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“Thank you, Lance.”
Lance shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. “It's my job to protect.”
That caused the disappointment to grow. How could she have believed she was special when he was right? He was a security subcontractor, after all.And I'm just his secretary!
“Good night,” he told her, dipping his head in a most gentlemanly fashion.
Why can't I find someone like you who isn't forbidden?Kayla thought, her entire body tensing up as he turned to leave.
She had just grabbed her keys from her bag and shoved one in the front door when Lance took a deep breath that made Kayla turn back.
He had also turned, meeting her gaze with an odd spark in his eye. “Maybe one drink wouldn't hurt? It is still early.”
The way her heart skipped a beat told her she should encourage him to leave, but instead she unlocked her door and shoved it open. “After you?”
“Ladies first.”
There it was again, his calling her a lady. Why did he have to be such a gentleman? He had always been that way, ever since the first day she started working for him after high school, but somehow it felt different tonight, more personal.
Kayla entered her house, sure she could feel his eyes on her rear. And the sensation made her spine tingle.
“What can I get you?” she asked as she dropped her bag and keys on the table in the hall, taking her phone with her out of habit, even though Sarah and Lance were the only ones who ever called and he wasn't exactly going to need to call his secretary when he was already with her. “I'm afraid I don't have whisky but I do have wine and beer.”
“Wine is fine,” Lance said, closing the front door and following her through to the kitchen.
Kayla poured two glasses of wine and set them down on the breakfast bar, deciding that the couch in the den was much too intimate.
For a few minutes they sat in silence and Lance sipped at his wine. Kayla wondered whether it might be out of distaste or a desire to stay just a little longer. Though she told herself shedidn't hope it was the latter, she didn't want it to be the former, either.
“You've got a nice place here,” Lance said, finally breaking the silence. It eased Kayla's tension only a little to think of something a bit less awkward.
“It's small, but it's good for little old me,” Kayla said, shrugging. “There are still a few repairs to be done here and there, but I'll get around to it eventually.”
“Don't you have any male friends who could give you a hand? A father or brother?”
Kayla cringed. “I have no siblings, my father passed years ago, and well, if I had any malefriendsI wouldn't have been on a dating app, now, would I?”
Lance's cheeks grew red at that. “Good point. And I'm sorry for your loss.”
Kayla glanced at her glass. “Don't be. He was a waste of space anyway.”
“I hope my kids never say that about me.”
“Oh no! Sarah loves you to bits!” Kayla exclaimed, reaching for his forearm. Lance glanced down at her hand and she snatched it away again. She had to keep her distance.
But when their gazes met again, she felt the urge to lean in. It was only her phone buzzing on the surface in front of her that stopped her.
She clenched her jaw when she glanced down to see yet another text from Stan. Why today of all days did he have to choose to show up?
She placed her arm over her screen and reached for her wine glass.
“If there's something you need help with around here, I know my way around a toolbox,” Lance offered, and Kayla couldn't help but smile.
“After tonight, do you really think that would be a good idea?” she asked. He looked at her with a raised brow and his expression melted her insides.
That's when her phone started to ring.
“Is there something important you need to take care of?”
