“Alright then. Take us to the Roundhouse.”

“Yes sir.”

The driver pulls off and I slouch back against the seat. Shit isn’t going as planned. I have a lot of work to get back to at the office. I run my palms across my damp pants, slowly exhaling.

“Hey,” Angelina calls, grabbing my attention yet again. “Don’t worry.” She rubs my thigh. I don’t know if she can tell, but she’s a little too close to my dick, not that I am against it. I’m now pulsing in my slacks. “One night won’t kill anyone. Better to be safe than sorry, right?”

“I just wanted to get you home. I know that’s where you want to be.”

She laughs. It’s cute and sweet how she drops her head and blushes when I say something.

Colette used to do it years ago… when she was actually fond of me.

“Trust me, there is nothing waiting for me at home. I am fine. I’m used to traveling. You sure it’s not you that needs to get home?” she asks with a quirked brow.

“You say that like I have a curfew.”

“Well,” she urges, brows lifting, “Do you?”

My lips press and I give her a slight roll of my eyes. “Do I look like a sixteen-year-old to you?”

She lifts a hand, holding her forefinger and thumb in close proximity and whispering, “Just a tad.”

I battle my amusement, looking out of my window and praying to God I don’t explode again, this time from the sweet ring of her laughter.

SEVEN

Angelina

We checked in over an hour ago.

After I take a quick shower and get dressed in the slimming purple maxi dress I went down and bought from the boutique in the hotel lobby, I blow-dry my hair, pin it up, and then add a simple coat of eye and lip makeup.

I can’t help but smile as I do all of this. Today was a success.

I felt so brave in Quarter, owning the place, answering questions so fluidly, as if I’d done this a million times.

Truthfully, I’d only done this once before with a smaller company. This is the first time I actually had the chance to work with Boyd first hand.

Prior to this, it was only emails that included Scott and me. I would never reply, but Scott would answer on my behalf or with my thoughts.

I could tell Griffin was pleased with how I handled things today. Boyd and Clark Enterprises is what it should be called. Now that would make one hell of a team.

Picking up my room key and cellphone, I take one final look in the mirror and sigh.

What the hell am I doing?

I’m sure he wants some time alone, yet I can’t seem to leave him be.

We are only a few rooms down from each other.

I can’t help but wonder what he’s doing. For some reason, it just seems wrong to spend this night alone when there is a perfectly nice guy to chat with. We could both use company, I’m sure. So, I stick with my plan.

I remain bold because, after all, I am a very bold and very brave woman.

I head for the door after fluffing my hair and when the door shuts behind me, I walk five doors down, stopping right in front of Griffin’s.

I don’t knock right away.

I can hear him talking. He’s on the phone. His voice is muffled through the thick wood, but I can hear everything.

“No, Colette, I can’t fly at all. All of the flights are cancelled until further notice— What? What the hell do you even mean? It’s storming here! Do you want me to fucking die?” Silence. “Oh, really? You want me to risk my fucking life just to get home to you? Tell me, Colette. What the hell should I expect from you when I show up, huh? Not a damn thing, I’m sure!” Another uncomfortable silence passes. I hear him groan, and before I know it, it’s completely quiet on his end. I think she’s hung up on him.

I swallow thickly, now unsure if I should proceed with those plans I had. I don’t think he’d be up for it now—not after that conversation. I start to back away, but then I realize that maybe he would.

A few drinks to loosen up, forget about that dreadful woman of his for at least an hour. He worked hard today. We haven’t had dinner yet. We could eat together, discuss a few more things.

Without much thought I knock, and then I hear his footsteps. His door swings open and he appears before me.

His suit jacket is gone, his tie missing as well. His black dress shirt is unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a slice of his broad, bare chest.

“Oh. Angelina,” he sighs, forcing a smile and folding his arms. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. Everything is fine. I was just coming over to let you know I’m heading down to the bar to catch a bite and a drink. Just wondering if you want to tag along.”

He looks me over in my dress, my light makeup and pinned hair. He then glances back, dropping his arms and exhaling before looking at me again. “You know, I was just about to shower up and order some Chinese. Call it a night…”

“Oh. Well, no worries then!” I smile and I’m glad it doesn’t come off as weak as I feel. I start to turn with defeat swimming in my veins, but Griffin calls my name. I twist around slowly and our eyes connect. He’s taken a step forward, and I feel so puny beneath his stare. “Yeah?”

“Let’s order Chinese together,” he says.

“Oh, no, Griffin. Really, it’s okay. I feel like a nuisance right now anyway. You should relax. Blow off some steam.”

He continues looking down at me, clutching the edge of the door. “There’s only one way I can truly blow off some steam.” With our gazes holding, I can’t help but feel the heat slithering from my throat to my chest.

Does he mean…? Wait… Is he saying what I think he’s saying?

“I can come back once you’ve showered,” I murmur.

He shrugs. “Why bother? Come in,” he says, “Relax.” He steps back, allowing a gap to form between him and the doorframes.

I barely pause. After all, this is what I want.

I walk forward, lips curving upward as I enter his room. His is just like mine, only different paintings. I sit on the sofa in front of the wall across from his king-sized bed and blow a breath.

Griffin walks across the room to get to the mini fridge. “If we’re being honest here, there’s no need to go to the bar.”

He pulls the door of the fridge open and takes out a large bottle of Jack Daniels. I smile at the sight of the whiskey, ready to feel it’s golden fury on my taste buds.

“Chinese and Jack? I like the way you think, Mr. Boyd.”

He chuckles, picking up his cellphone again. “I’ll call to place the order. You okay with shrimp fried rice and Lo Mein?”

“Sounds amazing.”

With a nod, he walks to the balcony and makes the call. It doesn’t take too long for him to come back in. “Should be here soon.” He looks down at me, lips moving as if he has so much to say, but instead of saying what I know is on his mind, he says, “I’m going to hit the shower. Make yourself comfortable. If the food comes before I’m done just sign for me.”

“Of course.”

He’s reluctant to move.

Hesitant.

His body is trying to force itself to budge, but his mind is putting up a refusal. His contemplation is clear, and my lips part when I come to the realization that I don’t want him to leave me alone just yet.

I don’t want him in that shower and I damn sure don’t want to keep pretending I don’t feel this fiery connection between us.

Before I can speak, Griffin is making his way to the bathroom and soon the door is shut behind him.

Blowing a puff of thick breath, I sink against the sofa and point my chin up to stare at the tray ceiling. I hear the shower start, and I know when he’s settled beneath the warm stream because the water sounds softer.

Boy… tonight is going to be a long one.