Returning to say my goodbyes to the few remaining clients and a couple of other people I know, I finally thank the host and his wife for a lovely evening. I hurry out of the piano room before anyone else can latch onto me, and make my way to the front door where Brett waits for me.
He smiles as I approach him.
Looking down, I feel my cheeks warming again as I look at him through my eyelashes and give him a shy smile. I look up properly in time to catch him staring back at me with undisguised lust on his face. I swallow hard as I feel my cheeks getting redder, but I ignore them and close the gap between Brett and I. By the time I reach his side, he has regained his composure. Shame. I really liked that look on his face, even if it did make me blush right down my neck and chest rather than just on my face.
“I’ve called for a car,” he says. “I thought we could just share one. I hope that’s okay with you?”
“Of course.” It’s better than okay. It means our night together can last a little bit longer.
Brett’s phone beeps. He pulls it out and glances at it briefly. “That was my driver. Our car is here.”
“That quickly?” I ask, surprised. I expected us to have wait at least half an hour or so.
Brett smiles and nods. “My driver doesn’t go far. There’s an all night diner a mile or so down the road. He’ll have most likely waited there with a coffee and perhaps a burger.” He holds his arm out to me.
Taking his arm, I feel kind of giddy as the sparks fly up and down my body As we step outside, I stumble slightly and find myself leaning against Brett’s side.
“Are you all right?” he asks.
I look up and find him gazing down at me. His eyes have darkened again, and I know the touching of our bodies is having the same effect on him as it is on me. I can hardly breathe as I peer up at him and just nod to answer his question. I don’t think I can utter a single word right now.
He moves his arm away.
I feel a second of such intense loss that I can’t breathe, but his hand isn’t gone from me for long, and when he puts it on the small of my back to guide me down the steps safely, I find I still can’t breathe but this time, it’s for a different reason.
I take the steps slowly, aware of how much I have drank, but with Brett’s hand on my back, I feel like I’m floating on air and I get down the steps easily. I have never met anyone who has this effect on me before, and I don’t know what exactly it is about Brett produces such a strong response in me. But I do know this—I have to have him. If I don’t, I will end up absolutely crazy.
We reach the car and Brett opens the door for me. I thank him, pleased when my voice comes out sounding normal, and I get into the car.
He closes the door, goes around to the other side and gets in beside me. He asks the driver to drop me off first and we pull away. Brett sits looking out of the window.
After glancing at him a few times, hoping he will start a conversation, I give up and do the same. I can feel the tension between us. The air in the back of the car feels thick, like the sexual chemistry between us has taken on a physical form. I try my best to think of something to say to break the tension between us, but I can’t think of anything.
It’s only when we’re almost at my place when I realize that I’m about to be dropped off and that will be it. I have a feeling that if nothing happens between Brett and I tonight when we’re both a little tipsy and out of work mode, that nothing ever will. And the thought of never feeling his lips on mine, never feeling his hands on my body, is almost too much to bear.
I have to find a way to invite him up to my apartment without looking like I’m desperately trying to seduce him. I know Rita is staying at her boyfriend’s place tonight. I can’t help but think that if I can just get Brett alone up there, we will be unleashed and whatever is going to happen between us will happen. Maybe then I can get this desire out of my system and I can act a little more normally around him.
We’re pulling onto my block when I turn to Brett to start and execute my plan to get him into my apartment. “So did you manage to get any other appointments set up tonight then?” I ask.
He nods his head, looking at me a little dazedly as though I have pulled him out of a deep thought. “Yes,” he says. “I have several appointments set up for next week.”
“Good,” I reply.
The driver pulls up outside of my apartment building and I know this is my only shot. I can feel the blood rushing to my face and I am suddenly glad I’m beneath the cover of darkness so Brett can’t see how uncomfortable I am.
“Maybe you should come up to my apartment and we’ll have a quick drink and go over everything while the details are fresh in our minds. I’m a little worried that if we wait too long, we might forget something important. And Monday is a long way away.”
Brett studies my face for a second, his expression giving nothing away.
I have no idea if he can read the intentions beneath the seemingly innocent invitation, and I have no
