Page 14 of Alluring

"Who are they for?" Only two other women worked at the dealership, Peggy, in accounting and Nancy, in financing. Someone's day was about to get better.

The deliveryman flipped the clipboard to read it, then flipped it back around. "Alexis Taft."

"What?" she asked, bewildered. She didn't know anyone that would send her flowers.

"Can you please sign ma'am. I have a lot of deliveries to make," he said, nudging the clipboard closer to her.

"Oh, sorry." Alexis picked up a pen and scrawled her name in the indicated box. The guy was gone before she could blink.

Alexis stood and smelled the fragrant roses before plucking the little card from its holder. The envelope had the name of the florist stamped on the front of it. She turned it around and untucked the flap. She slipped out a solid white card with a red boarder. Written on the card in flawless handwriting were the words,I'll see you in ten J.

"What the heck?" she said, under her breath, as she flopped down in her chair. She flipped the card over, but it was blank on the other side. The J had to stand for Jack. Even her sluggish brain could figure that out. But, she really hoped she was wrong about the rest, and that he wasn't showing up here it ten minutes.

"Whoa, someone got lucky last night." Chuck, one of the car salesmen, made a beeline for her counter. He wore a light-gray Armani suit (Alexis knew this because he always bragged that Armani was the only designer he ever wore), a dark-gray shirt, and a pink tie. He had a very dark tan, pale-blue eyes, and perfectly styled blond hair. Chuck had asked her out a few times when she started working at the dealership, but gave up after several months, when she kept refusing.

He stopped when he reached her. "Who was it, Peggy or Nancy?"

"Um ..."

He saw her holding the open card. "You?" His brow furrowed and Alexis thought he looked a little ticked off.

"Of course, not. I mean they are for me, but no one got lucky."

"Not yet." Alexis's head whipped around at the sound of Jack's voice. His long stride brought him to her desk, his signature wolfish grin on his face. He was dressed casually, in faded blue jeans and a tight, black T-shirt. When he reached her, he leaned over and brushed a feather light kiss on her lips. "Hello, sweetheart."

"Who the hell are you?" Alexis looked over at Chuck. Now he was looking a bit more than ticked off.

Alexis felt Jack's body stiffen, and he stood to his full height, a good four inches above Chuck. He gave him a once-over, not looking impressed by his Armani suit and styled hair. He held out his hand. "Jackson Cole."

Chuck slowly reached for it. "Charlies Danbridge."

Alexis stood, trying to stave off any sort of pissing contest. "Why are you here, Jack?"

She'd captured his attention back with her question. "I'm taking you to lunch."

He didn't ask, he told. Usually, she would have bristled at that, but she didn't want to cause a scene in front of a coworker. "Let me grab my purse." She reached into her bottom drawer. When she stood back up, Chuck was staring at where her ass had been, and Jack was scowling at Chuck. "Ready?" She asked, grabbing Jack's arm and pulling him to the exit.

After they stepped outside and walked halfway through the parking lot, she dropped his arm and halted. "What was that all about?"

"I didn't like the way he looked at you."

Alexis looked down at her four-inch, bone, pointy-toed slingbacks. They were one of her favorite pair of shoes. She had put on the cream pencil-skirt and coral, silk blouse this morning just so she could wear them. She took a deep breath before looking back up. "He's just a coworker."

"He wants to fuck you."

Alexis couldn't dispute that, so only said, "Well, he's not going to." She decided to change the subject. "You can'tjustshow up at my work, Jack."

He took her hand and started walking again. "I can if I want to take you to lunch."

Alexis had to walk fast to keep up with his long strides. "Where are we going? I only have an hour for lunch."

They reached his SUV and he pulled open the passenger side door. "Relax and hop in." He fastened her seat belt then closed the door.

He drove about two blocks, before pulling into a parking space. "Don't move."

Alexis watched as he got out, rounded the hood, then opened her door. He unfastened her seat belt, took her hand, and helped her out of the SUV. She looked up at him dumbfounded. "Now, what was that all about?"

"I open your door for you. Always."

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