Josh pushed to his feet at the same time she did and they knocked heads. Claudia’s lips brushed his cheek, and she grabbed her forehead.
“I’m sorry,” Josh said. “Are you okay?” This was the last thing he wanted to deal with. Goddamned Claudia. Did she have to pull this shit now?
“Yeah,” she whispered. “Oh, gosh, I got lipstick on you.” She rubbed his cheek with a firm stroke of her thumb.
Josh stepped back. “I can get it,” he snapped. He grabbed a tissue from the desk and swiped at his cheek. “Claudia, I know you’re willing to…go the extra mile to become a designer.”
“Yes, I am,” she said with lust-filled eyes.
“No one sleeps their way to the top at JBD. Skills will get you where you want to be. Spend some time coming up with fresh ideas; no more new takes on old themes. Give me something I can grab hold of and run with.”
She sidled up to him, pressing her hips against his. “Oh, I’ve got something you can grab hold of.”
Josh made a disgusted tsk sound and pushed her away. “Claudia, you’re an attractive woman, but this”—he ran his hand back and forth in the space between them—“is never going to happen. Let your work stand for itself.”
Her eyes caught fire. She threw her shoulders back. “You have no idea what you’re missing, Josh Braden. We could make a great team, and I don’t mean just in the design studio.”
Josh ran his hand through his hair. He was tired of playing games with her. Hadn’t he made himself perfectly clear? Claudia had worked in the business long enough to have established relationships with media, buyers, and designers. She could work anywhere, and he was about ready to have a little talk with Peter and cut her loose. This take-me-now game had gone way past a girl trying to just sleep her way to the top, but a scandal devised at the hands of Claudia Raven would be painful and humiliating—though not unrecoverable.
“Claudia—”
She held her hand up and stopped him from speaking. “It’s okay, Josh. I get it. I’m a great assistant, but I need to be a better designer. That doesn’t change the fact that I’m attracted to you and have been since the day I set eyes on you.”
“Claudia, you’re attracted to what I stand for, not who I am.” He had to stop this train wreck before it got any more out of hand. “I’m involved with someone.” There, he’d said it without mentioning Riley. Chew on that for a while.
The anger in her eyes faded, replaced with a shadow of hurt. The harsh line of her mouth softened. “Please, don’t play me for a fool. You’re not attracted to me. I get that. There’s no need to make up a fictitious girlfriend. Attraction isn’t everything,” she said, moving closer to him.
“Stop, Claudia. Whatever made-up game you have in your head is not going to happen.” He took a deep breath. “If you value your job, then please stop these antics.”
Claudia gritted her teeth. “Well, then, fine.” She picked up her purse and headed for the door.
“And, Claudia?”
She turned to face him with watery eyes. He almost felt bad for her. “Let’s not make anyone’s life hell because of this, okay? We’re all professionals. I don’t need you stomping around or making things uncomfortable. I expect a professional workplace with no ulterior motives.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, and stormed out the door.
Chapter Fifteen
NOT PRETTY, NOT designer. Scruffy. Riley stood before her dresser, wondering just what scruffy looked like. She was used to trying to look good, not bad. Scruffy? Josh would be there in ten minutes, and she was stuck. She hadn’t been able to concentrate on the line sheets after hearing Claudia’s voice in the background when they were on the phone, and no matter how she’d tried to quell her jealousy, the prickling at the back of her neck would not go away. Even though she knew Josh would never go for someone like Claudia, her mind began to wander. Would he tell her if he slept with her just once? What if he had and he’d left Claudia wanting more? Could that be the driving force behind Claudia’s bitchiness?
There was a knock at the door. Shit. Still in her work clothes, minus the heels, she hurried to the door and pulled it open. A very sweaty Josh stood before her, wearing sweatpants and a wrinkled T-shirt. A Mets baseball cap was pulled down low over his eyes, and there was a glowing smile on his lips.
“Ah, scruffy.” Riley smiled. Still drop-dead gorgeous.
He closed the door behind him and took her in his arms, kissing her like they hadn’t seen each other for weeks, leaving her heart soaring.
“I’ve waited all day to do that,” he said. “God, you smell good.”
Riley crinkled her nose. “Yeah? Um.” She looked at his sweaty T-shirt.
“Sorry, I ran over. I was late getting out of the office, so I headed home, showered, changed, then ran over.” He looked at his sweaty chest. “I guess I could have waited to shower. Nasty habit…shower after work, shower before working out.” Josh smiled. “I guess there are worse things to be than an over-showerer. In any case, I respect your desire to keep things secret, even if I hate it, and if that means I get a few extra runs in, then so be it.”
Riley pulled him close and kissed him again. “Now I feel bad. I have no idea where you live. Was it far?”
“Not bad, a dozen blocks or so. I’d say no sweat, but…” He waved at his sweaty shirt. “I’m sorry about that, but there’s a price for anonymity.”
“I happen to find sweat very sexy.” Riley ran her finger down his chest.
“You’re not sidetracking me tonight. At least not yet.” He looked at her outfit. “Did you get my note?”
“Yes, and it was really sweet, but kinda risky, don’t you think?”
“You’re a clever girl. I knew you’d keep things under wraps.” He took her hand. “Come on. Let’s find you some scruffy clothes.”
They went to the bedroom and rifled through her drawers.
“Jeans, jeans, and more jeans. Yup, you’re from Weston all right,” he teased.
“I have sweatpants,” she offered. “Where are we going, anyway?”
“Sweatpants. Perfect. Throw them on with a sweatshirt. Do you have a hat?”
“Sorry, left my cowgirl hat back in Colorado.”
“I’ve got a baseball cap in my gym bag. Come on, babe. I’ll give you privacy and wait for you in the living room.” He left her alone, and Riley found herself getting excited about whatever scruffy thing they might be doing. For the life of her, she couldn’t imagine anything scruffy in New York City, especially something that Josh might do. She slipped into the shower quickly, then threw on her sweats.
In the living room, she found Josh wearing a Mets sweatshirt, stretched out on the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table.
“You, my dear, look spectacular,” he said, coming to his feet and kissing her cheek.
“By the way, thank you for helping me conquer my fear of the subway. That was one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me, and it makes getting to work much easer. Thank you,” she said.
“I couldn’t have my secret girlfriend being scared of getting around town, now, could I?” He kissed her again. “Mind if I rinse off?” He grabbed his gym bag and headed for the bathroom. Ten minutes later, he met her in the living room with a Mets hat in his hand. He placed it on her head and tugged it down low. “Now it’s perfect.”
“Nothing like having hat hair,” Riley said. She never minded wearing hats. It was the aftereffect that wasn’t very appealing. But she was game for anything with Josh.
“Hey, don’t knock hat hair. Some men find it wildly attractive. Have you eaten?” he asked.
“No, you?”
He shook his head. “Come on. I’m dying to go be normal for a while. I’ve had a wicked night.” He grabbed her keys and pulled her out the door.
“Already? Gee, and I was hoping to get wicked later.” Did I say that out loud? Riley was surprised to find how relaxed she was with Josh. Even the jealousy she’d felt about Claudia had fallen by the wayside.
“I like the sound of that.” He planted a kiss on her cheek.
Her hand fit perfectly into his as they hurried down the stairs and onto the busy street. The cool night air chilled her cheeks as they walked block after illuminated block. Riley was mesmerized by the way everyone moved with quick, purposeful strides. The lights of the city sparkled from every window. Riley could see why people fell in love with New York, but her mind didn’t linger for long on the city. It was too consumed with, and distracted by, Josh. To Riley, New York was no match for Josh Braden.
“So, is this our disguise?” she asked, pointing to their sweatpants.
“Yup.”
“Cool. We’re incognito. I love it.”
Josh slowed his pace as they passed Lenny’s. “Dinner. I almost forgot.” He backtracked, and they entered the deli. Josh swung his arm around Riley’s shoulder as they waited their turn.
“This is what New York is all about. Lenny’s on a cold night.” He kissed her cheek.
Who cares about Lenny’s? This is what New York’s about. She snuggled into his side.