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Jonas grinned and motioned for the bartender to come over, simultaneously asking, “What would you like to drink?”
Shifting on my feet, I worked to bring my mind back to task. I came here for my job to meet him and even though I recognized him, a drink could still be my “in” to discuss Arch, which put me right on plan. “Sure. Okay. Um… Merlot.” The only drink that came to mind in the moment.
Jonas turned and placed the order, including a Scotch neat for himself, just as Gregor had predicted. He was kind of scary in his stalking, but nevertheless, I was impressed.
“Are you a guest at the hotel?” Jonas asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
“I’m not?” It came out as a question. I didn’t have a good script in mind as everything was happening so fast. “No. I’m not. Just here for a drink.” I fidgeted.
His sea blue eyes went stormy and he tapped his hand on the bar. “I suspect there’s more. So you might as well tell me.”
I took in a short breath. The way he said it came out as a command and I found myself answering without thinking. “You’re right. I had rehearsed an introduction, before my handbag sailed across the room and hit your shoes. Anyway, I work for Arch Limited Publishing House and….”
“And you came to discuss my book,” Jonas finished for me. His lips pressed together.
I eyed him sheepishly. “You don’t have to buy me a drink or anything. It was rude.”
My eyes focused on the opening along the collar his shirt. “I apologize. This isn’t… I’m sorry.”
Jonas held the glass of wine out, brushing his fingers with mine and sending an electric jolt through me. I never had this reaction to anyone before, and didn’t know what to make of it.Liquid courage. I tipped my glass back for a generous sip.
He chuckled. “It’s fine. But I’d prefer not to talk business.”
I nodded. “I understand.” I understood he didn’t want to talk about his book, but why offer a drink to me when he was now aware I came to do as much? I glanced up at him and found his gaze was steady on me, which sent a fluttering through my stomach.
“So, you’re an editor at Arch?” Jonas asked.
I shook my head.He’s asking me about work. Perhaps business isn’t completely off limits.“Not exactly. I work more as a publishing assistant for the chief managing editor, Gregor Worton.”
His eyes flashed and he gave a curt nod, but his gaze hadn’t left me nor did he speak, so I continued.
“I do some preliminary reviews of manuscripts and editing here and there… I was an Anthropology major in college.”
He tilted his head, and his lips curved. “Socio-cultural, biological, linguistic?”
My jaw dropped.He understands Anthropology?“Cultural studies. My passion lies in cross-cultural research and studies. I’m most interested in the research related to creating new dialogue and voices in cultural exchange.” I jabbered.I’m boring him to death.I flushed. But when I peeked at him, I found his focus hadn’t detoured. In fact, he was grinning at me.
I licked my lips. “Sorry. I can ramble on; I rarely get to speak about cross-cultural studies. I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent.”
Jonas took a sip of his scotch. “No need to apologize. I find it… refreshing.” He cleared his throat, “Where did you attend college?”
I put my glass down and pushed my hair over my shoulders. His gaze followed and I tried to will away the butterflies in my belly. “Boston University. I’m from Massachusetts, actually Quincy. I grew up in Quincy.”
Jonas kept a grin on his face as he listened. I could only imagine him thinking Arch were silly in sending me.Who are you?I thought angrily to myself. I wasn’t this bad at conversing, but with Jonas I didn’t seem to be able to keep myself together. He unhinged me.
He touched my arm lightly and a tremor went through me as the electrical current flared between us. Did he feel it? I allowed my eyes to linger on his that were fixed on me and shuddered. He must.
Sipping my close to empty glass of wine, I gave him a small smile. “Thanks,” I said quietly. “I’m nervous. I don’t usually do the social side of work or hang out in bars to chat.”
“You’re doing great.” He took a sip of his Scotch. “But how about you try asking me questions. That might relax you a bit. How does that sound?”
My face heated, as I noted the amusement in his tone and his closeness to me.He’s doing this on purpose!I thought, grasping on to the little annoyance at him that crept in as I worked to unscramble my brain and calm my heart from trying to escape my chest. “So what do you do in your spare time?” Why did I ask that? It sounds like a stupid interview.
Jonas fingered the rim of his glass. “I have many interests,” he said equivocally.
I rolled my eyes. I didn’t think it wasn’t going to be that easy, but I hoped he would have shared or at least said something. “Fine, I’ll go first,” I said. “I’m a Leo. I practice Tantric sex, and I sing to my cereal. What about you?” I joked.
Jonas stared at me as if I had sprouted a new head before finally laughing. I let out a breath I wasn’t aware I was holding and joined him. A tingle went through me. He somehow appeared even more gorgeous when he laughed.
