His eyes held a roguish shimmer. “What do you think it means, then?”
I smiled. “Lux is an industry term. Well, in audio-visual, that is. It’s the luminance of light boxes or projectors. Ten-thousand lux is the equivalent of full daylight on a surface. Brilliant light.”
He grinned again. An appreciative one. “You catch on quick. Very few others get it—just my A-V guys.”
“Hmm.” I figured that was one more exclusionary element to this breathtaking venue. “Clever.”
He winked. My pulse shot through the roof.
We reached the mezzanine and he directed me through more intricately trimmed doors to a long terrace with the same railing as the stairway and outer fencing, rounded where a portion of the veranda jutted out in a
semicircle over the magnificent courtyard.
This particular spot was just the one to show off the vast grounds and striking outbuildings. I couldn’t even fathom how many acres the resort sat on. It was like we’d entered another world. A glittery, astounding one that boggled the mind. Disneyland wasn’t this magical. And, wouldn’t you know it? The clouds had thinned out for the remainder of the sunset and it was as awe inspiring as everything else surrounding us.
“What do you think?” Dane asked in a quiet voice.
“I think you’re a genius.”
He chuckled. I stared at him over my shoulder.
“I was hoping you’d like it.”
“What’s not to like?” I asked.
“Indeed.” His gaze turned smoldering and I knew he wasn’t talking about the resort. “You fit in here.”
Flames danced along my skin at his sensual look. My internal temperature soared, even though it was a balmy seventy degrees outside. He moved next to me and rested a forearm on the railing, casual and yet … so engaging. My eyes followed his graceful movements.
“I’m trying to be cool and not trip on these shoes as I take it all in,” I admitted.
“You’re doing just fine.”
“I’m used to thicker heels, mostly because they don’t get stuck in the grass like tent spikes during outdoor weddings and garden receptions.”
And there I went again … rambling.
“Doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. Though that dress is sensational. Interesting color choice.” He gave me a knowing look.
I flushed. “I happen to like green.”
“Hmm,” he said, using my own vague response. Apparently, he’d deduced why I’d chosen this particular garment. He stared awhile longer, an all-consuming gaze that sparked a peculiar yearning deep within me. Then he pushed away from the ledge and moved past me, pausing to lean in—close enough that his very essence surrounded me despite him not being too close—and said, “You’re stunning.” He strolled off.
I stood where I was, the yearning becoming a dull ache that pulsed erratically in my pussy, a radiant longing for something elusive. It was almost painful—because I liked how my body responded to Dane. Even though I knew I shouldn’t.
I turned and joined him at one of the pretty glass-top tables set for two. Candles were lit all around us. I heard for the first time the sultry sound of muted trumpets and the soul-stirring wail of a saxophone drifting on the night air. I couldn’t seem to notice anything beyond him when he stood next to me.
Dane held out a chair for me, then sat at the opposite side of the table. Another tuxedo-clad man appeared and gently placed a linen napkin in my lap and offered me champagne.
“That would be nice. Thank you.” He disappeared. I asked Dane, “Isn’t this a bit much, a bit unorthodox? I mean, for a job interview…?”
Though I supposed it wasn’t totally unconventional. I’d had plenty of dinners and lunches with prospective clients. We usually sealed the deal over dessert and espresso.
With his sigh-worthy grin, he said, “I like it when you’re all breathless and wide-eyed. I thought this place might do that to you.”
“You think it’s the hotel?”
His grin turned devilish. Something sexy and evocative flickered in his eyes. A shiver ran down my spine. I was perfectly aware I was playing with fire—and could easily get burned. But I couldn’t seem to help myself.