Let Me Count The Ways Read Free Page B

charcoal pin-stripes paired with an olive silk shirt.
    “Nice suit,” I said, as I took it all in. “Fioravanti?”
    Mike snorted in amusement. “Don’t I wish. No. Dolce and Gabbana.”
    “Also nice.” I continued to study him, idly twirling the straw around in my glass. “You clean up good.”
    “Thank you,” Mike said, shooting another stern glance in Javier’s direction. The slight clenching of his jaw drew my attention higher, to the small, brownish gold stone shining in his left ear lobe.
    “Is this new?” I asked, reaching up to touch it, my fingers grazing his cheek as I did.
    Mike’s eyes widened into an astonished expression. His gaze flew to my face.
    “Oops.” I grinned. “Sorry. I guess my fingers are cold, huh?”
    Mike shook his head. “No. Not at all.” Red stained his cheekbones. His skin felt very warm against my fingers.
    “Liar.” Clucking my tongue, I withdrew my hand. My eyes, however, stayed locked with his and a familiar thrill ran through me. I love being desired. Who doesn’t? I love that flash of heat that flares in a man’s eyes when he wants you. I could see it in Mike’s eyes now and it made it hard to look away.
    “Your wine, sir,” Javier murmured from somewhere far away. We both ignored him.
    “You don’t wear that all the time, do you?” I asked.
    “Not very often. Just special occasions.”
    “Oh? So is this a special occasion?”
    Mike nodded gravely. “Yes. Most definitely.”
    I dropped my gaze then, and sipped my drink. “Well I think it’s a waste to save it for something like that. It looks good on you. You should wear it all the time.”
    “Maybe I will.”
    Behind me, I could hear Javier moving away to help someone else. “But what’s all this?” I asked, gesturing at Mike’s suit again. “You’ve been holding out on me. I had no idea you had such exquisite taste. Don’t tell me. I bet you keep an entire wardrobe locked up in your office in case of last minute invitations from thoughtless clients. Don’t you?”
    He smiled. “No. And you’re certainly not thoughtless. I went home to change.”
    “Oh? Where’s home?”
    “Topanga Canyon.”
    Now it was my turn to be surprised. “Wow. That’s quite a drive.”
    “It can be,” he agreed. “But it’s worth it. It’s like living in another world out there. In a matter of minutes, you can be at the beach. And in another few minutes, you’re back in town. Or not--depending on the traffic, of course.”
    Mostly not , I thought, nodding. “I haven’t been in years. But I remember thinking it was beautiful there. I shot a few pictures out that way.”
    “I know. I’ve seen them.”
    “Have you?” I sincerely hoped not! The films I shot in Topanga Canyon fell squarely in the dues-I’d-paid-when-I-was-too-young-to-know-any-better category. Definitely not the kind of thing I’d want associated with my name today. I shouldn’t even have mentioned them. “So, tell me about your home,” I said, just to change the subject. “Big place? New?”
    Mike sipped his wine and shook his head. I snagged a lavender and goat cheese empanada from one of the trays that were being circulated.
    “No, actually, it’s very small,” Mike said. “Just two bedrooms, not quite half an acre. But it’s just me, after all, so I don’t need much space. And I had a hand in designing it, so I’m partial to it.”
    “You design houses?” I asked around a mouthful of pastry.
    “Well, no. Just the one. Architecture has always been a passion of mine. And, besides, it was years ago.”
    He was full of surprises tonight, but my mouth was full and before I could learn more, we were interrupted by some of my staff from work, including Derek along with his new friend, coming up to say hello. When I turned back to continue our conversation, Mike was gone.
    “Can I freshen that drink for you, Claire?” Javier asked hopefully. But I was no longer in the mood.
    I flashed a smile. “Sorry, sweetie. Not