She’d thought she couldn’t get any redder, but she was wrong. “Maybe you should wait in the other room while I finish getting ready.”
“But this is so interesting,” he protested with a grin.
“If you keep distracting me, I won’t be ready on time.”
Grumbling, he tromped off to the living area. When she emerged, he was standing by the bookshelves holding a photograph. “I guess this is Tom with you and the girls?”
“Yes, it’s one of the last ones we took together as a family before… before we lost him.”
“I can see him in the girls, especially Charlie. I thought they looked just like you, but now I can see where they get some of their features from him.” He placed the photo back on the shelf and offered his elbow. “But both your girls are beautiful… like their mother.”
“Thanks,” she muttered. She knew he was only being polite, but his flattery only made it that much harder to remember they were nothing but friends.
She slid her hand into the crook of his arm, reveling in his clean, manly scent as they made their way down to the elevator.
“You have a lot of family photos,” said Steven. “I guess family means a lot to you. I just wondered… why did you decide to apply for a job in New York and leave your family behind?”
She studied her shoes. “I guess maybe boredom. Or dissatisfaction. Feeling like I’d lost my purpose with the girls gone. Wondering if there wasn’t something else out there… But to be honest, I never dreamed I’d actually get the job. It was just a lark. A chance to go to New York.”
She challenged him, “So now, you tell me. Why did you hire me?”
“Same reasons. Boredom. Dissatisfaction.” His dimples grew deep. “Or maybe because I enjoy a challenge, and I hadn’t had one in quite a while.”
“So I was a challenge?”
“Absolutely. I had to treat you like a skittish wild animal, draw you in, earn your trust. And just when I think I’ve got you all figured out—tamed the wild animal—you do something I don’t expect. You’re hard to control, that’s for sure.”
“Maybe that’s because I don’t care to be controlled,” she said.
“No doubt… thus, the challenge.” He softened his teasing words with a grin. “Surely you know I’m not serious. No one who’s spent any time around you would think you could be controlled.”
They traveled through the lobby and out to Steven's waiting car.
“I thought the Kleins were picking me up.”
“I called and told them we’d meet them there.”
“Mr. Gherring? About tonight… Have you told Ellen? I mean I don’t want her to think it means anything—us going to the jazz show with the Kleins. Because we know it doesn’t mean anything, but she might not know.”
“Ms. Best, I’ll deal with Ellen Dean as I see fit. If she’s the kind of woman who gets jealous over something like this, we won’t last long.”
“Okay… sorry.” They sat in uncomfortable silence for a while. She wondered if Steven had compared her to Ellen? She was young and beautiful. Exotic even. She wouldn’t have been stiff and afraid when Steven kissed her. She would have responded with passion, like any other normal red-blooded woman.
“Perhaps,” said Steven, “now would be a good time to discuss some of the things that have happened between us…. like last night. Or that kiss on Sunday night.”
“Nope! Not a good time,” Anne said, keeping her voice light. When is a good time to feel mortified? “Maybe tomorrow, maybe never…” she said, between breaths.
Steven watched her with wide eyes, but made no further comment before they arrived.
The show was great and Anne was enchanted with every moment. They sat near the stage, so there was little conversation. But Anne was too enthralled watching the musicians to notice anything else. The saxophone player sauntered over to the table and played while looking directly at Anne during one of his sexy solos, much to her embarrassment. After the song, Anne clapped and cheered and let out one of her wolf whistles for his benefit. Steven ordered drinks and appetizers, with water for Anne. But she barely sipped on anything and the fried calamari looked too greasy for her tender stomach.
When the show was over, Johanna wanted to grab a late dinner so they could talk. Anne started to respond she was too tired and had to be at work early, but Steven usurped her authority.
“I think that’s an excellent idea. But we need something very light. What sounds good to you, Anne?”
“Nothing really. I’m not very hungry.”
“Which is interesting since you haven’t eaten all day. And this from the girl who won’t let me skip lunch anymore.”