The sound of a throat being cleared loudly drew all eyes to it. Lucas Hunter was standing, wearing another severe black suit, in front of the far wall, hands on hips, jaw clenched, dark eyes fixed firmly on me. I jumped up, feeling my cheeks burn. I walked over to him, eyes downcast, unable to meet his gaze.
“I do apologize for keeping you waiting,” he said coolly. “I trust that my staff entertained you during your short wait.” He glowered at the pair of them before holding an oak paneled door open and indicating for me to pass through.
I walked through the doorway and stopped in my tracks. Lucas cannoned into my back and knocked me off balance. I yelped as I began to fall but quick as a flash, he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me to him to stop me from sprawling headlong onto the floor. My head flopped back on to his chest and I my shoulders relaxed. I heard the door close quietly behind us before that voice murmured, “Now they will be wondering what I am doing to you in here.”
As the words registered in my mind, I realized that my heart was racing. Is that because I almost fell or because he is holding me? I felt his arm begin to loosen its grip around my waist and I had to resist the urge to clasp it and keep it there. I reluctantly lifted my head from his chest and turned to thank him for rescuing me. He was smiling, his eyes crinkling in the corners slightly. “That’s twice that you have thrown yourself at me, Miss Prince,” his mouth still smiling as he spoke.
“Technically, this time I threw myself away from you Mr Hunter, and you pulled me back to you.”
To my surprise, he threw back his head and laughed heartily and I found myself joining in.
“What made you stop?” he asked suddenly.
“Stop?” I shrugged, confused.
“Stop moving … as you came through the door,”
“Ah, I was taken aback by your office,” I said meekly. “You could fit 20 of my office in here.”
It was true; you could. It was sleek, minimalist and cavernous. I looked around the room. A large oak desk stood in front of the large window. A matching table that made Norman & Wilde’s conference room table look like a coffee table, dominated one side of the room but I was drawn to something on a smaller table in the centre of the room.
When I reached it, I quickly realized that it was a scale model of Manhattan. I peered down and found the Orion Building quickly - so good was the detailing that even I, newcomer to the area, could find my way around it. I scanned the model, looking for other landmarks that I knew. I even found my own apartment block. I gasped when I found Bryant Park; it was perfect. I could see all the monuments that I had admired during my visits to the park. I grinned when I spotted the miniature ping pong tables and the ‘wichcraft kiosks. When I saw Le Carrousel, I clapped my hands together like a child.
A deep, soft chuckle reminded me where I was before Lucas appeared at my side. “You like it?” he said, his head tilting to one side, cobalt blue eyes sparkling.
“I love it!” I cried. “It is wonderful.” My eyes roamed around the model until they alighted on the reason for our meeting. The mini Dakota that Lucas had purchased was another stunning reproduction. I tapped the top of it with my fingertip and turned to him. “I guess we should get down to business before I get totally distracted.”
He chuckled again. “I was the same when I first had it made. I don’t think I got much work done for a few days. I told myself that it was my duty to check it for accuracy, quality control if you will, but really, I just wanted to play. It‘s like Lego for grownups! I am glad you like it but you’re right, we should remember why we are here. ”
Oh yes, don’t forget my other objective for today. Argh! He is really going to be seduced by you squealing like a child and playing with his Lego! Come on girl, get your act together and show him what he is missing!
Lucas strolled over to a pale fawn leather L-shaped sofa that could seat ten people comfortably and indicated for me to sit down. “Drink?” he asked, moving to the far side of the office.
“I would love a coffee,” I answered as I sat down.
“Oh, I was about to open a bottle of wine,” he said, then grinned mischievously. “It is Friday, after all.”
I smiled, finding that grin hard to resist. I raised an eyebrow suggestively and looked him straight in the eye, pouting slightly. “Mr Hunter, are you trying to lead me astray?”
His grin disappeared in an instant and he looked distinctly uncomfortable.
“Lead on,” I trilled quickly, sounding more confident than I felt. “It is Friday, after all. A glass of wine would be lovely.”