The Love Game

“I insist you take the rest of the afternoon off.” Foster looked at Xavier, Donovan and Tyler. “In fact, everyone go home. Our associates have the afternoon off. The rest of us should, too.”

Donovan turned to Xavier. “Let’s go before he changes his mind.”

“I’m waiting for you.” Xavier pulled his car keys from his pocket as he led the way to the parking garage.

Foster offered Kayla his arm. “I’ll take you home.”

Kayla cocked her head. “I hope so since you drove me here.”

Tyler turned to Iris. “That leaves us. Should I take you to the office?”

Iris shook her head. “I can work from home.”

“Then I’ll take you home.” Tyler adjusted his stride to hers as they left the center’s ballroom.

He wanted to offer her his arm the way his father had offered his arm to Kayla. But he’d been on shaky ground with her since the night she’d helped him with his speech. He watched her in his peripheral vision. Did she ever recall that night? Probably not. The realization bothered him. While she seemed unaffected by their intimacy, his palm still burned with the phantom feel of soft lace and warm woman.

* * *

Minutes later, Iris watched Tyler pay the parking attendant before merging his silver Honda Accord with the rest of the traffic on Front Street. When he’d picked her up from her town house that morning, Tyler had been anxious and preoccupied. Now that the launch had been a success, she’d expected the atmosphere in the four-door sedan to be more relaxed. Instead, Tyler seemed to be brooding. Was he worried about the external launch?

Iris waited until Tyler had pulled up to a red traffic light. “We’ll send the wrap-up email Monday morning, then turn our complete attention to the external campaign.”

If anything, Tyler’s expression became grimmer. “I still don’t think I’m the right person to do the media interviews or attend the industry conference.”

“Foster’s convinced you are.” Iris’s left palm itched to cup his strong jaw. The memory of his mouth moving on her skin made her body burn. She tore her eyes from his profile and stared through the windshield. “We have a late flight to San Diego for the electronic games conference in June.”

“I’ll drive us to the airport and leave my car in the lot.” The light turned green. Tyler eased into the intersection.

“Thank you.” Iris watched pedestrians hurrying down Broad Street. Their hands were buried deep in their coats and their bodies were bent against the wind. It was late afternoon in early May but the air still had a bite.

Although Foster had insisted they take the rest of the afternoon off, Iris spent their commute discussing media interviews and goals for the industry conference. Tyler’s contributions consisted of short answers and toneless hmms. Thirty minutes later, Tyler pulled onto her driveway and parked in front of her garage. He turned off the engine and released his seat belt.

“Thank you for driving me home.” Iris looked at him warily. This morning, he’d circled his sedan to hold the passenger door for her. This afternoon, he just sat there.

“You’re welcome.”

“Congratulations again on the successful internal launch.” Iris unbuckled her seat belt, preparing to climb from his car. “I’ll see you Monday.”

“It’s been a month.” Tyler’s ebony eyes held her in place. “Do you ever even think about it?”

Her lips parted. “The kiss?”

Tyler’s gaze lowered briefly to her breasts before returning to her eyes. “It was more than a kiss.”

An electric current arced between them. She couldn’t be the only one who felt it. It was a very different type of tension from the one that had plagued them that morning.

“Yes, I’ve thought about it.” I’ve thought about that night and the way you made me feel more than I should.

“Right now, I really wish I wasn’t your client.” Tyler glared at her garage door through the windshield.

“But you are.”

“Why does that mean that I can’t touch you? Or taste you?”

Iris fought the sensual assault of his words. “I don’t have personal relationships with clients.”

Tyler gave her a heated look. “Is that all I am to you, a client?”