AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He groaned. Wrong choice of words, because what he really wanted to do was peel that jacket and blouse off her shoulders and watch it fall to the floor.
“Are you all right?”
“Fine,” he answered with a clipped finality, cringing inside at the hurt that flitted across her face.
She looked around the restaurant, then back at him, her face now unreadable. “You’ve apparently been here before.”
Safe ground. “Many times. The food is exceptional. I like to cook, but not usually when it’s just me. So on days my cook isn’t available, I tend to come here. This is my usual table,” he said, smoothing the linen cloth covering it.
“You have a cook? That must be nice.”
“I have a housekeeper who also cooks. She comes in most days and leaves me something to heat up. Sometimes, she cooks it there. Sometimes, she brings it from home. Leftovers she manages to get away from the brood she has.” He smiled. Marta was the perfect housekeeper. So busy with her own life, she didn’t take time to get nosy about his. Not that he had any deep, dark secrets. He simply preferred to keep his life to himself.
“Like I said, must be nice.”
He cocked his head. “Are you judging me?”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Laughter drifted from her, full bodied, and it wrapped around him like a fucking cocoon. The way her eyes sparkled when she was happy. The way her cheeks flushed when she disagreed and was ready to argue a point. Hell, even her walk forecasted her mood: from a springy bounce to a sensual sway to a staccato march.
There was a lot to like about the woman sitting across from him. Gerard reached for her hand and held it, running his thumb over skin he knew would be soft as silk.
Rowan’s eyes widened, and that endearing blush filled her cheeks with rosy color. She stared at their hands as if in a trance, then she slowly pulled her hand from his and tucked it beneath the table.
He missed the contact even as he reminded himself that he didn’t yet know if he could trust her. Then, there was that pledge…
“Mr. Barrett—”
“Gerard, please.”
“I don’t think—”
“I did ask nicely.” That infuriating wall of hers had dropped into place. If it wasn’t for the high color in her face, he’d seriously consider that he’d misread her interest.
“Fine. Gerard. I thought this was a business meeting.”
He shrugged, holding her eyes captive with his gaze and daring her to look away. She didn’t. Maybe it was time for some honesty. “Against my better judgment, I find myself drawn to you.”
A look touched her face. Regret? She stifled it quickly and held up her hand, silently asking to have her say. He tilted his head briefly to indicate that he would keep his mouth closed for the moment.
“Any sign of impropriety on my part jeopardizes my standing as a director in your company, both to my people and to the board that we both have to answer to.”
She was right. The board would have a heyday if he dated any employee. Even someone with equal power. Power. He scowled. That was Brittney’s excuse in her attempt to bilk him out of millions. Just because she considered herself the jilted girlfriend after two dates and one night of mediocre sex.
He pulled his hand back. “You’re right, of course.”
Rowan leaned forward, an earnest need to be understood shining through in her expression and her firm, silky voice. “You yourself warned me against fraternization.”
He had, hadn’t he? Only because, if he was honest with himself, he’d been attracted to her from the first moment he saw her. He didn’t want her dating anyone else, let alone sleeping with someone from his company.
“I get it. And, again, you’re right.” That admission was enough and, as far as he was concerned, closed the matter. No way would he apologize for wanting to hold her hand. That had felt too nice to feel sorry about.
She sank back, her expression relaxing and a smile playing at the edges of her very kissable mouth. “Thank you. Do you think, maybe, we can talk about how we might work together on this bid?”
“Certainly.”
Their waiter showed up at that moment. They placed their orders.
Gerard ordered a bottle of wine, and her cheeks went all rosy again. She didn’t think wine was a good idea, apparently.
