Pull Me Closer (Suits in Pursuit) (16 page)

His gaze ran the length of her slender, shapely form, and then met her eyes again. “You look absolutely stunning.” He caressed her fingers. “Kerrigan, I’m sorry. I know this isn’t the evening you had in mind, but you don’t have to be afraid of me.”

“No,
this isn’t the evening I had in mind at all, and my better judgment tells me fear is good.” The cold tone and pitch of her voice made his heart sink.

He brought her hand to his heart.
“I promise not to do anything you don’t want me to do. May I be completely honest with you?”

“Please, because I don’t think I can take any more surprises.” She yanked her hand away from him
, and he allowed her this, realizing her discomfort.

“
You know I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t extremely attracted to you Kerrigan. We’ve worked together for a year now. In the past few months, I’ve gotten to know you enough to know that I really like you. You’re very special to me, and I want to get to know you even better. I couldn’t think of what else to do.”

She needed to know how he felt.
Perhaps his vulnerability would penetrate her walls. “I thought I was finally breaking through to you, but after my email when I revealed my feelings for you, you went as cold as ice. I couldn’t wait until Saturday. I came home early to see you.” He lifted his eyes in surrender to her. “I can’t explain what I’m feeling, but I also don’t want to fight this anymore and I won’t let you fight this either—there’s strong chemistry between us, not like anything I’ve ever felt. I want us to explore our feelings. Will you give us a chance to find out if there’s more?” With a simple yes or no, he gave her power to ignite or crush him.

“I don’t understand. I’m not your
type.” He hadn’t expected her to say that.

He frowned. “What do you mean?” Leaning in closer, he watched as the room’s light flickered, shimmering against her caramel skin
that appeared brushed with diamond dust. Her breasts rose and fell as her chest heaved.

“
I’ve seen some of the beautiful models you’ve traipsed in and out of the office. I’m not interested in being your flavor of the month or another notch on your bedpost.” Her words were like a mirror, reflecting his whorish behavior and he didn’t like the image he cast.

“Fair. I’ve dated
many women, but that’s all. You can’t believe every rumor you hear about me. Most of those dates were one-time events. I usually never even see those women after the first date.”

She toyed with the
white cloth napkin in her lap. Fiery eyes seared Axel’s smoldering gaze. “Wow! Is that supposed to convince me? One-night stands and then you’re done—every girl’s dream.”

He shook his head.
“That’s not what I meant. I just date. I don’t do one-night stands, Kerrigan. Most of those women threw themselves at me, which was quite a turn-off and I rejected their advances. I won’t lie to you. I did sleep with a few of them.”

“
It’s never wise to mix business with pleasure. Axel, what happens when you tire of me?” She spewed in rapid-fire secession.

“
What makes you think I would tire of you? That wouldn’t happen. I haven’t dated a single woman in nearly a year because of you.” His stomach churned. She should have been in his arms by now, with his lips pressed to her plump ones.

“Mr. Christensen, that’s noble, but don’t
cease your extracurricular activities on account of me.” Her words cut into him. Like a man in need of a tourniquet—he had to stop the bleeding.

This wasn’t how he wanted the conversation to continue
. “Kerrigan, like you, I’m made of flesh and bone, and I’m easily wounded,” he said switching gears. “Can we behave civilly—stop throwing daggers just this once and enjoy an evening together?” He asked, his eyes pleading with her.

Glancing down into her napkin-covered lap, “Axel, I, I’m … okay. I’ll try,” she stammered.

“Thank you. I only want to get to know you better.” He paused, his lips curling upward. “So tell me, when was your last relationship Miss Mulls?” he asked.

“It’s been a while.”

He frowned in puzzlement. “That’s surprising. You’re beautiful, accomplished, intelligent and independent. Surely someone has tried to snatch you up by now.”

“The same could be said about you Mr. Christensen. Except
, while I’m accomplished, you’re super successful. Why are you single?”

“Miss Mull, you think I’m beautiful?”
He asked, deliberately flashing his most dangerous smile eclipsed by a serious stone-like expression. “I guess I’m still single because I hadn’t met the right woman, until now.”

A crimson glow touched
her caramel-toned cheeks. “What makes you think I’m the right woman?”

He stared into her. “
I like that you speak your mind, and you challenge me. You’re beautiful inside and out. You have a kind heart and gentle spirit. We like the same music and movies, work in the same industry, share a love of the outdoors, find the same things funny, and I can’t get you off my mind. I love the way you smell, and I love it when we touch. No other woman has ever made me feel the way you do.” His palms dampened, and his throat closed up.

She blushed again but had no
response.

Their conversation died down as dinner was presented—roast duck, grilled asparagus, and baked herb potato wedges served with Pino
t Noir. Kerrigan lightly picked over the meal set in front of her. She looked forward to dinner, but the situation she found herself in made her forget her hunger.

Taken aback by
the events of the evening and Axel’s confession, she needed a distraction from her feelings and inner musings. Her eyes danced around, admiring the dining room’s grandness and blend of styles. The upper half of the walls wore a bold graphic print. The background of the wallpaper was a soft neutral color covered by a swirly pattern of deep gray dotted lines accented by organic shapes in tones of turquoise and gold flecks interspersed throughout.

“What do you think of the room?” He asked as if he wanted her approval, which was odd. Axel
didn’t seem to care what anyone thought of his decisions.

Her eyes darted around the room again. “The décor is
contemporary and elegant, and at the same time, very eclectic. I like it.”

A faint smile crossed his lips, but his express was one she couldn’t place.

She shifted in her seat and then tilted her head back. A chandelier hung above them from the ten-foot-high coffered ceiling, the accessory unlike any other she had seen. Blown translucent crystal had been designed into a quagmire of organic shapes that complemented the pattern of the exquisite wallpaper.

“I love how the chandelier seems to float in mid-air. The light bounces off the gold flecks in the wallpaper.” She
hadn’t expected any room in his home to be so warm and romantic, not that she had ever given much thought to the interior of his home.

His smile was soft
. Almost timid, that was a first. “Inspired by Chihuly. Do you know his work?”

Her heart pounded, and mouth became dry. “Yes, he’s one of my favorite artists.” She reached for her glass and took a long sip.

Mimicking, he raised his glass, swirled the wine around and sipped, his eyes never leaving hers. “Hmm. Something else we…”

“…
share in common.” She said, finishing his statement. Turning away from his stare, heat rushed to her cheeks.

A crooked smirk perched his lips, then spread to a full grin.
“I’d love to show you the rest of the house tomorrow.”

“Sure, I’d like to see it.”

His eyes followed her gaze. “You’ve barely touched your food. Don’t you like it?” he asked and cocked his head to the side.

“The food is
excellent. I’m not hungry … just can’t eat much right now.” Attempting to appease her host, she took a bite of potatoes and continued scanning the room.

The hardwood floors were stained in
deep chocolate, a nice contrast to the stark whiteness of the wainscot paneling that ran around the lower half of the walls. A large buffet stood against one wall while the opposite wall was a set of French doors flanked by golden silk drapes that pooled to the floor.

“
Those doors lead to a terrace overlooking the grounds that you saw on the drive up to the house.” He sipped his wine again.

The room was masculine and vibrant but full of passion and warmth, like the man who sat there with his perfectly sculpted features in his white dress shirt, muscles bulging, threatening her sanity.
She liked the room, and she liked him.

“You have
phenomenal design sensibility. This room is definitely a one-of-a-kind masterpiece,” she complimented.

“Thank you. My taste in women is equally exquisite. I
covet one-of-a-kind treasures.”

Although his words touched her heart, she didn’t know if they held any permanence.
Were his feelings being driven by his desire to bed her? The thought infuriated her.

“You’re a collector?” she asked, an icy twinge beneath her words.

“Of sorts.”

“Well, I’m not an acquisition.”

His shoulders stiffened. Slowly, the line stretched across his face relaxed, his lips curled upward. “I’m a collector of fine art, not women.” His smug grin irritated her. “Put up all the defenses and excuses you want, but that won’t change how I feel.”

N
ervous waves rolled in her stomach. “This is dangerous.”

“What’s dangerous? The fact that I want you or that you want me too, or what can happen when you put two people who are wildly attracted to each other in a romantic room alone?”

Placing her hand against the table’s edge, she attempted to push away. He grabbed her wrist and held her tight. “We can’t happen,” she protested.

H
is grip tightened. “We will happen.”

Lowering
her head, she turned away. A single tear leaked from the corner of her eye. She dabbed the moisture dry before he noticed.

“Axel, I can’t let this happen.” Her small voice fraught, tears
pooled in her eyes threatened to spills.

He released her wrist. “Kerrigan, some things are beyond your control.”

She was completely attracted to the man in a way she had never experienced before. With Axel sitting next to her, she wasn’t sure of herself.
Stop thinking. Go with your heart.
Ashley’s words came crashing into her consciousness. She had promised to open herself to new experiences. Could she, should she let go for once and give in to temptation?

Axel
saw a tear slide down her cheek. The pit of his gut dropped. He placed his folk down on the plate with a clink and turned to face her. “Kerrigan, let’s just take things slowly. I realize you’re hesitant. I know you’re scared. I want to earn your trust. Just try to relax. As I’ve already told you, I’m willing to be patient, especially because you’re worth the wait.”

She adjusted the napkin on her lap, avoiding his eyes
. “Please understand that this is overwhelming to me, the very last thing I ever expected.”

S
oftening his tone, he hoped to soothe her anxiety. “I understand, but I know I’m right, you know I’m right. I know you feel the connection too. I can’t stop thinking about you. I just want to be near you.”