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Her heart accelerated. This man got what he wanted. Was he saying he wanted her?
She needed to change the subject… now. “I’m assuming from our… kiss… there is no serious lady right now. And of course, it goes unsaid that a million women would love the position. Is the great Aidan Bancroft looking?”
He grinned, and a lock of golden brown hair fell across his forehead. She resisted the urge to touch the silky locks. “Not looking,” he responded, “no matter what social media says. However, I'm always open to possibilities.”
Her heart fluttered at the suggestion, thepossibilities. She wouldn't acknowledge unspoken implications, neither in fervent denial nor in enthusiastic acceptance. "So tell me more about the manufacturing processes of your newest hardware."
He laughed softly, recognizing the distraction for what it was. “You won’t escape forever.”
No, she wouldn’t.
She was grateful when he answered the question, turning the conversation to less personal matters. She could only ask so much in one night without spooking him, and his sojourn into her life was dangerous. Fortunately, even small talk could give some insight into the man behind the billions.
As they talked over the pizza, which Aidan admitted was the best ineightstates, her tension eased. They discussed dozens of subjects, from local affairs to large international matters. As expected, Aidan was intelligent and knowledgeable, but also unexpectedly humorous and witty. The conversation flowed like fine wine, and they never ran out of things to say. Despite their obvious differences, they held the same views in many areas, with similar opinions, especially on important matters. It seemed mere minutes had passed when the clock ticked hours.
She tried to pay the check, standard for reporter/subject meals, but Aidan grabbed the bill before she could get it, refusing to even let her see it. After trying for a full five minutes, she finally gave up. He settled the lunch, and the pair stepped out into the hazy late afternoon sun.
She flexed muscles stiff from sitting for so long. "Now that I've proven my pizza-finding powers, I need more information for my article. Where would you like to continue the interview?"
Aidan stood too closeandtoo far. “I’m open to anywhere. How about my hotel or your home?”
“No!” Her denial was immediate, and just a little too enthusiastic. Jeanie would be at her house, and the prospect of being in the business mogul’s hotel room just felt… dangerous. She didn’t need another complication in the treacherous situation. She moderated her voice. “There’s a coffee shop I sometimes take colleagues to…”
“What about bowling?”
“Bowling?” Once more, he surprised her. She’d love to do something physical instead of sitting for hours, especially after the pizza, however he seemed more at home in a ritzy gala than a bowling alley.
As usual, he anticipated her thoughts. “Don’t I seem like the type of person who goes bowling?”
Not in a million years. An exotic Parisian café – absolutely, a svelte charity ball – of course, an exclusive club – why not? TheTimeshad even reported he visited a royal palace last year. But a bowling alley? Nope.
Before she could give a lighthearted denial, he leaned in. “I lived most of my life as a middle-class, fun-loving albeit overachieving kid. Would you like to go bowling during the interview?”
To a surprising extent."All right,” she agreed. And somehow she didn’t complain when he took her hand.
After another quick drive, they reached the alley, a modest size mom and pop operation with two dozen gleaming wood lanes. It didn’t have any of the fancy features of the city lanes – you had to keep score with paper and pencil and there was no automatic buzzer to say you fouled – but it was well maintained and brightly decorated. Decades of bowling team pictures and shirts lined the walls, in between gold and silver trophies and plaques. The air was cool and comfortable, and it possessed a slightly musky, but homey odor.
They travelled to the counter, and before she could stop him, Aidan paid for a lane and two pairs of shoes. When the clerk asked for their shoe sizes, Aidan looked directly at her. She couldn’t help but tease. “I don’t believe it. Is there something you don’t know about me?”
He grinned wickedly. “Not for long.”
Like the time at the restaurant, the hours at the bowling alley flew by. She threw question after question at him, which he answered with thoughtful eloquence, although this time they focused mainly on business. While she needed to garner personal information, she had promised her boss a detailed article by the next morning, plus Aidan might get suspicious if the entirety of the questioning covered children and relationships. He responded in kind, although his questions were of a more personal nature, stopping just short of insolent. They played two surprisingly pleasurable ten frames, and by the time it was over she had all the information she needed. That was, for her article.
The ride back home was quiet, but it was comfortable. Perhaps too much. “Thank you for an educational night," she said when they pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex. She grasped her purse, ignoring stark dissatisfaction that the night was coming to an end.
“Educational?” Aidan lifted an eyebrow. “That's the first time a woman has ever accused me of that. Of course,People Magazinedid name me as one of their 50 Most Educational People in America, but most women just don’t appreciate it.”
She suppressed a smile. “Thank you for thelovelynight." She gazed into sapphire eyes, fought not to lose herself in their captivating depths. If she didn’t leave now, she would do something she would regret, or worse, not regret. She quickly opened the door and climbed out of the limousine. Only… Aidan followed.
Uh-oh.“It’s not necessary to walk me up.”
“Not walk a lady to her apartment? What kind of man do you think I am?” His tone said “non-negotiable.” She hesitated, but only briefly. A protest would raise suspicions, and the exercise would be futile. Jeanie should be asleep now anyways, so as long as he didn’t come in, she should be fine.
Together, they walked up the stairs, then crossed the corridor to her apartment, attraction flaring with every step next to the powerful man. She needed to get inside – and quick. He didn’t say anything as she swiftly unlocked the deadbolt. “Well, goodnight.”
She pulled to open the door, but it didn’t move. His hand rested against it, seemingly relaxed, but with enough power to trap her. He moved closer, yet not close enough. "I haven't had a chance to ask my question."
Her heart stuttered. Had he somehow discovered her secret? Was he about to confront her with the truth? "You asked a lot of questions tonight. What else do you need to know?”
