Page 10 of When He Lies
“I can stay with you tonight,” Ryan offered. He straightened to his full height and stared down at her with a considering gaze. “If you’re afraid, I can sleep right here.”
She rose, too. Her full height which was not nearly as tall and intimidating as his. “If you stay, you’ll want to share my bed.”
“I already want to share your bed.” An instant retort. “But we’re on date three, and I distinctly recall you saying that three dates do not equal one bed so…” He glanced at the floor. “I can bunk down on the carpet.”
It was her turn to laugh.
His head snapped up at the sound, and his wide eyes locked on her face.
She enjoyed the mirth, letting it roll through her because her real laughs were few and far between. When the humor finally settled, she had to swipe away a tear from her left eye.
“I’ve amused you?” he asked, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
“Yes. I’m not used to billionaires offering to sleep on the floor for me. Quite the novel experience.”
His lips pressed together.
“We both know it’s an offer you didn’t mean. The lights will go out, and then you’ll be kissing me again. But, nice try. Points for the attempt.”
“You don’t trust me.” His brow furrowed.
“It’s not just you. I don’t trust most people.” The true statement just slid out. Something she probably should not have confessed, but it was too late to pull the words back. Whoops. Definitely time to end this date. “I’m tired. It’s certainly been an…interesting evening with you.”
He stared back at her. All intense. Handsome. Sexy.
And not moving.
Since Ryan was not taking her very obvious hint, she darted around him and made her way to the closed bedroom door. Pasting a bright smile on her face, Simone said, “Thank you. I will not forget this night anytime soon.” Now, time for him to exit. She opened the door. Wide.
He slowly stalked toward her. Slow, steady steps. He didn’t go through the open doorway. No, that would have been too easy. Of course, he stopped right in front of her. “I certainly hope you don’t forget me. I’ll be seeing you soon.”
She widened her eyes. “You will?”
“Um. Knowing your boss, I’m sure there is some massive breakfast that Frederick will offer his guests. I’ll see you then.”
Nah. He wouldn’t. She’d be long gone by dawn. “I’m not much for breakfast.”
“I was your ride here, Simone. I will safely take you home.”
“Aren’t you the gentleman?”
“Not really.” He sucked in a breath. As if his own admission had caught him by surprise.
At least she wasn’t the only one sharing things that she shouldn’t be saying.
Still, he lingered. Even as she kept the door open. “Is there something else?” Simone finally asked because, honestly, as devilishly handsome as the man was, she had things to do. A gallery that she had to sneak back into. A particular item that she needed to retrieve.
Simone had never liked to think of her work as stealing. The items she collected had already been stolen from their rightful owners. Others had taken them. Stolen them. They were the thieves, not her. She was simply retrieving the stolen property and taking the material back where it belonged. That was like, doing community service. Goodwill.
“Why did you kiss me?” He waved back toward the bed. “Here?”
“Well, it certainly wasn’t to distract guards.” An edge of annoyance underscored her words. When a man kissed her, she wanted him to do it because he was desperate to taste her. Was that too much to ask? Simone certainly didn’t think so. No one should kiss her as a distraction. Talk about insulting. “I wanted to see if the kiss would be as good when you weren’t faking things.”
“Faking. Things.” A muscle flexed along his ever-so-kissable jaw. “What is it that you think I faked?”
Almost everything. Her inner alarms were just too loud with him.
“My desire for you is quite real,” he assured her.
