He was relieved to hear her say so. “A hot date maybe?”
She frowned. “No, of course not.”
“Why ‘of course not’? Don’t you date? You’re a beautiful woman.”
Despite the soft candlelight, Adam could see Trish’s cheeks turn pink.
“You shouldn’t say things like that,” she said.
“Even if it’s true?” Adam teased. His grin faded as he sipped his wine. “Were you nervous about being alone with me?”
She glanced around the room as if she might be looking for the waitstaff. “We’re not alone.”
He leaned in. “Yes, we are.”
Biting her lower lip, she looked around again, then straightened up and gazed directly at him. “No, of course I’m not nervous about being alone with you. You’re my boss. I know I’m perfectly safe with you.”
He studied her. “I wish I could say the same.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure how safe I am around you.”
She swallowed. “Don’t be silly.”
“You’re dangerous to my peace of mind.”
Her brow furrowed. “But I’m…I’m harmless.”
“Hardly,” he said with a grin, then let her off the hook by changing the subject. “Did you grow up around Dunsmuir Bay?”
She hesitated, then said, “Yes.”
He chuckled. “You don’t sound sure about it.”
She raised her chin. “I grew up down by the pier, with my grandmother.”
“Oh, yeah?” Adam said, relaxing back in his chair. “I like that area.”
“Yes, I loved living there.”
“You moved?”
“Yes.” She looked away, unwilling to say more.
It sounded to Adam as if there might be more to the story but he didn’t push. Instead, he held his glass up, determined to lighten the mood. “Let’s have a toast. To Fantasy.”
Trish managed a smile as she tapped her glass to his. “To Fantasy.” She took a sip, then put the glass down and groaned. “Everything has been delicious, but I can’t put one more thing in my mouth.”
A vivid image of what else she might do with her mouth almost brought Adam out of his seat. It was absurd. What was it about this woman that made his libido behave as if he hadn’t gotten laid in five years? Perhaps it was because he knew they’d come together soon. Very soon, he’d be able to bury himself in her warm depths. It wouldn’t be soon enough to suit him or his raging erection, however.
Had he honestly thought he could wait for her to make the first move? Impossible.
He was about to suggest that it was time to go, when Jean Pierre emerged from the kitchen with several small platters and began to explain all the desserts he’d chosen for them. Adam’s ardor was effectively extinguished, probably a good thing.
Trish’s eyes grew wider with each little morsel the chef pointed to. After he left them alone, she stared at Adam in dismay.
“This is crazy,” she whispered. “Seriously, I can’t eat another bite.”
“I’m not sure I can, either, but we don’t want to hurt Jean Pierre’s feelings.” Adam speared a succulent miniature fruit tart with his dessert fork and held it out for her to taste. “Just one more bite?”
She moaned and rubbed her stomach. “I can’t do it.”
“But how will we know if it’s suitable for the gala?”
“Why don’t you taste it?” she asked.
“Because I’m the boss and I say it’s your job to taste the desserts.”
Trish laughed. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that rule in the employee handbook.”
Adam chuckled. “Okay, then do it for Jean Pierre.”
“Oh, all right.” She took a deep breath. “This is for Jean Pierre.”
“Good girl,” Adam said, moving the fork closer. “One little taste.”
She took the bite and licked her lips. “Mmm, it’s really delicious.”
Beguiled, Adam scooped a small spoonful of creamy chocolate mousse and held it out for her to sample. “One more bite, babe. Open wide.”
“Okay,” she said, smiling. “but only because it’s chocolate.”
“That’s my girl,” he murmured.
Time stood still as he watched her close her eyes, open her mouth and take the bite. Then she sighed.
“Oh.” She licked her lips and moaned. “Oh, my God. Oh, it’s fabulous.” She swallowed, then licked her lips again.
In an instant, Adam’s body was tight and aching. So much for playing hard to get. He wanted her with a need that burned right through him. In his current condition, he’d never make it out of the restaurant alive. Fine with him. He’d send the staff home, then make love to Trish right here.
So much for his grand scheme of withholding sex until she begged for it. He was the one who would beg her if he had to. Without even trying, she was the sexiest woman he’d ever met.
She was saying something, but he couldn’t hear her. All the blood that might’ve helped his brain function had recognized a more urgent need and rushed to his body’s lower half.
Adam tossed his napkin on the table and stood. “Let’s go,” he said, almost growling the command.
“Don’t we have to pay the bill first?”
“I own the place, sweetheart.” He came around to pull her chair out. “There is no bill.”
“I guess I really am tired if I forgot that.” She smiled up at him.
But on the way out, she insisted on stopping to thank everyone who’d waited on them, then poked her head into the kitchen and called out her gratitude to Jean Pierre, who came running over to kiss her on both cheeks and thank her profusely.
She had a way of making everyone feel special, including Adam, he thought as he led her out of the restaurant. He was beginning to wonder just exactly who was seducing whom.
Riding up in the elevator, Trish could barely breathe. Her heart raced and she shivered with pleasure, he was standing so close. She should’ve backed away and cut herself off from his touch, but she couldn’t bear to. Not yet. Once they were back in Dunsmuir Bay and reality set in, she would deal with these forbidden emotions. But right now she simply wanted to concentrate on his masculine scent, feel the soft pressure of his arm against hers, appreciate his tall, confident stance and wonder how it would feel to be wrapped up in his arms.
She shivered again.
“You’re cold,” he said, shrugging off his jacket and slinging it over her shoulders. Then he put his arm around her and pulled her closer. “The mountain air can sneak up on you.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, wondering if he’d read her mind. If so, couldn’t he see that it wasn’t the cold making her shiver? Good grief, she was burning up-couldn’t he feel it? But it felt so good to be pressed against his hard body, she never wanted him to stop holding her.
Even though she knew it didn’t mean anything. Could
Trish made an effort to keep her thoughts casual as she glanced around the elevator. Even in this small space, the hotel’s rustic style prevailed, with a charming bench to sit on and kitschy antler sconces on the walls.
There had been a few times during dinner when she thought Adam might be attracted to her, thought he might even be tempted to kiss her good-night. But he was all business now, holding himself rigid even though he had his arm around her. It was just as well. She had no business thinking they could ever be more to each other than boss and assistant. And, lest she forget, she still had her mission to accomplish, even though at the moment, she could barely remember what that mission was.
It must’ve been the champagne, or maybe the chocolate mousse. She wasn’t thinking clearly at all.
They left the elevator at the top floor and Adam stopped at a door halfway down the hall. Using a card key, he opened the door and held it for her to walk inside.
