“Yes, there’s one along the river in Duketown. I’ll give you the address for your GPS.”
“That sounds great.” He typed in the address. “I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
“You aren’t that close to me. I could meet you halfway.”
“No, this place sounds nice. See you in half an hour.”
He disconnected the call before she could protest. He whistled while he drove, not minding that he was in New Jersey and completely out of his element. Well, romancing a woman was in his element.
Hopefully, she wasn’t interested in a serious relationship. He didn’t think he could handle that. Kelly wouldn’t be a one-night stand. That would be bad for business, but he wasn’t going to marry her, either.
The restaurant she’d directed him to was indeed along the Delaware River. Geese floated by as did a few people on rafts. What a way to spend a lazy day.
Kelly sat on a wall overlooking the river. He watched her for a moment and even her stillness spoke of movement. She’d be a hellcat in bed and he’d enjoy keeping up with her.
“Hi.”
She didn’t startle, just turned to him. “Hi.”
He indicated the people on rafts. “Nice way to spend an afternoon.”
“I was thinking that, but I’m not sure I could fit it in. Or sit still for that long.”
“Oh? All work and no play?”
She laughed. “Tamra said you work all the time, too.”
“Maybe I need to change that. Or will want to,” he said, then stood up.
“Hm. The right person. That’s an interesting concept. Shall we find a table?”
He put a hand on her lower back which she glanced at. He took it off, but his mother had taught him always to be a gentleman. All of his lovers knew he wasn’t in it for the long haul. He never lied because he’d found that if the first woman didn’t want him, another one would. Might have been his job and who he rubbed elbows with. Colin’s name had gotten him a lot of tail.
As the hostess led them to a table on an outside patio, Larry knew that Kelly would be unimpressed. He’d actually have to use his charm on her. He hadn’t had to do that in a long time and was probably rusty.
Then again, he was always up for challenge.
***
Tamra bit into the sandwich and might have missed how good it was. Gooey and spicy with the roll toasted, she couldn’t remember enjoying a sandwich so much. Colin had insisted on serving them in the dining room which she thought was over the top.
He’d insisted and Roger had backed him up.
She put down the sandwich, happy to be talking business again. The conversation earlier with Colin had unnerved her. As if he’d been inside of her head when she was thinking about him. She wasn’t one to do sex for its own sake, but the idea appealed to her.
Then again, she’d probably lose focus if she slept with Colin. She couldn’t afford to do that especially because she didn’t really know what was going on. The person on the video had put some doubts in her mind about this case.
“Roger, I need Colin’s schedule for the next few days,” she said.
“No business talk,” Colin said.
“What?”
“We are not talking about business. We are having a lunch and we can talk about anything else.”
Tamra was at a loss for words. What was she going to say to him? They had nothing in common. She took another bite of her sandwich as she thought about it.
Colin spoke first. To Roger. “How’s Lenny doing?”
Roger lit up. “His restaurant is doing well. He’s working his ass off, but he’s really happy.”
Colin turned to Tamra. “Lenny opened a new restaurant in Philadelphia last year. A Tapas bar. Pretty good, too.”
“Colin made an appearance on opening night and I think he filled the place,” Roger said.
“I may have filled it then, but the customers keep returning because of the good food,” Colin said
Roger beamed. The exchange warmed her heart. Which was the last thing she wanted to feel. She liked Roger and she wanted him to be Colin’s “yes” man, but he wasn’t. And Colin, damn him, clearly had affection for his assistant.
Colin turned to Tamra. “So Tamra, tell us something about you.”
Tamra’s mind went blank then she regained her composure. “You’re a client. You don’t need to know about me.”
“I’m not asking for your deepest, darkest secret. Something simple that you’d say in casual conversation at a party.”
This was why she didn’t go to parties.
***
Kelly’s phone rang. She glanced at the display. “I have to take this. It’s my daughter.”
Larry nodded. Kelly rose from the table then walked outside. “Sophie?”
Her daughter usually didn’t call her in the middle of the day. In fact, she should be in school.
“Mom, can I go to the mall with friends after school.”
“What friends?”
“Stacy and Evan.”
Kelly liked Stacy. She wasn’t so sure that Evan didn’t have designs on her daughter. “Is Stacy’s mother driving you?”
“Yeah. She’s staying and then driving us home.”
Those were the right words and Kelly had no reason to doubt her daughter, but her gut told her something else. She couldn’t think of a valid reason not to let her daughter go.
“Okay, Sophie. Be home by five thirty for dinner.”
“I will, Mom. Thanks. You’re the best. I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Kelly pondered what her daughter could be up to as she returned to her business lunch. Thought it didn’t feel that business like. They were laughing too much.
“You look concerned. Is everything all right?” Larry said when she sat down.
“Just my daughter. I might be overreacting, but I think she’d up to something.”
“How old is she?”
“Eleven going on thirty. My ex moved farther away from us and got remarried and I think she’s having a tough time of it. She doesn’t get to see him as much.”
“Have you talked to her?”
“Ad nauseum, but she isn’t telling me. She’s certainly blackmailing her father because he stood in line for a new iPhone for her.”
“Ah, the money appeasement. What does your ex think?”
Kelly shrugged. “His ego likes that his daughter misses him.”
“What father wouldn’t?”
“You have kids?”
“Never married.”
“That doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Well, no kids that anyone has claimed are mine, so I guess not. My parents were divorced and I remember their guilt. I probably used it against them also.”
“The thing is, I don’t feel guilty. We were unhappy and I think her life is better with us apart. He feels guilty because he cheated on me.” She waved a hand. “Doesn’t matter. That’s personal.”
“I don’t mind. Do you have location services turned on? You could see where she’s going.”
Kelly smiled. “Yep, and you can bet I will.”
*
Colin wanted to laugh at Tamra’s face. She looked truly as if she were a deer in the headlights. Her eyes were almost bugging out. He hadn’t thought the question a difficult one.
“How about I ask you a specific question and you can answer or not?”
“Uh, okay.”
“This isn’t truth or dare. I’m not going to ask you something embarrassing. And you can ask me a question back. About anything.”
She blinked. “Okay.”
“What’s your favorite color?”
Seemed like an innocuous question to Colin. He glanced at Roger, who was looking at Tamra.
“Green, I guess.”
His gaze went back to Tamra, whose focus seemed to be on her food. Clearly, she didn’t like revealing parts of herself. “You guess?”
She twisted her napkin in her hands. “Well, I
haven’t really thought about it. Too busy doing other things.”
“Okay. Now ask me something.”
She blinked again and looked like she had no idea. Her mouth moved, but no sound came out. She was a tough woman, but somehow he’d reduced her to this. The doorbell rang out through the house.
“Saved by the bell,” Colin said.
“Literally.”
Tamra sprang into action. “Stay here.”
“Okay.”
She left and returned a few minutes later with a young woman laden down with fabric. “Hi, I’m Belle Blend the freelance designer. I’d shake your hand, but mine are full.”
Colin rose. “We can work in here or in the living room. Well, one of them at least. I think this house has at least two.”
“Wherever you want. Might be easier to lay stuff out on this table once it is cleaned.”
“Right away,” Colin said. He and Roger whisked the dishes away, leaving Tamra standing there.
When they returned, she said, “I still need your schedule.”
Roger piped up. “As soon as we’re done here I can give it to you.”
“You want to stay and watch?” Colin said.
She shook her head then scurried back to the kitchen. Roger laughed. “You really like picking on her.”
“She’s so buttoned down that I can’t help trying to get a reaction. I know it’s childish, but it’s fun.”
He stared at the door to the kitchen, hoping she’d come back, but she didn’t.
***
Roger entered the kitchen as Tamra did her work. He snagged a Diet Coke from the refrigerator.
“You need one?”
“No thanks. You guys done in there?”
“Yes, we are. Let me get my laptop and I’ll give you his schedule.”
Roger returned and Tamra had her calendar open. Easiest just to put it there, then figure out the logistics. Hopefully not too many trips out.
Colin came into the kitchen. He snagged a Diet Coke, then leaned against the counter drinking it.
She couldn’t help noticing his sleek throat as he swallowed the liquid. Why were men’s throats so attractive?
Was it the Adam’s apple? The muscles in them? Tamra wasn’t sure, and she didn’t know why she was noticing this on Colin.
Was it because as much as that kiss disturbed her, it had been a good kiss? An expert kiss for sure. Bet he lost track of how many women he’d kissed in his lifetime.
“Is Roger coming back?” Colin asked.
He startled her out of her musings and that made her wonder what look was on her face. Lunch had been enlightening. No divas. Colin seemed to be a down to earth kind of guy.
Who happened to have a million adoring fans.
“Uh, yes. He’s giving me your calendar.”
“That’s good, because I have to reschedule Docta Hop.”
“Docta Hop?”
Sounded like an ointment you get on the internet.
“The best-selling hip hop artist. You’ve never heard of him.”
“Not really a music person.”
He swirled the can of soda, his head cocked. “Can I ask you something?”
“Seems to be the day for questions.”
“Had you heard of me before you were hired?”
Not one to stroke anyone’s ego, Tamra answered. “No.”
Colin laughed. “Okay. Thanks for that blunt answer.”
“You asked a question. I believe in honesty.”
He nodded. “Then I’ll be honest. I find you attractive.”
Tamra didn’t know how to respond to that at first. “Am I supposed to fall at your feet?”
Colin laughed even harder. “That would take the fun out of the pursuit.”
“Pursuit?”
“The wooing of you.”
She blinked. Was this guy serious? She’d shown him nothing but her business persona. Why? “You’re going to woo me? Don’t bother.”
“Oh, but that makes me want to do it more.”
“Are you a child? Because really, I wish you wouldn’t.”
***
In some ways, Colin was used to getting what he wanted, but none of it had been handed to him. He was willing to work and he was also willing to be upfront with Tamra. Even at the risk of her leaving the case.
If she did, he’d find another way. The pursuit would be easier if she were under the same roof. He had enough of an ego to not fear putting himself out there, either.
She could reject him. He expected her to, but that didn’t stop him. Not in the way of a stalker. He was more subtle than that. Well, sometimes. Telling her he found her attractive had not been subtle, but oh well.
“I’m not a child. I’m willing to work for something. I’ve worked for everything I have. I’ll put in the time and do my best to court you and woo you or whatever you need.”
“How is that not like a stalker?”
He smiled. “Are you afraid of me?”
“No.”
“Then I’m not a stalker. If you ever think I’m being one, you call me on it and I’ll back off. That will be the end.”
“What if I don’t want to be pursued?”
“It isn’t like you’re a gazelle and I’m a lion. I’m going to romance you. Make you feel special.”
Her face screwed up. “Romance me? Not sure I need that.”
“Does that mean we can go right to bed?”
Her eyes bugged out again and he laughed.
“I’m just kidding Tamra, but I did want to put you on notice. I have my sights set on you and I think we’d be good together.”
“What if our involvement causes me to lose sight of protecting you?”
“Au contraire. I think you being with me will make you want to protect me even more.”
She pressed her lips together. He wasn’t winning her over in this conversation, but that was okay. “I’m not interested.”
“Then just let me have some fun romancing you.”
She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
“I want to take you somewhere tonight.”
“I need to know these things in advance.”
“Not a public place. You’d probably have a stroke if you just jumped into my public life. No, my penthouse in New York City.”
“I pick the driver.”
“He’s my cousin, Tamra. No need to worry about him. It’s settled. We’ll have dinner at my place. I’ll order in. Look, I want to sleep there tonight as I have to pick up something from the fragrance company. I have a private meeting. Back doors and all.”
He knew she couldn’t argue. “Okay, but don’t make any other appointments without clearing it with me.”
***
Roger chose that moment to enter the kitchen. Tamra would have liked for him to be there sooner, but she bet that he was waiting outside. How often did he encounter his employer with a woman?
Did they have a signal? A tie on the door. She doubted that in this case. Roger was just an astute guy.
He sat down next to her then opened his laptop. “So, sweetie. How far out do you want?”
“A week. Hopefully by then we’ll have this stalker sorted out.”
“You sound so positive,” Colin said.
He leaned on the counter. Today he wore a shirt with buttons and she could see down his chest and the smattering of hair that was there. She tore her gaze away. Why was she suddenly noticing these things about him?
Why was her libido on overdrive?
She swallowed and then cleared her throat, looking at Roger. He had a smirk on his face. Had he noticed her looking at Colin?
“Don’t you have something to do?” Roger said to Colin.
“Yes I do. I have to make some arrangements for tonight. I’ll be sleeping at the penthouse tonight. Can you meet me in the city tomorrow at the fragrance company? I want your input.”
“Sure thing.”
Colin left, and Tamra resisted the urge to watch him walk away his
nice butt on display.
“He’s a good guy,” Roger said.
“What?”
“He’s a good guy. Fame has not changed him much at all.”
“Okay. That’s significant. Why?”
“Because, honey, when I walked in the sexual tension in the air almost choked me.”
She shook her head. “There isn’t anything going on.”
“Oh, there will be. Colin is irresistible.”
Rock Your Body: A BWWM Romance Page 8
