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She blows out of breath. “You’re treating me like I’m Torin. I don’t need security right beside me the entire time.”
“Maybe not. But I’m also along to make sure you do what you agreed to. Which is good, considering you’re alreadynotdoing what you agreed to.”
She straightens. “I’m seeing James.”
“You’re having drinks instead of dinner. And his assistant is coming. Obviously, he now thinks this is a business meeting.”
“I want to talk to him about some of the labor projections we discussed when he was in Cara. He said he could hire almost a hundred workers at the research facility he’s proposing. I want to know if that’s a firm number now that he’s had time to think about it in more detail.”
I love how important Cara and its people are to her. It’s one of the most beautiful things about her. But it can’t be theonlything important to her.Sheneeds to be important to her.
It shouldn’t be this hard to convince someone to make themselves happy.
And she needs to stop reminding me that she’s intelligent and creative and dedicated and truly has the heart of a public servant. Because it’s already hard enough to not cross the room and press her against the wall when she’s wearing that damned dress.
“You can talk to him about that any other time,” I tell her.
“It will make conversation tonight easier,” she insists.
I blow out of breath. “I know you’re nervous. And of course, talking about things you have in common is a great idea. But you need to do it alone with him.”
“I can’t expect him to have specific numbers off the top of his head. That’s why he has an assistant.”
“So you don’t need specific numbers tonight. Talk to him in general. His assistant can forward things tomorrow.” I take a few steps closer to her. “Call him right now and tell him that Stacy can stay home.” Yes, I even know his assistant’s name.
Linnea swallows. “What if we have drinks and talk business tonight? It will be the first time seeing each other in a couple of months. Then, if I feel comfortable, we can make plans for dinner another night while I’m here.”
I give her a small smile. And shake my head. “I realize that you’re used to negotiating with people and getting your way. But you forget, I’m used to Torin. He tries to negotiate and get his way all the time. I’m immune.”
“You’re immune to good ideas and compromise?”
“I’m immune to giving in when my ideas are better.”
She sighs.
I take another step closer. “Besides, you’re in the green dress. This is a dinner date dress.”
“I wore this in October,” she reminds me. “To a reception that was social, but also business.Nota dinner date.”
“And you about gave a dozen men a heart attack and caused the staff to have to clean up several puddles of drool.”
She smiles. “No, I didn’t.”
“Practically.”
“Maybe it’s just you that likes this dress.”
“I like this dressa lot,” I confess. “But I’m definitely not the only one. I was watching. And, though I find it hard to look away from you, I do notice other people in the room with you.”
She blushes lightly and I so badly want to cup her cheek. I clench my hand instead.
“I could change,” she offers.
I take the final step. I know exactly what to do. I have a great idea about how to convince her that she wants to go on the date. Or rather, remind her. The only problem is it’s going to be hard on me. But that’s the job. Making sacrifices to be sure that my protectee is safe and happy and that things go according to plan.
I lift my hand and cup the back of her neck. With her hair up, her neck is bare and her skin is silky and warm. I trace my thumb up and down the side of her throat, loving the way she catches her breath, and her eyes fall to my lips.
I draw her closer. I put my mouth against her temple.