“Do you see me as a host?”
“I don’t know.”She pretended to consider him somewhat.“You have a certain charm, I suppose.Maybe we could get you lessons in deportment or something.”
“Deportment?”
“Yeah.Even I’m not sure what it is.”
“Manners.”
“You could be taught.”
“Know any teachers?”He grinned.
Cade himself would be part of the attraction.She could only imagine the success of the endeavor if his picture was on the website or trifold brochure.
She used her tablet to fan herself.
Not for the first time, she realized that being here, alone with him, was dangerous to her libido.
She forced herself to refocus and she considered the loft.A band could be featured up there, or a DJ.Or perhaps it could be used for additional seating or dancing.It could also be a great spot for people-watching or, even better, pictures.It would be a fun spot to set up a photo booth or as a place to video guests who were commemorating the event.
Sofia headed toward the stairs but when he spoke, she stopped.
“It’s mostly used for storage,” he told her.
“That’s okay.I’m more interested in how it might be utilized during the centennial celebration.”Undaunted, she continued on.
“I’m not sure how safe it is,” he warned her.“Let me get someone out here to check.”
“How soon can that happen?”
“Tomorrow, maybe.”
“Not today?”
“Are you always this—”
“The word you’re looking for is direct,” she reminded him with a cheeky grin.
“Direct,” he repeated.
“Direct,” she affirmed.“Not blunt.Not bossy.Not demanding.”
“Got it,” he said with a slow, stimulating smile.
“Since I’m here today and I’m not sure when I can come back, I’d love the opportunity to have a look.”
“Are you asking me to get my ass over there and check it out for you?”
“Why, Mr.Donovan, thank you kindly for making the offer,” she said with an exaggerated Southern drawl.“I declare, I don’t know why I didn’t think of it.”
“Why do I feel as if I’ve been nicely manipulated?”
“I can’t begin to imagine.”
“Has that worked for you your whole life?The Southern belle act?”He pushed away from the beam and walked toward her, his boots sounding a bit formidable on the floor.
“You’ll have to tell me.I’ve never tried it before.”
