“Right, but if I’m your boss now, I’m sort of sliding into the sleaze category.”
“True,” she conceded, pointing at him while leaning the other way to snag her scotch.“I do like to wear really short skirts… And I’m sure you could make a few inappropriate comments throughout the day.”
“Just to really get you going?Whatever works for you, honeybun.”
“Oh, that’s good,” she said, her eyes widening above the rim of her glass.“The condescension thing, that’s a popular one with the professional sleazes.”
He jabbed a thumb back over his shoulder.“You met Noble, right?He’s a pro.I’m surprised he didn’t take a swing already.”
“He was kind enough to offer his friend my hand in marriage first.But I’m sure he was getting around to making a pass.”
“Good,” he said, bobbing his head.“Good.First impressions are important.”
Her thoughts exactly.“Yeah, they nailed it.Managed to sneak my pussy into conversation and everything.”His brows rose above a tentative smirk.Just seeing his uncertainty provoked her laugh.“It’s fine!Sheesh, I think all of you are out of practice.”
“You can swear, you know.I’m a relaxed boss, reasonable.”
“I’m a class act and a professional,” she said, ignoring the berating voice in her head.“Now, seriously…” Changing the subject, her hand landed on his chest.His hard, very intriguing chest.Bad, bad, naughty thoughts.Eye contact was the best way to go.Respect.Restraint.“I can get out of here if you don’t want to give this a shot.”
“You should know Brooker people never last here.”
“In the interest of fairness, I should tell you, I never last with clients.”
“Sleep with them?”
“Only the really rich ones,” she said, appreciating his smile.It wasn’t true, she’d never slept with a client.She’d only slept with two men her whole life.Something that would change later in the week if Nathaniel delivered on his sexting promises.“Just never found the right fit.”
“There are lubricants on the market that help.”
The guy was just… too on her wavelength.“Maybe the sex jokes put your previous assistants off.”
“Men, women, doesn’t matter who they send, no one sticks around.”
“Because he fires them!”Ozzie was in the doorway to the deck.“Are you two joining us or doing your dance in here all night?”
“I never dance with men who don’t buy me drinks,” she said, swanning past him to head for the smiling Ozzie.“No wine, no dance.You inspired me with your tit-for-tat thing, Mr.Collier.”
“Who bought the scotch?”Collier asked, following in her wake.
“Who didn’t buy the wine?”
“Who didn’t know you were coming?”
“Uh… me,” she said.
An awning hung over the broad deck, heat lamps and patio chairs were warmed by perfect lighting.Down a couple of steps, a vast slate patio had a grill to the side, a bar at the opposite end, and a sunken seating area.A wicker fence at the back intrigued her.It lined up exactly with the back of the building, which was odd.Did his property line really end right there?There were no buildings backed directly onto his.
The guys were already down the stairs and at the grill, commenting on whatever Dalton was doing.
“We’ve got a guest, you better do it right,” Noble was teasing the quiet guy.
“Hustle, Candy,” Cam called, gesturing her over when he and Ozzie started for the sunken seats.
“Do you want me to go to the store for—”
“No, you’re not working tonight.Just get down here.”He stopped.“Oz needs practice with women.”
“Talking to them?”she asked, descending the stairs.
