Page 83 of Love Is an Art
Chapter twenty-six
Tessa
I’mexhausted.I’mdefinitelyfeeling that 3 a.m. wake-up call.
Dinner at Casa Lamm was delicious, the inner courtyard and the views from the glass-walled Neuve Neuve gorgeous. No more business travel is definitely something to consider before I make my final decision about leaving White & Gilman.
Still, it’s a relief to say goodbye to Roberto and Cameron, check into our hotel, wheel our bags into the elevator, and relax. It’s just the two of us. I lean against the elevator wall.
“I can’t wait to take these shoes off.” I let my high heel dangle off one foot as I shift my weight to the other.
Zeke stares at my foot and stills. His gaze meets mine, and all the air disappears out of the elevator. I flush.
He loosens his tie.
And my mind goes there. Pulling off that tie. Unbuttoning his shirt. Being held tightly by him. That kiss.
He looks down.
I feel my cheek. It’s hot.Think about the case, all the documents we still have to review.
That attraction is still there.
If anything, it’s increasing. It’s fun to work with him. I think of something and look over at him, and it’s clear the same idea occurred to him.
Zeke clears his throat and says, “Cameron was in fine form tonight. Very funny and charming.”
“But he definitely asked you a lot of questions, as if to confirm that you were really here to do the disclosure,” I say.
Zeke glances at me and nods. “And to confirm the parameters of what we were investigating for that mid-year report. I thought he was checking to see if his activities might be implicated.”
“I thought the same.” I nod. “But he and Roberto seem tight.”
“We’re going to need some strong evidence to accuse Cameron of any misconduct,” he says. “Do you still want to meet in your room and go over some of the documents after we’ve had a chance to shower and change?”
“Yes. We should.”No.I definitely don’t want to be alone with him in a hotel room, being tortured by his presence. I want to study the documents by myself because we still don’t have anything. I’m worried. I don’t want to fail Zeke. I know how important this is to him. And to me for the bonus.
“Shall we meet in about thirty minutes?” he asks.
I nod.
The elevator door opens.
Zeke waves for me to go first. I pull my suitcase down the hallway to my room.
It’s good that our dating ended when it did. Before I fell any further.
Anyway, I’m not interested in a man who doesn’t want to date a workaholic.
Do you hear that, heart?
I am not interested. Stop buzzing whenever his green-blue eyes glance at you.
Only men who love workaholic lawyers need apply here.
I press my plastic key card against the door. As it flashes green, I push it open.
A half hour until I meet Zeke to discuss the investigation and where we go from here.
