“This isn’t a date.”
“Of course not. You know I don’t date employees.” Nigel quirked a brow. “Did I imply it was?”
“Actually, yes.”
He laughed and shrugged. “I like your company, both professionally and personally. You’re not immune to all of this, either.”
There went those nerves again. And when he’d toyed with the ends of her hair? Revved up all of her sexual urges with the simplest of ways. Still, he didn’t get involved with his staff, or so he kept saying, and she couldn’t throw away her virginity on a man she was lying to and essentially using.
Except, she wanted to. Mercy how she wanted to.
She was so out of her league here. The flirting, the charm... She was a complete innocent in every sense of the word.
“Dating would certainly complicate things,” she finally stated. “I mean, I’m only working for you temporarily and for all you know I have a boyfriend back in Texas.”
Nigel reached for her hand, stroked his thumb along the top of her knuckles, and stared directly into her eyes so intently that she’d swear he could see into her soul.
Oh, boy. He may keep saying he didn’t date employees, but he hadn’t said anything about making said employees ache with desire.
“If you have a man in Texas, then he’s a fool for letting you come here alone.”
Oh, that low British accent had her toes curling in her Ferragamo pumps. There went that belly flutter again.
“Do you hit on all of your employees?” she asked.
“I’ve never made a pass at any woman I worked with,” he explained. “I’ve never wanted to.”
Until now.
The words hovered between them and she wished she could ignore the blaring bells and red flags waving in her mind. If this were another time, another place, if she could show him her true identity and start over, then maybe this attraction could lead to something more.
But the harsh reality was she was only here to take down her ex-step-monster. She’d gone to drastic measures to do so and she couldn’t get sidetracked now—not when she’d promised her brothers. And besides, how could they build anything real between them now? She couldn’t keep up the facade forever, and the more deeply they got involved, the more betrayed he’d feel when he learned she’d been lying to him all along.
“I have to attend the CBN Awards Ceremony on Friday. I was going to go alone because it’s not a big deal and I know this is last minute but...” That thumb continued to stroke her hand and he eased just a touch closer. “Join me.”
“Nigel, I—”
“I’ll send my personal stylist to your office tomorrow morning,” he went on. “Choose anything you want and I’ll make sure hair and makeup are informed you’ll need their services. They’ll come to you, so don’t worry about that.”
Was she living in some warped version of Pretty Woman? Turning into someone she wasn’t and getting a makeover to go out and be draped on the arm of the hottest man she’d ever met?
If her brothers had any idea Nigel Townshend was hitting on her, or the way he kept looking at her and touching her, they’d have had her on the jet back to Texas before she could even say Pretty Woman.
“I’m not sure how it would look—my going to an awards show with you,” she replied. “Especially since I’m new and we just started working more closely together.”
Not to mention the fact if the cast of Secret Lives was there, Miranda would recognize her right off the bat. Glasses and blond hair would only cover so much.
“Won’t you want to go with the ladies from the show?” she asked. “You know, like a united front?”
“This isn’t a ceremony for them,” he replied. “It’s for directors, producers, creators. It’s a small affair, but I’m expected to attend.”
Miranda wouldn’t be in attendance? He was offering up a free dress, hair, and makeup, and a night of schmoozing?
Beyond all of that, Sophie had never felt such a pull, such an instant bond to another
man. How could she just ignore all of that? Yes, this was the worst possible timing considering the circumstances, but she was in the thick of things now, so...
Sophie smiled. “I’d love to go.”