I could see right through his innocent expression. But I worried that he could see right through me—see through to the feelings for Sumner I worked so hard to keep at bay.
“Like I said—” he moved around the coffee table, laying out more documents for me to review “—she knows her stuff. She’s been working with Eric on this—”
“She has?” I knew she’d bounced between the groups, helping with various projects, but Cody made it sound as if Sumner had put in long hours with Eric. I frowned, not liking the thought of that, even if he was engaged.
“Just last week, he told me that he was impressed.”
“Ericsaid that?” Eric was rarely impressed.
Cody nodded. “He also said she’s well versed in the accounts. But if you want me to find someone else…”
Even though I knew he was right, I hesitated. This was a bad idea. Not because I didn’t think she’d do a good job. But because I knew she’d do an amazing job, and then it would be even more difficult to fight my attraction to her. I already thought she was brilliant. Beautiful, smart, passionate. I didn’t need even more reasons to like her. If anything, I needed to stay away from her.
“Plus, I think your trip will be more successful if Sumner’s there,” he added in a tone laced with unspoken meaning.
“Why’s that?” I picked up one of the packets and skimmed the contents.Where are my…
“Here.” Cody handed me my reading glasses as if he could fucking read my mind. Scary idea considering how inappropriate my thoughts had been lately regarding a certain raven-haired beauty.
“Thanks.” I stared at the document while contemplating my options.
“You’re more pleasant when she’s around.”
“I am?” I glanced up from the document.
“Do I really need to answer that?” he deadpanned, as if the reason were obvious.
“Yeah.” I glared at him over the rim of my glasses. “I think you fucking do.”
He shook his head. “Like I said, she’s good for you. Just think about it, but don’t wait too long. I’ll need to make the necessary arrangements for whoever’s going.”
He left my office, closing the door softly behind him. But his words continued to reverberate through me.
New York.
Sumner.
Good for me.
A week alone with Sumner. In New York. It sounded like the worst idea ever. It seemed like the best idea ever. Did I really have any other choice? Without giving it too much thought, I swung open the door and marched over to his desk.
“Cody?”
“I already called her,” he said, clearly having already anticipated my request. Sometimes he could be so annoying. “She’ll be down in a minute.”
I didn’t even question his uncanny ability to read my mind anymore, simply answering, “Excellent. Thanks,” before returning to my office.
I closed the door and crossed the room to my desk. Sat. Clicked on an email. Tossed my glasses on the desk. Stood. Paced the wall of windows. What the hell was wrong with me?
My clammy palms made me feel like a teenager asking a girl to be his date for the prom, not… I shook my head. Dammit. I was a forty-four-year-old man. I was inviting her on a business trip, the operative word being “business.”
Then why did my body seem to think otherwise? Why had my heart rate sped up the moment Cody had mentioned Sumner’s name in connection with New York? Why did the idea of a week alone with her both thrill and terrify me? Why—
There was a soft knock on the door, halting the train wreck that was my thoughts. I straightened, smoothing down my tie as I strode over to the door with a sense of purpose, of confidence, that I didn’t currently feel. As expected, Sumner stood just outside. I hadn’t seen her today, but I feasted on her as if it had been a week not a day. Her army-green silk shirt matched her eyes, but mine were following the fabric, admiring the way it flowed over her breasts. Her nipples hardening beneath the…
“Jonathan?”
I snapped my eyes up to meet hers.What the fuck are you doing?
