Instead, I throw myself into work.
My first priority is getting the Henderson account figured out. It takes two very, very long days to find an architect who will fit their vision and has availability. Grace Ramsey. She’s up-and-coming in the field and hungry to make her name. With the connections the Hendersons have, it could mean a lot of steady work for her. Convincing them to give her a shot takes another two days and countless phone calls while I patiently explain that Jonas is not available and I have the utmost faith that my pick will meet all their needs. On Friday, I get them all into a room together, and she works her magic. By the end of the meeting, they are convinced Grace walks on water and have completely forgotten than Jonas exists.
I wish I could forget him as easily.
I think about him so much, when he actually walks through my office door late Friday afternoon, I’m sure I’m hallucinating him. I stare blankly as Jonas knocks on the doorframe. “Can I come in?”
He looks good. Really good. He’s wearing jeans and one of those knitted fisherman’s sweaters that I eyed in his closet less than a week ago. I blink, but he doesn’t disappear. “Are you actually here?”
“Yeah.” His lips curve. “I’m actually here.”
I can’t move. It’s like my body has turned into a statue and fused me to my office chair. “If you changed your mind about the Henderson account, it’s too late. I already found them an architect.”
At that, he gives me a real smile. “I knew you would.”
I have no business letting his words warm me straight through. Not when I still don’t understand what’s going on. “But… Why are you here?”
“Can I come in?” he asks again.
“Yes.” I motion him forward. “Shut the door, please.” Most everyone in the office has already gone home, but there’s no reason to risk having whatever this is get brought into office gossip. Not when I don’t understand why Jonas is here.
He shuts the door and leans against it, making no move to approach. “I spent this week thinking.”
“Okay.” It’s like all my nerves spring to life at once and suddenly I can’t sit still. I push to my feet. “What’s that have to do with me?”
“I had a good time last weekend.” He’s watching me closely. “I think you did, too.”
My face feels like it’s on fire, but I manage a droll response. “I can’t imagine what gave you that idea? It’s not like I lost count of how many orgasms you gave me or anything.”
He pushes off the door and takes a step toward me. “It was more than just fucking. There’s a connection there.”
“A connection.” So he felt it, too. I swallow hard. “What are you saying?”
“I’m fucking this up.” He drags a hand over his face and gives a rough laugh. “Let me try again.” Jonas holds my gaze. “I like you a whole hell of a lot, Blake. Not just the sex, though I like that a whole hell of a lot, too.”
Holy shit, this is happening. “I like you, too,” I whisper.
Some of the tension in his shoulders disappears. “I would like a chance to take you out on a real date.” Jonas hesitates. “Not just a single date. I want to date you. To give this thing between us a chance to figure itself out.”
“You live in Washington.”
He shrugs. “I have a house down here. I’ve just been up there the last couple years because I like the quiet. I can do my work anywhere.”
He’s saying all the right things. I’m afraid to hope that this is real. “You’re my father’s best friend.”
“There’s that.” He nods. “When we’re ready, we’ll sit down and explain the situation to him.”
My head is spinning. “The situation.”
“Yeah.” Jonas takes another step toward me. “You see, I’m falling for you, baby girl. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy to figure this out. But if you’re game, I want to try.”
My heart feels like it’s attempting to beat out of my chest. I laugh, the sound hoarse. “Is that a trick question?”
“Not even a little bit.”
I’m already moving, closing the distance between us. “Yes. Yes, I want to try.” I throw myself into his arms and kiss him. Even though it’s only been a week, desperation claws through me. “I need you, Daddy.”
Jonas doesn’t argue. He just reaches behind him to lock my office door and then his mouth is on mine. We stumble back toward my desk, and he has the presence of mind to guide us around it. Our hands are everywhere. Mine shoving under his sweater. His cupping my breasts, lightly pinching my nipples to attention. He pushes me down into the office chair and shoves up my dress to my waist. The way he stares at my black lace panties is how a starving man looks at a banquet laid out in his honor.