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And, of course, because he was her boss, there was the issue of sexual harassment. But would it be so if they were both willing participants? The trickiest part about it was not to assume he knew how she felt about it. To not let himself get so carried away with the moment that he totally read all her signals wrong. Of course, the easiest way would just be to ask. But “do you mind if I kiss you?” would be just about the most unromantic way that he could think of to profess his feelings.
And what were his feelings? Other than suddenly being overcome with the knowledge that he didn’t want her out of his life, he didn’t know what else he was feeling.
That was why it wouldn’t be fair to Felicity to open that Pandora’s box.
And, of course, that meant no kissing her just to see what it was like.
“So, where were you last night?” Savannah asked. “You never answered my question.”
“You never asked,” Austin said.
“I did so. I said, ‘You’d better have a good reason for not being at Mom and Dad’s last night and it better have to do with a woman.’”
For a fleeting second, Austin thought about saying he’d been with Felicity, but Savannah knew Felicity and since Felicity was a beautiful woman, his sister would take that and run all kinds of ways with it.
“I had a business dinner.”
“Well, that sounds boring.”
Austin shrugged as he took a sip of his beer.
Actually, it was one of the more enjoyable business meetings I’ve had in a while. One of the more enjoyable evenings, in fact.
Thrown off the scent, Savannah changed the subject. “This is such a great condo, Austin. Who decorated it for you? Surely, you didn’t do it yourself.”
“No, I hired that designer Mom uses every once in a while.”
For the most part, their mother, Sarah, decorated the family home herself. She had great taste, a generous budget and the time to shop for just the right pieces to achieve the desired look. If she couldn’t find it herself, that’s when she called in a professional.
“It hardly looks lived in. Does that mean you’re spending most of your time at the office?”
He glanced around at the stark beige and chrome furniture and fixtures. He’d been meaning to frame some family photos to add a more personal touch to the space, but he hadn’t gotten around to it. He’d bought the place because of the proximity to work and the million-dollar view of Lafayette Square. Given the fact that he really did only sleep there, it wasn’t surprising that it didn’t look lived in. Austin shrugged. “Duty calls.”
“All work and no play will make Austin a very dull boy,” Savannah said. “You know you’re not getting any younger. When are you going to settle down?”
“Gee, thanks for the reminder, sis.”
On one hand, she was right. At thirty-two, he wasn’t getting any younger. However, he was in the prime of his business life. Besides, he’d already tried married life and it hadn’t worked out.
“Been there, done that, not going back again,” he said. “I learned the hard way that I’m just not cut out for marriage.”
“Do I need to stage an intervention? Or a round of speed dating to get you out there in the dating world? I really think you just haven’t met the right woman yet.”
“Even if I did meet the one,” Austin said, “it wouldn’t be fair to get involved with someone who was looking for something as serious as marriage, because I’m married to Fortune Investments.”
Which is why Felicity and I work so well. She understands my career. She’s like my work wife.
As if the grace of God had staged an intervention, Austin’s door buzzer sounded, indicating someone was downstairs. He had no idea who it was, but he was grateful to them for providing an interruption.
He excused himself and went to the intercom on the wall by the elevator. “Yes?”
“Hey, Austin, it’s Felicity. I’m so sorry to bother you. I know you’re spending time with your sister, but I have some papers that need your signature. They’re time sensitive and need to be in today. Do you want me to come up or will you come down and sign them?”
