Page 114 of Romance and Peppermint Lattes
“Ouch,” Joe said, grinning broadly. “Those claws are sharp this afternoon.”
“Actually today’s been good.” Or at least it had since he’d arrived.
“I’m glad to hear it. How about dinner?” He jumped to his feet and pretended to waltz around her office, playing a violin. “You and me. Wine and moonlight and music. Romance and roses.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively. “You work too hard. You always have. I want you to enjoy life a little more. It would be good for both of us.”
Joe didn’t need to give her an incentive to go out with him. Cait was thrilled at the mere idea. Joe made her laugh, made her feel good about herself and the world. Of course, he possessed a remarkable talent for driving her crazy, too. But she supposed a little craziness was good for the spirit.
“Only promise me you won’t wear those high heels of yours,” he chided, pressing his hand to the small of his back. “I’ve suffered excruciating back pains ever since Paul’s Christmas party.”
Paul’s name seemed to leap out and grab Cait by the throat. “Paul,” she repeated, sagging against the back of her chair. “Oh, dear.”
“I know you consider him a dear,” Joe teased. “What has your stalwart employer done this time?”
“He asked me out to dinner,” Cait admitted, frowning. “Out of the blue this morning he popped into my office and invited me to dinner as if we’d been dating for months. I was so stunned, I didn’t know what to think.”
“What did you tell him?” Joe seemed to consider the whole thing a huge joke. “Wait—” he held up his hand “—you don’t need to answer that. I already know. You sprang at the offer.”
“I didn’t exactly spring,” she said, somewhat offended by Joe’s attitude. The least he could do was show a little concern. She’d spent Christmas with him, and according to his own mother this was the first time he’d ever brought a woman home for the holiday. Furthermore, despite his insisting to all and sundry that they were married, he certainly didn’t seem to mind her seeing another man.
“I’ll bet you nearly went into shock.” A smile trembled at the edges of his mouth as if he was picturing her reaction to Paul’s invitation and finding it all terribly entertaining.
“I did not go into shock.” She defended herself heatedly. She’d been taken by surprise, that was all.
“Listen,” he said, walking toward the door, “have a great time. I’ll catch you later.” With that he was gone.
Cait couldn’t believe it. Her mouth dropped open and she paced frantically, clenching and unclenching her fists. It took her a full minute to recover enough to run after him.
Joe was talking to his foreman, the same stocky man he’d been with the day he followed Cait into the elevator.
“Excuse me,” she said, interrupting their conversation, “but when you’re finished I’d like a few words with you, Joe.” Her back was ramrod stiff and she kept flexing her hands as though preparing for a fight.
Joe glanced at his watch. “It might be a while.”
“Then might I have a few minutes of your time now?”
The foreman stepped away, his step cocky. “You want me to dismiss the crew again, boss? I can tell them to go out and buy New Year’s presents for their wives, if you like.”
The man was rewarded with a look that was hot enough to barbecue spareribs. “That won’t be necessary, thanks, anyway, Harry.”
“You’re welcome, boss. We serve to please.”
“Then please me by kindly shutting up.”
Harry chuckled and returned to another section of the office.
“You wanted something?” Joe asked.
Boy, did she. “Is that all you’re going to say?”
“About what?”
“About my going to dinner with Paul? I expected you to be... I don’t know, upset.”
“Why should I be upset? Is he going to have his way with you? I sincerely doubt it, but if you’re worried, invite me along and I’ll be more than happy to protect your honor.”
“What’s the matter with you?” she demanded, not bothering to disguise her fury and disappointment. She stared at Joe, waiting for him to mock her again, but once more he surprised her. His gaze sobered.
“You honestly expect me to be jealous?”
