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“You can’t read faces through a picture, McKenzie. You’re the one who narrowed this down to a few individuals. Now we need to finish it and get the Boise offices running the way they should.”
Thatalmostsounds professional, all business and nothing more. I might buy into it if it weren’t for the earth-shattering kiss the two of us shared — and, of course, his confidence that I’ll end up in his bed.
“Honestly, Byron, I don’t think I can do anything other than slow you down. I’m great with numbers, but not so great with people.” That’s a lie. I can read people well, which is why I’ve been successful in most jobs I’ve had.
“I think you’re being modest. I won’t force you to go, but if we solve this matter quickly, it will look much better for our company... and, of course, the reputation of yours.”
Oh, that’s a low blow. My job performance has been flawless. I want to question him, to find out what he means by this statement, but I already know. I need to complete this; I need to go. But I don’t need to be happy about it. I can accept my fate or argue for a while, but I’ll lose anyway. I decide to stop arguing.
“Fine, I’ll accompany you. It’s only a day trip — correct?”
The elevator doors open, he places his hand against the door while I walk out, and then follows me. “If all goes well, McKenzie, we can be in and out of those offices in a few hours.”
That isn’t what I asked, but when he puts his hand on my lower back as we exit the building, I forget all about what I planned to ask next. Never before has a man had the ability to silence me when I want to speak — not without drugging me first — but, with Byron, I seem to be in a constant daze. This isn’t where I want to be in life.
If I don’t pull myself together soon, I’ll be in deep trouble working and playing games with Mr. Byron Astor. It might be more trouble than I’ve been in before. I keep trying to move away from him, but he’s not letting me go. I’m not sure what will happen next.
Chapter Twelve
McKenzie
The air’s chilly with a hint of mist in it, hardly unusual for October in Seattle, as Byron and I make our way down the busy city sidewalks. “Tell me again why walking’s such a great idea?” Byron asks as we turn a corner.
“You aren’t going to melt from a little bit of moisture. It’s ridiculous to take a cab or drive a few city blocks,” I say, huddled inside my coat. “And last I checked, I haven’t invited you to be at my side, so you can leave anytime now.”
I was so flustered leaving the office, I forgot to grab my gloves, so my hands are stuffed in my pockets. There’s no way I’m admitting I’m cold to Byron, though... not after calling him a wuss. I let out a sigh of relief when we stop in front of a dingy-looking place.
“This is where you’re eating? Seriously?” he asks.
“Look, buster, you’re the one who’s following me. You can leave at anytime,” I say, and reach out to open the door so I can end this walk from hell.
Byron jumps forward before my fingers connect with the handle and he opens it for me. Noise from inside blares out, and I have to smile. Although the place isn’t exactly posh, I’ve eaten here many,manytimes, and the food is one of the best-kept secrets in Seattle. The head chef is a personal friend of mine.
“I’m fine with this place,” Byron says as I glide past him, mumbling a thank-you because he opened the door.
“You don’t appear to be fine with it,” I point out, my stomach tightening a bit when my body brushes his.
“I was thinking the two of us could go somewhere a little quieter.”
“Ha! You mean you were hoping to go to a place a lot fancier. Please, by all means, go and have dinner at a snobby place.”
“You’re putting words in my mouth,” he says before leaning down, leaving me zero personal space as his eyes bore into mine. “If I want something in my mouth, you’ll be the first person I tell.” I freeze as his breath washes over my face. The noise, the crowded front area, the people —everythingdisappears except him and his irresistible lips.
I’m grateful when a group of college kids come up behind us, bumping into Byron and pulling me from the spell I’ve been under. I was about ready to let him kiss me right here in a crowded room full of strangers and servers. I need to pull myself together or I’m not going to last a few more days, let alone two more weeks, in this man’s presence.
I begin moving through the crowd with Byron right on my heels. Will he leave when I reach the table. Jewell should already be here, guarding our favorite table, and with luck she’ll have a drink ready and waiting. Ireallyneed a drink if I plan to get through this night in one piece.
The back corner of the place offers a measure of privacy — almost, but not quite — and Jewell’s sitting at our favorite table, a virgin daiquiri in front of her and a cold mimosa on the opposite side of the table. Thank goodness!
“Sorry I’m late, Jewell,” I say. My friend gives me an easy smile before her eyes widen as she takes in Byron.
“Um, no problem...” Jewell replies, letting the words trail off.
“Good to see you, Jewell,” Byron easily says. “McKenzie and I have been discussing work and I realized I haven’t had a thing to eat all day.” Byron says as he leans against me so he can reach around and pull out a chair. As my blood races, I go mute again and plop down into the chair.
When Byron sits next to me, I have to bite my lip. Had I been thinking, I’d have slid in next to Jewell on the side of the table with a bench, giving myself some much-needed space away from Byron. But then, of course, I’d be forced to look at the miserable man during the whole meal. I’m not sure which setup is worse. I glance over at Jewell and can see a myriad of questions in my friend’s eyes, but Jewell compresses her lips for a moment and gives Byron a smile.
“It’s good to see you, Byron. You work so much that your brother complains you don’t come over often enough.”
