“There’s music on it. Sue me.”
He could just picture her now. Sitting in the warm water, her chestnut hair piled high on her head with a few loose strands pulling free to caress her damp shoulders.
“I wish I was there to watch you.” The words were out before he could question their sense. She’d said she was open to a casual relationship, but he still had a hard time believing he could be so lucky.
Silence dragged on and he wondered if he’d miscalculated.
Another splash reached his ears. “You know where I live,” she said.
If he’d thought he’d been hard before, he was wrong.
“Twenty minutes,” he said. “I’m on my way.”
Soft, feminine laughter followed him as he left the chicken on the counter and sped from the house.
…
Allison twirled in her office chair. Sex was a wonderful thing. She’d been in such a rut she hadn’t even realized what she was missing.
But Darian was putting all that to rights.
Closing her eyes, she pictured the night before. She’d greeted him at the door in her bathrobe, her hair still damp. He’d taken one look at her and swept her into his arms.
A small sigh escaped her. The man knew what he was doing. And for a little while at least she was the lucky recipient of that knowledge.
“You look like the cat that got the canary.”
She spun around to see Gillian. “I rather feel like it, too. What can I do for you?”
“John’s coming in today to sign those Sterling papers. Can you confirm Darian has booked out the time?”
Allison swung to her computer, her fingers flying over the keys. “Two o’clock on the dot,” she said. “We’re all set.”
“How go the wedding plans?”
“Sent out the latest round of invites this morning. We’ve got the venue and flowers locked in, and Darian said he handled the cake.”
“So it’s coming along.”
“I’m sure there will be bumps down the road, but right now I think we’re well on track.”
“Excellent. And how’s the sex?”
She snapped her fingers. “The real reason you didn’t just send me an email.”
“I thought it was a one-time thing?”
“I redefined the definition of ‘one time.’”
Gillian arched a skeptical brow. “As long as you know what you’re doing, I suppose.”
“I do.”
“So you’ve been job searching, then?”
“You know, you’re sounding like a disapproving parent more and more with each conversation.”
“Fair enough,” she said. “Anyways, I was planning on hitting the town this Friday. Want to come and mix it up with some appropriate men?”
“Apparently not my favorite kind.”
“Yeah, yeah. At the very least come and hang out with moi. Be my wing woman. It’s been way too long since you’ve had some fun.” Allison opened her mouth and Gillian was quick to amend. “Some gal pal fun.”
“I’ll think about it,” she said.
“You mean if Darian doesn’t invite you to something better.”
Her grin was unapologetic.
“Fine, be that way.” She headed for the door. “Oh, and keep a look out for John; those documents need to be signed.”
“On it,” she said. “The deal will get done.”
Her afternoon was so busy she nearly forgot about the Sterling appointment. She’d had a call from the florist bemoaning the state of dahlias in his greenhouse. She’d made it very clear that he’d either need to promise her perfection or give up the contract right now. Getting the sense that he was just looking for sympathy and perhaps a few extra dollars, the seller was more than happy to assure her that a contract to King Enterprises would be filled to the best of his ability.
Wedding crisis averted, she focused on her actual job, directing her staff and straightening out all the problems that had arisen for the week. After so many years, problem solving was second nature. No matter what was thrown at her she could develop a solution by the end of lunch.
Which was the reason she was at her desk at two o’clock. There was a coordination problem in marketing she needed to weigh in on.
She was so engrossed in her work she lost track of time.
“Knock knock.”
She glanced up, disoriented. “John,” she said. Shaking her head, she pulled herself away from her work and focused on the man before her. She rose from behind her desk and went to greet him.
“How’s my favorite assistant?” he asked, giving her a friendly hand shake.
“Busy,” she said, stepping back.
The Sterling owner grinned down at her. Though not as striking as Darian, John had more than enough charm on his own. His easy smile and bright green gaze put many people at ease. It was his skill, to lull his prey into languid relaxation before he struck and accrued segments of their company they had no idea were in danger. She’d seen him and Darian go head to head for various deals before, so it was no doubt a blow to John to be selling off a part of his holdings.