Page 33 of Business or Pleasure

We continued to talk, occasionally pausing to speak to someone who approached or excusing ourselves to get something else to drink or other such necessary excursions, but we always returned to sit together. I lost track of the time and how much I ate and drank. I had no responsibilities or obligations aside from Brigh, and she long since vanished. If she needed to speak to me, I wouldn’t be difficult to find.

I didn’t spend much time thinking about my assistant, though. I was far too busy learning all I could about the delightful woman at my side, even if most of the conversation was about simple things like the movies we watched or the music we listened to.

“I want to stretch my legs,” Harlee announced. “Walk with me?”

I glanced up at the darkening clouds in the sky. “It may rain.”

“Are you worried about a little rain?” She shot me the sexiest little wink. “Made of sugar?”

I stood up and held out my hand. She took it and let me help her to her feet even though she was entirely capable of standing on her own. For several seconds, we stood like that, neither one of us making a move to release the other’s hand. Then, as color flooded her cheeks, she let go. I waited for her to say perhaps we should part ways, but she didn’t.

“Do you want to walk along the lake?”

“I’ll follow wherever you lead.” It took me a few steps to realize that what I’d said could have been construed in a romantic manner, but as Harlee didn’t appear bothered by it, I didn’t apologize for being so bold. It wasn’t as if she and I weren’t flirting.

Like a good Scot, I could hold my liquor. It wasn’t possible that American beer had gotten me the least bit drunk. I could walk a straight line, after all. I frowned as I remember that, while this beer had been made in America, the person who’d made it was a Scot.

Still, how much had I drunk?

“Is something wrong?” Harlee asked as we made our way past the largest of the groups of people. “You look upset or annoyed.”

I shook my head. “I feel a bit strange. Not drunk, exactly.”

“Pleasantly buzzed?” She laughed. “Not surprising. I mean, you’re a decent-sized guy and all, but you had twice as much as I did, and I’m a little tipsy.”

“Perhaps I should call for a car.” I didn’t want her to leave, but if she was drunk, better to keep her safe.

“I’m fine,” she insisted. “Like I said, just tipsy. Everything’s kind of blurry at the edges.”

“I like that description,” I said with a laugh. “It’s oddly accurate.”

She shrugged. “When I saw that Mr. McCrae offered a ride service so no one had to worry about driving under the influence, I figured I’d take advantage of it.”

“Work hasn’t been too stressful, I hope.”

We continued to joke, and yes, flirt as we walked along a path leading into a wooded area. The sounds of the picnic were still audible, but the trees cut us off visually, giving us the illusion of solitude. We walked more closely, our hands brushing against one another, and I fought the urge to take hers. My control wasn’t as ironclad as usual, but as long as we kept moving, I could be content with just this.

As if sensing my inner conflict, the sky, which had been growing steadily darker, opened and rain poured down.

“Shit!”

Spotting a spot just off the trail where the trees offered some shelter, I grabbed her hand and pulled her after me. Ducking under the trees, we both paused to catch our breath. The canopy of branches kept out most of the rain, but we were both soaked through from the sudden downpour.

“That’s almost enough to sober me up completely,” Harlee said with a laugh. She looked down. “I’m glad I didn’t wear anything white.”

My gaze followed hers automatically, heat flooding my body as I took in the way her clothes clung to her curves. Curves I remembered all too well. I jerked my head up and found her watching me.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” She slid her gaze down my body as she added, “I’m enjoying my own show.”

Before I could figure out how to answer that, she shivered. I mentally kicked myself. “I’m a right bastard. Of course, you’re cold.” I pulled off my shirt. “It’s wet too, but it should help a bit.”

She put it on, wrapping her arms around her middle. The way she was staring at my torso told me it wasn’t a gesture of embarrassment but rather that she was still cold. As I reached for her, I knew it was a bad idea, but what sort of man would I have been if I let her shiver simply to keep myself from being tempted?

I put my arms around her, smiling at the surprise on her face as I pulled her to me. “Sharing body heat.”

“Ah,” she said, tipping her head back to allow her eyes to meet mine. “Is that what this is?”

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