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"I will see you tomorrow at the office," I say. "Then we need to get started on removing that stain from your image."
"Better erase that blush from your cheeks too. It's a dead giveaway that someone kissed you thoroughly."
"Stop that. Uncontrolled flirtation is your downfall, remember? Besides, we will never kiss again. Strictly business." I walk toward the front door but stumble over my own feet. Great. That's exactly the wrong way to convince Hugh our kiss meant nothing. His soft chuckle spurs me to glare at him over my shoulder. "Good day, Lord Sommerleigh."
I hurry into the hall and pull the door shut.
Then it swings open again. "You forgot something, love."
When I whirl around, Hugh is standing there holding my purse. I snatch it from him. "Thank you."
I spin around again, marching off down the hallway. By the time I get into the elevator, I feel flustered again, like I had right after I peeled my mouth away from his. But I don't care how sexy that man is or how amazing that kiss was. Time to reassert my professional demeanor. Maybe I should quit this gig, since I can't swear I'll say no if he tries to seduce me, but I have never given up on a job. Quitting isn't in my nature.
That means I need to show Hugh Parrish how unaffected I am by what just happened. I still believe coming here had been the right thing to do for my client. Hugh relaxed more in his flat than he ever would have in the office, and I learned more about him. That information will help me do my job more effectively. But I will be in control now. Never again will Hugh Parrish hijack my work.
No, never again. Don't care that our kiss made me melt like he'd drizzled warm, molten caramel over my skin. I will never sleep with Hugh.
Chapter Five
Hugh
I've done it again, haven't I? Hugh Parrish has cocked things up and done exactly what everyone expects. I tried to seduce the wrong woman and nearly got myself into hot water again. And for what? One fucking incredible kiss. I shouldn't have done that, and now Avery hates me. Though I might not be the most perceptive man on earth, a fact that was demonstrated for me in excruciating fashion recently, I'm not an idiot. I know I made a mistake.
But I can't regret kissing Avery.
Grow up, you ruddy moron. Act like a CEO, not a randy teenager.
I need to do that, but I toss and turn all night while fantasizing about what Avery looks like naked. I liked the bossy image consultant in a designer skirt suit, but the jeans-wearing woman who walked into my flat and flirted with me… I like her the best. A woman in Avery's position must project a strong image. I understand that, but finding out she has a sexy softness underneath her professional exterior makes me hunger for more.
Of what? Another kiss? Or a shag?
I'm still debating what I really want when Avery Hahn bursts into my office with that leather portfolio in one hand. She closes the door, eying me with the same cool detachment I'd seen yesterday.
Wonderful. We're back to the working relationship in which she chastises me for…everything. I'm sure I'll be subjected to conversation along the lines of "Hugh is a bloody stupid arse." I suppress a sigh. Yes, I am a bloody stupid arse.
Avery sets her shapely bottom on the chair in front of my desk. "Good morning, Lord Sommerleigh."
I preferred the version of her who whispered "oh, Hugh" right before our lips met. Not likely to see that woman today. So I straighten my spine and smooth my suit jacket. "Good morning, Avery."
"You will call me Ms. Hahn."
"Of course." I roll my chair forward so I can fold my arms on the desktop. "Perhaps we should discuss yesterday. To clear the air."
"No need. That was a mistake. I should have known better than to fall for your Lord Steamy nonsense. It won't happen again." She flips her portfolio open and plucks up her pen. "Just to be clear, our relationship will remain strictly formal. I'm your image consultant. No more flirtation."
"Not sure I can control the impulse."
"Try harder."
Bloody hell, she's even tougher than yesterday. Our kiss must have affected her more deeply than she wants to admit. I can't deny that I love a strong, no-nonsense woman. Sometimes Avery reminds me of Kate Wagner.Oh, fuck.Is that why I'm attracted to Avery? Because she reminds me of the only woman who ever resisted my charms? Of course, Avery didn't resist, not yesterday.
I'll take her advice and try harder not to flirt. That's been my downfall, hasn't it? The fact that Avery reminds me of Kate proves I have a long way to go before I'm ready to be with any woman.
"We can at least be friends," I say. "That isn't off limits, is it?"
"Yesterday in this office, friendship was on the table." She crosses her legs, drawing my attention to her lovely knees. She snaps her fingers. "Wake up, Lord Sommerleigh."
"I was already awake."
