CHAPTER TWO #6
His room, the master, which she was in earlier, had his and hers bathrooms, and a large dressing room.
Again, she could fit her apartment in it.
The tour ended there. She glanced around the main part of the bedroom.
She’d never noticed the king sized four poster bed when she was in there earlier even though she’d sat on it.
It made her realize how nervous she was at the time.
Well, he certainly had good taste in décor.
“It’s incredible Lance—all of it. Do you use that gym?” She asked out of curiosity.
“Every day I’m here. It’s not the same as getting exercise at home, but it keeps me healthy. You are more than welcome to use it if you wish.”
She shouldn’t be surprised that he worked out away from the ranch. “So why is it you own this and only spend a few days a year here?”
“I actually spend a few days a month here. My brothers and their wives know where I am, but I don’t talk about my personal life to anyone.”
“Oh.” Well, she knew for a fact that was true.
“I told you, I like a healthy balance.” He took a swallow from his half empty wine glass looking at her over the rim of the fine crystal.
She felt her heart still. Gosh, the man had eyes that could reach into her soul. Yet, his were as always, indecipherable. Then he looked at his watch.
“Our driver will be here. We should go.”
“Of course.” She mimicked his gesture and finished off the contents of the glass before letting him take it from her. She wanted to ask him if he brought women here, but she already knew the answer to that. Of course he did.
“Do you have a wrap?”
“I do. I’ll fetch it.”
“I’ll meet you at the elevator in a couple of minutes.” He left the room.
Gosh, even his walk was full of confidence and unmatched masculinity. She couldn’t help but feel pride that she was beside him tonight. He’ll keep her grounded so she doesn’t get overwhelmed.
As promised he was waiting and held out his hand as she approached. She handed him her wrap.
“Turn around,” he said softly.
She did.
He gracefully wrapped it around her shoulders like he’d done it a thousand times and she bit her lip to keep from gasping as his fingers gently brushed her bare shoulders.
“Mr. Hartley,” she murmured, “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to seduce me.” She really didn’t know where on earth that came from. Yes, she had a sense of humor, but she never flirted with a man in her life!
He leaned down and whispered deeply in her ear. “Just gearing up for the part Miss Easler.”
She turned around and looked up at him. “Well, you’re a great actor.”
He burst into laughter.
Tammy smiled at the wonderful sound. She couldn’t remember hearing him laugh like that before. Gosh it made him look more handsome, boyish in a way, if that was possible. The sound was seductively deep and heated up every cell in her body.
When he looked at her again, a crooked smile formed. He then reached into his suit pocket and took her hand at the same time. “Just to make it look real.”
Before Tammy realized it, he’d slipped a stunning diamond engagement ring on her finger.
It was big—really really big. “Wow, this almost looks real. When did you get this?” She tilted her hand to catch the light from the chandelier overhead.
It was captivating and absolutely beautiful.
It was a large imitation diamond in the center of a pin wheeled design of white metal, which she assumed was silver, with more diamonds embedded in it.
As a fake it was stunning. If it was real it would be breathtaking.
“I can shop in a hurry too.”
“Well, I thought I was quick, you have me beat. This will definitely stop my mother from being suspicious.” Yes, it wasn’t real, but she still felt on top of the world. Give a girl her fantasy for a few days, she thought to herself.
He reached down and took her hand running his thumb over the diamond while looking down at her. “I am going to enjoy myself.” He turned and pulled her toward the elevator. “By the way. It’s not a fake.”
The elevator doors closed on her gaping expression.
“Real!” Her eyes shot to him in disbelief. Then to the gorgeous ring on her finger.
“Yes.”
Her eyes flashed wide. “For the love of God, Lance!” she started taking it off her finger.
He covered her hand with his. “Leave it.” His tone was authoritative, yet it didn’t rise a bit in volume. For some reason she knew it was even more effective that way.
Her mouth fell open and she stared up at him. “This is too much. I don’t want to take it this far.” There was that stare again. The one that dared her not to listen. It was actually pretty darn sexy. “Does that expression work on people?”
“Yes.” He finally sighed and relaxed. “Look. It’s just for a few days. It’s on loan. I can return it.”
That made her calm down. She really didn’t want him spending any more money on her, especially the ridiculous amount this ring would have cost.
“Although, it sure looks good on you.” He lifted her hand and ran his large warm calloused one over it.
“Your hands are beautiful. Don’t you know, Tammy, that long graceful fingers and hands so soft, like this—” He lifted it next to his cheek with his eyes locked on hers “—need to be pampered.” He turned his stubble roughened face into the palm and kissed it.
Oh-my-God! She stared back at him, eyes wide, and with her heart thudding in her chest. Richard had given her jewels.
Her mother did also, but it was to show status.
She left them all behind except her grandmother’s pearls, but nothing could possibly compare to the way this man made it feel to wear them.
That gesture; the caress, made her feel sensual and sexual all at once.
It attached meaning to the ring. It was completely and utterly provocative.
She just couldn’t take her eyes off of his.
Is this what it was like to be seduced by Lance Hartley?
No, she knew it wasn’t. This was only a tiny peek into what he could do.
Her heart started picking up pace to the point where it galloped in her ears.
There was a warm swirling sensation deep in her pelvis and she knew, right then and there, it was desire.
Such a simple gesture completely turned her on and he hadn’t even unleashed his full sex appeal on her. Oh…dear….she was in trouble.
Just then the elevator doors opened to the building’s lobby and he released her. She was speechless. Where on earth did that sudden caress come from?
***
“Family?” Lance stated when they stood in the foyer to her parents’ apartment. The place was packed with people arriving at the same time. He pulled her close and looked down at her with a quizzical expression. “How much family do I have to memorize?"
“May I take your coat?” A male servant in black slacks and a red-tailed jacket asked Lance. He was one of many receiving guests in the foyer.
It was her mother’s way of making an impression.
The food was probably the best New York had to offer and the décor was professionally done.
It probably took weeks—months to set up the place.
Her parents’ apartment wasn’t the penthouse, but it was still high priced with over five thousand square feet.
Not as posh as Lance’s but a close second.
Lance removed Tammy’s wrap in the same manner he’d put it on her and handed it to the man. Then he removed his own coat and gave it to him.
She looked up at him and smiled remembering the ‘actor’ comment.
Actor my ass, she thought to herself. He was doting and adoring, and yes they did have an audience, but she felt that the man’s attitude toward her had changed since she told him about her chastity.
Well, she certainly wasn’t going to say anything and risk stopping the attention she was getting.
She loved it. “Don’t worry they’re not relatives.
My mother likes to throw extravagant parties,” she explained about the crowd.
“I’m sure most of the people invited to the wedding never even met my brother. ”
Lance didn’t say anything after that but took her arm and wrapped it through his while he stepped into the great room.
There must’ve been at least thirty people there, and Tammy only recognized about eight of them.
Some of them were her father’s business associates, and Uncle Owen, on her father’s side.
Her father spotted them first at put a hand on his brother’s shoulder.
She saw him say something which caused her uncle to turn his head and see them.
He nodded his greeting. Tammy leaned close and spoke softly to Lance.
“That’s my uncle. He’s a financer. He’s very rich, so my mother thinks he’s wonderful. He’s my only other living relative.”
Lance smirked.
The two older men came forward and Tammy’s father introduced Lance to his brother. He first said hello to his niece, kissed her on the cheek and told her she was beautiful.
“Thanks Uncle Owen.”
“My future son-in-law, Lance Hartley.”
Tammy actually thought she heard a hint of pride in her father’s voice.
Guilt started to seep in again. The last person she wanted to deceive was her dad.
He never criticized her. However, he never said he supported her either, but she knew deep down that he loved her.
Still, she was never dishonest about anything in her life.
She was always straightforward even to her unaccepting mother.
“I’ve heard of you, and George filled me in on the rest. A damn good lawyer.”
“All gossip and fabrication.” He shook his outstretched hand giving him a warm greeting.
Owen Van Allen laughed. “Humility in a lawyer. I think hell just froze over.”
Lance smiled. “You might be surprised, but that’s not the first time I heard that.”
“The city could still use you.”
“I’m retired.”
“It’s a shame Hartley. I can understand though after what happened.”