“Call me silly, but I liked being your hero. I liked that you let me carry you to my hotel room. And I especially liked the way we kissed in the elevator. I’d never felt so dizzy with passion before.”
She leaned forward on the table, touching his arm. “You do remember I gave you a sleeping pill, right?”
“Oh, sweetheart. I might have been drugged, but the excitement I felt during that kiss had nothing to do with those pills.”
One side of her mouth lifted higher than the other in a grin. “Are you sure?”
“There’s only one way to settle this argument, you know.” He winked. “I’m not drugged now, and my hotel is closer than your office.”
She shook her head. “I’m not going back to your hotel room, Mick.”
“Fine then. We’ll make out in your office on the same sofa where Kate had her baby.”
Laughing, she pulled her hands away. “Actually, I don’t like that idea, either.”
“Then tell me where and when.”
She sighed. “No, Mick. We have more important things to worry about right now.”
He sat back in his seat and folded his arms. “You’re right. Let’s contact your shareholders and pray that they haven’t been bought out by my father.”
She frowned. “Oh, Mick. What if they have?”
“We’ll cross the bridge when we come to it. There’s no use worrying about it now.”
“You’re right, of course. We’ll call them. I’ll take the top half of the list, and you’ll take the bottom half. We’ll get this accomplished today.”
His gaze narrowed. “But sweetheart, I don’t have a list.”
A mischievous grin curved her luscious lips. “Yes, you do. I saw it the other night in your suitcase when I was snooping through your things while you were passed out on the bed.”
“You were a very naughty girl.”
“Yes, I know, and I’m sorry for going along with Mary’s plan. Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything to blackmail you over... which is why I let Mary into the room to take pictures.”
He nodded. “I figured as much. And just so you know, my friends know I don’t drink tequila, so those pictures would have never worked.”
He scooted out of the booth and offered his hand to help her out. She slid her palm against his and stood in front of him. He tried to turn, but she tugged on his hand, keeping him from going.
“Mick? I just realized that you haven’t answered my question yet.”
He narrowed his gaze on her. “I thought we had that settled. We are going to make-out after we have formulated a plan to stop my father.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not about that. I swear... Can you think of anything else besides seduction?”
He tenderly took both of her hands in his. “What else is there?”
“Mick, I want you to be serious.”
“Fine.” He gave her one of his deep expressions. “I’m serious now.”
“Please tell me why you desperately wanted those pictures that Mary took.”
Inwardly, he groaned. He should have known she’d remember that he hadn’t answered her. Women had such good memories.
He slipped his arm around her shoulders and led them toward the front door of the fast-food restaurant without saying anything. He remained silent as he opened the car door for her, and then walked around and climbed in the driver’s side. He grasped the steering wheel and stared ahead without starting the car.
There was no other choice. He’d have to tell her the truth. But then, talking with her came easy now. And he enjoyed their conversations. Perhaps she wouldn’t judge him when he told her why he really wanted those pictures. And hopefully, she wouldn’t hate him. He’d do anything to keep her trust.
