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“No. That wasn’t the case. It’s reporters. When I came to your place of business for another shot, you acted like nothing was wrong and invited me to your place after work to discuss a business proposition. When I get here, you offer me a drink and flirt with me. So, what are we? Rivals? Business partners? Friends? Or potential lovers?”
“Can’t we be three out of the four?” I asked.
“Depends on which three,” she countered.
“One thing is for sure, Ms. Ricci. I don’t want to be your rival.”
Chapter 10
Alexandria
“You say you don’t want to be my rival, yet you certainly didn’t give me the warmest welcome the first time I was here,” I said.
“Do you blame me? I thought you were here to interview for a host position, not trying to do an exposé on me,” JD countered.
“What makes you think that’s what I want to do?”
“Isn’t it? Why else would you be here? Unless you took my invitation tonight as something else?” he asked and leaned a little closer to me.
The flirting had been below the surface since he opened the door. It wasn’t in anything he said per se, but it was in how he looked at me, how his words implied something more. There was an undercurrent between us that hung in the air like the lingering smell from the wonderful meals that had been cooked in the restaurant earlier in the evening.
“You said you wanted us to have a working relationship. Care to elaborate on exactly what that is, or will I have to answer for you this time?”
“Touché. You have a way with words and not just on the page.”
“Have you been researching me?” I leaned back in my chair, taking the drink with me.
“No more than you have me,” he stated.
“Ah, so you know what type of underwear I wear?”
I realized my mistake as soon as the words were out of my mouth. It was crossing a line I shouldn’t. Even if I wanted to and it was fun to see the shocked look on his face.
“That’s something I would like to find out. How do you know mine?”
“Sorry, that was inappropriate and uncalled for. I might have seen a few social media posts of you not wearing much.”
I could feel myself blushing as I remembered how I reacted to seeing him wearing next to nothing and where my mind had gone while looking at these images.
“Wow, you really did some digging. I thought I had long buried those pictures,” he said with a laugh.
“Nothing is ever gone forever, especially on the internet. Just when you think it is, it will bite you in the butt.”
“Don’t I know it. Both literally and figuratively.”
“Care to tell me about that?” I asked with a laugh.
“Eventually. You keep getting me off the topic at hand. Is this a skill you have perfected over time or is it just something you do with me?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I think you’re the one who likes to change topics. Why is that?”
“Not going to happen again. You still want to do a story on me, correct?”
“Yes.”
“In order to do it right, you would want access to me, my life, my friends, my family.”
“It would be preferred. I could try to do some digging on my own but it wouldn’t have your voice or your side of anything if I didn’t get access. I’m going to write this article. The choice in how it is written is up to you,” I said.
