Was it stupid of me to get a little flutter in my chest that she’d signed it “A”? Yes, yes it was. Did I care that it probably meant nothing? Nope. A man could hope.
Four-thirty. That gave me a couple of hours to get some shut eye and still have time to shower and change. Leaving my luggage in the living room, I trudged into the bedroom, set the alarm on my watch for two hours, flopped onto the mattress, and promptly passed out.
My eyes were stuck together when the alarm sounded. That couldn’t have been two hours. I rubbed them, squinting at my watch. Six thirty-one. Fuck. It felt as though I’d been asleep for five minutes. Groaning, I rolled off the bed and ambled into the bathroom. A hot shower followed by a cold blast woke me up, and after I’d towel dried my hair, I drew it into a bun, tidied up my beard, and dressed in black jeans and a burgundy shirt. I’d never done the suit thing, and I didn’t plan on starting now. Besides, I looked fucking ridiculous in a jacket and tie.
At twenty-five past seven, I made my way down to the lobby. The same guy who dropped me off earlier raised a hand in greeting, then pivoted and walked outside. He had the rear car door open when I caught up to him.
“Thanks.”
“Of course, sir.”
I ducked my head, a broad grin splitting my face in two at who waited for me in the back of the car.
“A personal escort. I’m honored, Ms. Kingcaid.” I climbed inside. The driver shut the door, trapping us in the confined space together. Lucky fucking me.
“The hotel is on my way. How was your flight?”
“Boring. But my day is looking up.”
“You’re relentless.”
“Only for you.”
“You need fresh come-on lines.”
“Okay, how about this?” I reached for her hand, surprised and delighted when she didn’t pull away. “You smell incredible, you look good enough to eat, I am beyond ecstatic that I get to spend the next two evenings in your company, and I’ve fucking missed you.”
The lighting was far too dim to see if she blushed, but I told myself she did. I ran my thumb over her knuckles. She let me caress her for a few seconds, then gently removed her hand from mine. I called that progress. She’d made her position clear. No pleasure, all business, but if she truly believed that, she wouldn’t have invited me to New York. I could be wrong, but it sounded like an excuse to see me, especially as I wasn’t due in the studio for another few weeks.
“Presley is thrilled you’ve come all this way to see him play.”
“We both know that’s a lie, but if it makes the kid feel better, then I’m glad you said that to him. I’m looking forward to watching him onstage, but come on, Aspen, it’s you I’ve come to see.”
“Joz.” She sighed, swinging her hand between us. “This can’t go anywhere. I’m technically your boss.”
“And?”
“And that makes it inappropriate.”
“I agree that boss and subordinate relationships can be inappropriate, especially where the man is senior to the woman and there’s a power imbalance. But that isn’t the case with us. For one, yes, you’re technically the one with the power, but it isn’t imbalanced. If you tore up our contract tomorrow, it wouldn’t be the end of my career. I’d just sign with someone else. It’s not like I’m short of offers.”
“Charming.”
“But true. Look, will you answer one question for me?”
She narrowed her eyes in obvious suspicion. “I guess.”
“Do I repulse you? Physically, I mean.”
Her chest rose and fell on a deep breath. “No.”
“That’s a good start.” I grinned. “I like you, Aspen. I’m not over here suggesting marriage. I’m a confirmed bachelor, but I think we could have some fun together.”
“And when the fun ends?”
Caroline was the last long-term girlfriend I’d had. Every woman I’d been with since had known there could be no future, that casual was all I could willingly offer. As long as Aspen understood that, there’d be no risk here. And Aspen was no Caroline. She was a strong, independent woman who would never allow a relationship with a man to define her.
“We’re both adults. I certainly wouldn’t let a brief affair that ran its course interfere with our business relationship, and something tells me you’re the same as me.”
