But there had to be a flaw beneath all that perfection. There always was.
Shannon stood in silence, captivated by the intense richness of his eyes, which gleamed with a halo of amber light. It was clear this guy could have whatever he desired.
He rubbed his father’s arm, then straightened his back. “You have to stop doing this, Dad.”
Her gaze drifted down his long legs, and back up to his broad, muscular shoulders.
She chewed the inside of her left cheek, watching the father-son exchange, her eyes lingering on his full lips pressed into a tight line.
The scent of his cologne, rich and musky, had her leaning closer as if the gods had crafted it just for him to lure and captivate.
Being this close to him stirred sensations she couldn’t ignore.
“Why did you wander off this time?” His voice was smooth, yet abrasive.
When his arm moved, the tailored fabric of his suit tightened around the curve of his bicep.
And then, poof, the spell evaporated when a pretty young woman burst out of The Fitz Hotel next, her glowing makeup-free complexion and strained smile adding to her effortless beauty.
Obviously, his type.
“Oh God, George, you scared the hell outof us. Please stay put next time,” she said, part command, part plea.
George smiled, exhaustion visible under his eyes. “Where’s Marcus? I told him to be here.”
Jamie sighed. “Dad, I told you. Marcus is flying to America. He’ll be home in a few days.
“Why are we outside in the cold, Jamie? Can we please go inside?” George’s arms wrapped around his chest as he blew out a short puff of air, fed up.
At that moment, Jamie’s amber eyes locked onto hers, the heat of the silent exchange searing her skin. She froze, the depth of his gaze making her heart stutter a few beats.
His chiselled features were striking enough for him to be a model, with dark, sandy hair falling in a messy, sexy sweep at the front. A furrowed brow and intense stare had her swallowing hard.
Without saying a word, Jamie shoved a hand inside his jacket and pulled out a wad of folded cash. He flicked a few hundred-pound notes into the air, waving them between them.
“Take that for your trouble.”
And there it was. The flaw. The arrogance. He half-turned to his father, already expecting her to accept the cash, as if the transaction was complete.
Typical. Just another rich asshole. A simple thank you would have been enough.
“I don’t need your money,” she bit out, though part of her mind screamed the opposite.
Shecoulduse it. But pride wouldn’t let her take a handout from someone like him.
Shannon grabbed the strap of her shoulder bag and turned away, lifting her chin, determined not to let him see how much his gesture stung.
“Asshole,” she muttered under her breath.
“Hey!” Jamie shot back.
Glancing over her shoulder, she witnessed a sexy grin creeping across his face. “I’m an asshole for repaying a favour?”
His gaze traced her figure from head to toe, lingering just long enough to make her skin burn.
Shannon’s insides caught fire.
“I didn’t stay with your dad for a payout.” Her voice was icy, her lips curling into a small, almost sarcastic smile. “My pride is worth more than your condescending attitude.”
