Checking Every Box

I nodded, taking a sip of blissfully rich, dark coffee. “Absolutely. Joel should be in by now. May I show you

to the conference room?”

“Certainly. Thank you.”

As we passed my desk, he picked up his briefcase again, and I led him to our conference room with a glorious view of other office towers and the water. “Thank you very much…” He paused. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

“Heather,” I said. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

He paused, looking into my eyes as if he were trying to read me. “I’m fine for now. Thank you very much, Heather.”

I went back to my desk, immediately filling in six across. Lust. That wasn’t something I had any experience with. But with my strange heart rate and twitching fingers, I was certainly feeling something new around Steve. I opened my laptop, quickly skimming the day’s tasks, then saw that Joel was rushing in. “Mr. Oxford is in the conference room for you,” I said quickly.

“Right, thanks.” My brother dropped his shoulder bag behind my chair, squared his shoulders, then strolled into the conference room.

“Steve, how are you?” I heard him say before he closed the door behind him.

As I began to make my daily to-do list, I was distracted from trying to eavesdrop. Even though I couldn’t make out the words, it sounded like the meeting was going well. That was sort of a disappointment. A naughty little part of me almost hoped that Joel wouldn’t find Steve the perfect place for a few weeks so that he’d be dropping in several more times.

CHAPTER TWO

* Steve *

I’d never met a woman who was so beautiful that I completely lost my focus. For years I had prided myself on being analytical, logical, and direct. It worked well when I was buying and selling companies, tearing apart and putting together different corporations, and reconfiguring various teams.

But that girl. That sweet, adorable young lady who shifted everything and made me feel like a new man. She seemed a bit flustered, maybe even timid. But she tried so hard to focus on the job at hand that I was impressed.

It was also impressive that she wore a very modest dress, her long blonde hair falling in gentle waves around her shoulders. She looked timeless, in a way that was positively endearing.

Even as Joel was showing me five different properties, scrolling through endless photos, I couldn’t help picturing Heather sitting on the sofa of the beautifully staged living rooms. Heather at the window looking out over the breathtaking view.

I’d never wanted a woman this much in my life, and it was a bit unnerving. As if a part of my mind had been lying dormant, and was just waking now. Yet I tried to push it aside just a little longer.

Joel had taken my criteria to heart, and we quickly narrowed the list down to two properties that fit the bill. “That’s wonderful,” he said brightly. “We could have one of our agents give you a tour of both places tomorrow.”

“I’d rather hoped that I could see them today,” I said. “I’d like to get things sorted so that I can get my move sorted.”

Joel looked uncomfortable. “I’m terribly sorry, Steve, but we only have two other agents at this brokerage. Everyone is completely booked up today.”

A tiny glimmer of hope flashed through me. “What about your assistant?” I asked. “Perhaps she could accompany me?”

Joel instantly shook his head. “She’s not an agent.”

“She won’t be acting as an agent,” I said quickly. “She’ll just be security, so to speak. I’m certain that you can’t give the keys to anyone but an employee of your brokerage. Heather would simply be escorting me while I complete a self-directed property tour. I can take note of any questions, and email you. If all goes well, we can close a deal by the end of the day.”

His eyes lit up at the thought of closing today. I knew that sales agents always had weekly targets, and if you wanted to get something done fast, a Friday afternoon was the time.

“Well,” he considered, “She would be able to call me with any questions as well. Sure, just this once.”

“Excellent,” I said, gathering the paperwork and finishing my coffee.

Joel went out to explain the situation to Heather, who seemed a bit wary of the idea. Although I couldn’t make out what she was saying, I guessed from her tone that she was focused on doing a good job, which was tricky when you didn’t have enough experience.

After giving them a few moments to chat, I came out to stand beside them at Heather’s desk. “Heather, I’m truly sorry to trouble you with this, but I’m one of those terribly pushy men who like to get things done in a hurry,” I smiled as warmly as possible.

She looked up at me from her chair, nervous, but nodding. “Okay.”

My pulse actually quickened from the thought of spending more time with this little sweetheart. Although I knew I should maintain my professional demeanor, I also knew that I’d be asking her out before the day was through.