Page 23 of The Fix Up

Therealsmile.

She felt a warm little shimmy in her belly, and it occurred to her that he might not be completely clueless when it came to professional charm.

* * *

“Are you sure about this?”Holly asked, glancing at her watch as the elevator crawled slowly toward the top floor. “Don’t you have to get up early and run the universe or something?”

Ben laughed and leaned against the metal handrail, his posture relaxed and comfortable now that they’d escaped the event. He tugged off his tie and undid the top button of his shirt, giving Holly a welcome glimpse of skin.

“It’s only nine fifteen,” he said. “I don’t have to run the universe for at least a few more hours. Besides, remember what you promised?”

“Right,” she agreed, glancing out at the city lights whizzing by outside the glass wall of the elevator. It seemed safer than staring at Ben to see if he’d undo another button. “I know what I promised, but I wasn’t thinking you’d take me up on it tonight. It’s Tuesday.”

He quirked an eyebrow at her. “Is there a reason we can’t watch a bad sci-fi movie on a Tuesday?”

“No, I guess not. I just figured we both have to work tomorrow.”

He grinned and stuffed his tie in his pants pocket, then tugged at his shirt collar. Grimacing, he undid another button, and she did her damnedest not to stare. “I promise not to keep you out too late,” he said. “I’m showing you one of my favorite flicks, not ravaging you on my living room floor.”

Holly felt the heat creep into her cheeks and ordered herself to keep a straight face. Okay, fine, the ravaging thing had crossed her mind. Was it that obvious?

She cleared her throat. “I suppose if we start the movie soon?—”

“Will you turn into a pumpkin if you’re not home before midnight?”

“No, but I might turn into the wicked witch if I don’t get out of these shoes soon.” She gave an exaggerated grimace, then bent down and rubbed the back of her heel. She hadn’t planned on staying out this late when she’d gotten dressed in the morning. She hadn’t planned on any of this, really.

She straightened up, shoving her foot back into the shoe. “I thought movie night was going to involve pajamas and popcorn.”

“Relax. I’ve got both of those things waiting for you in my penthouse.”

She blinked, not sure she’d heard him right. “You have pajamas?”

“Yep.”

“For me?”

“Uh-huh.”

“You’ve got to be at least six-two, Ben. I don’t think I’m going to fit in a pair of your old sweatpants.”

“I’m six-three, and that’s not the plan. You’ll have your own pajamas, I promise.”

“I can’t decide if this is really cool or really creepy.”

“Let’s go with creepy cool.” He nodded down at her feet. “You can take those off if you want. We’re almost there, and shoes aren’t required in my apartment.”

“And you have pajamas waiting for me.”

“Yep.”

She toed off her shoes and bent down to pick them up. The elevator came to a stop and she straightened as the doors swished open.

“Ladies first,” Ben said, gesturing to the opening.

Holly stepped through, feeling Ben close behind her and enjoying it a lot more than she ought to. The floors were white marble and felt cool under her bare feet. The walls were a lush gold brocade that she kinda wanted to reach out and touch. There was an elaborate fountain in one corner, and a front door that looked like it cost more than her whole house.

It was all very beautiful, but none of it looked like Ben.

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