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A devil on her shoulder urged her to show him just how much better their time in his bed had been than the teeny-tiny amount of pleasure they’d get from being appropriate.
But the truth was that she hadn’t slept with Cal expecting a commitment—she’d simply found him irresistible. She’d acted first and decided to deal with the fallout later. What’s more, her job was extremely important to her. She wanted to prove herself at the foundation, wanted to keep learning so she could be the best she possibly could.
So if being awkwardly brushed aside by Cal bruised her insides, she firmly reminded herself there was no point in being upset because he hadn’t tossed a bunch of pretty words her way. Because he hadn’t told her she was special. Because he hadn’t said he couldn’t imagine being without her. Because he hadn’t begged to be with her again. Because he hadn’t laid his heart at her feet. Because he’d put up a huge, thick wall in front of the idea of ever sleeping with her again.
“You took the words out of my mouth,” she said without inflection as she tucked any and all secret feelings for Cal back inside and shoved them down deep where they would never again see the light of day. “We had fun. And neither of us needs to feel weird or uncomfortable about what happened.” She forced a smile. “Especially when we both agree that nothing like that will ever happen again.”
No matter what.
Just like that, it was as if the hours she’d shared with Cal had never happened. As the pilot brought them down for a landing, they discussed a couple of questions Dane had emailed after their meeting. Then they landed and prepared to say good-bye, given that it was already late afternoon.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you,” Cal said as she got into a taxi. “I’m heading to Miami for a new project I’ve got going and then up the East Coast for some Maverick ventures. While I’m on the road, I’ll put in some face-to-face time with potential donors from Dane’s list, and you can stay in San Francisco and deal with the administration and accounting work and any overflow.”
She stared at him, speechless for a moment. Until finally she managed to say, “But you told Daniel I was great with Dane Harrington. That I can handle the donor stuff.”
He nodded, though she couldn’t help but think he looked distinctly uncomfortable and unable to meet her eyes. “You were great with Dane. And if there are potential donors in the Bay Area, you should definitely meet with them. But we don’t need to be in each other’s pockets at the foundation. I trust you to take care of anything that comes your way. And I’ll be just a phone call away if you do need anything.”
Hadn’t he believed her when she’d agreed they should keep their relationship all business?
Or maybe she was blowing his comments out of proportion, unable to think straight after everything they’d done on the plane, and attributing meaning to his words that simply wasn’t there.
“Okay,” she said, “you take care of business and bring in a ton of donors, and I’ll call if I run into any problems on my end.”
His gaze connected with hers again for one brief moment, and she swore she saw a flash of heat before regret came smashing down. Then he closed the door, and the taxi took her away.
Away from Cal.
Chapter Nine
Three weeks later…
Lyssa and Cal spoke on the phone, texted, emailed. It was all business. She went out of her way to act as if they hadn’t danced in a private capsule on the London Eye. As if they hadn’t painted each other. As if they’d never touched or kissed or climbed into his bed together. In fact, she’d never been so businesslike in all her life.
When she was by herself, however, it was a different story. No matter how much she tried to tell herself she didn’t miss him, the truth was that she did. A lot. Missed brainstorming with him in the office. Missed sharing a burrito at lunch. Missed staying late poring over spreadsheets and secretly being glad that he was with her instead of on one of his many dates.
It was even worse at night, when she was alone in her bed and couldn’t stop remembering how it felt to be in his arms. How it felt as though all her romantic dreams had come true.
Even though they most definitely had not.
Just then, the outer door to their office opened, and with a glance at the clock, she realized Dane Harrington had arrived for their meeting. Mary, their receptionist, lost the power of speech when she looked at him. With his dark hair and devilishly blue eyes, Dane was a seriously handsome man. Other women must fall at his feet, literally go weak in the knees and need to put out a hand to remain standing. But there was only one man who had ever made Lyssa’s heart race and turned her knees weak.
