Page 14 of Kiss and Tell

“Come on,” he cajoled. “If we’re going to work together, we should both get to know each other, like you said.”

I supposed it wouldn’t hurt to reciprocate.

“My favorite food is tea and my favorite color is red,” I told him.

“I don’t think tea counts as a food,” he said, parroting my earlier words.

“I put it in my mouth,” I said. “That counts as a food.”

A slow, wicked smile crossed his lips.

“There’s a lot of things you could put in your mouth that's not food,” he said.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“You really can’t help yourself, can you?” I asked.

“With what?” he said.

“You know exactly what. All those innuendos.”

“I would never,” he said. “After all, I’m your client. I’m supposed to keep things professional. That’s what you said, isn’t it? Although…” He took a step closer, crowding me, making me back up until I was pressed against the pool table. “There’s nothing that says I can’t make a move when the job is done.”

Even in my heels, he was tall enough I had to tip my head back to meet his eyes. That dark gaze was intent on mine, his eyes glinting with a hint of heat and humor. My heartbeat sped up.

“Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing right now?” I asked.

“This?” He pressed his palms down on the pool table on either side of me, trapping me between his arms. He leaned down, his face getting closer to mine. My breath hitched. My lips parted unconsciously.

“When I make my move, you’ll know it,” he said.

Connor straightened his back, easing up and letting me out of the circle of his arms. I slumped back against the table.

He picked up a pool cue and examined it.

“How about a game of pool?” he asked, as if he hadn’t just turned my knees weak.

This guy certainly knew how to charm and entice. If I didn’t watch myself, I was going to end up falling under his spell, no doubt like a hundred other girls before me.

I refused to let that happen.

“I’ve got enough to go on for now,” I told him. “I’ll head back to my office and put together some ideas for you before our next meeting.”

The disappointed look on his face might have been flattering if I thought he actually meant it. I imagined he’d forget about me the moment I left. He’d probably go out and pick up a woman tonight without a second thought.

After all, wasn’t that exactly what he’d said? He was all about drinking, partying and women. I’d sensed that from the very first moment I’d met him.

Then why did a pang of sadness hit my chest at the thought?

Five

Colors and shapesswam before my eyes as I stared at my vision board, trying to piece together a coherent design. The cork board in my office was where I pinned up ideas, paint swatches, cuttings from magazines and printouts from online. It was where I took all my thoughts and feelings about a piece of client work and laid it out in one spot.

I stood a few feet back from the board, examining it with a critical eye. None of the elements were coming together. Usually after my first meeting with a client I had something to go on, but this one was different.

Connor wanted a place that was cool and unique, but not anything pretentious or gimmicky.

He wanted a place that felt like home.