Finally, he dragged his mouth from hers when his cock swelled painfully against his zipper. Before he could get his head wrapped around a thought other than his erection, she asked, “Do you want to come in?”
“God, yes… but I’m not going to,” he replied, then immediately wished he could pull the words back in. He pressed his forehead against hers. “I want to do this right, Sandy. I want to do us right.”
Nodding, she smiled. “Then there will be another date?”
“Absolutely.” After kissing her once again, he opened her front door and saw her cat standing nearby, eyeing them suspiciously. “I brought her home to you, Ocee.”
She laughed and lifted on her toes for one more quick kiss. With an order for her to lock up and a promise to take her out once his next long shift was over, they parted.
16
Sandy wondered what she was doing. Sitting in the opulent restaurant having lunch, she could only think about being with Rory. Instead, she smiled politely toward her dining companion—Anthony Partridge. She had tried to turn the conversation to her concerns but was continually talked over.
“I know my father will hand more of the business to me soon,” he said between bites. “He’s getting older and there’s no one else he can leave things to. It’s just so frustrating.”
“Well, I—”
Narrowing his gaze, he said, “How much did your father give you to set you up with your business?”
A little gasp slipped out at the audacity of his question. “Anthony, first of all, that’s none of your business. Second of all, the only reason I’m telling you this is to make sure you understand where I’m coming from. None.” She watched him blink as his chin jerked back. “None. Zero. Zip. Nada. I set myself up in business. I took out a loan. I’m building my own business my own way.”
He waved his fork around dismissively. “That’s different, I suppose. You’re just a designer, not prepared for a full financial consulting business like your father. Or like what I’m doing—taking over my dad’s multibillion-dollar businesses.”
“A lady should always smile even when someone says something ridiculous. Especially if it’s from a man.” She swallowed her sigh. “Since you brought up your father’s multibillion-dollar business, that’s why I wondered if you’d had a chance to check on the contractors that are working in Partridge Tower.”
“I leave all that up to Dave. I just need to make sure the Tower is ready for tenants within the next two months. That means we came in before the deadline and under budget.” He let out an exaggerated breath and grinned. “It’s taken a while. My father never gave me preferential treatment.”
Ignoring the desire to roll her eyes at his comment about not receiving preferential treatment, she tossed out a noncommittal smile and speared another bite of her salad. She was younger than Anthony but remembered him having a very preferential upbringing and knew that he planned on taking one of the condos in the Tower once it was complete. She had even recommended the designer and decorator for his condo.
He didn’t seem to notice her lack of interest in his comments. “When I was given the challenge to get the Partridge Tower underway, it was a huge vote of confidence by my father. I predict good things are on the way for me.” His lips curved upward as he held her gaze. “And for you and me as well.”
The bite of carrot stuck in her throat as she caught his innuendo. Taking a gulp of water to keep from choking, she said, “If I can gain some business contacts from the work on the Tower, that’ll be good.”
His head jerked back ever so slightly at her emphasis on the word ‘business’ but continued to expound on his plans. “By the way, do you remember the Sandersons? The judge used to play golf with your father. I saw them the other day, and his daughter is interested in one of the condos. Oh, and one of the oldest attorney groups in Hope City is thinking of moving their corporate offices to Partridge Tower. If they agree, I’ll have you set up a meeting with them.”
Sucking in a breath, she pressed onward with her concerns. “I just don’t want any negative publicity for Partridge Tower, and by association, your family business by using a company without the right credentials.”
That statement gained his attention as he turned his widened eyes to her. “Oh, my… I never thought of that.” His chest deflated as air rushed out. He stared down at the remains of his almost-complete seafood platter and said, “I think I’ve lost my appetite.”
Seeing little food left on his plate, she fought the snort that threatened to erupt. “I just think that if you’re ultimately in charge of the whole project, then perhaps you and Dave should review all the contractors. That way, you’ll be able to assure that all is perfectly well at Partridge Tower.”
Declining his offer of dessert, she went to the powder room while he paid. Coming back to the table she came up behind him and overheard him say, “We need to meet. I don’t want anything to get in the way of this project.”
Smiling that he was taking her advice, she stepped closer and reached out her hand as soon as he had disconnected his call. “Thank you so much for lunch, Anthony. It was lovely.”
He stood, wrapped his hand around hers, and gently tugged her forward. Recognizing the maneuver to gain a kiss instead of a handshake, she pulled her hand back and bent to gather her jacket.
“Yes… well, um… perhaps we can do this again,” he rushed.
“As a working lunch, yes, I’m sure we can.”
His smile widened, and she wondered if he was capable of taking a subtle hint. As he walked out with her, he stopped when
