Chapter 5
Raph
“Imay have to take you up on that offer.”
I gave her a devilish grin and turned my attention to our food.
When she said I could have her whenever I want her, she was talking about the project. I knew that, really, I did. She was talking about the project. Repeating that mantra in my head did little to temper my reaction to the suggestive words. Or the teasing black dress with lace in all the right places. My slacks grew a little tight in front, and I adjusted in my seat, growling low.
Keep it together. The meeting was no different with her than anyone else.
Lia was a doe, and I was a wolf, ready to devour her on the spot. Those wide eyes beckoned me, begging me to place them. I sighed and steepled my hands on the table. She was beautiful, but there was more to it. I knew her. But from where?
That train of thought was taking me nowhere. I needed to refocus on why we were really there. She needed to know the specifics of the job before she signed anything. I wanted her to be available all day for questions. She also needed to work closely with the construction team to make sure they didn’t hit any snags on the ambitious timeline.
While we enjoyed some chardonnay, we discussed the finer details, like color schemes and materials. When I felt we’d gone over everything, I presented her with the contract. She agreed and signed.
Thank God.
She was mine for the next six weeks. I hoped that was enough time to quell my insatiable curiosity. I felt it pulse every time our eyes met. Where had I seen Lia Hall before? Her mystique drove me wild. And the way she’d touch her chest whenever she faltered. Such a cute tell.
After we finished up the brass tacks, Lia calmed down and opened up. Her shoulders relaxed, and her laugh wasn’t forced. With every bite of food, she stopped and savored. She appreciated the moment and didn’t try to dig for more. It was sexy, and I was entranced.
Lia transformed from reserved and timid into a gorgeous woman brimming with fire and passion. Her eyes lit up as she talked through her plans, and that zeal had me hooked.
Though it was our first hour working together, I was already in danger. Attraction spelled trouble.
I stared at her heart-shaped mouth as she spoke and wondered if this captivating change mirrored her actions as a lover. Would she start out timid, then blossom for me? Would her chest flush as much as her cheeks when pleasure found her?
She tucked a stray golden lock of hair behind her ear as she picked up her wineglass. I watched her throat while she swallowed. The more I tried to stop it, the more my mind drifted away from polite conversation.
We could have a lot more fun somewhere else.
But this wasn’t about having fun. It was for Experience Shoreview.
Despite that, every word she spoke in her sweet, dulcet voice drove my focus away. She was a vision, and though it might be the wine running the show, I was getting lost in her. Celibacy was catching up to me.
I hadn’t cut loose since I lived with Kendall, enjoying the bachelor life to the fullest. According to him, when you worked at Experience, you had a guaranteed pickup line. That anecdote rang true more often than not. Kendall had always used his strengths and never spent the night alone. I had my time playing the field, but I was lonelier for it. I had craved more substance in my life than a warm body could provide.
Women who wanted me for my status were not to my taste. I aligned more with Geoff. He was my mentor and fed my ravenous hunger for success. Work gave me the outlet I needed to push forward, a worthy way to deplete my excess energy.
Seeing Lia across the table in the candlelight, all my business acumen got lost in transit.
It was her eyes that had first entranced me. That and her mystery, her honey waves, that tantalizing black dress… hell, it was everything about her. I couldn’t look away even when I tried. She was looking at me with an odd expression.
Shit.
I cleared my throat.
“Could you repeat that?”
“I asked if you’re from New York.”
“Oh, no, not originally. But I’ve been here close to fifteen years. And yourself?”
“I’ve never been, believe it or not. I’m more of a small-town girl. I told myself living in Shoreview would get me there. This project gives me the reason I need to finally make the trip.”
The server brought our entrees over to the table, breaking us out of uncomfortable small talk. I didn’t like revealing much about myself to anyone; not even her. That knowledge could compromise my authority.
We ate in near silence, neither of us sure where to go with conversation since the dotted line was signed. Sparks flew with every glance, and my suit stifled me. I pulled at my collar.
The topic on the forefront of my mind was inappropriate for dinner. Or public. If the fluttering pulse in her neck indicated anything, she was keyed up, too.
“You’re so beautiful.”
The words were out before I could stop them. Lia startled. I couldn’t blame her.
“Thank you,” she said, her cheeks stained pink.
I blamed the chardonnay for the unchecked behavior and attraction. I seldom drank. I struggled against the will of my cock despite Lia signing on as a contracted employee a few minutes ago.
Mixing business and pleasure was a bad move for anyone trying to get ahead. However, the long stretch of sexual abnegation made exploring the depth of attraction tempting. It had been too long since I really wanted someone.
“Are you enjoying your meal?”
I attempted to break the tension I caused, but wasn’t sure I even wanted to.
“I am. The wine is excellent. So is this food. I haven’t eaten here, and I’m so impressed.” She relaxed again, refreshed by the approachable topic.
“French influences have always been a pleasure of mine. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I heard about La Bistrot when I initially checked out the project site. It seemed like a nice place to bring a date.”
The pink returned to Lia’s cheeks. “I thought this was a business dinner.”
A smirk tugged at the corners of her full, wine-tipsy lips. Damn. She looked gorgeous when she smiled at me like that. I gulped down some air.
“It is, I just meant this restaurant is a nice option. Not that we’re on a date.”
I smiled, too, despite myself.
Dinner with Lia made it easier to remember I was male, not just a businessman. It was as if I’d always known her. She like understood. Without even knowing me, she got it. She was so familiar…
Could that be it!?
My eyes bulged with newfound cognizance. She was the girl from the tree. Right before I left for New York. How was that possible? What were the odds of running into her in a different town, different state, different life? That innocent doe face was unmistakable, this was the answer. Adrenaline flooded my veins.
I never forgot those rapturous blue-grey eyes that mirrored the ocean a few miles away. Or the golden honey-kissed waves atop her head. Man, it had been forever since I thought about her.
Was this her? It seemed impossible.
How could I ask my interior designer if a stranger had kissed her in a tree?
I had a pretty strict rulebook for how to deal with staff or contractors. Personal questions were off the table. I couldn’t ask her about that day if she thought ‘date’ was inappropriate. Not here and now, anyway. I needed to find a more reasonable way to broach that subject. At another time.
I sat dazed for a moment, contemplating the realization. Remembering who she was, or at least knowing who she reminded me of, made her even sexier. So sexy, in fact, I could implode. The potent mix of desire, curiosity, mystery, and the sultry questioning look on her face was proving too much for my self control.
“Well, I couldn’t eat another bite,” she said, placing her napkin on the table. “Thank you for a lovely evening and for the opportunity of a lifetime, Raph.”
I loved the sound of my name on her tongue. Lia’s big blue eyes still held curiosity, like she expected an answer to a question she hadn’t asked.
She didn’t know it, but she was the first major turning point in my life. Kissing her changed who I became.
She also had no idea why I was sitting here at this table not answering her for ten thousand years.
“Are you all right?”
I cleared my throat again. There wasn’t enough air. “Yes. I apologize. I was lost in thought.”
When our eyes met, it was fireworks. I wanted to take her home and explore every inch of creamy white flesh on her body. I couldn’t get a grip. The meeting was torture.
“Lunch tomorrow? I’d like you to tour the place before you give me your followup design plans. I know we talked about vision, but a physical look would be beneficial, yes?”
“Uh, yeah. It would definitely help to get a feel for the space.”
Lia’s words came choppy, like she had a hard time releasing them. Maybe she felt the heat, too.
Good.
I paid the bill, tipped, and stood. If I didn’t end this, the tension would reach its breaking point. I couldn’t let that happen. We walked outside, arms brushing.
“The driver is here, unless you’d prefer I take you.”