With Graham’s sister.
It makes so much sense that the woman I felt that connection with is related to Graham.
Ginny Riley is the woman for me.
“We’re going to explain that it was Halloween, and we met at the bar in costume,” she’s explaining. “We stick to as much truth as possible. Like that I didn’t know you were Graham’s friend or my future boss.”
Fuck, she’s beautiful.
“Fine,” I say again when she pauses and seems to want an answer from me.
She nods. “And then we’re going to proceed as ifthisis the first time we’re really getting to know each other. Because it is,” she says as if explaining this to herself while she’s telling me. “I mean, this isn’t flirting or talking about comics and comparing Wonder Woman to Lois Lane. We’re going to keep this professional.”
I feel my lips turn up at that. “I think we’re too far beyond professional to go back, Ginny.”
She points her finger at my nose. “Nope. Stop it. Don’t talk in that husky, sexy voice. Don’t mention Denver. We’re starting over.”
She thinks my voice is husky and sexy? I like that.
I grin. “There is no way in hell I’m going to be able to do that.”
“Dammit, Clark…dammit, Everettt…you have to. If I had known who you were in Denver, I never would’ve gone home with you.”
I frown. “Because of Graham?”
“Because…” She sighs. “I guess maybe I might have gone home with you. Because that was before Graham told me about the job.” She frowns. “Dammit. Okay, butnowI’m not sleeping with you again because you’re going to be my boss.”
I think about that. That is unacceptable. I shrug. “Then I won’t hire you.”
She gasps. She looks genuinely, absolutely aghast. “You can’t do that. First of all, Graham already hired me. Second of all, I need this job. And I will beexcellentat it. Third, that is a very dickhead thing to say and absolutelynotthe way to get me to sleep with you again.”
She’s probably right about all of those things. “Then how do I get you to sleep with me again?”
Her mouth opens, then she snaps it shut. She steps around me. “You don’t.” She starts for the house, takes two steps, then turns back. “I am going to take the job with your company, you’re going to bethrilledthat I am working for your company, you are going to keep what happened in Denver between us, and you are going to stop looking at me like that.”
I know exactly what she’s talking about. Still, I ask, “Like what?”
“Like you’re picturing me naked.”
No can-do. “But, Ginny, I am absolutely picturing you naked. Just know that. All day long.”
“Argh!” She turns and starts for the house again.
I don’t even try to hide my smile.
I’ve never had a serious girlfriend, but I’ve dated.
I’ve never dated a woman who said“argh”like that or one who so clearly didn’t want anyone to know we spent time together, however.
I start to follow her back into the house, but again she stops and whirls around. “And I swear to God, if you slip and let them know that something more happened between us than justa drink and a conversation, just remember that I know where you’re going to be sleeping for the next couple of nights and where all the food you’re going to be eating is stored. You will not come out of this unscathed.”
“Are you threatening me?” I ask, amused.
I don’t have any siblings. I didn’t grow up with threats of retaliation or pranks from disgruntled sisters.
Not that there is anything about Ginny that makes me feel brotherly.
Her eyes narrow. “Oh, yes, Everett, I am most definitely threatening you.”
