The Favor

It wasn’t long before our food arrived. We talked as we ate. He didn’t touch me, but he really didn’t need to. Not when he was so wholly focused on me, like every sentence that came out of my mouth was a nugget of pure wisdom.

His gaze occasionally dropped to my lips as I talked, but then it would lock with mine again, alive with an electric intensity that almost took my breath away.

Sometimes his eyes would drift to my hair, as if fascinated by it. I could genuinely believe he wanted nothing more than to reach out and stroke it.

Honestly, I was getting a little hot under the collar. I knew none of this was real. I knew his attraction to me was faked. But my body didn’t care about that. It was tipsy just from the intoxicating, sexual buzz in the air.

I found myself wondering … would a girl get a lazy, controlled seduction from Dane? Or would he allow himself to lose that control he clung to and then boldly take what he wanted? Both were questions for the ages.

Having finished my meal, I took a calming sip of my wine. I could feel the weight of many curious eyes. “I didn’t think people would pay us much notice. We’ve eaten together before.”

“At business lunches or dinners. Never alone.”

“You don’t date, so people might not automatically assume that that’s what this is.”

He gave me a look that questioned my intelligence. “They’re looking at you in that fuck-me dress and they know for sure it’s a date.”

I felt my brow crease. “This is not a fuck-me dress.”

He leaned forward. “No man who sees you in that is going to think about anything other than having you beneath him all night long. So yes, Vienna, it’s a fuck-me dress.”

I almost asked if he was including himself in that, but I knew it wouldn’t be wise. It was important not to allow any lines to be blurred. “Whatever. If it helps us with our pretense, all the better.” Deciding to play up to our audience, I reached over and stroked my finger along his watch, grazing his wrist slightly. “What time is it?”

He drank the last of his wine. “Almost time to leave.”

He settled the bill, shooting me a glare when I offered to go halves with him on it. Like I was attempting to unman him or something.

I rose from the table and skirted around it. On his feet, he cupped my elbow and urged me to pass him. The featherlight graze of his lips over my temple made my pulse jump.

Again, he kept his hand on my lower back as he guided me across the large space. The feel of his warm fingers on my bare skin was a tease all by itself—my flesh was super-sensitive from the sexual buzz I couldn’t quite shake off.

Noticing a familiar figure exit the restrooms, I almost groaned. “Hope’s here,” I whispered to him.

Travis’s wife was beautiful. She had flawless skin, sleek black hair, a curvy figure, and a sweet face that was in total contrast to her personality. She was one of those people who’d never worked a day in their life yet looked down on anyone who didn’t have a job that earned them six figures a year.

She smiled at Dane. But that smile dimmed when she caught sight of me. To Hope, assistants of any kind were inferior. “What a surprise,” she said to Dane. “Travis has been trying to reach you for days. You didn’t return his calls.”

“I did,” he told her. “He just didn’t answer. I don’t have the time to chase him. Is he with you?”

“No, I’m here with friends. You know, it’s quite sad that you’d have a business dinner on a Saturday night. You never do anything but work. You should really try getting a life.”

“I like the one I have.”

Her eyes slid to me, and her lips thinned. “Hello, Vivienne.”

I almost rolled my eyes. She knew damn well what my name was.

“If you’re aiming to seduce my brother-in-law by dressing like that, it won’t work. He never mixes business with pleasure.”

“I appreciate the warning,” I said.

“We’re leaving now,” said Dane as he skimmed his fingertips down my inner arm and then smoothly took my hand in his. “Enjoy your meal, Hope.” With that, he gently pulled me toward the door. I could feel her watching us, and I knew she was probably getting a good look at us holding hands, but I didn’t turn around.

Reaching the exit, Dane pushed open the glass door and guided me to the waiting car outside. I could only assume he’d texted Sam to pick us up.

Inside the car, I waited for Dane to put the privacy screen up before I asked, “Do you think Hope suspects we were on a date?”