Craving You

“I’d better get downstairs. I don’t want Chip waiting for me. He’ll have to double-park as it is.”

“Give me the full scoop when you get back.”

“Absolutely. Wish me tons and tons of luck, please.”

“Goes without saying.”

She flashed another smile, then collected her keys, followed him out of her office and locked the door. She walked briskly to the elevator, too excited to even feign calm. Her hand shook as she reached for the lobby button on the panel. The doors slid closed and L.L. caught sight of her optimistic grin in the shiny chrome before her.

She had an amazing feeling about all of this. And couldn’t wait to share her good fortune with Tague.

Which, conversely, made her exhilaration dim ever so slightly. She really didn’t need to be so eager beaver with him. What was that all about, anyway? How had they gone from pseudo-date for a firm party to exclusive…whatever they currently were? Not lovers. Not significant others. What the hell were they that they’d both consented, easily and almost instantaneously, to date only each other?

Not that she minded… Hell, no. She was already all kinds of crazy about him. Jace had hit the nail on the head when he’d warned her that women fell hard and fast for Tague. But what he’d said about Tague being upfront with them when it came to not wanting to get seriously involved… Somehow, that didn’t apply to her. Because their involvement had quickly become more than just Friday’s impending dinner.

That realization brought on a hint of nerves. She decided another conversation with Meg was in order. Her sensible friend would talk her down from any ledges. Totally necessary at the moment.

In the meantime, she left the elevator at the ground floor, crossed the vast lobby and hit the sidewalk. She immediately spotted Chip’s shiny red sports car. Carefully navigating the lightly snow-covered concrete, she made her way to the flashy Aston Martin Zagato and climbed inside.

“You sure this car can handle inclement weather?” she asked as she shook flakes from her scarf.

“These tires stick to the road no matter how slick.” He eased into first and fell into place with the rest of the crawling traffic.

L.L. practically bounced in her seat. “So, you’ve seen the building. How awesome is it?”

“You’re going to be very happy, I assure you. There’s even a view of Hudson River from the second-floor loft, which will make for excellent office space, by the way.”

She felt the tinge of regret over leaving Kensington & Marks. It was nice to work in such close proximity to other designers and, of course, Jace.

Plus, she liked that Tague’s office was just down the street. In her new location, they wouldn’t be able to squeeze in spontaneous coffee hookups. Or a quick rendezvous here and there.

Attempting not to think of him, she told Chip, “Max and Len will meet us at the address you gave. They’re really excited.”

“I am, too. I’ve kept my ear to the ground this past year, hoping like hell to come across something that would work for you.”

“I know. And I greatly appreciate it—all the time you’ve invested. Meg and Jace put out feelers, too, though mostly, they just wanted to lend me the money to find something perfect regardless of cost.”

“You’ll breathe easier knowing you’ve got sufficient capital in the bank, without having to pay rent and a loan.”

“Agreed,” she said with relief in her tone. “Although, trying to explain that to Meg when what she truly wants is to donate a building to the cause, has been no easy feat.”

Chip laughed. “She just wants you to be successful—and happy.”

“And I’m putting every effort into achieving both.”

He was quiet as he wove through traffic to avoid double-parked cars and delivery trucks. Then said, “I noticed a little extra pep in your step earlier. Is that because of this new location we’re scoping out, or…?”

18

She shot him a curious look behind her aviators. “Tague?”

Chip grinned. “I’m glad the two of you sparked.”

“Same goes for you and Helena.”

“I’m taking her to the firm dinner tomorrow night. We’re not mentioning the foot fetish.”

“Duly noted.”