Luke could not look away.
Gorgeousness himself was stood in the middle of the room of suits and evening gowns. He wore a crisp white shirt stylishly taut along his torso and dark tailored trousers with jacket. His shoulders were impossibly broad, and he radiated confidence.
But even as his assistant, Pauline, caught him up on the fundraiser, it took Luke's brain a few minutes to accept the connection.
Gorgeousness - thy name is Noah Mayer.
A shiver ran through him. In this setting, it was obvious who the most powerful man in the room was. Noah was certainly the most attractive. And there was no way for Luke to back out now. Noah's blue eyes were already locked on his.
For a moment, Noah looked as perplexed as Luke felt; and something in Luke's expression made Noah frown.
Luke squared his shoulders, determined that not by an inflection in his voice or a blink of his eyes would he give away the frustration he felt deep within. He made his way over to Noah.
"Mr Mayer, I presume?" Luke offered his hand unsmilingly with common courtesy, internally telling himself to relax. So they'd had a little moment that morning. They were both adults and could act professionally for the sake of the fundraiser and those around them.
"Mr Snyder?" Noah wasn't smiling either, but he took Luke's hand and offered up the usual shake. His hand closed around Luke's, warm and dry and secure.
Luke melted.
Is he holding on longer than normal?
Luke felt color rise up in his cheeks. As Noah released Luke's hand, his thumb shifted and gently brushed the hardened skin at the base of Luke's palm. A faint look of surprise lit those blue eyes and Luke snatched his hand back, embarrassed by their condition. When you worked with your hands most of your life, you tended to not have the softest skin in the world.
For most of the night, they were separated by the whirlwind of interested guests and work that needed to be done. But later that evening as things were winding down, a warm hand imprinted itself on Luke's shoulder. He turned to find Noah standing close behind him.
"Sorry to interrupt," Noah said to those in Luke's group. "But do you mind if I steal Mr. Snyder away? We have a few things we need to discuss regarding my donation to the foundation."
Someone muttered, "Certainly."
Another, "Not at all, Mr Mayer. "And may I say how much I admire your work."
Dispensing with the quick pleasantries, Luke found himself being led to a quiet corner of the bar. He felt exposed.
Does Noah think I had something to do with all this?
"Mr Mayer," he began. "Was there any reason why you didn't introduce yourself up at the house this morning?"
"At the time, names didn't seem that important..." Luke felt Noah's eyes moving over his face with interest. "And, it's Noah."
Luke couldn't free his brain of the memories of that morning.
He's not interested in you. He's seen you at your worst. Nobody wants to be around that...
He was brought up short.
Wait...did he just say I should call him Noah?
"Tell me, Mr Snyder, have you eaten?"
Suddenly they seemed to be standing dangerously close. Certainly too close for Luke to think clearly. Noah's blue eyes were still moving broodingly over him and Luke could feel his body actually quivering in response.
"Are you offering to feed me, Mr Mayer?"
A look of amusement flickered unmistakably in those eyes. "It would seem that way. Drink first?"
Fortunately the answer to that question was always an easy one for Luke, even as his mouth failed to formulate the word.
Quite casually, Noah slid his broad hand around Luke's upper left bicep. His touch was electric and Luke wobbled a little on his feet as the director steered him out of the hotel ballroom.
"Should I ask where we are going?" Luke was shocked at how breathy his voice sounded.
Noah's mouth twitched. "Why ruin the surprise?"
It was stupid to feel so much trepidation but their short history was a little on the rocky side and that hand on Luke's elbow felt a little...possessive?
He told himself to stop being an idiot. It was obvious Noah wasn't as angry over the car as he was that morning. After all, despite having an obvious appreciation for the machine, it was just a few scratches.
And I did apologized.
Luke glanced up at Noah. He wasn't smiling, but Luke had yet to see an actual smile. Maddie's words that afternoon bumped into Luke's mind. "Famous director."
Luke was with a famous Hollywood director. The other guests were staring at them, but Noah didn't seem to care. They exited the hotel and crossed the busy road to the famous Garden Blue restaurant. It was impossible to just walk in and get a table. Luke had tried numerous time. But Noah did just that. He didn't even have to say a word. The doors opened and somehow, magically, they were seated.
Two cocktails quickly arrived. "Thank you," Luke gasped.
A menu was placed in his hand and a waiter hovered as Noah ordered the wine.
It seemed all of a sudden calm and silent once the busy service staff left. Time trickled to a stop. There was a new look in Noah's eyes; one that wasn't there that morning. Unless Luke had been too self-absorbed to notice. Noah was looking at him like Luke was worth his time.
A flutter of old satisfied confidence winged through his chest even as his ego reminded him he was worth any man's time. He was Luke Snyder for God's sake!
But somehow, Noah was like no other man Luke had ever met. He made Luke feel...girlish? Luke was all hot and tingly and far too aware of his own body. Any second now, he'd be giggling like a school girl.
Just then he remembered what Maddie had said about Noah being a player and Luke quickly slammed on the brakes; lifting up his menu to break their intense eye contact.
"Do you have somewhere you need to be after this, Mr Mayer?" Luke queried, pleased that his voice remained cool and in control.
"It's Noah." His voice was deep and lazy. "And no, Mr Snyder, I do not."
"Luke." Luke didn't lift his eyes from the menu, pretending to be so interested in that evening's offerings. "And I wouldn't want to hold you up from anything important."
Luke lowered his menu to find Noah busy taping the number pad on his phone.
"Blake, I won't be back tonight." His tone of voice was abrupt and to the point; different from the tone he was using on Luke. "Have them send the contracts over tomorrow. I'll deal with them later."
Luke put down the menu.
Noah pocketed his cell.
"I take it you just cancelled a meeting?" Luke observed, lifting a practiced brow.
The wine arrived and was poured. Noah lifted a glass and touched it to Luke's hand. He didn't smile, but their eyes caught and the blue in Noah's held the part of Luke fighting to get free.
In that instant, Luke stopped struggling.