6
Paige
Ishut off the vacuum and with the back of my hand, I wipe the light sheen of sweat coating my forehead.There’s time for a shower before Zach gets here.I rushed home from work to clean my house, all the while wishing we were meeting somewhere else.Just then my phone rings and Zach’s name flashes across the screen.
“Hello,” I say, out of breath.
“Hi, what are you doing?”His voice is low and husky, and I ignore the flip-flop in my stomach.“You’re breathless, do I excite you?”
“What?Not excited.Not at all.”There’s nothing sexy or exciting about sweating from housecleaning but I’m not about to tell him that.“I’m exercising.”That’s not far from the truth.
“That’s something I’d like to see.I’m sure it’s a breathtaking view.”
I suck a rush of air through my teeth at his provocative comment.“Who is this?”I pull the phone away and double-check the name on the screen.
“It’s Zach Rothwell.”
“Oh, I thought it was a prank caller because Mr.Rothwell would never say such a thing.”
“That isn’t fair to say.”There’s a hint of humor in his voice.“You don’t really know me.Yet.And I think watching you work out would be sexy as fuck.”
A burning need coils low in my belly and I bite back an unexpected moan.Why is he being flirty and naughty?He said we were business.And why am I getting turned on by him?
With a steady breath, I dig deep to find balance.“Sorry to disappoint, but you’re not missing anything.I’m far from pretty right now.”It isn’t a put-down, I’m just saying it like it is and ending his game.“I’m sweaty and sticky.”
“Keep talking,” he murmurs and I involuntarily quiver.
“Zach, was there a reason for your call?”Other than making me another kind of hot.
“I’m not going to make it to your place tonight.”
The wild fluttering in my stomach dies sharply and my shoulders deflate.As much as I didn’t want him in my home, I was eager to talk some more about our arrangement.The idea of going to this dinner without coming up with a cover story is terrifying and bound to be a disaster.
“Oh?”
“I have a last-minute conference call that’s going to be long and another one at nine.A car is on its way to pick you up.”
“A car?”
“You’re coming to my office.”
“You want me to come to your office?”There is a fairy godmother or a granter of wishes because mine just came true.
“Yes.We’ll have dinner here.We can talk.I’ve got a couple of hours in between calls.”
“I’m not ready though,” I say more to myself than to him.“You don’t need to send a car.I can?—”
He cuts me off, “Paige, be ready in twenty minutes.See you soon,” and then ends the call.
The following twenty minutes are a flurry of activity.Shower, dry shampoo my hair, dress, and refresh my makeup.I’m applying my lipstick when the doorbell rings.Right on time.
The drive to Zach’s office is quick and I’m unexpectedly nervous riding up in the elevator to the thirty-third floor.Staring at myself in the mirror of the elevator, I question the denim maxi skirt with its faded distressed look.I couldn’t bring myself to dress more formal or business appropriate when I’d been in heels all day.Before I can second-guess my outfit, the doors open and Zach’s assistant greets me.
“Ms.Hayes, good evening.So lovely to see you again.”Her smile is warm and welcoming.“I wasn’t sure if you knew the way to Mr.Rothwell’s office.”
“Hi, Karen, I’m glad you’re here.I’d have gotten lost on my own.”
Zach stands at the entrance to his office in a three-piece custom navy suit and I swear my panties wet instantly.I never knew a suit could do that to me.Mind you, I’ve never been with a man who wears a suit on a daily basis.
