I can’t tell if he’s intentionally making a military reference or not. I’m well aware all three of the partners here are decorated veterans. Some incident in the jungle I didn’t have time to research.
“I’m not sure that theory will work for me.” I already stick out, being the only female besides Sandra.
I almost jump a foot in the air when I round the corner to find Patton waiting in the corridor with a frown. “Glad you decided to join us.”
My heart was flying from the fright, but now it’s swooning from how hot he looks. I think he must be getting me back, because the white dress shirt he’s wearing is thin enough that I can see his wife beater under it. I can also see more of the tattoo on his arm from the way his sleeves are rolled to his elbows. I see a band with semper fi on it in thick, chunky lettering.
He catches me looking and shoves his sleeves down, buttoning them at the wrists. He’s so close, I can smell the crisp blend of soap and citrus hanging around him.
“In this meeting, you only translate. Nothing more.” His deep voice sends heat filtering from my chest down into my stomach. “The deal is made. We’re just finalizing it in person. It’s essentially a Skype handshake.”
Blinking up, I meet his dark eyes, and it’s like a flash of electricity. His brow quirks, and he clears his throat, looking away.
For a moment, I’m confused. Did he just pull away from me?
I’m sure I imagined it.
“I should stick to the script.” Like a good little girl. I don’t say it, but he cuts me a look.
For the span of a heartbeat, I feel something move between us. It’s almost like he wants to say something, but he changes his mind. He turns and walks to the conference room, and without his blazer on, I get my first glimpse of his butt. Holy shit. Tight, square, perfect.
I’m melting into a hot puddle until he calls back loud enough for everyone to hear. “Ditch the cardigan. You’re not eighty.”
It’s like a splash of cold water on my lust party. I jump back, looking down at my sweater and frowning. I’m not even wearing it, and when I am, I do not look eighty.
Turning, I see Sandra watching me with one eyebrow cocked. “You okay?”
“Sure… I’m great. I was just trying to figure out what to do with this.” I start to hold out my sweater, but I don’t want her to think I care if he hates it. “My notes… I guess I should stop by my office. I can drop this off while I’m in there. It’s not really that chilly in here. You never know, though.” Jesus, stop talking, Rocky!
I hate how I talk too much when I’m nervous. Or flustered. Or completely intimidated by the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.
A smile curls her lips, and she nods. “You’d better get going.”
My face is burning hot as I hustle to catch up to Patton, who’s already in the conference room and logging onto the website. I’m supposed to be impressing him, not fumbling around like an amateur.
“What took you so long?” He’s back to gruff annoyance, which of course, makes me want to fire back.
“You’ve only been in here ten seconds.”
He turns on his heel, and his brown eyes are hot when they hit mine. “Don’t start with that smart mouth in front of these guys. They’re used to women knowing their place.”
“Is it a philosophy you agree with?” I blink at him innocently, sarcastically.
His lips press into a straight line, and he turns to the screen. “It’s possible they’re onto something… when it comes to certain women.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Certain women?”
He cuts me off. “Follow my lead. We can’t afford any fuck ups at this point.”
“It’s what I planned to do.” I’m irritated with him now. “So their email said they’d like to conduct the meeting in French.”
He pulls on a light brown blazer, pulling his cuffs down with a huff. “If they speak French, they speak English.”
“I’m sure they speak English, but they want to speak French.”
“Makes everything take twice as long as it should. An annoying power move.”
He’s grumbling, and I’m about to point out how being fluent in other languages makes us unique and more appealing to international companies when the enormous monitor flickers to life. A white room with a large window appears, and three men in gray suits sit side by side behind a long table facing us like we’re in court.