I shrug. “My daughter Audra is my long story. You probably know about her and the guy she married.”
I can’t bring myself to call Kyle her husband—or my son-in-law.
“Yeah, Talia told me.”
The bartender sets a fresh glass of scotch in front of me and I nod my thanks. “Audra and Kyle had a big fight. Audra is staying with a friend. It’s hard to tell over the phone just how bad it is, but if she left the house, I’m guessing it’s pretty bad. I want to get on a plane just so I can look at her and see if he put his hands on her.”
“Oh, Noel.” The sound of my name on her lips makes my dick stir to attention. “That’s tough. I’m sorry.”
“Talia knows, but don’t tell anyone else, please.”
“Of course not.”
I turn to look at her, letting my eyes linger. “Women online see a guy with a good career and some money, but they don’t know who I am. I’m a son of a bitch sometimes.”
A smile dances on her lips. “Are you, though? I’m not seeing it.”
“Maybe you haven’t been around me enough yet.”
Her teeth graze over her lower lip. “Are you saying we should spend more time together?”
I’m on dangerous ground. But we’re in a public place—it’s not like I can toss her onto the bar and fuck her here and now.
“It might make for a smoother working relationship. What do you think?”
Even her smirk is sexy. “I think smooth is overrated. I like rough better.”
Oh, hell. I’m fully hard now. My free hand twitches with the urge to touch her as I take another sip of my drink. “You’re pretty uninhibited for a woman who hasn’t had a sip of that drink.”
“All I got from that is that you think I’m pretty.”
I smile and blow out a breath. “A ten, remember?”
“I do.”
I shake my head and finish my drink in a faster, longer gulp than I’d like, setting the glass down on the bar. “You’re a workplace hazard, Jules. Good night.”
“Not going to offer to walk me to my room?” Her gaze slowly moves from my face down, stopping at my crotch.
“I think we both know that’s not a good idea.”
She looks like she’s about to say something, but instead she looks down at her glass. I hate the disappointment that flickers over her face. If I could, I’d put my hands on her waist and lean in to kiss her neck and whisper my room number in her ear.
“Good night, Noel.”
Her voice is neutral again. Not sultry and playful, but not angry either. It takes all my willpower to turn and walk away.
I want her. Christ, do I want her. But I’m in a position of power over this team, and indirectly, her. I never, ever would,but Icouldmake her work environment uncomfortable. And that’s just one of the reasons I can’t cross a line with her. Even though I want to, so badly my chest aches as I get farther away from her.
CHAPTER TEN
Jules
I should be embarrassedby how openly I flirted with Noel last night. But every time I think about it, a nervous thrill thrums through my body.
He flirted back. His hungry gaze raking over me as he said things meant only for me was more intoxicating than any drink. I felt like a danger he can’t seem to stay away from, and I loved it.
It’s game day in Vancouver. I dress in a charcoal suit with a black blouse beneath, pinning a Crush logo pin on my lapel. There’s not even a choice between the sensible black flats and the black heels I packed—heels all the way.
