Page 19

Chapter

Eighteen

Tenley

T he emerald green satin dress hanging on the back of my door isn’t my usual choice of color. I’m unlikely to wear it again, but under the circumstances, for tonight’s date with a handsome Irish man, it’s perfect.

When Smoke had left my apartment, his parting threat had unravelled me somewhat, and immediately, I’d grabbed the bottle of vodka that was stashed in the back of my freezer box for emergencies. With a shot glass in one hand and ice-cold bottle under my arm, I had snatched up my laptop and got settled back on the sofa.

Three hours later, half the vodka gone and a shit ton of scrolling through pages and pages of research on the Death Valley Irish and the Dunne family, I could barely see straight. With no further earth-shattering insight into any of them, I surrendered and took myself off to bed, hoping I didn’t have a raging hangover in the morning.

I hadn’t, thankfully, but as I’d trailed around the boutiques in the midtown area of Reno, I’d returned home with the headache from hell and an outfit for my date.

I’d taken a nap, only dragging myself up and into the shower around half an hour ago giving me a little over ninety minutes to get ready.

My makeup is flawless but not over the top. I wasn’t sure what to do with my hair. In the end, I decided to leave it down in soft curls that framed my face. I pull the dress from the hanger and unfasten the zip that runs down the side of the fabric. As I step into it and bring the soft, silky fabric up my body, I watch my reflection in the tall mirror in front of me. Securing the zipper is a little awkward, but once in place, the fabric clings to my curves perfectly. The neckline drapes low enough to give a hint of cleavage without showing too much of what hides beneath. The length falls just above my knee and has a small slit at the side which shows a little more thigh. I make a mental note to check that I’m not flashing too much skin when I sit.

I slip on my nude, heeled pumps and put the final touch of red glossy lipstick to my lips.

“Holy fuck,” I grind out when I take in my full view in the mirror. Even I’m shocked at how incredibly hot I look. It’s too much. This is way too much for a dinner date with a man I barely know, and a dangerous one at that.

I rummage in my wardrobe intending to pull out some plain black pants and a top more suitable for the date, but then Smoke’s warning comes back to mind. I stop, hands still holding on to the garments, and let out an enormous sigh.

To get this man’s attention, I need to pull out all the stops and if dressing like I’m about to be whisked off to Paris for dinner at the Guy Savoy restaurant, then that’s what I’ll do. I just hope we don’t end up at In-N-Out Burger and looking a right pretentious schmuck.

To keep up the pretence of where I live, when Paddy messaged me about picking me up, I’d planned to book a cab to get me to my decoy apartment block a whole thirty minutes before he was due. I was sure that once I was there, if I stepped inside the building that I’d be able to keep the doorman talking until Paddy arrived without raising any suspicion. But when a second message popped up on my phone from him confirming, it blew my strategic plan out of the water when it showed my actual address. A shiver of apprehension had rolled down my spine. So much for keeping that under wraps. Thank fuck building security will be back in a few days.

My cell pings and skips along the top of the dresser from the vibration. When I check it, it’s a message from Paddy to let me know that he’s arrived and parked in front of the building.

I grab my purse that’s lying on top of the bed and pop my personal phone into it. The burner that Smoke gave me was already in there. Lo and behold, just as I’m about to zip up the top, the burner buzzes.

“Hey,” I say as soon as I hit the answer button .

“Ready for your date?” Smoke’s gruff yet sexy voice filters down the phone and tickles my ear.

“You just caught me walking out the door,” I reply while navigating through the apartment to leave.

“You all dressed up and ready to impress?” His tone is a little patronizing and a lot harsh.

“Of course. You have nothing to worry about in that department. I’m looking a million dollars and ready to work my womanly charms,” I’m being sarcastic of course, but the growl I get back in return tells me he doesn’t get it and seems to have just pissed him off.

I step out into the hallway with my purse tucked under my arm; I turn to lock up my apartment.

“What time, and where are you meeting him?”

“He’s here, downstairs. I’m about to take the elevator,” I report to him as I hit the call button. The indicator above tells me it’s three floors up, but on its way.

“He’s at your place, your actual place? How the fuck did he find out where you live?”

“Not sure, but he has.” The elevator door opens, and I step inside. “I gotta go. I’ll be in touch as soon as I get back. Don’t wait up,” I add, hoping he’ll give me some time and space to do what’s needed without interruptions.

The call cuts as soon as the door closes, as the signal inside the lift is non-existent. I slip the burner back into my purse and secure it by the time I get down to the lobby. As I get to the glass doors at the front of the building, I check around for the horrible colored car, but when Paddy steps out of the driver’s side of a sleek black Lincoln Continental, I’m blown away .

As he walks towards me, I see that he’s dressed in black suit pants, forest green shirt with the top two buttons open, giving me a peek of smooth skin. The color of his dark tan blazer-style jacket matches the leather loafers that adorn his feet. His hair, both facial and head, is groomed to within an inch of their life.

Holy shit, Paddy Dunne looks like he’s ready to shoot the front cover of Vogue magazine, while in reality, he’s here to see little old me.

“Tenley,” he growls in the most sensual way. “Mmm, you’re breathtaking. That dress.” He steps up to me, his hand falling to my hip as he leans forward and places his lips on my cheek. The cologne he wears, with hints of sandalwood and musk, hit my senses, making me a little heady. “Green, my absolute favorite color.”

“I could say the same about you,” I giggle, leaning back and doing an exaggerated head to toe skim of him. “Color coordinated too,” I add as I stroke the tips of my fingers down the front of his shirt. Even through the fabric, his chest is firm to the touch, a distinctive valley between his pectorals. “People will think we planned it.”

“When in truth, it’s a simple coincidence.” He takes my hand in his, clasping it, but with a gentleness that surprises me, and leads me towards the car. “Or could it be that we are connecting on a level that even we don’t understand? At least, not yet anyway.” The skin on his palm is soft and warm, and strangely comforting. Dare I say natural. As soon as we get to the car, he pulls open the passenger door for me.

“Maybe,” I smile coyly up at him as I slide carefully into the car seat. For a few seconds, his eyes drop to the split in my skirt, but I’m on it, holding the fabric together.

He still has hold of my hand, as if worried I might flee. Part of me is wondering if I should, but the rest of me. Well, the man is charming and has me intrigued.

“I’m hoping that you’ll give us a chance to explore this on many levels.”

Wowza.

My smile slips a little while my mind digests what possible levels he’s referring to. No words come to me in response, not even when he leans partially into the car, brings my hand to his lips and brushes a gentle kiss to the back.

After he pushes the door closed, I take the time it takes for him to circle around the car to the driver's side to suck in a couple of deep breaths to calm not just my nerves but the arousal that’s building between my legs. Damn, I need to get laid, however Patrick Dunne is not the man for the job despite his ability to wake my libido and looking to party.