Lily watched him for a long moment, her gaze fixed on his wide shoulders. Why not enjoy this handsome stranger for a night and leave it at that? Shed hoped to find a man in Boston and this stranger certainly fit the bill. And if she admitted up front that there was no possibility for a real relationship, then she couldnt get hurt again.
He stopped walking and glanced over his shoulder. Are you coming, darling?
Lily laughed softly before she picked up her skirts and hurried after him. Have you forgotten my name already? Im sweetheart. Youre darling.
THE BAND HAD JUST BEGUN their rendition of Isnt It Romantic when Brian drew the beautiful stranger in the gold gown out onto the dance floor. He twirled her beneath his arm and then pulled her against his body, moving along with the music. Her gown dipped low on her back and he spread his palm over her warm skin, surprised at how soft it felt.
The evening had quickly turned from business to pleasure. When hed arrived, hed easily talked his way inside without an invitation, but the opportunity to confront Richard Patterson hadnt materialized. According to one of the guests, Patterson had left a few minutes before due to some business emergency. Brian had decided to check out the crowd from the balcony in hopes that he might spot some of Pattersons cronies. But once hed set eyes on the girl in the gold dress, hed pretty much forgotten about everything else.
Youre a very good dancer, she said.
And you are, too, he returned.
He found their little game endlessly intriguing. But he wasnt sure where the game ended and reality began. She acted as if she didnt recognize him and with his face on billboards and busboards all over town, that was a bit difficult to believe. Maybe she didnt watch the news. Or maybe she didnt live in Boston.
He was willing to play along, at least for the time being. Though hed seduced his fair share of women before, hed always taken a straightforward approach to the matter. But this was different. Theyd constructed a silly set of rules. Were the rules there to protect them both from their desiresor to liberate them from their inhibitions?
I took dance lessons from age seven to age twelve, Lily said. My mother insisted. She said Id need it someday and I didnt believe her. I guess I was wrong. She smoothed her hand over his shoulder. And how about you?
I just have natural grace and athletic ability. Plus, youre making me look a whole lot better than I really am.
Brian looked down at her and couldnt take his eyes off her face. She was beautiful, with lively green eyes and a riot of auburn curls cascading from the crown of her head. Little tendrils had escaped the mass of curls and caressed her cheeks and forehead and Brian fought the urge to brush them away.
But then he realized there was no need to just contemplate touching her. Nothing in her manner made him believe his touch would be unwelcome. He reached up and smoothed his fingers along her cheekbone, tucking the strands behind her ear. For a moment, her breath stilled and their gazes locked. And then he grabbed her around the waist. Dip, he said, leaning her back.
They continued to dance, whirling around the floor as if they were Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. In truth, Brian was surprised at how easy it was to have her in his arms. She seemed to anticipate his every move. With her, he did look like the best dancer on the floor. And in his eyes, she was the most beautiful woman in the room.
So if we dont talk about our jobs, or the weather or where were from, what should we talk about? she asked.
Whatever you want, Brian said. Ill give you five questions and you give me five. Anything. No restrictions. And we have to answer honestly. That should start some interesting conversation, dont you think?
Ill start, she said. Are you married?
No. Never been married. Are you?
No, never. The orchestra segued into Embraceable You and they continued to dance. I came close once, but it didnt work. She considered her next question carefully. Involved? she asked.
He clucked his tongue and shook his head. Oh, sweetie, youre going to burn a question on that? No, Im not involved. And I wont ask you that one, because I dont care if you are involved. Youre here with me now, and thats all that matters.
One more question, she said. Whats your name?
Brian, he said. Brian Quinn. He paused, waiting for her to offer her own name, then realized she was going to force him to ask. And what about you?
Its Lily Gallagher. Thats three for me, and two for you. Dont you want to ask me another question?
Are you from Boston? he asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
For the time being. But I live in Chicago.
So she really didnt know who he was. They were essentially strangers. Its nice to meet you, Lily, he murmured. Lily. I like that name. It suits you.
And why is that? She winced. And that wasnt one of my five questions. Just curiosity.
Oh, now heres the test for me. Im going to have to come up with something very poetic to say about your name or youll realize that Im not as smooth as Im pretending to be.
Im a big fan of poetry, Brian Quinn.
He cleared his throat. Well, unless its a dirty limerick, I think youre out of luck with me.
Hey, Ill take a limerick.
Brian groaned softly. I guess I stepped in that one. He thought for a moment, all the off-color limericks hed ever heard racing though his mind. Im Irish, so this could come naturally. There once was a girl dressed in gold, who I approached in a way very bold. We danced through the night, held each other so tight, and left all our sad stories untold.
Lily laughed. That wasnt bad. But it didnt answer the question.
Thats because the only words that rhyme with Lily are filly, frilly and dilly. He paused, studying her until she was forced to avert her gaze. Lily suits you because I like the sound of it when I say it. And I dont think Ive ever met anyone named Lily, so whenever I hear that name, Ill think of you first.
A tiny sigh slipped from her lips. Thats very poetic.
He stared down at her, his gaze skimming over her pretty features. He didnt have to think before he kissed her. He simply leaned forward and she was there, waiting, her upturned mouth soft and damp and sweet. There was no hesitation and no doubt that it was the best use of that particular moment. And then he drew away and they continued dancing.
She felt good in his arms, as if she fit. His hand rested on her back in just the right spot and her fingers nestled perfectly in his palm. And their bodies brushed against each other as he pulled her near, hips against hips, her breasts pressed to his chest.
Brian couldnt remember the first time hed been attracted to the opposite sex. It had happened so long ago and there had been so many girls and women since then. But there was something different about Lily, something that he couldnt put his finger on. Maybe it was the little game they were playing, two strangers in the night exchanging more than glances.
With each new tune the orchestra played, he learned more about her, about the way she moved and the sound of her voice, the shape of her body beneath her dress and the smell of her perfume in the curve of her neck. They talked, but not about anything important, yet each word seemed to draw him in, to make him want her more. He didnt know what she did for a living, he didnt know her favorite food or even if she had any hobbies.
But he did know where the evening might end and for the first time in his adult life, Brian wasnt sure that he wanted it to end there. He pushed the thoughts from his head, focusing on the music and scent of her hair, determined to enjoy each little moment, without regard to where it was leading.
He drew in a slow breath. Hell, that was a revelation. Maybe spending time with a woman didnt always have to be about sex. Maybe seduction could end in just a simple kiss good-night.
The music stopped and the lights in the ballroom gradually came up. Lily lifted her head from his shoulder and glanced around, her brow furrowed. What time is it?
Time to go, he said. Were the last people on the dance floor.
A faint blush crept up her cheeks. Even in the harsh light, she looked beautiful. I didnt realize it was so late.
Brian slipped his arm around her waist and steered her toward the table where shed left her shoes and her purse. Lets get out of here. He picked up her shoes and bent down, helping her slip them on, then fumbling with the straps.
They started toward the lobby, but halfway there, Brian pulled her into a small alcove and kissed her, her damp lips just too tempting to resist. His hands smoothed over her face as his tongue invaded her mouth. A tiny sigh slipped from her throat and when he finally drew away, she didnt open her eyes for a long time.
Where are we going? she murmured.
I dont know. Anywhere. As long as its with you.
II have a car outside, she offered.
Lets go.
When they got to the street, Lily handed the parking attendant a card. He made a quick phone call and a few seconds later a limo pulled up to the curb.
Brian ignored the car until Lily started toward it. The parking attendant held open the door and she slipped inside, then looked back out at Brian.
When you said car, I figured you meant Toyota or Ford, he said.
Its a limo, she called, leaning out the door.
I can see that, he said, getting inside.
Do you want to take your car?
Brian thought about the beat-up Chevy parked in a public lot a few blocks away and compared it to the luxurious leather interior. No, this will do just fine.
Where to? the chauffeur asked, watching them in the rearview mirror.
Brian looked at Lily, deciding to leave it up to her. Where would you like to go? he asked softly, his gaze fixed on her lips.
Just drive, she murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck. Take us to see the sights.
The privacy screen whirred as it rose, but all Brian could really hear was the thud of his heart as he pulled Lily into his arms.
2
HE PRESSED HER BACK into the soft leather seats, pulling her body beneath his, his mouth covering hers in a deep kiss. Lily moaned softly, her head spinning with the taste of him, her hands running over his body frantically. She knew she ought to stop, that she should want to stop. This was crazy!
Shed just met him a few hours before, but from the moment hed looked at her, shed been captivated, every nerve in her body jangling with anticipation. Lily shoved her hands beneath his jacket, pushing it over his shoulders. With a low groan, Brian tugged it off, his lips never leaving hers.
Lily knew if she asked him to stop, he would. There was something about Brian Quinn that she trusted, even if her instincts told her to be careful. But she didnt want to stop. As long as they stayed in the limo with the driver on the other side of the glass, then shed be in complete control.
As her fingers fumbled with his bow tie, Lily felt her heart begin to race. This instant attraction they felt for each other was too much to deny. It was powerful, magnetic, an unseen force that seemed to propel them closer and closer to intimacy. She should be able to resist, but with every kiss and every touch, her inhibitions dissolved.
Was this really what she wanted, to throw herself into the arms of a stranger simply to satisfy a craving? His hands skimmed over the bodice of her dress and grasped her hips, pulling her close. Yes, Lilys brain screamed. Yes, yes, yes.
As he drew her beneath him, the fabric of her wide skirt billowed around them, creating a barrier as effective as any chastity belt. He stilled his frenetic exploration of her clothing, cursing softly. What are you hiding under there?
Lily giggled. If I would have known Id end up here, I would have chosen a different dress. Something shorter, with buttons down the front, she mused.
Brian grinned, then glanced out the window. The Public Garden, he murmured. And Boston Common is coming up. Theres a statue of George Washington that you might be interested in seeing.
Forget the sights, Lily said, grabbing the front of his pleated shirt and dragging him back down. Ill see them later.
His gaze raked over her features and settled on her lips. Lily, are you trying to seduce me?
If you have to ask, then I guess Im doing a pretty poor job of it. Lily sighed. Ive never really seduced a man before.
Brian smoothed his palm over her cheek, then let it drift down her neck. Believe me, youre doing just fine. He slipped his fingers under the spaghetti strap of her gown, toyed with it for a moment and pushed it off her shoulder. Tell me what you want, he murmured as he pressed his mouth to her collarbone.
Thats nice, she said. He let his hand drift down further until his fingers brushed along the swell of her breast. She sucked in a sharp breath. Oh, and thats nice, too.
Tell me, he urged, running his fingers along the edge of her dress, back and forth in a lazy caress. Her skin began to tingle and Lily closed her eyes and arched up, bracing herself on her elbows. Suddenly, she wasnt the person in charge of this seduction, he was. I want your hands on my body, she whispered as her inhibitions slowly dissolved.
She felt his hands circle her waist and then, in one easy movement, he pulled her up to sit on the seat across from him. Her skirts billowed up around them, but he brushed them aside and took her foot in his hand. I was beginning to wonder if you had legs underneath this skirt. He slipped her left shoe off and gently massaged her foot.
Lily moaned softly, leaning back into the seat. When shed asked him to touch her, she hadnt had a foot massage in mind. But as he rubbed his thumbs into the arch of her foot, she was surprised at how sensual the caress wasespecially when he set her foot between his legs and slid his hands up her calf.
Her foot rested in a very intimate spot, and every time he moved, it rubbed against his growing erection. Lily had never considered the sole of her foot to be an erogenous zone, but as his hands traveled upward to her knees and then her thighs, she knew shed be learning a few things about seduction from Brian Quinn.
Lily wondered where theyd stopor whether theyd stop at all. Since she couldnt see what he was doing beneath her dress, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation of his warm palms on her skin. And when he moved to her inner thighs, she held her breath. Look at that, he murmured.
Lily opened her eyes.
Park Street Church, he said, nodding toward the window. The tall steeple just over there. And the Boston Athenaeum and the Old Granary Burying Ground. Lots of famous Revolutionary War soldiers are buried there. His hand slid a bit higher and Lily sucked in a sharp breath. Including Paul Revere. And then he was moving again, running his fingers up and over her hips. He caught the lace of her panties with his fingers and slowly began to tug them down. Lily shifted and they slipped to her knees and then off her feet.