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“I think Avery would move there if she could,” Heather joked.
“I love Arizona. It’s warm, and I can always play outside.”
“See? She crushes my heart every time.” On a smile, she added, “We
should get going. It’s late. And you need to get to the Northern Lights, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah. My set starts in an hour.”
“Mommy, the nice man at the counter said he’ll give me cookies before I leave. Can I go get them?”
“Sure.”
Heather kept an eye on Avery as she darted to the counter.
“By the way, I’m coming in for a second round of interviews next week, just before I drop off Avery at the airport. Danielle—my editor—just told me she spoke to Owen.”
“Perfect. Stop by my office when you have a break.”
“Why? I’m not interviewing you.”
I smiled, touching a hand to her cheek. “Interview isn’t what I had in mind.”
“Ryker....”
“Just come by my office,” I repeated. Her eyes flashed. She licked her lower lip. I dragged my thumb over the same spot. Fuck. I just wanted to pull her behind the store and kiss her until she begged for more.
“I’ll consider it.” Her tone was teasing, but by the light tremor in her body, I knew I’d already won the battle. I liked that every time we were together, she gave in to me more easily, that she was more open. “Go, before you’re too late.”
I was shocked to discover I wasn’t looking forward to performing as much as usual. In fact, I would’ve preferred to spend the evening right here. I’d never considered ditching a chance to perform for anyone except my family... until now.
***
The next week was brutal, full of ups and downs on the stock market. I kept my cool, as usual, which was one of the reasons I’d shot to the top as quickly as I did.
Whenever I had a spare moment, I messaged Heather, and even dropped by with dinner one evening on impulse. I barely kept from inviting myself over more often. I didn’t want to push too much, too soon. I had no idea how my life could change so drastically in just six weeks, since I’d first noticed Heather at the Northern Lights, but I liked being with them—both of them.
Friday had always been my favorite day. This one even more so, because Heather was inside the building for another round of interviews. But right now, I had one of the city’s heavy hitters sitting on the other side of my desk. He wanted reassurance. I was confident in my predictions, the advice I gave to clients.
“You know I’m right.”
“You always are. You made me a lot of money.”
“Then trust me on this one. The stock value will recover within a month. All indicators are in line with that prediction.”
I got to my feet, signaling that this meeting was over. Usually, I didn’t hurry clients, but I needed him out in the next few minutes. Heather had been here for a few hours. She was finishing the interviews in about ten minutes, and I didn’t want to miss the window of opportunity to see her.
“Okay. Okay. Let’s keep in touch next week.”
“Of course. My door is always open.”
Except now.
I showed him out, using the pretext to check where Heather was. Still in the meeting room. She had her back to me, but her interview partner, Melissa, waved when she saw me. That prompted Heather to look over her shoulder. Her eyes widened slightly. I didn’t do anything to give us away, just walked back to my office and texted her. I was craving her nearness. I’d thought it was hard to behave around her the first time she was here for interviews... but now, after I’d touched her, after I’d had a taste of her, I couldn’t be around her and not want to be near her.
I paced the office, smiling when I heard a knock. I went to open it right away. Heather stood there, looking sexy as hell in her little black suit.
I pulled her inside, locking the door.
