‘Why not!’ she said, the insane devil on her shoulder popping up at just the wrong time to take over her decision making.
Someone slapped her good naturedly on the shoulder and a glass was placed in her hand. Before she could bring it to her lips Lukas reached them and a cheer went up as everyone greeted the top. Over the weeks Eleanore had seen the admiration the men held for Lukas and it wasn’t just because he was a generous boss. They respected his fairness and easy authority when it came to solving issues.
Contemplating the glass in her hand instead of the man in front of her, Eleanore blinked with surprise when Lukas reached out and removed it. ‘One coughing fit is probably enough for one night. Don’t you think?’
He smiled and Eleanore ignored the lift in her heart at the sight. So he was still the best-looking man she had ever seen. What did that mean anyway? It meant... She had no idea what it meant other than the fact that she had missed him. Missed him teasing her and challenging her and kissing her. Missed his sharp intellect. Not that she’d tell him that. No, she would be professional and polite because if there had been no point in encouraging the attraction between them two weeks ago there was even less when she was due to leave in two days’ time. ‘You took my drink.’
‘You didn’t really want it.’
‘How would you know that?’
His mouth quirked at the corner. ‘You crinkled your nose when you looked at it.’ Eleanore’s eyebrow rose and the quirk turned into a smile. ‘You do that when you’re not happy with something.’
‘I do?’
‘Da, listen.’ He seemed slightly flustered and Eleanore couldn’t remember seeing him like that before. ‘Do you want a beer, a wine instead?’
Eleanore shook her head. ‘Nothing. I...we weren’t expecting you back until tomorrow.’
He leant his arm casually on the bar, as if he had nothing he’d rather be doing than talking to her. ‘Change of plans. I wanted to congratulate everyone tonight since most of the men won’t be around tomorrow.’
‘Oh, right.’ Of course his being at the bar had nothing to do with her, she knew that. And why would she even think that it had? ‘How was London and Germany and Sweden?’ she asked brightly.
‘Switzerland.’
‘Right. Switzerland.’
‘Boring.’
‘Oh.’
‘How was it here?’
‘Great.’ It occurred to her that she was trying too hard to appear normal but she kept the cheery smile on her face regardless.
‘I haven’t stopped at the hotel yet but...you pulled it off. Well done.’
Eleanore felt a puff of pride inflate her chest. ‘I told you I would.’
‘Yes, you did.’
Her smile relaxed into a genuine curve and Lukas felt a possessive tug inside his chest. He should never have walked away from her that night. Why had he? It seemed a lifetime ago and he couldn’t remember what had put him off. Certainly not her, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. And really there was only one thing to do about the chemistry between them and walking away from it wasn’t the answer. She flicked her gaze from his to encompass the room and he wondered if the hunger that had him strung tight was too intense for her. He took a deep breath and pulled himself back when all he wanted to do was grab her by the hand and drag her somewhere private. ‘So, have you decided when you’re heading back to New York?’
She nodded. ‘Sunday night. Isabelle is due to fly in tomorrow for the opening night party and then I thought I’d show her around the following day before we leave.’
‘Any news of your promotion?’
Oh, God, this was torture, Eleanore thought. She hadn’t expected him to show up like this and she couldn’t seem to get her balance. She felt like a rat scrambling on a wheel thingy, running full pelt but getting nowhere. And her heart...it wouldn’t stop beating a mile a minute. She felt so strung out she was getting a headache. How was it even possible to be so aware of one man in a room full of many? And what had he just asked her about? Oh, her promotion.
‘Isabelle said she was going to talk to me tomorrow night. I’m quietly confident.’
‘I’m sure once she sees the hotel she’ll be impressed.’
‘That’s the general idea.’ It had also been the general idea at Glaciers, she thought, only now realising how tense she was that her sister might not show up tomorrow night. ‘Well...’ She let out an exaggerated sigh. ‘I think I’ll call it a night.’