.” His attention wandered up her legs. “That’s what you’re wearing?” his voice was thick.
“What’s wrong with it?” She glanced down at her gray cocktail dress. It was a sheath dress, nothing too fancy, but there was a slight shimmer through the fabric. It draped nicely on her shoulders and hit midknee. And it made her blond stripe pop.
“Nothing.” He shook his head. “You look...sexy as hell.”
“I look sexy?” She shook her head, nodding at him and his towel. “I was going for professional or demure or classy.”
“To me, you look sexy.” He grinned.
She smiled, savoring his compliment. “Another cup?” she asked, watching him tear into the sandwich.
“That would be great,” he said after swallowing.
She grinned, appreciating his enthusiasm. “I got word today that one of the partners from the Japanese firm we’re working with might be attending tonight.”
Patton finished the nuts then bit into the apple. He swallowed before asking, “That’s kind of a big deal, isn’t it?”
“It is,” she agreed, her eyes wandering to the breadth of his chest, his muscled shoulders and thick arms. Her mouth went dry at the sight of him. She’d always had a healthy sexual appetite. But Patton had made her insatiable.
“So this is good?”