Chapter Two #5
His black eyelashes were thick, slightly curly and added to his handsome looks.
Was it going to be difficult to work for him?
Even if he weren’t her boss, his cynicism didn’t fit her worldview.
Perhaps his dad’s rejection had brought about Blake’s sour opinion of people.
She couldn’t expect any of her arguments to change his mind.
Because of that, she didn’t want to get involved with him, no matter how intense his physical appeal.
“Is this your brother’s first child?”
For an instant she stared at him blankly, and then remembered their conversation. “No, she isn’t. They have three other girls and a boy.”
“That’s overwhelming.”
“Not really. They wanted a family, and they have one they shower with love, but they feel they have room for another baby.” She paused. “You said you’re not planning on marriage anytime soon...”
“Not even remotely. I’m wound up in my career, and I’m not a family man at this point in my life.
” He paused as if lost in thought while he shook his head.
“Right now I don’t want a serious relationship.
If I ever get romantically involved, I’ll have to give it a lot of thought and time before I make even a small commitment.
You don’t sound as if you’re into serious relationships, either. ”
“That’s right. I suppose for the same reasons as you.
I’m immersed in my job and want to build our agency.
Since I’m single, I can devote a lot of time and energy to getting things going.
Also, with the money from you, we can get our programs on more secure footing and increase our outreach.
You should try my profession sometime,” she said, half in jest.
He was too cynical about people to get involved in the details of helping others, but maybe she could make him see the good she was doing, the good his money would be doing.
“You’ve already helped, but you could help more, maybe even on a small scale.
You could easily start a program on your ranch for homeless kids, and you wouldn’t have to involve yourself any more than you’d like to get involved. ”
He gave her another crooked smile. “Don’t try to talk me into saving the world. That isn’t my thing. I give in plenty of ways.”
“How much do you give of yourself, Blake? Try just once, and maybe you’ll see why I feel the way I do. Maybe you’d see the goodness in people.”
“Money will be a bigger help than my presence.”
“Blake, I’ve never known anyone so cynical.”
“Call it cynical. I call it realistic.”
Her gaze lowered to his mouth. What would it be like to kiss him?
When she glanced up, his brown eyes were intent on her, as if he could guess her thoughts.
She felt her cheeks grow warm. As she turned away, she heard a clock chime.
“My word, it’s one in the morning,” she said, picking up her empty glass. “I need to say good-night.”
Standing, he grinned. “You don’t have to be anywhere at any specific time. You’re in charge of the schedule. As for me, I’ll be up and out of here before dawn, and then I’ll come back to answer any questions you have about getting started.”
“Thanks for your confidence in me. You’re leaving lights on,” she said as he walked beside her.
“I can turn them all off from my room when I turn on the alarms.”
As they climbed the stairs, they talked about the new wing.
He stopped with her in front of her door and turned to face her.
He stood close, once again holding her full attention.
She forgot the hour, the place, everything around her.
She forgot the incredible differences between them.
All she was aware of was the handsome man facing her with an expression that made her heart race.
He reached behind her head, moving languidly, his fingers working at the silk scarf knotted behind her neck. Each faint brush of his warm hand against her nape stirred tingles. He tugged lightly, and her hair fell free with long strands tumbling slightly below her shoulders.
Sinking in brown eyes, she couldn’t get her breath and her heart drummed. Step away...step away...repeated steadily in her thoughts, a silent warning that she couldn’t possibly heed. His mesmerizing eyes sent another message. He intended to kiss her.
Never before had she crossed that invisible line between business and pleasure, but she couldn’t back away now or even dredge up a protest.
“I don’t know why we have this volatile chemistry between us,” he said in a husky voice, “but we do. It’s impossible to ignore. Sooner or later, I’m going to kiss you. I figure it might as well be sooner and get this attraction settled,” he said as he slipped an arm around her waist.
Why couldn’t she walk away right now—set the right precedent? Common sense whispered that now was the time. This was what she had intended to avoid, yet she couldn’t pull away.
Her heart clamored for his kiss. Curiosity made it inevitable. With the hot attraction between them, what would it be like to kiss him?
She couldn’t answer her own question. She had to take the risk to find out.