The plant was just at the edge of a tiny hamlet called Livingston, a two-story brick building with wide windows on both floors.
“We like to give our employees a lot of natural light.” Luke gestured at the cars in the parking lot. “Most of the town works here in one capacity or another, and we want to keep them happy.”
The plant manager waited for them in the lobby. Behind him, a small reception committee barely concealed the nervousness prompted by a visit from the executive vice president. But Julia watched Luke put everyone at ease, and the tour progressed in a relaxed atmosphere. Lunch was served to them in a corner of the cafeteria.
“I’m sorry,” the plant manager apologized to Julia, “but we don’t have a conference room or formal dining room of any kind.” He looked at Luke and grinned. “The boss says this is a no frills operation.”
“As it should be,” Julia said. “I’m impressed with the efficient way everything runs. Besides, cafeteria food is my secret vice.”
She was amazed she and Luke were able to maintain their professional poise with the sexual tension vibrating between them throughout the day. She worried people would sense it, people who worked for Luke. She couldn’t let them speculate on something potentially damaging to him. Once she caught him looking at her, a tiny grin teasing at his lips, and she ducked her head, turning to look away.
At the end of the tour, the plant manager presented her with a Hot Ticket sports bag filled with items bearing the corporate logo. He included samples of the new lines they’d be producing.
“Thank you.” She smiled. “Having these things in front of me will help us as we work through the project.”
“It was a pleasure having you here today.” He held out his hand. “Everyone’s excited about the new campaign.”
“As are we.” She shook hands with him. “My partner and I will be doing our absolute best for you. We’re excited about it, too.”
She waited as Luke chatted with the man for a few minutes. Then he ushered her back to his car and they drove away. She leaned her head back against the seat and blew out a breath.
“You did great.” Luke reached for her hand. “They love you, no big surprise there.” He gave her a gentle squeeze. “You’re a pro.”
“I enjoyed meeting everyone, and the operation is quite impressive.” She stretched her legs out. “Are we heading to the hotel now? Are we having dinner there?”
“Not exactly.”
“What does not exactly mean?”
“This is where my surprise comes in.”
She could hear the smile in his voice along with... Was that a touch of nervousness, too? Luke, nervous? “Don’t worry. I told you I like surprises. But how soon will I get to see it?”
“Just relax. I’ll give you a little commentary on the Massachusetts countryside and pretty soon we’ll be where we’re going.”
He drove at a leisurely pace along the narrow country highway, pointing out towns they passed. Some were little more than four corners with a general store and gas station. They’d driven for about an hour when he turned off the highway onto a recently-plowed narrow lane and followed it to a clearing.
“Okay.” He turned off the engine and put the car in park. “We’re here.”
Julia stared out the window. A tiny, perfectly shaped log cabin, with a peaked roof and a tall chimney, stood like a jewel in the drifts of unspoiled snow. Evergreens draped in the same snow looked as if moments ago a painter daubed them with his brush. The scene held her enthralled, reminding her of something from Currier and Ives.
“Where are we?” She couldn’t take her eyes away from the scene. “Who owns this place?”
“I do.” Luke grinned. “Care to come inside?”
Julia was dumbstruck when she walked into the cabin, which turned out to be one huge room. The walls and floor were polished to a high gloss and beams crisscrossed overhead below the peak of the ceiling. One corner of the area was set up as an efficient kitchen while bookshelves and a stereo filled part of one wall. Julia assumed the only inside door led to a bathroom.
A tiny breakfast set, a long couch, two deep chairs, and a king-size bed covered in a traditional quilt took care of the furniture needs. The colors in a thick rug brought warmth into the room, and an inviting fire was laid in the fireplace.
“This is fantastic!” she said. “I feel like I stepped into Little House on the Prairie. How did you happen to buy it and what do you use it for?”
“Later.” He took her coat and hung it on a hook by the door. “First we relax.” He took out glasses, a bottle of amaretto, and a bottle of Canadian Club from a kitchen cupboard. “See.” He grinned. “I even remembered what you like to drink.” He poured a generous portion into each glass, added Coke to his and ice to both, then handed Julia’s to her. “A toast. To us.”
“To us,” she agreed in a soft voice. She hoped.
They touched glasses and Julia sipped at the smooth liquid, feeling it warm her blood and ease her tension.
“We have steaks for later but we don’t need to hurry.” He winked at her. “I thought we might find something to amuse ourselves before dinner.”
So what now? Did she even know how to do this? Was she supposed to make polite chitchat first while they sipped their drinks, or did they just rip their clothes off and dive into bed? Last time it had happened so naturally she didn’t have to think. This was different. Planned. How was she supposed to behave?
Luke picked up on her nervousness. “Did I presume? If this is not what you want, tell me now and I’ll take you to the hotel. No harm, no foul.”
“No. I mean, yes.” She was stammering and she took a deep breath to pull herself together. “You didn’t presume at all. I
