“Because three-inch heels are not easy to walk in, and if I’d come in the back, I’d be that much closer to our table.”
Dan threw his head back and laughed out loud, drawing several smiles and curious glances from those nearby. He squeezed her arm. “I’m already having more fun than I usually have at these things.”
They found their seats but, before they could sit, were waylaid by a doctor and his wife who Dan knew well. Even as he chatted with the doctor, Dan watched Josie out of the corner of his eye, noting how well she spoke, how charming and beautiful she was. He’d thought as much at his own party, but tonight he felt sure she was probably the loveliest creature he’d ever seen.
And he wasn’t the only one, he noted with satisfaction. Other men and women turned to stare. She made a sensation on his arm, partly because she was different from the other women he’d dated in his adult life, but also because of her personality. He liked having her with him, and he spent the evening enjoying watching her reactions to others and theirs to her.
As he watched Josie dance with Senator Hill for a second time, he wondered if he should make her a more permanent part of his life.
* * * *
Josie collapsed into the back seat of the limousine with a sigh of relief at the end of the night.
“You were amazing tonight,” Dan said, following her in.
“How I managed to talk and dance at the same time, I’ll never know. These shoes were nearly the death of my feet.”
“Let me see.” He held out a hand.
“What? My feet?” She snorted. “No way!”
“Why not? I thought women loved it when men rubbed their feet.”
“No, it’s…” She hesitated. It was too damn personal, but she hesitated to say so. Dan had been a perfect gentleman all night. He’d given her no reason not to trust him, but she still wasn’t comfortable just putting herself—or her feet, anyway—completely into his control.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He took hold of her ankles, pulling her feet onto his lap. Too tired to protest further, Josie leaned her head back and sighed with pleasure when he slipped the too-high heels off her feet. His hands were strong and gentle at the same time.
“You have nice feet.” He studied them in a detached way, as if he were an art critic. “A little warped right now. Why do women wear such high heels to these things? You know you’re going to be on your feet the whole time.” His thumbs massaged her aching arches, finding the right spot and knowing the right amount of pressure to apply.
She bit her lip to avoid vocalizing her pleasure, though if she were a cat she’d be purring. “You’re a hard man to say no to, Dan Mason.”
“I hope so. I may have more requests to make of you before the night is over.”
Josie sat up, taking her feet firmly from his grasp. “Look.” She took a deep breath “I’m not sure what you’re expecting. You’re… Well, you must know I know who you are. I know how you go through women. I’m not that type.”
“I never thought you were.” Dan sniffed his boutonnière. He made a face and tossed the wilted flower into an ashtray.
“I’m not looking for a romantic commitment either.” Josie braced herself, deciding now was the time to forge ahead and let him know exactly where she stood. “I mean, I’m not looking to land New York’s most eligible billionaire bachelor or anything. I’m not interested. I just got out of a sort of intense relationship.”
“Good.” He nodded with satisfaction.
She gave him a suspicious look. “Yeah, so?”
“So what?” He folded his hands and smiled politely.
“So what the hell? You know I’m not going to sleep with you and you claim you’ve known it all along, so why aren’t you rushing me back to my apartment?”
“You don’t get it, do you? You undervalue yourself.” He took her hands. “I enjoy being with you. You’re fun and beautiful and a really good date.”
“Thanks,” Josie said, and they both laughed.
“What I’m trying to say,” Dan continued, “is that even though you’re beautiful, I’m in favor of taking things slow because I don’t want to mess up what I think we can have. I want to continue to see you. I enjoy talking to you. I want to be your friend. I want you to go out with me. Besides…” He let go of her hands and sat back with a self-satisfied smile. “You look good with me.”
“Ha! You flatter yourself, my dear.” She tossed her head. “I’m way out of your league.”
“Nobody’s out of my league.” A silence fell. “That’s the problem.” He gazed out the window at the Hudson River. “Everywhere I go, there’s another woman ready to throw herself at me. I’m tired of obliging them.”
He was right, of course. He could have any woman he wanted. In fact, he had. Still, there was a loneliness about him that tugged at her heart. Josie put her hand on his. The corners of his mouth twitched and he turned his hand over, closing his fingers over hers. Even through their gloves, she could feel his strength. She was glad to note her breathing stayed even. She truly didn’t want to find him attractive, and every minute she spent with him she feared she would.
“So that line would work,” he said, as if to himself.
“What?” She caught the mischievous gleam in his eye and yanked her hand out of his. “You creep!” She smacked him on the shoulder with her purse.
“You seem to have plenty of energy.” He leaned forward and pressed a button. “Alan, take us to Riverside Park.”
“Sure, boss.”
A few minutes later, Alan pulled the car into a space near the river and Dan got out. Josie followed, grateful to get out of the lush, enclosed space of the limousine that had been making her feel claustrophobic. Or maybe it was his proximity she was grateful to escape. Once outside, however, she shivered, pulling her scarf and overcoat tighter around her neck and wishing she had on jeans and a sweater instead of the thin, silky dress. No one else was visible in either direction along the walk. Josie felt as if they were completely alone. Even Alan was hidden within the dark confines of the limousine, though Josie had no doubt he was watching.
“Are you warm enough?” Dan sounded politely concerned.
“I will be. Let’s walk.” She had no choice but to cling to his offered arm, but she wouldn’t have gone back to the limousine for anything at that moment. Between Dan’s slightly overwhelming personality and her own fear she’d be attracted to him, she felt she needed a few minutes of fresh air. The crisp air, the bright stars and the lights of the city reflected in the river combined in an invigorating mix. Josie breathed deeply. “I love the city at this time of year. The Christmas rush is past, the New Year has begun. It’s like the air is full of promises about to be whispered in my ear.”
“Really?”
“Well, I’m an optimist, or so I’ve been told.”
He absently brushed snow from the guardrail until his gloved fingers could curl around the cold iron. “So can I see you again?”
“This could get complicated.” She fiddled with the end of her scarf. “I mean, what about my job? You realize how much of my column you normally take up, right?”
“Wouldn’t our dating be more of a help than a hindrance for your job?”
“My boss might not see it that way,” she said with a shake of her head. “He doesn’t approve of reporters dating sources. Tonight was fine—you got me into the benefit, after all—but if we were seeing each other on a regular basis…”
She