Page 20 of Don't Lie to Me

It didn’t work.

It all flew out the door when I walked into Jack’s kitchen after sending Logan to “our room” as he called it.

Jack was sipping his coffee nonchalantly against the counter in the exact spot where my legs had been spread out for his pleasure just the day before.

He grinned smugly. “Good morning.”

He looked delicious dressed in a black suit, wearing the same purple tie he had the previous Saturday night. I flushed immediately and turned my head away.

Pushing off the kitchen counter, he slowly stalked toward me until he was just inches from my ear. The little hairs on the back of my neck stood up when I felt his breath on my ear.

“This doesn’t count as touching, you know.” He chuckled softly as he watched me visibly shiver beneath him.

I cleared my throat before I threw myself at him and took two steps away, drawing that clear line I so desperately needed and didn’t want. I crossed my arms protectively against my stomach and turned to him with my most professional voice.

“What do you need done today?”

He quirked an eyebrow suggestively but when I rolled my eyes at him, he turned and set his coffee mug in his sink.

When he looked back at me, he was completely professional and friendly. It was the same look I had seen every morning for the last five years. I relaxed, knowing we were getting down to business.

“I’m hosting a business dinner next Friday night. I want it catered, but nothing fancy. I’m bringing on a new attorney in our mergers and acquisitions team and want to impress him. He has a lot of influence in town, but I still want it casual.”

“He sounds important.”

Jack nodded. “He is. He’s young, but he’s good. And his family is heavily political. avH I want that connection.” I tried not to grimace. I knew a young powerful lawyer with a political family. The memory of him made me cringe and I brushed it aside immediately. It was a fleeting thought, and an even worse memory that I didn’t want to relive right now.

I must have made a face because Jack looked at me hesitantly before continuing to rattle off a list of typical things he needed done and bought. I patiently took notes the entire time just as I always did.

Besides the teasing first thing, we acted like we had done every single day. This was a piece of cake. I could do this.

He walked out of the kitchen after telling me to have a good day and he’d be home at six. He gave me a pointed the look, but I said nothing, still determined to be completely professional. Then, he stopped in the doorway and leaned up against it.

“There’s an invite on my desk for the Children’s Hospital Charity ball in a few weeks. Respond plus one.”

He turned and left without another word and I felt the color drain from my cheeks. Plus one, but no mention of me accompanying him. Of course there wouldn’t be, the ball was weeks away. Surely our time would be done by then and he’d have me scheduling a new date with him for it.

I felt stupid immediately and emotionally drained from that realization alone and my day hadn’t even begun. I helped myself to a cup of coffee, black, and took it to Jack’s office and began responding to his personal emails.

I hadn’t been working for longer than ten minutes when my cell phone dinged Jack’s personal tone, alerting me to a text message. I grabbed my phone, reluctantly, but couldn’t stop the grin from appearing on my face. I felt foolish all over again.

J: Would you do the honor of accompanying me to a charity ball? Three weeks from Saturday.

I laughed to myself and then responded.

You’re asking me out on a date via text?

I stared at the phone, and smiled again when he responded almost immediately.

J: I told you I’d fuck up this whole dating thing. Say yes, anyway.

His playful tone – and lack of an apology – made me smile. And the fact that he used the word dating.

Okay. I can go with you.

I held the phone in my hand gently, almost willing it to ding again; wanting to know what he had to say. I was just setting it down on the desk when a new text came in.

J: I’ll pick you up tonight at 6:00. Be Ready. Did you pack a dress like I asked?

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