After-Hours Negotiation: Can't Get Enough\An Offer She Can't Refuse by Sarah Mayberry

Author:Sarah Mayberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CLAIRE KEPT ONE eye on his red monstrosity in her rearview mirror all the way back to her apartment. It lurked behind her, stalking her through every turn and traffic light. Just like its owner. Why on earth had she agreed to have dinner with Jack?

It was an unanswerable question, but all of her speculation made her nervous and she could barely meet his eyes when she approached him in front of her place.

“I’ll just duck in and change. I’ll be down in a tick,” she said lightly, already turning toward the entrance.

His hand on her arm stopped her.

“Don’t. You look fine—great—like that,” he said.

She smiled weakly, her mind fixated on the contents of her underwear drawer.

“But I’m not dressed for—” she began to say, but strong hands were on her shoulders, turning her toward his car.

“Relax. We’ll go to this place I know near the river—lots of patio space and a great view. You’ll fit right in.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask if all the other patrons would be sans underwear, too, but instead she just ducked her head and slid into the all-encompassing embrace of his leather upholstered seats.

“I know the owner of this place,” Jack enthused as he started the engine. Its low, subterranean hum reverberated throughout the car.

She was aware of his gaze flickering across to her before he pulled out from the curb, and she made a futile attempt to tug the dress hem closer to her knees. Pointless. Sally was a party girl, and this was a party dress.

“They just started up about six months ago, so I try to go there as often as possible. Figure if I’m giving my money to anyone, it might as well be to friends.”

He grinned across at her, and she found herself smiling back.

That was a nice thing to do, helping friends out with their fledgling business.

She sat up straighter, giving herself a mental slap about the head. She had to be on her guard tonight. She already knew that she was attracted to Jack. The last thing she wanted was for him to realize that. She could just imagine his amusement if he knew that his pity-assignment was lusting after him this very minute. No, she had to be on the alert. Keep her guard up. One glass of wine, no dessert, straight home. Absolutely.

* * *

“MORE CHAMPAGNE?” Jack asked, and Claire found herself nodding blithely, watching the straw-colored fluid rise up toward the top of her tall glass.

A warm haze had settled over her, the result of fantastic food, Jack’s witty conversation and two—no, three, counting this one—glasses of champagne. Real French champagne, too, full of yeasty bubbles that tickled her nose.

“This is so nice,” she said, raising her glass to her lips.

“Come on, you said you were going to eat half of this,” Jack prompted, and she stared at the spoonful of sticky date pudding he was holding under her nose.

“I don’t—” she started to stay, but he leaned forward and the spoon with its delicious mouthful was on her lips.

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