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Unbelievable.
“You played me,” I accuse as Daisy and I start toward the doors together, in no particularhurry.
“No. You wanted Xavier to see you in a new light, and he did. But in talking with Amy and Tania”—she gestures to the change room—“I learned that you men end up talking work over dinner anyway. So rather than feign interest, we’ll leave you to it and go to dinner ourselves. Amy runs a nonprofit, and Tania was an executive at one of the largest restaurant chains in the world. Which is how we scored the reservation. I’m sure we’ll have plenty to talkabout.”
I can’t decide if I want to kiss her or strangleher.
Possiblyboth.
Instead, I wrap my arms around her and pull her against me. Neither of us is crazy sweaty, but she’s warm, and I love the heat of her body mixing withmine.
“You were unbelievable,” I murmur against her hair. “I couldn’t have been more proud if you were my girl forreal.”
“Well, I haven’t been here in a while because of work. It feels good to get back at it. It wasfun.”
But as I pull back, fun doesn’t feel like the right word. It was challenging and fascinating. Like a high I never expected, and now that I’ve felt it, I cravemore.
Could I be the perfect boyfriend for a month?The question comes out of nowhere. It’s tantalizing because it's the one mountain I haven't climbed, the one challenge I haven't conquered, and one far more interesting than the one we justcompleted.
If some part of me wants to do it for the way she’s looking at me, to make her eyes shine even brighter, to make her feel proud and happy every second she’s with me like I am withher…
Then I guess that’slife.
“I’m taking you out,” I decide. “I’ll pick you up at the office tomorrow for a realdinner.”
She balks. "We never do dinner. You hate extra meals in restaurants because you eat out for work everynight."
"Well, this one's onme."
Her lips curve and she looks pointedly at mypocket.
“Again,” I grunt as I reach for the AmEx in my wallet and hand it over. “On meagain.”
11
“The Connexion accountis coming up for renewal in a few weeks,” Rena says from across the table. “They seemed pleased with our work the last quarter, and their new genealogy product is doingwell.”
Despite her words, I’m not convinced. They’re my client, but Rena’s been handling them since the Vane workstarted.
“Let’s meet with them. They had a rough quarter this time last year, and I want to head off any chance ofrepeating.”
I look up to see Rena and Kendall staring past me. I turn to follow theirgazes.
Ben strides across our lobby from the elevator. He's dominance, elegance, a combination of ease and strength that's endlessly attractive. His suit fits him to perfection, blue with a tie a few shades lighter that sets off his dark, wavy hair, clinging to the hard planes and strong lines of hisbody.
I take the excuse to devour him with my gaze. He’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. Ben might have traded his jeans in college for Hugo Boss, but I'm notcomplaining.
Or if I am, it’s because he’s far too appealing for his own good, or formine.
He leans in the open conference room door. “Hey, Rena.Kendall.”
Since the climbing gym, he seems different. As if he's present with me, but running some private game behind those darkeyes.
“You ready for dinner?” he asks, catching mestaring.
“Hmm? Yes. I lost track of time.” I make a note on my computer before shutting my notebook. “Rena, I’ll find us a time to meet Connexion in person. I don’t want anysurprises.”
She shifts out of her chair, adjusting her sleek blond ponytail. “I’ll do it. You guys go out on yourdate.”
