Bidding on Her Boss(19)

       
           



       

She snapped off a leaf from a nearby shrub and crumpled it in her  fingers. "I've told you we can let that slide. I've already got more  than I expected from the auction with this assignment working with the  Ruby Iris."

That sounded fine in theory, but he needed the closure, so he ignored  her objection. "And I've told you that I won't let it slide. You paid to  have me look more closely at your floristry skills and I did, but I  want to make sure you've had the opportunity to say all you need to  about where you see yourself in the company." He offered her a smile.  "Since we're both going to the launch anyway, I thought we could go  together and it could serve as our final date."

She shifted her weight from one leg to the other. "I seem to remember  we decided to keep our distance. To go cold turkey. In fact, those rules  pretty much exclude you even being here today."

"It's been almost a month without incident. I think we're fine." Well,  she seemed fine, anyway. He was still kept awake at night, replaying  memories of their night together. Of the feel of her skin, the touch of  her lips as she kissed him in desperation.

She, however, seemed unaffected, which was more than a little annoying.

"So how would you see this working?" she asked, sounding unconvinced.

"I'll pick you up, like a date. We've never had any problems being  alone in a car together, so that should be fine. Then we'll attend the  launch together. Perhaps dance, but since we'll be in public, surrounded  by Hawke's Blooms staff and management, there won't be any chance to  get carried away. Then I'll drop you home."

"That last point sounds like a danger area," she said as she ran her hands over a branch near her shoulder.

"Good point." In theory, it would only be the same level of temptation  that they had right now, but on the night of the launch, they'd both be  wearing their finest, would have danced, perhaps would have had a glass  or two of champagne. "I'll arrange a limo to drop you home. It will be  on standby so you can leave when you want to. Alone."

She screwed up her nose as she considered. "Okay, that sounds harmless enough. And then we'll be square?"

"Then we'll be square," he confirmed. Of course, he was going to  reimburse her the money she'd paid for the dates as soon as they'd had  the last one, despite her earlier protests. Eight thousand two hundred  dollars was a lot of money for someone on her wage.

And speaking of money, there was one other aspect of this last date  that needed addressing. "Also, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me buy you  a dress for the launch."

She shook her head. "You don't have to buy me a dress, Dylan."

He'd expected opposition, so it didn't faze him. He rocked back on his  heels and laid out his reasoning. "You admitted that you spent almost  all your savings at the auction, so yes, I do. Will it help if I promise  not to buy you a corsage?"

"Dylan-" she began, but he interrupted.

"Humor me. Let me buy you a dress, we'll have the date, and then we can properly go back to being a boss and an employee."

"You want to take me shopping?" She arched an eyebrow. "Alone?"

Alone would be crazy. Luckily, he'd already come up with a solution.  "I've arranged a personal shopper who will take us to a store after  closing time. We'll not only have private access to the store and advice  but also be chaperoned."

She didn't say anything, but he wanted this closure, so he smiled and said, "Just say yes, Faith."

She blew out a breath. "Okay, sure."

Good. Part of him was glad he'd been able to get her to agree. After  this he'd be able to move on. Another part of him was wondering if he'd  stepped out of the frying pan into the fire.

* * *

Faith pulled up in the parking lot of the upscale clothing store and  let out a sigh. She was looking forward to spending time with Dylan far  more than she should, and that worried her.

Pretending to be unaffected by him in her apartment had almost cost her  her sanity. If he hadn't promised to have a personal shopper here  tonight, she would never have agreed. Though he'd seemed remarkably  unaffected when he'd made the offer, which was hardly fair. If she was  struggling, then it would boost her ego if he'd been struggling right  along with her.

Perhaps he'd moved on already? Her stomach dipped at the thought, but  it would be for the best. Yes, indeed. It was exactly what they needed  to happen. If only it didn't feel like the end of the world to  contemplate...                       
       
           



       

His Porsche pulled up beside her. Dylan stepped out and paused to set  the keyless lock. He wore jeans and a white polo shirt-it was the only  time she'd seen him in jeans besides the morning after they'd made love.  She gripped the steering wheel tighter. The memory threatened to  overwhelm her with sensation, so she pushed it to the back of her mind  and focused on the here and now. However, the fact that the here and now  consisted of Dylan's rear end outlined by soft denim wasn't helping her  gain control much.

"Evening, Faith," he said as he opened her car door. The deep, sexy  drawl sent a shiver up her spine. She stepped out and Dylan closed the  door.

"Hello, Dylan," she said. Then, before she could give herself away, she  smiled and locked her car. "Is the personal shopper here already or do  we need to wait?"

"She's inside."

"Let's not keep her waiting, then," she said and set off for the entrance.

Dylan was beside her in two strides. "You know, you seem a lot more keen about this than I expected."

Actually, she was keen to have another person in the mix and avoid  being alone with him, especially in a dimly lit parking lot. If he'd  moved on, she wasn't letting him know she was still back where she'd  been the night they'd made love. She straightened her spine.

"The sooner we start, the sooner it will be over," she said over her shoulder.

A middle-aged woman wearing a designer pantsuit, her hair in a sleek  silver bob, opened the door for them. "Dylan and Faith?" she asked.

"That's us," Dylan said, holding out his hand.

"I'm Julie." She shook Dylan's hand and then held her hand out to  Faith. "As I understand it, we're looking for an outfit for Faith to  wear to an event?"

"Yes," Faith said. "So, something formal."

"Lovely. The formal section is this way." She moved away, and Faith turned to Dylan.

"You don't need to hang around," she said brightly. "Or if you want to  stay, you could wait over by the doors? You'll get bored looking at  women's clothes." The last thing she wanted was to be trying on clothes  with him within touching distance.

He grinned. "Not a chance. I'm staying to make sure you don't weasel out."

"What if I promise-"

Dylan cut her off. "I'm staying, Faith, so you may as well catch up with Julie."

"Sure," she said on a sigh. She'd come to learn a thing or two about  this man, and she could tell this wasn't a battle she was going to win.  She followed the path Julie had taken to the formal wear section, very  aware of Dylan's gaze on her as he tagged along.

Once they arrived, Julie made a sweeping gesture with her arm to point  out the options. "Did you have anything in mind? Some guidelines so I  know where to start?"

Faith chewed the inside of her cheek, trying to come up with some  ideas. She'd been too worried about being here with Dylan to think about  the actual dress.

"Something bright," Dylan said. "Vibrant."

"Okay, good." Julie nodded. "Anything else?"

Dylan rocked back on his heels. "Perhaps something quirky. She looks  great in halter necks, but then, she looks great in everything, so that  shouldn't limit you."

Faith watched the exchange, a little stunned. Dylan glanced over and caught her expression. "What? I've been paying attention."

He certainly had. Suddenly this situation they were in tonight felt  even more uneven than it had earlier. She lifted her chin. "So what are  you planning on wearing to the launch?"

He shrugged. "A suit, I guess."

"White shirt and a random tie from your closet?" she asked sweetly.

"Probably."

She shook her head in mock disappointment. "Conservative choice."

One corner of his mouth twitched. "Is that so?"

"New deal." She planted her hands on her hips. "You get to stay and  have input into what I wear if I can choose something for you to wear."

He blinked slowly. "You're changing the rules?"

"I am." She stood a little taller. "You got a problem with that?"

"Nope. I've always liked your attitude. Deal." He turned to Julie. "We'll need time in the menswear section as well."