He took a step toward her, closing the distance between them again. "That doesn�t mean we don�t exist."

"Even though you�re totally staring at my tits?"

"What can I say? I�m a nice chap who happens to love your tits. Especially with that pink lace number you�ve got going on here." He traced a line down the center of her breast, her nipple hardening in the wake of his touch.

Charlotte smiled again, a look that felt more like an invitation than a goodbye, but then her eyes darkened, and she pulled her blouse back into place. "I� I should go. It was lovely seeing you again, Mr. Redthorne."

"Dorian. And just a moment, little prowler." He grabbed her hand, hoping it was enough to keep her here, at least for a few more seconds. "Is that really why you�re here? To find out what I did with my painting?"

"I�d heard a rumor it was being donated. So yes, I came down to confirm."

"You came all the way down here," he said, running his thumb along the palm of her hand, "for something that could�ve been confirmed with a phone call? I don�t think so."

A blush crept across the woman�s exposed neck and cheeks, setting her copper eyes in sharp contrast. "Enlighten me with your theory, then."

"I think," he said, bringing his lips to her ear again and lowering his voice, "you were hoping to run into me."

"Why would I want to run into you?"

"Unfinished business."

When she didn�t deny it, Dorian released her hand and moved to her curves, skimming the sides of her firm, beautiful breasts. She let out a soft sigh as his thumbs grazed her nipples, diamond-hard points that rose again at his touch.

Devil�s balls, what he�d give for a closet right now, a stolen moment to finish what they�d started last night.

"You sure about that?" Charlotte tried to sound flirty and stern, but her voice trembled, her heartbeat turning ragged behind that thin pink bra.

"Oh, yes. I�m betting it kept you up all night," he whispered, gently nipping her ear, her neck. "Wondering what might�ve been. What it would�ve felt like with my cock sliding between your thighs, teasing you all night long, making you beg for more."

Charlotte swallowed hard, her pulse throbbing. "Is that what kept you up all night?"

He pressed his lips to her temple, considering the question. The same dirty, delicious thoughts had been on his mind all night, but it was so much more than that. Sure, he�d tried valiantly to convince himself it was just the interrupted sex�that maybe if he would�ve fucked her properly, he wouldn�t be obsessing about her today.

But seeing her in the daylight, her bright smile, the heady way she looked at him after he�d whispered those dark, sexy promises in her ear� It was more than physical. There was something about Charlotte that had ensnared him from that first moment in the lobby of the Salvatore, and now, Dorian wanted to know her. All of her.

"Since I met you?" he asked. "Absolutely."

"We met less than twenty-four hours ago," she said.

"And I haven�t slept a wink. You?"

She looked up at Dorian through thick lashes, eyes full of a desire so unchecked it sent an electric jolt straight to his cock.

"I� I really should go," she said, breaking their intense eye contact and reaching for her phone, as if she might be saved by the buzz or the bell. "I have to meet�"

"I�m going to ask you a question." Dorian encircled her wrist with his fingers. "Your answer will determine how the rest of this plays out."

Goosebumps rose along her arms, and when she spoke, her voice was tentative, her gaze dreamy and faraway. "Okay." JrNovels.com