he is, that kiss will never happen in this lifetime, and neither will the ‘non date’ only ‘drinks’ that was supposed to happen tonight.
I cannot believe my luck. My mystery man, my tall dark and handsome, is the Chairman of the Board of my Foundation. I want to crawl under a rock and die. Instead, I pick up my bootstraps. This is not the time to crumble. I’ve been through much more embarrassing and harrowing days over the past several years. This is but a bump in the road. A sexy-as-sin-man is just gum on the bottom of my shoe. I’ll scrape off the feelings I have for him and move forward with my plan to secure my future.
A lovely blonde woman taps Chase’s shoulder. “Excuse me, Mr. Davis. It’s eight o’clock.”
He clasps his hands together. “Excellent. Let’s get started then.” He winks and turns toward the head of the table.
Taye grasps my elbow and leads me to our table, closer to the end of room. I fall into my seat rather clumsily. Chase starts the meeting and I hunker down, taking notes and trying desperately to clear my foggy mind of all things sexy–man-in-nothing-but-workout-sweats-and-washboard-abs-you-could crack-a-tooth-on.
The rest of the meeting is spent paying close attention and doing my best to avoid looking at Chase. I already feel better about my decision to blow him off. We break for fifteen minutes, and I rush out of the room. I need the space.
Entering the solace of the women’s restroom, I lean against the cool, multicolored tile. The washroom has a quaint sitting area with large puffy couches. A mirror spans an entire wall. A large square sink fills the space, almost like an ornate trough. Turning on the water, I chill my hands, wrists, and the crook of my elbow like my Mother used to when I was child. The cooling of my pressure points does wonders at calming rankled nerves. He’s the fricking Chairman of the Board. I refrain from slamming my head against the mirror to knock the stupid out of me. Break all ties and run.
Behind me, I hear two women enter the sitting area giggling.
“Did you see how perfectly those slacks fit that tight ass?”
“How could you not? Makes you just want to wrap your legs around that cowboy and ride him into morning!” the other woman drawls with a southern accent.
“Maybe you should make a go for Davis, Claire. He seems to like tall blondes.” The other laughs.
Peering around the wall that separates the two spaces, I see Claire Dalton, the board member from Texas. The other woman I haven’t met yet. They adjust their hair and makeup in the vanity mirror. I plaster myself along the wall staying out of sight and listen.
“I think I will. Maybe at tonight’s dinner I’ll make a move on him,” Claire drawls.
No, no, no, no! I want to scream! Wait? If he goes for the blonde Barbie doll, he’ll forget about me. My job won’t be at risk and my sanity will stay intact. It’s a win-win.
My job at the Foundation is more than just a position or somewhere I pull a salary. The past few years have been rife with hard work while trying to piece my life back together after the Justin Period . I’m not letting anyone take me away from my goal. Especially not a man. Even if he’s disarmingly handsome and makes me quake with desire. Nothing matters except securing my future. The two women leave the sitting area. My fifteen minutes of freedom are up. Sighing, I square my shoulders. I can do this.
Outside the bathroom, I see that Claire doesn’t waste time. She and Chase are standing not ten feet from the bathroom door. His back is to me and Claire is laughing, batting those long eyelashes of hers. I inch my way around the two of them, careful not to interrupt.
A firm hand grasps my wrist and tugs me to a halt.
“Miss Callahan, may I have a word?” His eyes pierce mine and I nod.
“Claire, it’s a very nice offer, but I have plans after dinner. I’ll be just a moment.”
Claire looks deflated at his dismissal. I have an evil
I cannot believe my luck. My mystery man, my tall dark and handsome, is the Chairman of the Board of my Foundation. I want to crawl under a rock and die. Instead, I pick up my bootstraps. This is not the time to crumble. I’ve been through much more embarrassing and harrowing days over the past several years. This is but a bump in the road. A sexy-as-sin-man is just gum on the bottom of my shoe. I’ll scrape off the feelings I have for him and move forward with my plan to secure my future.
A lovely blonde woman taps Chase’s shoulder. “Excuse me, Mr. Davis. It’s eight o’clock.”
He clasps his hands together. “Excellent. Let’s get started then.” He winks and turns toward the head of the table.
Taye grasps my elbow and leads me to our table, closer to the end of room. I fall into my seat rather clumsily. Chase starts the meeting and I hunker down, taking notes and trying desperately to clear my foggy mind of all things sexy–man-in-nothing-but-workout-sweats-and-washboard-abs-you-could crack-a-tooth-on.
The rest of the meeting is spent paying close attention and doing my best to avoid looking at Chase. I already feel better about my decision to blow him off. We break for fifteen minutes, and I rush out of the room. I need the space.
Entering the solace of the women’s restroom, I lean against the cool, multicolored tile. The washroom has a quaint sitting area with large puffy couches. A mirror spans an entire wall. A large square sink fills the space, almost like an ornate trough. Turning on the water, I chill my hands, wrists, and the crook of my elbow like my Mother used to when I was child. The cooling of my pressure points does wonders at calming rankled nerves. He’s the fricking Chairman of the Board. I refrain from slamming my head against the mirror to knock the stupid out of me. Break all ties and run.
Behind me, I hear two women enter the sitting area giggling.
“Did you see how perfectly those slacks fit that tight ass?”
“How could you not? Makes you just want to wrap your legs around that cowboy and ride him into morning!” the other woman drawls with a southern accent.
“Maybe you should make a go for Davis, Claire. He seems to like tall blondes.” The other laughs.
Peering around the wall that separates the two spaces, I see Claire Dalton, the board member from Texas. The other woman I haven’t met yet. They adjust their hair and makeup in the vanity mirror. I plaster myself along the wall staying out of sight and listen.
“I think I will. Maybe at tonight’s dinner I’ll make a move on him,” Claire drawls.
No, no, no, no! I want to scream! Wait? If he goes for the blonde Barbie doll, he’ll forget about me. My job won’t be at risk and my sanity will stay intact. It’s a win-win.
My job at the Foundation is more than just a position or somewhere I pull a salary. The past few years have been rife with hard work while trying to piece my life back together after the Justin Period . I’m not letting anyone take me away from my goal. Especially not a man. Even if he’s disarmingly handsome and makes me quake with desire. Nothing matters except securing my future. The two women leave the sitting area. My fifteen minutes of freedom are up. Sighing, I square my shoulders. I can do this.
Outside the bathroom, I see that Claire doesn’t waste time. She and Chase are standing not ten feet from the bathroom door. His back is to me and Claire is laughing, batting those long eyelashes of hers. I inch my way around the two of them, careful not to interrupt.
A firm hand grasps my wrist and tugs me to a halt.
“Miss Callahan, may I have a word?” His eyes pierce mine and I nod.
“Claire, it’s a very nice offer, but I have plans after dinner. I’ll be just a moment.”
Claire looks deflated at his dismissal. I have an evil
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