Page 61 of Savage Suit

“Ian and I were just finishing dessert,” I blurted, to fill the space with words and drown out the roaring in my head. If I wanted to be honest with myself, I’d admit to jealousy, but since I had no intention at self-evidence, I pretended not to care he was with such a gorgeous woman. Tall, thin, with diamonds dripping from her ears, neck, and fingers. “Would you care to join us for after-dinner drinks?”

“Another time.” Noah’s stare burned into me, left me feeling as if he undressed me in slow, agonizing degrees, until my body was as bare as my soul. “Rosalie and I have other plans.”

The nape of my neck grew hot as my blush crept up my neck and into my cheeks at the insinuation in his deep voice. Rosalie wrinkled her small, straight nose, but Noah commanded my focus, leaving me unable to puzzle over her displeasure. His eyes bored into me, searching for answers to questions he hadn’t asked. But then he had enough and drew his gaze away.

Vaguely, I heard Noah and Rosalie’s goodnights, and suddenly, through a haze, I realized Ian and I were alone again.

“What was that all about?” Ian demanded. “And you didn’t tell me you were working for that asshole.”

Whatwasthat about? If only I knew. I couldn’t understand why desire and longing swept through me and set my body to burning every time I saw Noah. But I had no answer. Not for Ian and not for me. My indignation at Ian’s nerve slid away.

In silence, I watched as the waiter cleared away Ian’s coffee cup and empty dessert plate. When the man turned to me, I leaned away from the table to allow him space to clear my dishes, too.

“You seem quite upset at seeing Noah Keegan, Ryan,” Ian observed once the waiter left us alone again. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Noah had thrown me so off-kilter, I couldn’t find any offense in Ian’s possessive tone. “He’s my boss now, so the less said about him, the better.”

Studying me, Ian clamped his mouth shut.

The waiter brought a silver bucket filled with a bottle of champagne. He set two fluted glasses on the table and held the bottle out for Ian’s inspection.

He nodded in approval and the waiter opened the bottle without the loud pop I so enjoyed when the removal of the cork released the pressure.

“Dom Perignon?” I looked at Ian, arched an eyebrow, and smiled. “I’m properly impressed.” Though I wondered how he could afford the bottle on a bartender’s salary, I could cross another champagne off my bucket list.

“It’s my intention to impress you,” Ian said, as the waiter poured the champagne and placed the bottle in the silver bucket before leaving.

Ian reached across the table for my hand. I allowed him to hold it for a second, then I squeezed his hand gently, and let go.

At his disappointed look, I laughed anxiously, closing my fingers around my glass.

Ian picked up his glass and raised it in a toast. “We can’t let this evening go by without toasting,” he said.

“By no means.” I raised my glass. “What shall we toast?”

“Your new job.”

“Salut!” I said, touching my glass to Ian’s.

“Salut!” he echoed.

Afterward, we fell into an awkward silence. Noah’s departure with his date dampened my evening, and I just wanted to go home. I traced my finger around the edge of my glass.

“I’m sorry about that hand thing just now. I hope you didn’t read anything into that.”

He looked so forlorn that I gave him a gentle smile and took his hand in mine. “Thank you for celebrating with me. Your thoughtfulness is sweet.”

“You’re an extraordinary lady, Ryan, and you deserve a special evening. I only hope I haven’t ruined it for you. You can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“I don’t, Ian.”

“Is there a chance for me?” he asked, pressing the issue.

Uncertain if I withheld a direct answer to spare him or because I needed a steadying force while I worked at Keegan Media Group bewildered me. I was no longer in the mood for dancing. “Let’s call it a night.”

“Very well. Please don’t let this change things between us, Ryan.”

“Of course not,” I murmured, and hoped that would be the case.