Undeniably Asher (The Colloway Brothers Book 2)(38)

“You never answered me. Can you cook?”

She laughs. “Somewhat. I can follow a recipe, but I have no creativity when it comes to the kitchen. I make a mean Rice Krispies treat, though.”

“Do tell? I’m a sucker for those.”

“I’ll remember that.” She winks. “Do you like living in Chicago?”

“God, yes. I love it. I work so much, I don’t have a lot of time to do as many extracurricular activities as I would like, but the food here is second to none, they have great running trails right along the lake, and everything I need is within a five-mile radius from here. Add to that a great, centrally located airport and there’s nothing else I need. Almost,” I add, winking, pulling the smile out of her I long to see.

Yes, the only thing missing is sitting right across from me.

“Have you spent much time here?” I ask.

“I’ve been a couple of times, but I’m not too familiar with the city.”

“Well, I look forward to showing you around.”

“Me too.” She smiles.

“So, tell me about your business.”

She nervously pushes the food around on her plate. I suddenly feel like I’ve asked a taboo question. “What do you want to know?”

“Anything you want to tell me,” I confess. Because at this point, I’ll take anything Alyse will give me. I have a feeling I’m going to have to pull every shred of information I want to know from her. If I thought I felt exposed with this scary, dark, curvy road we’re headed down, it’s nothing compared to the vulnerability that wafts off her in crashing waves. Fuck if I ever thought I’d be the one driving a relationship forward, but here I am.

And I’d floor the gas if I didn’t think it would scare her away.

We spend the next twenty minutes talking about ARK Consulting. I learn Alyse’s middle name is Renee, after her mother, hence her firm’s name. I learn Alyse has had this idea since her first year in college and by the time she graduated, nearly two years early, she already had a solid business plan written and reviewed by a couple of her professors.

By the time she obtained her master’s, she had secured a small business loan, with the backing of her previous employer. But what I was most impressed with was the long-term business plan she created. Within one year, she’s doubled her staff, and within five, she plans to have at least a dozen auditors and to triple her profits. That’s pretty damn impressive for a twenty-five-year-old who grew up basically without parents.

“And are you on track to meet your long-term goal?” I’m genuinely interested, but I’ve also been exploring adding an audit firm to the CFC portfolio of services. Suddenly, I’m wondering if Alyse’s diamond-in-the-rough firm is possibly what I’ve been looking for. I’ve evaluated two or three companies over the last few months, but none of them fit our organization for one reason or another.

I wonder, after this project is over, if I should consider discussing this possibility with her, or if she’ll take it as a slight. Or, God forbid, a failure on her part. I would never want to make her feel that way, but I’m also still a businessman and this smells like it may be a ripe opportunity. And a very good fit in more ways than one.

“Well, this job certainly helps.”

Hmmm, there’s a story there, but one that I don’t want to pursue tonight.

“You done?” I ask. She’s eaten most of her meal, which I appreciate. I hate a woman who doesn’t feel like she can eat in front of a man and then goes home to scarf an entire carton of ice cream. It’s fake and I detest fakery.

“Yes, but I can get it. You cooked.”

She stands, trying to take the plates, but I grab them from her. “No. Sit. I’ve got it.”

But she doesn’t. She grabs the breadbasket and the salad bowl, following me into the kitchen. We quietly busy ourselves cleaning up, and it feels very domestic. Comfortable. I like it.

Immensely.

Taking her hand, I lead her into the living room, sit on the chaise part of the sectional, and settle her by my side. She hooks a leg over mine and our eyes are drawn to the fire roaring away behind the thin protective glass. Orange, red, and yellow flames throw shadows that dance seductively in the dark, taunting us to join them in writhing on the floor.

As if by divine intervention, Adele’s gravelly voice starts to croon “One and Only.” I’ve never really stopped to listen to the words before, but now that I do, I think each feels like they were meant for us in this very moment in time.

Alyse’s head is on my shoulder and she tilts it up, our eyes locking as the song encourages us to forget the past and take a chance on love. I see every emotion pass through her eyes as clear as day. Apprehension and anxiety, surrender and desire. But most of all, I see her plea. I can almost hear her begging me not to hurt her. It wraps around my heart squeezing like a fist. It pains me physically to know that someone in her past has made her so skittish.