“Seafood okay?”
“Yeah, sure.”
By the time he stopped his car in front of an upscale seafood restaurant, the valet approached them and opened the door. He could feel her gaze on him, although as he gestured for her to walk in front, that sensation disappeared. What was she thinking?
“Nice to see you again, Mr. Wilder.” The hostess winked at him, even though he hadn’t seen her or set foot in that restaurant for a few months. “Your usual table?”
“Yes.”
She picked up two menus and checked a circled section in her hostess chart. “Follow me.”
“Excellent.” He nodded and gestured for Elena to walk through the dimly lit space behind the hostess’ trim figure as she led them through the narrow hallways. When a group of people walked in the opposite direction, he put his hand at the small of Elena’s back, trying to guide her to the quiet corner that the hostess was sauntering to.
Elena locked her spine into place, and hurried her pace to the booth. No doubt she didn’t dare risk getting close to him. Chances were, she could be stealing from the company, and he’d bet his next stock dividend that she wasn’t working alone. A crime of this magnitude required more than one brain.
They sat opposite each other—after all, the round booth would comfortably sit four more people. Despite the distance, there was a hint of intimacy in the air. Vanilla scented candles flickered between them. Heavy drops of rain fell on the window overlooking the city, leaving the view of Denver foggy and gray.
“Sir, the wine list,” the sommelier offered, but he didn’t need to see it.
“Bring me a 1997 red Soto, please.”
The sommelier nodded. “Right away sir.”
“Would you like something different?”
“What? Me? No. Wine is fine.” She ran her fingers through her hair, which was straying from the bun. If he ever had a sexy librarian fantasy, this woman would fit the bill. The dark red lips contrasted against her white blouse, which was ruffled and silky. Looked expensive.
“So, what did you do before you became an executive assistant?”
“Does that mean you never read my resume?” she said, before taking a glass of water to her lips.
“Touché.” He flashed her a smile. “Remember, when my assistant went on maternity leave, I barely had time to interview much.” Regrettably, he had left that job up to the human resources manager. Maybe it had been God’s way to punish him for his wicked and sexual past, by bringing Elena Moretti into his office.
She shifted in her seat, and looked away. “I dabbled…in things.”
An image assaulted his mind. There were tiny buttons on her top, and what wouldn’t he give to see them flying in the air, as he ripped the blouse off her. His pants tightened, and a violent arousal surged through him. Four months. He hadn’t screwed anyone in four months. Which was why he fantasized about his delicious, edible assistant, who may very well be a traitor.
When she turned her face back to him, her gaze landed on his. Did she read his mind? Even in the poor lighting, he noticed the shade of red spreading across her cheeks, and her parted lips.
“Sir?” the sommelier returned, and the bubble of awareness burst.
As the guy started to do the honors and serve him the wine, all Devon could think of was Elena. He didn’t take his eyes off her for a moment, even when the sommelier asked, “How do you like it?”
“It’s delicious,” he said.
The flush deepened on her cheeks, and she scooted to the back of the booth. She drew a breath and her breasts rose and fell, stretching the fabric of her blouse.
He leaned over the table, and watched her lift the glass of wine to her lips, and for an instant, he envied the glass. Fuck, this wasn’t supposed to happen.
When the sommelier left them, he realized being alone with her outside the office was beyond dangerous. The woman was sexy as hell, and he couldn’t just sleep with her. He had to gain her trust, or at least enough to snoop into her business and find out what exactly she was up to. “What was it like growing up with three older brothers?”
The corner of her lips quirked up. “Four.”
“Four.”
She sighed. “Intimidating.”
“To the boys?” he asked, and brought the glass to his lips. The red wine went down smoothly, but the aftertaste was complex and effervescent.
