the crunch of metal on metal echoed through the car and her heart jumped to the top of her throat. Elizabeth threw a wild glance behind her and withered. Of all the people to run into, and this way.
Her face burning, she set her forehead on the steering wheel. She couldn’t bring herself to get out and explain.
A rap on the window forced her to edge her gaze higher over the wheel. Daniel Warren was grinning in at her, signaling for her to lower the window.
“Fancy bumping into you here,” he said, looking amused as he leaned folded forearms on the ledge when the window was down.
She fought the urge to pat her warm cheeks. “I apologize. I … I didn’t see your vehicle.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he laughed. “You didn’t look.” His gaze searched hers before dropping to devour her lips. “Anything special bring you into town?”
“Special?” While her heartbeat skipped on, she pretended to think. “Just a few errands.”
“At the hotel?”
His devilish, knowing grin had her dissolving. There was no use pretending. Angling her head, she sat back.
“Truth is I was curious.”
“About my design?”
She nodded. And other things.
He swung open her door, but she hesitated. “Are you sure you have time?”
“I always have time for you.”
Before heading off, Daniel checked the negligible damage to their cars then, taking her arm, he escorted her around folk meandering down the footpath—some clearly interested in the pair—and into the hotel foyer. As they entered the building’s cool interior, Elizabeth’s stomach knotted and she slid a look around. Just the day before yesterday, after she and Daniel had made love, she’d bumped into Chad here. But surely lightning didn’t strike twice in one place.
When they were in the privacy of an elevator, Daniel wasted no time in rotating her to face him. His palms gliding down the sensitive indentation of her back, he gathered her near and kissed her thoroughly while she melted into a grateful, pliant puddle. The time spent waiting, wondering if she might have dreamed those hours spent together, had been worth every minute.
The world was spinning when the elevator doors opened. Still, Daniel took his sweet time breaking the kiss. When his mouth finally left hers, his lips remained teasingly close. Dizzy, Elizabeth clung to his shirt, imagining the hard flesh steaming beneath as his hooded, hungry gaze searched hers.
“You’re addictive.”
Floating, she leaned in. “Feeling’s mutual.”
“We’re still on for an escape from Royal then?”
She almost buckled with relief. He hadn’t forgotten.
“Anytime you’re ready.”
Hot, strong fingers laced through hers as they stepped into the corridor and headed toward his door.
“I want to get the basics of the new design sorted first. I’ll send scans to Rand so he can work on the dimensions and scaled drawings.”
“Don’t you want to do that yourself?”
“When I’ve sketched everything out, I intend to spend time with you.”
“You might be missing New York by then.”
“Is that a hint? Do you want to spend our days visiting the Statue of Liberty and Central Park?”
“If you really want to know, I have a craving for something far more private. Maybe something tropical.”
Swiping the keycard, he winked. “Leave it to me.”
Inside the suite, they crossed to a long central table. Sketches were scattered everywhere so that only snatches of wood poked through. When something crunched beneath her foot, Elizabeth looked down. Paper lay all over the floor, too.
After clearing a square, he positioned a sheet in the center of the table and stood back, hands low on his hips.
“Tell me if you think it’ll fly.”
Stepping up, she inspected the drawings. There were scales and numbers and different angles. Confusing for a layperson, but the overall concept was clear and, to her mind, nothing short of perfect!
At her side, he slipped slim reading glasses on then ran two fingertips over the main drawing.
“Exterior material will be stone but also with a strong emphasis on glass, which will encase a tall tunnel ceiling spanning the entire length of the curving building.”
“Lots of glass … to let the light in?”
“Natural light,” he agreed, his attention on the drawing. “Light coming from the new membership and century.”
Smiling at the excitement sparkling in his eyes, she nodded then looked down again.
“And this shape?”
“I couldn’t get away from the symbol that most typifies this state as well as the club. Plastering massive steer horns on a giant cowhide door, however, was one of my less inspired ideas.”
Elizabeth only pressed her lips together. Everyone made mistakes.
“But here the symbol of the club,” he went on, “steer horns, are embodied within the structure of the building itself. The character of the Cattleman’s Club is everywhere without being in anyone’s face.”
The building had no sharp angles or corners but rather curved around, in and out again, mimicking a set of horns. She pointed out the semicircular spaces.
“What’ll go in here?”
“I’m not sure yet. But I have an idea for the separate sections of the club with regard to color.” He pointed to the drawing. “That wing or horn will be devoted to equitable gatherings, such as sport, which should inspire a sense of fair play—or justice, if you will. It will be decorated with black opals in mind.”
“Black leather and granite trims?” she asked.
“Shimmering surfaces. The center third will be dining, meeting rooms and the library. The leadership area’s decor will reflect the legend’s red diamond.”
“Like red granite, redwood trimming and crimson carpet.”
“Uh-huh. The other wing …” He inhaled, slipped off his glasses and straightened. “Well, I’m still working out what to put in there but the theme will be emeralds. Green for growth.”
“And for peace.”
He smiled. “Right.”
She studied the design a final time then, satisfied, drew back. “If you’re going to get this done on time, I’d best let you be.”
His arm scooped around her waist and unapologetically tugged her in, deliciously close to his heady, innate heat.
“You’re not going anywhere,” he growled.
“I’m not?”
“Not today.” His head angled until his lips brushed hers, back and forth, up and blissfully down. Lower, she felt the physical result of his desire press against her belly and a wonderful floating feeling fell over her. Her next words came out a sigh.
“I didn’t bring anything with me.”
“What do you need?” His head lowered and he kissed her neck as if he were tasting fruits sent from heaven. “This.” He changed to the other side. “Or this?”
Gripping his broad shoulders, she liquefied more.
“You could wear a lady out,” she murmured.
A second before his mouth claimed hers,