style. Their strong points. She could possibly bring an added insight that he or David might miss. He nodded, pleased. “I’ll see what I can do.” He glanced at his watch. “I think we’d better go get something to eat. I made reservations at the Palm Court. I told them we’d be in the Oak Room Bar. I don’t want to miss the reservation.”
“The Palm Court at the Plaza for dinner?”
“It seemed convenient,” Marc said lightly, pulling her after him.
He smiled mischievously. She adored his smile.
He could have warned her about the restaurant. Not that it was that big a deal.
“It’s not that big a deal.” He was amused at her disconcerted reaction as he shepherded her past the hansom cabs with their glossy-coated horses.
“I think they must have carved the restaurant out of what was once a grand reception area in the old days. No matter. It’s nice.” Mark said.
The uniformed doorman ushered them through the revolving doors. The restaurant was right in front of them, a great drift of potted palms outlining the dining area. The lights were low, candles gleamed. Music came from somewhere. The table was tiny. The waiter wonderfully attentive. The food, ambrosial.
“You really go for this stuff,” Marc observed at the end of the meal, peering over a cup of delicious coffee as the waiter placed a gorgeous chocolate mousse between them and presented two forks.
“It’s very romantic.” Amanda could understand why debutantes from all over the country vied to have their cotillion lunches here with their beaus. She knew she was light-headed. The white wine hadn’t been completely assimilated even with the wonderful filet of sole. “I suppose a lot has to do with the history of the place, the fact that it’s been around so long. It’s survived with such elegance. Like the Waldorf. It’s still here. You can only hope that you’ll be as lucky and survive as well. In your own way, of course.”
Her eyes drifted up to his. She was definitely in love.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
“Not even if you max out your Amex card.”
“You wanna spend the night?” His eyes were anxious. Going for it. He was forking in the mousse as urgently as she.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Another flood of luscious chocolate burst over her taste buds. “I can’t imagine The Plaza allowing us to check in without luggage.”
“There’s a luggage shop down the corridor.”
Suddenly she became aware of what he was saying. Her inner voice was smirkingly silent.
“You shouldn’t tease.” She wasn’t sure if he were and if so, about what.
“We never get to be alone.” He forked in another bite of the mousse. He was not being gentlemanly about sharing. She stabbed her fork to protect her portion. “You’ve got a roommate; David never goes out. There are always people around.” He looked around the elegant space forlornly. A waiter instantly appeared.
“Uh, perhaps more coffee.” Amanda said. She smiled and snagged the last bite of mousse.
“You need to get to know me better,” he continued, “without a lot of distractions. There’s a lot more to me than just a great-looking bod and a needle-sharp mind.”
She laughed. His glasses were off. His eyes were like liquid skies. A view of the park from a Plaza bedroom window must be a beautiful sight. And a great-looking bod lying on a beautifully linened bed waiting for her…
“A buck for your thoughts?”
“Marc… I…”
“Yes?”
He nodded sagely. “Still need ‘space,’ huh?”
Oh, God, how she longed to see a view of the park through a Plaza window.
“I’m not sure I can handle that,” he said seriously.
“What?”
“That space stuff. I want very badly to be very near you.”
“And I want very badly to be near you,” she admitted. “When you held me outside…”
His look was soft and gentle and understanding and manly. He would honor her request.
They finished the second cup of coffee in silence. He seemed content, drawn inward. Amanda was a mess. Why did she have to put her feelings on the line? Because it was important that she not be misunderstood this time. The guy in Pittsburgh she had almost married had pushed. It was important that Marc know how much she cared, but that she didn’t like being forced.
“IT’S RAINING!” The doorman spread his hands in resignation. “I’m sorry, sir, the taxis have all been engaged.”
Marc peered into the rain. “It doesn’t look too bad. Probably be over in a little while. You wanna go back in for a…” Suddenly his face lit up. “Pick one.” He gestured toward the line of hansom cabs. “We’ll take a ride around the park in the rain ‘til it stops. Romantic, huh? I’ll tell you the story of my life without any distractions. Not much space, though.”
She grimaced. “Marc’s that awfully expensive for…”
He swept his arm toward the carriages again. “Clip, clop. Drip, drop. Just like Fred and Ginger.”
The doorman smiled. “I’ll go get one for you, if you like.”
She couldn’t disappoint Marc’s eager look. “The white carriage.”
The handsome dark horse, its brushed coat steaming in the cool rain, pulled the white two-wheeled hansom cab up to the steps. The doorman stepped out to help Amanda and Marc in. The young man driving looked pleased that he had a fare and not at all concerned that rain was running off his rather battered high silk hat and incongruous down jacket.
Marc and Amanda snuggled under the blanket inside as the cab clip-clopped its way across the street and into the park.
Marc was as excited as she. “Neat, huh?” He slid an arm around her and held her close, his eyes shining as he glanced around at the retreating lights of the city.
Mercurial. One moment a sophisticated man of the world, the next an excited young adventurer. How secure he acted as the model, how efficient in routing the intruder at her apartment, how professional with the gun, how understanding of Cissy, how concerned about Amanda’s anxiety toward her friends.
She snuggled closer to the warm, powerful presence beside her, listening to the spring rain pattering on the carriage roof. The park was magical with the shimmering glow of street lamps glittering through the curtain of rain drops with the city veiled in the distance.
She looked up into the face of pure adoration. His square jaw descended, his moist lips parted and pressed against hers gently, tenderly and then more firmly, with greater urgency. Her mouth melted against the capturing pressure. Her body curled into the powerful coil of his embrace.
Amanda’s heart thrummed in her chest responding to Marc’s escalating pulse. Her whole body became electric.
A warm, muscular probe delicately thrust through her lips and touched her own in the blended caves of their mouths. Then as she welcomed him with responding strokes, he began to aggressively explore. His strength surged through her, firing her senses.
