I cleared my throat and stood aside so she could enter. “Yes. Come in.”
With the door closed, I took a few deep breaths to center myself.Big fucking mistake.
Her fruity shampoo lingered in the air, and instead of calming down, I only felt more agitated. I hissed and smoothed down my tie before striding across the room to join her. I considered sitting behind my desk, but it seemed too formal and standing, impersonal. I never debated where to sit or whether or not to stand. This girl was fucking with my head. All I wanted to do was sit beside her, but that was definitely out. Finally, I opted to lean against my desk and hoped I looked more relaxed than I felt.
“You’re still here,” I said, though it came out as more of a question.
She peered up at me with an angelic expression so full of concern. “Of course. With Eric in the hospital, I wanted to make sure his clients were taken care of. Everyone did.”
She continually impressed me. She could’ve just bided her time this summer as a favor to her dad, but she was busting her ass. Not to mention the fact that she was coaching me on the side. I’d already seen a marked improvement in my productivity and my mood thanks to her tips.
I nodded, rubbing a hand over my chin. “Thank you. How would you feel about accompanying me to New York?”
“New York?” Her eyes went wide. “Seriously?”
I tried to contain my smile and failed. A week alone with Sumner in New York sounded too good to be true. Except, I wanted to work her hard between the sheets, not pore over spreadsheets. “As you’ve probably already guessed, Eric can’t go. I want to take you.”
Her eyes darkened, the pupils flaring momentarily before she seemed to recover herself. “You want to take me?”
I nodded, replaying my words and her reaction in my head. It was a slip. A turn of phrase. Nothing more. I didn’t want totaketake her.
Liar.
“Just me,” she said again, as if she couldn’t believe her ears.
“Yes.” I chuckled, some of my earlier tension dissipating. This wasn’t a big deal. “Is that really so hard to believe?”
“Not to sound ungrateful, and at the risk of you changing your mind—aren’t there more qualified employees who would give their right arm to go?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, enjoying the way her eyes darted to my biceps. “Do you not want to go?”
“No,” she rushed to answer, though I sensed hesitation.Why?“Of course, I want to go.”
“Cody tells me you’re well versed in the Sheffield project. Is that correct?”
She nodded. “Yes, but—”
“Why don’t you grab your laptop and meet me back here in ten. I’ll have Cody order us dinner.” When she twisted her hands together, I added, “Unless you have other plans.”
She shook her head. “No. I’m, uh, yeah. I just need to make a quick call, and then I’m all yours.”
I liked the sound of that more than I should.
“We can do this tomorrow night, if that’s better,” I offered, wondering what her other plans were. A date? I clenched my fists but then reminded myself that she was my employee. I shouldn’t care what she did in her free time. Even if the thought of her out with another man made me want to break something.
“It’s fine.” She smiled and stood, smoothing down her pants. “I’m sure Piper will understand.”
“Piper?” I laughed, something in my chest easing. “As in Piper Merrithew? Your best friend growing up?”
“Yeah.” She smiled. “One and the same. You remember her?”
“Is she still as wild as she was?”
“Worse.” She grinned, and I didn’t like the mischievous gleam in her eye.
Maybe it was a good thing she wasn’t going out with Piper tonight after all. I had a feeling the two of them could get themselves into some trouble. It was always the quiet ones you had to worry about. If I had to guess, I’d say my girl had a naughty side.
I shook my head. Not my girl. Not now. Not ever.
