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“But this is important.”
“Sure it is, but that doesn't mean I'm going to air somebody else's dirty laundry. Suffice it to say, I have ways of getting through to people who would rather keep their vices quiet.”
“I appreciate your ethics, but this is sounding a lot like blackmail.”
“Not at all,” she insists, blithe, almost carefree. “There are diplomatic ways to let someone know you're onto them, and if they'd rather keep their private drama to themselves, they should learn to play along. And maybe if they don't, their growing gambling debt might be of interest to the rest of the board.”
“Why do I feel like you shouldn't tell me anymore?”
Her lips twitch with humor. “Plausible deniability. One of the first solid moves you've made recently.”
“Excuse me, but I did just fine on Friday.”
Her cheeks flush, but she nods. “Yes, you did very well.” It is so tempting, the impulse to push a little harder, to bring up the kiss. It's obvious she's thinking about it, or why else would she blush?
Instead, I take the high road. “Do you have anything else on the outliers?”
“Actually, yes. Nathan Fields likes to pretend he's committed to green living, but he drives a vintage car on the weekends and is even part of a club where they show off their gas guzzlers. Rob Myers is in the same club.”
“Oh, yeah. I have no doubt.”
“So, it only makes sense that he would use that connection to plant ideas in Rob's head. But don't worry about that, either. I'll have my people reach out to him to discuss his hypocrisy.”
It isn't so much what she says, but the way she says it. I have the feeling she would make an absolutely bloodthirsty general, leading her troops into battle.
“Good. I like a woman who’s… thorough,” I manage, my tongue tripping over the word. Probably because the image in my head is one of a warrior, weapons drawn, screaming at her troops to charge.
Besides, the only other word that came to mind was dominant, and I don't know if that would be safe to use. It might take the conversation in an unfortunate direction.
“That's me to a T.” Her tone is light, almost distracted, but she's not fooling me. This straightening of her shoulders and slight lifting of her chin tell a different story. She appreciates the praise.
“Unlike you,” she's quick to add. “You can't even keep your mouth shut in public.”
Ahh, yes. The inevitable one-two punch. She can't let our interaction become too friendly. There's always a dig waiting in the wings.
“That has nothing to do with thoroughness. I can be very thorough under the right circumstances.”
She only snorts, turning her attention back to her computer. “I'm sure you can.”
“Exceptionally thorough.”
“I am not arguing with you.”
No, but she's not looking at me, either. I need her to look at me. I realize it makes me nothing more than a spoiled child demanding attention, but so be it. I want her attention.
I could get it, too. I could explain how thoroughly I would ravish her here and now if the situation were different. If she would just open up and let me in. No pun intended, but that would help, too. I could show her there are better ways to spend a Sunday than cooped up in an office, both of us fully dressed, talking over strategies. I could take her here on this desk, stretch her out in front of me and go to town on that luscious body. The thought leaves me breathless, my heart racing, my jaw clenched as I wrestle with the lust I can't seem to control.
“You drive me crazy, you know that?” I ask, grinning in spite of myself.
“The feeling’s mutual, Sawyer.” Her gaze never leaves her screen. Always business, this one.
It's clear I need to find a way to mix business with pleasure. I came close on Friday night. She revealed how eager she is to explore the undeniable attraction between us. How easy it is to stoke the fire burning under the surface.
I can do that again. I need to do that again.
And next time, I am not going to back down so easily.
