Page 149 of Playing the Game
“Since it’s hard to be here, let me take you to lunch. I have a proposition I’d like to discuss.”
Her back straightens. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Dorothy, I want to take you to lunch and offer yousomething for your move. I have no other kind of proposition, so relax.”
“Sorry. I’m just on edge being here. Maybe it will be easier to say what I need to if we’re somewhere else.”
“Great. Where would you like to go?” I stand and retrieve my belongings from my desk.
I turn back and lead her out of my office. Her bodyguard steps in line behind her.
She strides toward the elevators. “We could go to the sushi place down the street.”
The sushi restaurant where she messed around with Jamison. No. Not happening.
“I had that yesterday. How about the private club we used to frequent? It’s not far from here, and they have better food.”
“It is delicious.” She nods as the elevator doors open. “That sounds good. Let’s go there.”
I take a breath and step inside. “Perfect. I’m glad I could please you.”
She shifts to the side, allowing her bodyguard and me to get on. I eye him up and down. He’s an attractive man and stares at Dorothy more than an employee should.
I clear my throat and square my shoulders. He catches mywatch yourselfgaze and faces the doors.
That’s better.
Jamison’s an idiot for letting this guy watch over Dorothy. He seems more interested in getting her into bed than he is in protecting her.
Fucking amateur.
Dorothy remains quiet as we ride down to my car. When we get there, she tells the guy, Tom, he can follow us in his car. He hesitantly agrees to her request and lets her slide into my car a moment later.
I’m looking forward to being near her, but I get a call I have to take. She peers out the window as I handle mybusiness. I scan her legs and body while trying to concentrate on the issue I’m discussing.
We get to the restaurant right as I hang up. “I apologize that call took so long.”
“Don’t worry about it. I was just taking in my surroundings. It’s hard to believe I’m leaving on Friday.” She glances my way, but the door opens and grabs her attention.
I wouldn’t be so sure about leaving, Dorothy.
Not when you hear you have your job back.
We get out of the car. Before long, we’re seated at the same table where we shared our first meal. She’s not sitting as close to me as that night, but she’s still here with me. My heart warms at the thought.
I get back to the task at hand. “Let’s talk about the money first.”
“Please. The longer it sits in my account, the more anxious I get.” She reaches for the wine menu.
Nice.
I didn’t expect her to want to stay long enough for a bottle of wine, and they don’t serve it by the glass here—at least not the kind she drinks.
I situate myself at an angle so I’m facing her more. “I’ll make you a deal. It’s what I wanted to discuss with you when you called and said you’d like to meet up to say goodbye.”
She places the menu down. “What kind of deal?”
“Like your dance moves, the cool kind.”
