“White, please. And nice dodge.”
Nigel merely smiled with a wink as he got the waiter’s attention and ordered drinks. Once they were alone again, he shifted toward her.
“Craig tells me you’ve been busy all day. I believe the words he used were huddled over your computer and muttering to the keyboard.”
Roslyn smiled and tipped her head. “I may have been working on a few things.”
“Such as?”
She turned and reached inside her bag and procured a folder. “I was hoping you’d ask. I went ahead and came up with some possible scenarios for some upcoming segments. Just a few things that would entice viewers to keep tuning in and expand your base.”
Intrigued, and more than turned on at her work ethic and passion, Nigel eased closer. He wanted to get a look at what she’d brought, but he’d be lying if he claimed he didn’t want to just get closer, to inhale that sexy floral scent that permeated from her. For such a country girl, she seemed to blend right in with this city life. She worked hard, hustled harder and had class, beauty and brains that just begged for anyone around her to notice.
Why was he torturing himself? Why didn’t he just find another woman to spend time with...and one that would guarantee a satisfying ending to the evening?
Because none of the women he knew fascinated him like Roslyn Andrews.
Nigel listened to her talk, watched as she flipped from one graph to the next and even discussed pulling in a few celebrity appearances, perhaps at a cocktail party hosted by one of the ladies.
“Because if they hype up the event on their social media, you will instantly expand your viewer base,” she finished.
Nigel extended his arm along the back of the booth. “Impressive.”
Her smile beamed and her eyes sparkled. “I really think the solution to your problem is simple, but it will require a little grunt work.”
Story of his life. He’d never met anyone who worked harder than him...until now. But her ideas and ingenuity were the exact match he needed not only to keep his show afloat but to rise higher than ever in the rankings.
“Let’s take a break,” he told her. “I skipped lunch and I’m hungry enough to order one of everything.”
Roslyn laughed. “I’m not sure I’m that hungry, but I’d love an appetizer or bread to go with this wine.”
They ordered and once they were alone again, Nigel wanted to dive into more about her personal life. There was a need to learn everything about her, which he couldn’t explain, and wasn’t even going to try. It had been a long time since a woman intrigued him like Roslyn. Everyone in the office who had met her so far had been just as fascinated and impressed by her work ethic and her drive... Her sweet Southern accent also went a long way in charming some of the men.
Nigel didn’t like it, but he couldn’t blame them. Roslyn was the complete package.
“So, you came to the city because you wanted a change after your father’s passing,” he began. “Are you enjoying the lifestyle here? Other than the traffic, that is.”
“It’s definitely an adjustment. I’m not sure I’d ever get used to all the chaos. Texas is a big state and I’m used to land and green grass with sunny blue skies.” She hesitated before tipping her head and leveling his gaze. “Where are you from originally?”
She wanted to turn the tables? Fine by him. He didn’t mind sharing his backstory, especially if that meant she was just as interested in him as he was in her. Maybe that was his ego talking, but he didn’t miss the way she looked at him. He’d been hit on and charmed by many women—a man in his powerful position was prone to such things. Roslyn wasn’t trying to seduce him with her pretty words or sexy clothes...yet she did all the same.
Everything about her turned him on and the differences between them kept tugging at
him to uncover more. Because the more he found how different they were, the more he realized how much they complimented each other.
“My family is back in Cumbria, England,” he told her. “Beautiful countryside and I love it when I’m there, but I also love the city. No reason I can’t have the best of both worlds. I understand the appeal of vast land with green as far as the eye can see. That sounds like where I grew up.”
“I bet you have horses,” she guessed, curling her fingers around the stem of her wine glass. Yet, she never took her eyes off him as she smiled.
“We do,” he replied. “It’s something my grandmother and I always shared a passion in. When I go home, we always have a date at the stables.”
“You’ve mentioned your grandmother before. I take it you two are close.”
Roslyn shifted in her seat, causing the strands of her hair to brush against his hand behind her back. He couldn’t resist sliding the ends between his fingers, his eyes darting to the golden strands.
“Your hair is so damn soft,” he muttered before he could stop himself.
“Your grandmother.”