“Have any of them tried to enter since you gave their names to security?”
“Only Hope.”
“I’ll bet she was furious when they refused her entrance.” And probably embarrassed as all hell.
“She was. But I’d told her to stay away from the building. If she’d listened, it wouldn’t have happened.”
I tilted my head. “You wouldn’t really try to get Owen fired, would you?”
Dane put his face closer to mine. “You already know the answer to that.” He tugged on my hand. “Come on. You still want to see those red panda things, don’t you?”
“They’re not things.”
“Well they’re not pandas.”
True, actually, but whatever. I was disappointed when we finally reached their enclosure, because only one of them seemed to be outside, and it was so high up a damn tree I could only see part of its head.
I tried zooming in on the panda with my phone to get a better look, but the effort came to nothing. “I’m bummed I can barely see it.”
Dane slid his hand up my back and rested it on the crook of my neck, probably unaware that it sent a pleasant chill dancing along my spine. “Be still.”
“Why?”
“Because you have what looks like a mosquito on your nape.” He moved my ponytail aside and flicked off whatever insect had landed on me. His thumb brushed over the back of my neck, making the skin tingle. “Doesn’t look like it bit you.”
I cleared my throat. “Thanks.” Plastering a blasé smile on my face, I turned to him. “Let’s go find your spirit animals, shall we?”
“My what?”
“The rhinos.”
It turned out that there were quite a few of them. Two were awake and walking around—one of which was a baby, and my heart just melted into a pile of goo. I really had no idea baby rhinos could be so freaking cute.
I leaned against the fence, fascinated by it. Apparently, I watched it a little too long, because Dane eventually curled an arm around my waist and bodily moved me away.
After that, we meandered around the reptile house. I wondered if the snakes might react to the presence of their evil master, but no. We paid a brief visit to the petting zoo before then following the themed animal trails and checking out the interactive exhibits. It took some convincing, but I managed to coax Dane into watching a sea lion show in the outdoor amphitheater. He didn’t seem particularly entertained, but he did enjoy his ice cream.
Later on, as we walked through the gift shop, I swept my gaze around the large space, checking out the plentiful merchandise. I did a double-take when I noticed a magnet with Pallas’ cats on it. I took it from the display and flipped it over to check the price.
Dane sighed. “You want that, don’t you?”
“Who wouldn’t?”
He all but snatched it from my hand with a put-out sound and crossed to the checkout desk. Having paid for the magnet, he shoved it into my hand. “There.”
Not in the least bit bothered by how gruff and rude he was acting, I smiled. “That was kind of you.”
He tossed me a frown. “I’m not kind.”
“But the deed was kind. Come on, your terribly plain fridge is waiting for its new decoration.”
In the parking lot, we headed to his Aston Martin and slid inside. I was so used to Sam chauffeuring us around that it was strange to have Dane drive us places, but I liked it. I didn’t know what it said about me that I found it hot to watch him drive but … it was just the way he looked so focused, at ease, and in complete control. I dug it.
“Thank you for coming with me,” I said as he reversed out of his spot, his arm curved around my headrest.
His eyes met mine. “Maybe I want something.”
I tensed. His ideas of “favors” could be extreme. “Like what?”
“I said maybe.”
“You like keeping me off-balance, don’t you?”
He switched gears and drove forward. “Vienna, I like doing that to everyone.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
I was running late. I rarely ran late. But I hadn’t slept well last night. Partly because it was a strange bed—the hotel’s mattress was divine, but it hadn’t helped me settle—and partly because I’d woken at dumb ‘o’ clock feeling wired. If it was a nightmare that woke me, I didn’t remember it.
I’d lain awake for hours. Eventually, I’d given up trying to sleep and simply sat near the window overlooking the New York skyline. And now, tired and groggy, I wasn’t quite as speedy as usual as I moved around the bedroom, getting ready for the conference that would soon start.
My hair and makeup were finally done, though, and I’d pulled on my underwear. All I really needed to do was slip into my suit and high heels. I wasn’t going to have time to eat breakfast, which was a bummer. Maybe I could munch on an apple during the elevator ride or something.
“Vienna, have you seen the—” Dane came to an abrupt halt in the doorway.
I squeaked. Squeaked. But, hell, I was standing there in my damn bra and panties! And there was nothing close that I could grab to cover myself with. “Can’t you knock?”
His dark, broody eyes raked over me, focusing on me so intently it made my scalp prickle. I stilled, feeling trapped. Uncomfortable. Exposed. The air charged with an electric tension that made my body tighten.
I didn’t move an inch. I couldn’t. I felt rooted to the spot by the blatant heat in his gaze. There was something very predatory about him right then. Something that made me feel … not quite threatened, no, but hunted. And yet, a dangerously wicked hunger unfurled in my stomach.
It occurred to me that I’d frozen just like prey. That chafed at my pride. I wasn’t easily intimidated or unnerved. But, yeah, I was rattled right then. Nobody had ever looked at me with such open need and bold possession, like it was their right to do so.
Well, it wasn’t his right. Not at all. But I didn’t dare say that, because it would sound like nothing short of a challenge.
His eyes locked with mine, still hot and hungry. “I figured you’d already be dressed. You’re usually ready on time.”
“I just need a minute,” I practically croaked.
“I see that.” He flitted his gaze over me once more and then left the room.
A shaky breath stuttered out of me. I quickly snatched my shirt and slipped it on, determined to put that little eye-fuck out of my mind and get on with my day. But with my pulse racing and my blood hot, I wasn’t so sure it would be that easy.
When I was finally dressed and ready to go, I headed to the sitting area to find Dane stood there, his expression carefully blank. Okay. We left without a word to each other.
The downward trip in the elevator was … interesting. The moment the doors slid closed, the air seemed to hum and thicken. I’d never been more keenly aware of him; of his scent, of his body, of every single movement he made. Like my sexual radar was honed on him.
My hormones went crazy, the tension mounted, and everything feminine in me reached for him. Honestly, it was almost like the eye-fuck had primed my body or something.
I sat at his side throughout the conference. My nerve endings were so raw and sensitive that small touches—hell, even the mere brush of his arm against mine—could make my entire body react. A spark of excitement would zip up my spine and cause little bumps to sweep along my flesh.