"You mean like with a tool belt?" Chloe clarified. "And tools?" She needed to get her facts straight before she jumped to conclusions that might put her heart at risk. "I thought you were as much a part of New York old-money society as me."
"I'm not." He frowned, his intense eyes darkening until they were almost black. "Does that matter to you?"
"Having grown up in a house full of people so damn reserved they can't give their kid a birthday party without consulting the social register, yes, I'd say it does matter to me. I'm not getting involved in a serious relationship with any man who puts a lot of importance on those kinds of externals." She was struck anew by visions of her gladiator in blue jeans. And a tool belt. "But if you're the down-to-earth kind of guy I'm thinking you might be, this puts a whole new spin on things."
He reached across the bed and hauled her to him. Tightly. "Meaning a serious relationship with me is now in the works."
Warmth curled through her, along with an anticipation for something that went far beyond sex. "It's a possibility."
"It's a done deal, counselor, and don't even think about arguing your way out of this one." He outlined the curve of her hip with his hand, fitted her to his arousal by pressing her all the closer.
"I thought I was the Heart Queen tonight," she argued, just because it was fun to spar with him. She'd secretly enjoyed their courtroom clashes in the past because he'd been a quick wit and a clever speaker. She had the feeling she was going to enjoy their personal encounters all the more.
"Then it looks like you've got your work cut out for you to make an uptown girl fall head over heels in love with a working-class upstart like me."
"I'm a step ahead of the witness, as usual." Chloe combed her fingers through Eric's dark hair and drew his mouth closer to hers. Her girlfriends would never believe how wildly successful tonight's manhunting masquerade had been. "That particular romantic mission has already been completed."
He stared down at her in the half light, looking as dark and dangerous as a Roman gladiator, as muscle-bound sexy as any construction worker. "Then I'm going to spend tonight giving you a peek into your future, Chloe, and show you just how much I'm going to love you right back. Are you game for the adventure of a lifetime?"
She bit her lip as if really deliberating the question, then flashed him an innocent smile. "Actually, I made this pact to be a little more daring…."
Eric tackled her to the bed before she could even finish fully provoking him. And Chloe knew with deep certainty that this man was going to bring the best kind of turbulence, change — and love — into her life, after all.
The End
Joanne Rock - Manhunting Masquerade Page 3
