Chapter 107

Richard said nothing.

His gaze darkened almost instantly, and a slow, dangerous smile appeared as he looked down at the woman in his arms who clearly had no sense of self-preservation.

"Too old to keep up?"

He caught her chin lightly between his fingers, his voice dropping.

"I thought you already knew better."

Then he stood.

Before Elena had time to react, Richard swept her up into his arms.

"Oh my God—there are people here!"

She sucked in a breath.

The restaurant wasn't crowded, and the nearest tables were far enough away that no one seemed to be paying attention. Still, they were in public.

And the security team was right there.

Elena buried her face against Richard's shoulder.

"Stop it. I was joking."

Richard glanced down at her and adjusted his hold when she squirmed.

"Who said I was joking?"

His expression was perfectly serious.

"As your boyfriend, I apparently have something to prove."

"Richard!"

He carried her straight out of the restaurant.

The security team, apparently accustomed to this by now, followed with perfectly blank expressions.

There were more people in the lobby. Jonathan Reed was in the middle of a conversation when he spotted them approaching. His expression flickered for a fraction of a second before years of professional discipline took over.

Jonathan calmly ended his conversation and followed his boss as if Richard Sterling carrying his girlfriend through the lobby were an entirely ordinary part of his workday.

Richard didn't stop to speak to anyone.

He took Elena outside and carried her directly to the waiting Rolls-Royce.

The door closed behind them.

The car's insulation shut out the winter wind moving through the club grounds and the distant murmur of voices, leaving the back seat sealed away from the rest of the world.

Only a dim amber light illuminated the cabin.

Richard sat in the shadows opposite her.

Without hurrying, he shrugged off his overcoat and tossed it aside, then loosened the tie Elena had already managed to pull slightly out of place. Beneath it, his black dress shirt fit closely across his shoulders and chest.

Elena had retreated to the opposite side of the back seat.

Her pale-blonde hair was slightly disheveled, and her white pleated skirt had shifted during the trip outside. She watched him with wide, suspicious eyes, looking very much like someone who had caused trouble and was now considering an escape route.

"Hey," she said cautiously. "What exactly are you doing? We're still in the car."

Richard looked at her.

"What am I doing?" he repeated, one corner of his mouth lifting. "Careful how you phrase that question."

Elena stared at him.

She understood immediately.

"Can you be civilized for five minutes?"

Richard glanced down at himself.

"I took off my coat."

"That's not what I meant."

"No?"

Elena pursed her lips.

"It's cold tonight. I'm just worried that, at your age, you might catch a chill."

Richard stopped moving.

Apparently, she had decided one insult wasn't enough.

His eyes fixed on her in the dim light.

Then, without answering, he reached across the seat and caught her gently by the ankle.

Elena immediately tried to pull away.

"Richard—"

"Relax."

His voice was low.

She didn't get the chance.

With one smooth pull, he drew her across the leather seat toward him.

Elena let out a startled sound as she landed against his chest.

Richard caught her securely around the waist before she could slide away, then turned her beneath him. His larger frame settled over hers without putting his full weight on her, blocking most of the amber light.

One hand braced against the seat beside her.

Elena's cheeks were beginning to warm.

"I'm not going to catch a chill," Richard murmured.

He lowered his head, the bridge of his nose brushing lightly near her ear. His warm breath touched the side of her neck.

Elena instinctively raised one shoulder.

"Fine. I believe you."

A low laugh rumbled from his chest.

"No. You've been very concerned about me."

"I was being considerate."

"Of course."

Richard caught one of her hands.

"Then check."

Before Elena could ask what he meant, he guided her palm against the warm skin just below his collar.

Her fingers twitched.

He was ridiculously warm.

Outside the car, it was a freezing winter night. Inside, the heat of his skin made the contrast almost absurd.

Richard rested his forehead lightly against hers.

"Still worried?"

Elena refused to surrender.

"My hands being cold and you being old are two completely different issues."

Richard raised an eyebrow.

Then he guided her hand a little farther beneath the open collar of his shirt, pressing her palm flat against his chest.

Elena's fingers curled instinctively.

His heartbeat was steady beneath her hand.

Warm skin. Solid muscle.

Elena gave an experimental squeeze.

Then another.

Huh.

That was... actually very nice.

Above her, Richard's breath caught.

Elena looked up.

The muscle beneath her palm tightened sharply, and the arm braced beside her tensed at the same time.

Richard stared down at her.

The teasing amusement in his eyes had disappeared.

His hand tightened reflexively at her waist.

"Elena."

The warning in his voice was unmistakable.