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elegance, from the heavily patterned, coordinated carpets and
drapery to the crystal chandeliers and ornate plaster moldings. “This hotel is
lovely. I can see why people speak so highly of it.”
    A ghost of a smile appeared on Liam’s lips
before it was gone again. “I’m glad you approve.” He slid a card into the door
and waited for the green light before turning the pewter handle. “We have
adjoining rooms. You can choose to have your own room…” He set her suitcase
down in the entrance. “Or not. It’s up to you.”
    She admired the fact he wasn’t pressuring
her in spite of what happened in the car. Of course, she knew a man like Liam
wouldn’t have to try and coerce a woman into bed. If anything, he was probably
declining invitations from interested females all the time. He was obviously
gorgeous… successful… a target for any woman looking to land a husband, which
begged the question… “Why are you still single?”
    He laughed as he walked toward the minibar and
reached for two crystal glasses. “You don’t believe in pulling any punches, do
you?”
    She leaned against the wall as she watched
him pour a splash of fifteen-year-old scotch into both glasses. He hadn’t
bothered to ask her if she would prefer something else to drink, which led her
to believe he was used to having people bend to his will. “Actually, I’d prefer
a liqueur, if you have it?”
    He raised an eyebrow and she smiled sweetly
at him. “Of course you would.” He slid the second scotch glass aside and held
up a bottle of Bailey’s. “Will this do? If not, I can call downstairs and—”
    “No, that’ll be fine, thanks.”
    He poured the thick liquid into a shot
glass and crossed the room to hand it to her. “Here’s to chance encounters.”
    She smiled as she touched her glass to his.
“To chance encounters.” She watched him over the rim of her glass as she sipped
the sweet liquid. “Tell me, do you have very many of these chance encounters,
Liam?”
    He threw his drink back before smiling at
her. “Are you asking me if I sleep with a lot of women?”
    On second thought, she didn’t want to know.
She reached for her suitcase. “I think I’ll slip into my room, so I can shower
before dinner.”
    “The answer is no.” He waited for her to
look at him before he said, “I’m very selective about the women I choose as
partners. I can’t afford to be promiscuous.”
    “I just assumed a man like you would take a
different woman to bed every night.” There was freedom in knowing she wouldn’t
see him again. She could say whatever she wanted without questioning whether
her directness would be unappealing. They only had one night, so she intended
to be herself in a way she never had with another man. No question of where it
might lead, or whether he might be the one , because she knew there was
no chance he could be.
    “Why do you say that?”
    “You’re attractive, successful, single. Why
wouldn’t you choose to indulge in female companionship at every opportunity?”
    He chuckled. “I didn’t say I don’t enjoy
the company of women. I do, very much, in fact, but I can’t afford to fall into
bed with every woman who shows an interest in my ban—” He cleared his throat.
“In me.”
    “What were you going to say?”
    “Nothing.” He took her suitcase and
unlocked the door to the adjoining suite. After setting her suitcase beside the
king-sized bed, he said, “I’ll call down and make the arrangements for dinner.
Does an hour and a half work for you?”
    “Perfect.” She waited, wondering if he
would try to pick up where they left off in the limo, but he turned and walked
to the threshold of the adjoining rooms as she tried to quash her disappointment.
    “If you need anything, just let me know,
okay?”
    You. I need you. “I will, thanks.”
     
     
    Liam sank down to the bed and scraped his
hands over his face. What the hell was happening to him? No woman had ever made
him feel so edgy or