He took a step closer. “First of all. You’re too much of a Goody Two-shoes to play favorites with anyone.” He held up a hand when she started to interrupt. “Second, it’s notslept. Not just a one-night stand. It’swhenthey find out we’re sleeping together. Because, despite what you’ve told yourself, I’m not looking for just a one-night stand.”
Tamara blinked. Her mind and heart racing as his words flew around in her brain. “Hold up? Then what are you looking for?”
“I didn’t come over here and bring you flowers because I want to forget what happened. So whatever you’ve told yourself about what you think I think last night means—forget it. Ask me what I think last night means and I’ll tell you.”
“What does last night mean to you?” she asked in a quiet voice.
Her palms were sweaty and her breathing shallow as she tried not to let the hope in her voice come through. To not let him see just how much she’d wanted to think last night was more because she was afraid to put her hopes in Andre only to have him push her away like he had when they were younger.
“It means the start of something new. The first time I’ve thought about a relationship or commitment in years. The first time I’ve taken my mom’s advice about learning to be okay with falling for someone seriously.”
The sparks flying through her chest made her want to jump into his arms. This was what she’d yearned for. The spark, the urgency, the flame of excitement from just being with someone. But could the spark last? Would the flame keep her warm or incinerate her?
“Andre, how can this possibly end well?”
He stilled. “Are you doubting my word?”
She stared into his eyes and searched her own heart. The man in front of her wasn’t like the kid she’d known. Andre was much more straightforward now. She didn’t doubt his word. If he said he wanted to start a relationship with her, then he meant it.
“I don’t doubt you.”
His shoulders relaxed slightly. “Then what do you doubt? Are you worried about what people will say? Because I don’t give a damn. But I understand what you mean about your job and the perception. I’m not about hiding what I do, but I also won’t make a big deal about us together. I don’t ask for preferential treatment, and you don’t dish it out. I got this job straight up before anything started between us. Anyone can question how we work together on this project, but they won’t find anything.”
He made it sound so easy. That their relationship wouldn’t be scrutinized every time an issue came up on the project. That people wouldn’t try to use it. The mayor, to push her to make work happen faster. The town manager, to make sure any request of Andre’s wasn’t bogus. But as she looked in his eyes and saw the grim determination there, she knew that no matter what happened, Andre wouldn’t leave her out there to fight these battles alone. He’d always been a fighter, a defender of those he cared about, and with the determination she saw the most important thing. He cared about her and her answer.
“I want this.” She held up a hand before he could talk. “But...”
He frowned. “But what?”
Tamara closed the distance between them and stared up into his eyes. “But, I can’t have you shutting me out if things get hard or we get questioned. I understand what happened and why you did what you did when we were younger, but if we’re going to keep seeing each other, I want to make sure that we’re honest about how we’re feeling. If either one of us wants out or thinks it’s too much, then we’ll say so.”
His shoulders relaxed and he slid an arm around her waist. “I’m not that kid anymore. If you agree to be with me, no matter for how long, I’ve got you. I won’t push you out or hold back what I’m thinking. I promise.”
She studied him for several seconds. He stared back unblinking. She believed him. Maybe it was foolish. Maybe she was making a huge mistake, but she also knew that if she didn’t explore what she was feeling for him, she’d regret that more than saying no now.
Smiling, she nodded. “So let’s do this.”
She thought relief flashed in his eyes. Had he been worried she’d say no? The thought touched her heart. Mr. Cool and Aloof did have a heart. And he was trusting her with it. Tamara leaned up and kissed him. Her stomach fluttered, from excitement, nerves or both she didn’t know. She had a sneaking suspicion that her life was about to turn upside down.
CHAPTER NINE
“WILLYOUTALKto your boyfriend?”
Tamara’s head jerked up. Her eyes locked with Robert’s. He stood in her doorway, hands on hips and brows knitted. Tamara leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. In the weeks since she and Andre had been dating, she hadn’t talked about their relationship in the office. Her parents had been worried and asked why she’d broken up with such a “nice guy” like Thomas for Andre, but once she explained their history, they’d understood and Thomas no longer was invited to pop in for Sunday dinner. She had disclosed her relationship with the mayor and her boss, Steve. She didn’t want them to be caught off guard if it came up, but her staff didn’t need to know her personal business. Steve and Miriam had both questioned if this would affect the project, and she’d been steadfast in reminding them that when it came to her job, no one was going to undermine her integrity. Both of them knew, and trusted, her enough that they agreed not to make it an issue unless the relationship became an issue.
Thankfully, the project was going relatively smoothly, and she hadn’t been called in to do anything with it. Robert and his team of building inspectors handled everything while Tamara focused on the upcoming change to the comprehensive plan. So to have him standing in her doorway, fuming and saying she needed to get herboyfriend,as if the word were a curse, had her back straight and head cocked to the side.
“What are you talking about?”
“Thomas,” Robert said as if that’s who her mind should have immediately gone to.
Tamara blinked, shocked and confused from hearing that name. “Thomas is not my boyfriend. We stopped seeing each other a long time ago.”
“Well, I still need you to talk with him,” Robert said as if her relationship status with Thomas was irrelevant.
“What’s going on?”
Robert came farther into her office with a heavy sigh. “He’s gone to Steve and complained that we’re giving Andre preferential treatment.”
