"Uh-oh. What did you do?" He leaned closer, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
"Technically, it was just some research. Just because she assumed I was digging for the truth doesn't mean she was or was not correct." The mischief in her eyes belied her innocent tone.
"That's my girl! I mean… I can't believe you're still there after all of that." He caught himself, heat creeping up his neck at the slip.
"I tried to leave, but she won't give me a reference and has threatened to blackball me in the industry. So I started over and tried to figure out how to please her."
"Is that really what you want?" His hand found hers on the bar, thumb tracing circles on her wrist.
"I have to keep my eye on the prize. I've had a plan since before I went to college. I got my MBA, and I've worked on the business side of this field. If I want to have an agency of my ownone day, I have to learn that side of things, so I'll do what it takes to get there." The determination in her voice was undercut by the weariness in her shoulders.
"That's admirable, but what would plan B look like if this agency wasn't around?" He watched her carefully, noting the way she stiffened at the question.
"That's impossible. They're one of the largest firms in the country, top five internationally."
"Sure, but crazy things happen every day. As organized and focused as you are, I imagine you have contingencies for everything. So what would you have done if you hadn't gotten the position at this company?"
"I would have stayed in DC and waited until another opportunity came around. Why all the questions?" She tilted her head, studying him with those penetrating green eyes that seemed to see through every deflection.
"It doesn't seem fair that such a beautiful, kind, intelligent woman is run off her feet daily, and hasn't been able to see the people she cares about." His fingers wove through hers, holding her gaze with an intensity that made her breath catch.
"That's sweet of you. Actually, I had to fight for this trip."
"See? And maybe I'm feeling a little selfish because the more I get to know you, the more time I want to spend with you." He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles that sent warmth spiraling through her chest.
“I know what you mean. I guess we’re lucky we get to have this date.” She gave him that quirk of a smile and winked at him. “It was a lovely idea to come to my favorite restaurant for dinner. Sitting at the bar gives us a great view of the city,” she remarked, sliding her hand into his. He looked around the windowless establishment, then laughed in understanding.
“I’m glad you approve. Only the best for you, Bri. After dinner, perhaps you’d be up for a little field trip.” He squeezed her hand and brought it to his lips.
“Absolutely, if it includes you and dessert.” It felt like she had just shifted the definition of them. If she had changed her mind about the possibility of them, he needed to find a way to come clean about his work before it was too late and backfired on him.
“I think that can be arranged.” He was practically vibrating at the idea of spending the next few hours with Bri. After all of these months, he found it hard to believe that he was spending time with her and he hadn’t fucked it up… yet. He thought he had built her up in his mind because of his burgeoning obsession, but she was so much more than he had imagined. Her willingness to adapt and change plans added to the enjoyment.
CHAPTER 7
Bri laughed freelywhile Ethan spun them to the end of the walkway. People stared, and she didn’t care. He took her breath away with each small touch that sent heat spiraling through her, every inquiry into what she liked or wanted, and the longing looks that neither of them seemed willing to make the first move.
“Do we have to stop?” She didn’t want to lose the euphoria she felt pressed against him.
“If you want to find a spot to sleep, we do.” He was still looking out for her after hours in the airport. Maybe even over the past months. She had forgotten to inquire about that, not that it mattered anymore.
“I want to keep dancing with you.” She wanted any excuse to spend more time in his arms. Since the moment she held his hand at dinner, she couldn’t think of a moment they weren’t connected in some way, whether it was their knees touching under the table, their fingers entwined while they searched for the art hidden in plain sight, or his warm embrace while they swayed to their favorite music.
“I want that, too, Bri. But you look so tired, you might fall over.” He twirled her past the already filled seating areas, sayingher name in a low whisper, like there was a reverence and promise that only she was meant to hear.
“We only have a few more hours together...”
“I know.” He looked pained for a moment before switching back to his calm problem solver mode. “If we grab these seats and set up for the rest of the night, then we can still listen to music and talk until one of us falls asleep.”
“Are we going to put those together like a bed?” She asked, not sure of her preference. Back in an alcove at the end of the concourse, he had found two older benches, three seats long with armrests at either end.
“That’s a dangerous game,” he growled, putting the rows back to back. “We’ve been treading that line all night.”
“That reminds me. I owe you for the ice cream sundae since you found the bronze fish with the suitcase in the walkway first.” It was one of their little competitions that made the evening more lively, in between their verbal sparring and intellectual ping-pong. At this point, it was difficult to tell if she was more attracted to his body or his mind.
“I don’t think so since you found the mosaic columns I passed three times.” He replied absently, placing their luggage on the seats.
“Actually, I think I should have paid to watch you lick that hot fudge off the spoon. I should have sold tickets to that sultry book boyfriend scene. There were so many people watching you.” She laughed, making light of the scene that stoked a fire in her, unlike the story he seemed to have borrowed the idea from.
