“So do I, and I don’t see there being any issues with this fresh direction.” He steps forward, closing the distance I just created, and smiles down at me.
I move toward my desk, putting furniture between us now. “Great… So I’ll send over all the files, and you can show the board.”
“Thank you. I know they’re going to love it.”
“Perfect. Then we’re all set.”
He just stands there for a moment, then tilts his head and slides his hands into his pockets.
“I know you said you had dinner plans, but can I tempt you to change them and go for a drink with me instead?”
“I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Tomorrow, then?” I stare at him, waiting for him to stop dancing around this so I can shut it down completely. “I’m in the city for a few days and won’t be back until the gala. I was thinking?—”
“What?”
“Come on, Shannen, you know I’m interested in getting to know you better.”
“I’m sorry, James, but I don’t mix business with pleasure, ever. Even if I did, I have a boyfriend, so if there’s any intention on your part beyond this redesign, it’s best you know right now that I’m not available.”
“How serious is it?”
The fucking audacity.
“Very.”
“Okay, I understand. And whoever he is, I hope he knows he’s a lucky man.”
“Thank you, but I do need to wrap this up.”
“Got it. Message received.”
Except it doesn’t feel received. It feels like my words just bounced off his thick skull and landed in selective-hearing dickhead ears that only process what they want to hear.
“I’ll get going. I’ve taken up most of your day.”He reaches for his jacket and slides his arms into it. “I’ll see you at the gala in a couple of weeks, still?”
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it…”
“Shannen.” He turns to face me fully. “There will be so many people there who’d like to meet the woman behind the biggest change our hotels have seen since they were first built.”
“I’m not interested in getting credit in that way. I’m happy just doing the work.”
“Please… It’ll mean a lot to my family, and I’m sure they’ll have questions about it that I’d never be able to answer.”
I sigh, knowing I’m about to regret this. “Okay, sure. Can I bring someone?”
“Of course.” With one last nod, he moves toward the door, and as he passes me, he places his hand on my shoulder.
My entire body goes rigid.
God, I hope Phoenix didn’t see that.
My shoulder belongs to Phoenix.
It’s his favorite place to kiss and mark and bury his face when he’s inside me.
“Have a good evening, Shannen.”
