Chapter Nine #3
Rachel pressed the plastic key to her room against the sensor, and the lights turned green.
Larger than an average hotel room, the space held a huge king-size bed.
In addition to traditional hotel furniture such as a dresser and desk, it had a seating area with love seat and two chairs.
She peered through the open doorway into the living area.
It had a full dining table, a kitchen, one sofa, two love seats and several armchairs.
There was also a huge work desk with a leather chair.
The opposite wall contained a door leading to the small conference room.
“I’m going to shut and lock the connecting door and ask you to do the same,” she called into the suite.
“I don’t want anyone to think that we’re sharing a space.
Your father has already accused me of being a gold digger.
I don’t need my coworkers to think it, too, or that there’s anything untoward between us, especially after your last admin’s actions. ”
He came to the inner doorway. Her breath caught. He was so close. “If that’s what you want. Especially after…” He didn’t finish the thought and she knew he meant the kiss. “But I’m not going to lock my side. That way you don’t need to go out through the hallway.”
“But I will. I don’t want to catch you doing, well, whatever.”
He grinned. “So just knock and wait for me to respond first. Or if it’s open, you’ll know it’s fine to come through and it’s just me in here. Although, aside from when I have people in the conference room, it should always be just me in here.”
“You never know,” Rachel tried to tease, but it fell flat.
“Oh, I know,” Oakley stressed with a serious nod. “Believe me, there’s no one who tempts me. Well, there is, but we have to remain professional. She can, however, help me ward off the true gold diggers who try to get my attention this weekend.”
As a delighted quiver raced through her, Rachel refused to assume that he meant her, even though she was 100 percent positive he did.
Confirmation was there in the angle of his jaw, the darkening of his eyes and the way his lips curved just so.
“Good to know,” she managed. “I’m sure she can help you do that. ”
“Perfect, because I really want to spend some time with her.” As the moment hovered, he straightened and returned to the reason they were here in Dallas—the showcase.
“We have the opening cocktail party in two hours. Shall we reconvene this conversation in say fifty minutes so we can get downstairs? Just knock when you’re ready.
” With that, he began to close the door, and Rachel snapped to attention and did the same.
Then she paused, for he had. “What are you wearing?” he asked.
“I brought a black sheath that I was going to wear tonight. I’ll dress it up more for the award ceremony and dance.”
He shook his head. “That won’t do.”
She bristled. “What do you mean that won’t do? Black sheaths are classic. Like Audrey Hepburn.” And it was all she had.
“The dance is far more formal. Not floor length, but you definitely need something with more sequins than a plain black sheath. People will be anywhere from semi-formal to black tie on Sunday. And tonight both men and women will be in designer cocktail attire. The rodeo champs really clean up and get fancy.”
“I don’t have any of that. I haven’t had much need for glamour in the past eighteen months when my best accessory is a burp cloth draped over my shoulder.”
He stepped into his suite and gestured for her to follow. He reached into his wallet and withdrew the company credit card. “Take this. Go downstairs to the boutique and ask for Laura.”
She kept her hands by her side. “This is not Pretty Woman.”
“No, it’s not a movie because you’re much prettier.
But you represent our company, and you’ll be by my side.
If it’s not too much to ask, I need you to dress for the event, not the man.
You could wear a sackcloth and be perfect in my eyes, but I won’t be the only one there.
Besides, think of it as a trade-off. The hotel won’t charge for these rooms because of their mistake so they’re paying for your dresses. ”
His compliments and logic touched her, but she still tried to make sense of her conflicting feelings.
Reaching for her hand, he pressed the credit card into it.
He folded her fingers around the flat plastic, and his touch lingered on her skin seconds longer than necessary, creating warmth and reassurance. “Trust me…you deserve this.”
“I’m paying you back,” she insisted.
“No, you’re not. Remember what I said about the hotel?
And get it out of your head that using this card means you’re a gold digger.
My dad was wrong about you, so don’t let him get to you.
When you walk into the party tonight, you’ll see why your wardrobe for the weekend is a business expense.
Now go. Enjoy yourself and do not worry about the price.
I’m going to call and find out why our luggage hasn’t arrived yet.
Seriously, they need to do better or we’ll be moving locations next year. ”