Foreign Affair (4 page)

“I’m really not that good…” Lena protested, but broke off when he pulled her onto the floor.

Any relaxation that had occurred over dinner wiped away the second he touched her. His arm snaked around her waist, and he pulled her entirely too close to his solid chest.

Lena took a deep, steadying breath, trying to calm herself. Instead, she inhaled his spicy, male scent.
If this was temptation, then Tyler
must’ve bathed in it.

He clasped one of her hands while keeping the other about her waist, leading her as they danced to “In the Mood”.

They moved around the dance floor, laughing and weaving between all the couples. The tension eased from her body, and she started to have fun. And the shocker? Tyler could dance.

“You’re not bad.” She had to raise her voice above the music.

“You were hoping I would be?” His gaze lowered to meet hers. Damn, those eyes again. They were just brown. Why did they have the ability to reduce her to the level of an intimidated, babbling teenager in heat?

“No, it’s not that. It’s just not too often that you find a guy who can dance.” She drew a sharp breath in as he dipped her.

“Right.” His lips twitched, and his arm tightened around her waist, pulling her upright as the music shifted into a slow ballad.

“I’m really not very comfortable with the slow songs.” Lena’s voice cracked as his hips pressed tight into hers.

“Relax, Lena. I’ll help you through it.” His hand traveled down to the small of her back.

His words and voice were hypnotic, and Lena closed her eyes. Every nerve in her body tingled when his fingertips started a light massage at the base of her spine. She caught herself just as she started to press herself against him.

Dear God
. She had to get away from this man before she made a
complete idiot of herself.

She glanced over at the table and noticed Stephanie speaking somewhat anxiously into her cell phone. She looked up at that moment and gave a tight smile and a thumbs
-
up sign, gesturing at Tyler.

All right, this little moment with Tyler had to end and now
.
She’d just have to catch him off guard.

“Okay, here’s the deal.” She took a deep breath in and then glanced at a point beyond his shoulder. “You’re incredibly sexy, and you know it. But I don’t feel too great monopolizing you all night. Steph’s been lusting after you since this afternoon.”

He glanced down at her, his lips twitched in amusement. “Are you saying you’re not lusting after me?”

She froze, the air stranded in her lungs. Her plans at shocking him into letting her go backfired, and she couldn’t have formed a word if she wanted to.

“Because that really hurts a guy’s ego, Lena. Come on. Tell me you haven’t thought about me ripping off that pink silk sweater—”

“It’s cashmere, and I am
not
interested in you…” Her face burned with a blush. “You’re hell-bent on embarrassing me, aren’t you? I don’t see why you’re even making the effort. Go find Stephanie. She wants you, and you want her.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Well, of course you do,” she argued in exasperation. “Why wouldn’t you want her? She’s beautiful. You couldn’t take your eyes off her when she walked in.”

“Yes, she is beautiful. And I couldn’t take my eyes off her
dress
. It’s hideous.” He laughed and shook his head. “But I’m not interested in her. She’s not what I want.”

“Oh, really?” Irritation pricked at her, and she tried to step away, but his arms tightened. “And just what is it you want, Tyler?”

“Someone a little less flashy. Subtly attractive, with sexy brown eyes.”

“Sexy eyes? Please,” she scoffed. “And you sure are particular. Where is this woman? Back in your hotel?”

“Not yet.” His hand trailed up her back and closed around the nape of her neck. “But you’re welcome to join me later.”

Chapter Three

Lena’s pulse went into double time, and she watched his gaze lower to her mouth.
Oh, no. He’s going to kiss me.
She tried to jerk away, alarmed as his fingers increased their pressure and held her still. His head dipped.

“Lena, we’ve got a problem.” Stephanie swept in like a cyclone, just in time to stop the kiss.

Thank heavens.

Lena succeeded in jerking out of his arms. “I’m so sorry. It’s not how it looks.”

“She’s lying. It’s exactly how it looks.” Tyler sighed, pushing a hand through his hair.

“What?” Stephanie glanced at them both. “No, not with Tyler. I mean with my work.”

“Your work?” Lena blinked away some of the haziness in her head. She folded her arms across her chest. “What about it?”

“Apparently there’s an issue with the last few scenes we shot.” Stephanie shook her head and groaned. “We need to reshoot.”

“Reshoot? Seriously?” Tyler’s brows rose.

“Yes. And unfortunately, I have to leave.”

“Like the restaurant? Or the country?” Lena blurted in shock.

“The country.”

Lena’s heart sank. “Oh, God… When? We just got here.”

“Tomorrow night.” Stephanie raised a hand to her forehead. “This is
so
frustrating. I have to go. I don’t have a choice. It’s just such crappy timing.”

Not wanting to be insensitive to her friend’s distress, Lena put a hand on her arm and shook off her own disappointment. “Look, these things happen. We can reschedule this whole trip.” Even as she said it, she knew it wouldn’t happen.

“What?” Stephanie appeared taken aback. “Of course not. I wouldn’t make you do that. You’ll stay, of course.”

“Stay?” Lena’s eyes widened. “No, I can’t stay. Not without you.”

“Of course you can. Have Tyler show you around while he’s not working.”

“That’s the most insane suggestion I’ve ever heard.” Lena’s voice had dropped to almost a whisper. All that time together alone? Such a bad idea.

“Is it really so insane?” Tyler spoke up. “I think it could be fun. I’m only here a few more days, and have a small amount of work left. And I’ve been bored out of my mind until you ladies showed up.”

“It’s a bad idea.” Lena gave Tyler a pointed look. What the hell was he trying to pull? “If you go, I go, Steph.”

Stephanie’s stare said she obviously thought Lena had lost it. “We’ll discuss this back at the hotel. I need to make some phone calls, and my urge to party is dead.” She turned to Tyler. “Thanks for dinner. I hope we’ll get to see you again before I leave.”

“
We
leave.” Lena held her ground.

“Well, hold on.” Tyler raised a hand, stalling them. “Why don’t we do breakfast and maybe check out a little more of the Red Light District before you guys leave? If you have time, that is.”

Stephanie shrugged, looking dejected. “That sounds fine. We’ve got to eat anyway, might as well have fun doing it.”

“Great, meet me at my hotel around ten tomorrow?”

“Fine,” Stephanie agreed. “They scheduled me on a red
-
eye flight tomorrow.”

Lena swallowed a groan and gave Tyler a glowering look. Maybe he’d take the clue that she was really not pleased. Lifting her chin, she turned and followed Stephanie.

Tyler skimmed the headlines of the
New York Times
, sitting in one of the plush lobby chairs. He glanced at his watch, checking to see how much longer it would be before the girls arrived. Any time now.

He turned his attention back to the paper, but his thoughts weren’t focused entirely on the articles in front of him. They centered on Lena and the feelings that had encompassed him while dancing with her last night.

Maybe he had come on a little strong at the end, but he hadn’t been able to stop himself. She was just the sexiest little thing, emphasis on the little. At least a foot shorter than him, and he was six-foot-two.

Maybe it was because she could go from so smart-mouthed to so completely innocent within seconds. She’d nearly fainted when he’d asked her if she lusted after him. He knew they were leaving today, and so he also knew he had to take a chance. Do something to convince her to stay.

He spotted them the moment they entered the lobby, and his gaze trained on Lena. Sexy didn’t even begin to describe the outfit she wore, and she probably had no clue of the effect it would have on men. A short, plaid skirt and demure, buttoned-up blouse with that wool coat left open over it.

She must be cold, he thought, as he noted her nipples pressing tight against the shirt. The many ways to warm her up flitted through his head, and he smiled.

Lena watched him watch her. Her heart pounded harder with every step closer to him. Lord, she wished she hadn’t worn this outrageous outfit, but something inside her had wanted to look good for him this morning.

How hormonal-college-girl is that
?
You are such an idiot. You’re
engaged
.

Her legs felt rubbery as she and Stephanie stopped in front of him. She would change the moment they got back to the hotel.

“Good morning, ladies.” Tyler folded the paper and stood up with a smile.

“Hi, Tyler.” Stephanie glanced past him, her interest obviously lacking from what it had first been when they’d met.

I guess I picked up where Stephanie left off.
Lena fidgeted with her
hands. She could deny it all she wanted, but this morning she was all too aware of him.

His scent hit her again, as hard as it had last night. For the first time in her life, she found herself wishing for a cold. A cold that would stuff up her nose and take away her sense of smell.

He wore reading glasses, which he tucked away as she watched. And then there was the Cornell University sweatshirt he sported. She averted her gaze from him, willing this short gathering to end as soon as possible.

Tyler set the paper on the table beside him. “Have you ladies thought about where you want to go?”

“I want to have some more fun before I leave,” Stephanie replied. “There is a mind-bending little brownie out there with my name on it.”

Perfect, now they could separate. Lena forced a regretful smile. “Oh, you know, I won’t really enjoy that. Maybe I’ll just meet you back at the hotel.”

“No, don’t do that,” Tyler interjected. “If it’s really going to be your last day in Amsterdam, you shouldn’t spend it in the hotel. Stephanie can go hit her hash bar, and I’ll take you around town for an hour or so.”

Damn. Couldn’t he take a hint? “Oh, that’s really not necessary.”

Lena shot Stephanie a warning look, which her friend apparently ignored.

“Sounds great. How about I meet you guys in an hour at that café we had lunch at yesterday?”

“It’s a plan.” Tyler’s response cut off any further protests Lena could make.

Lena let out a breath from between her teeth as Stephanie walked away. Fantastic. As if walking around Amsterdam didn’t have enough temptation to offer, she’d be strolling along with Mr. Sex on a Stick.

“You look cute.” Tyler gave her a quick look.

“Thanks.” Lena gave an inward cringe.

Always the cute one. Why couldn’t she be the
damn that chick is hot
girl? She made a little groan. Did it matter, at any rate?
You are engaged,
Lena. Try to remember that tiny little,
massively significant
fact.
Somehow it seemed to become harder every minute she was around this guy.

“You weren’t thrilled about meeting up for breakfast this morning, were you?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” she lied. “I’m all right with it. We all gotta eat somewhere.”

“You just seem like you’re a little…uncomfortable around me.” He guided them toward the river.

“I’m not…it’s not…” Lena’s cheeks grew hotter from his confrontation, and she cleared her throat. Damn, he was doing it
again
. “That’s ridiculous. Why would I feel that way?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you’re not used to people hitting on you?”

Her head swiveled toward him in surprise. He might have a point, but she had no intention of acknowledging it. “Or maybe I’m not used to people being so vulgar about it.”

Tyler laughed. “Vulgar? Oh, sweetheart, if you think that’s vulgar, you ought to see—”

“I’d rather not,” she interrupted. “And please, lose the sweetheart part. It makes you sound like a redneck or something.”

“Right. But I have to warn you, I go by Billy
-
Bob back home,” he drawled with a poor attempt at a southern accent. He smiled when she gave a reluctant laugh. “In any case, I’m glad we get to be alone.”

She made to follow him as he crossed the street toward the bridge. “Oh really? Why is that?”

“Because I never got to kiss you last night.”

Before she realized what his intention was, he’d grabbed her around the waist and had dragged her body against his.

“Wait.” She slammed her hands against his shoulders in panic. “Okay, listen. It’s not that I don’t want you to kiss me, because I do. Okay? I confess. It’s just that there are things you don’t know, things that make this whole situation—”

“Do you ever stop talking?” His mouth came down on hers, and she gasped, bringing her hands down to push him away. The moment her palms touched his chest, she got distracted. Damn. Talk about hard.

Her thoughts scattered and her resistance melted on a soft sigh. Lena fell into the light kiss, which was as teasing and addictive as any drug Amsterdam had to offer.

Tyler gave a murmur of approval as she wound her arms around his neck and pressed herself closer to him.

His hand buried into her hair, and he deepened the kiss. Lena moaned and opened her mouth to let his tongue take control of hers. Obviously more than willing, he tightened his grip around her waist and let his other hand reach down to stroke her neck with his strong fingers.

When he let her go, she couldn’t catch her breath. She stared at him with wide eyes and touched her fingers to her lips.

“You kiss like the men in the movies.”

Tyler gave her a small smile and ran his glance over her again. “I don’t think you should fly home tonight. We could have a great time in Amsterdam together.”

“Fly home…” The blood drained from her head. “Oh, my God. I’m flying home tonight. Jeez.” Guilt sliced through her. Sharp. Heavy. “What am I doing? What am I
doing
? Don’t kiss me, okay? We can’t do that again.”