“Don’t mention it.”
At least now Barry had another name to look into.It didn’t explain the current trawling, but maybe once he’d gotten rich, he’d passed the job onto someone else.
Barry checked the time on his watch.The day had gone by faster than he’d expected.He had just enough time to get back to the hotel and change clothes for his meeting—he couldn’t call it a date—with Annabelle.
Chapter 23
Barry raced back to the hotel and changed into a button-up off-white short-sleeved shirt and khaki shorts.He had to wear flip flops since he hadn’t packed dress shoes.He hadn’t planned on going out to any dinners when he’d packed.It would just have to do.
Barry had barely settled into his seat when his quarry walked in.“Annabelle.”He smiled as if he were happy to see her when nothing could be further from the truth.
“Sean,” she purred as her eyes raked over him like he was a piece of horseflesh to a potential buyer.
“You look incredible.”Far from the business attire from the other day, she wore a red summer dress that rose way too high on her thighs and hugged all of her curves, leaving little to the imagination.The neckline plunged low between her breasts, revealing their soft swell.She wore towering high heels that still put her a few inches shorter than him.Her hair was down and flowing around her shoulders.The woman was definitely dressed to the nines compared to his attire.He’d wanted to look somewhat nice but keep up the appearance of a repairman’s paycheck.
“Thank you.”Annabelle looked away bashfully, her cheeks turning slightly pink in embarrassment as her hand swiped across her chest.“I have to say, you clean up well.”
“I keep a nice set of clothes in my closet for such an occasion.”Barry moved around the table and held her chair out for her.
“Thank you.”Annabelle slid into her seat and set her small clutch bag on the side of the table.
Barry scooted her in and reclaimed his seat, pulling his phone out his pocket and setting it on the table in front of her bag.He assumed her phone was in there.There was nowhere else she could be stashing it.“How was your day?”
“Long, busy.”
“Well, I’m glad you could find time in your schedule to have dinner with me.”
“Of course, I would make time.”
“I’m sad we couldn’t do it last night.You made me wait a whole day.”
“Good things come to those who are patient.I’m glad you called me though and were willing to wait.”She batted her eyelashes and planted her elbows on the table, folding her hands and resting her chin on them.
“About that, I’m curious how you snuck your card into my pocket,” he commented, leaning closer to appear more genuinely interested in her, but he was curious how she’d done it.
Annabelle rolled her eyes.“It’s not all that interesting.Sleight of hand is all.Nothing to brag about.”
“Is that a skill you’ve always possessed?”
“No, as a secretary I pass things along to Miles all the time.I guess I just got good at doing it while no one was paying attention.”
“I think you’re far more than a secretary,” he said, trying to flatter her.
“And what do you think I am?”Her head tilted to the side, looking curious.
Barry was saved from making a quick reply when the waiter showed up.They both ordered wine and then dinner.
“Well,” Annabelle prompted when they were alone again.
“You are obviously a woman of many talents and severely underappreciated.You should be running his company or some other fortune five hundred company.”
Annabelle smiled and chuckled softly.“And what do you know of fortune five hundred companies?”
“Nothing,” he admitted.Barry was a soldier, not a company man.“But you seem better suited for running a place than working under the person who does.Especially when said person has a hotel sinking into the ground as we speak.How did you end up working for someone like Miles Banks?”
Annabelle’s bottom lip jutted out into a pout.“I don’t want to talk about Miles tonight.I’d rather learn more about you,” she purred, reaching across the table and stroking her hand across the top of his.Barry looked down at her red-painted manicured nails and wanted to pull his hand back, but it might offend her, and then she’d leave.He had no idea if the download was completed yet.It should have, but he couldn’t look now without raising her suspicion.
“I’m not a very fascinating subject.I’m just a repairman on the island,” he explained, keeping his hand perfectly still and allowing her to touch him when in fact her touch repulsed him.He didn’t want anyone but Mac touching him.
