Page 30 of A Lone Star Love Affair
They touched glasses and he watched her as she sipped.
“I know the Jessie I spent the evening with years ago is sitting across from me. I’m just trying to figure out how to get her back. I never did forget. I just let go.”
“That doesn’t matter now. The night you came to see the Morris building, my unfriendly manner was because you bought him out.”
“I think in the new position you have, I’ve made amends regarding the buyout upheaval. As of tonight, your work here is done. You’re staying an extra day. Let me show you around. There’s no harm in that.”
She smiled at him. “Hopeless, hopeless. Your arguments are persuasive. So are your hands and your eyes,” she added in a softer voice, and saw him inhale deeply. “All right, Tony, I’d love to have you show me around. Against all better judgment, I’m going to get to know you up close and personal. You don’t take no well, do you?”
“Depends on how much I want something,” he said. “Also, cancel your plane trip home. You can tell Nancy and George. I’ll take you back tomorrow night with me.”
“You assume I would prefer this,” she said, amused and giving him a look. She was sinking and losing her battle and it was her own fault. If only he weren’t so appealing and trying so much to charm her.
One dark eyebrow arched. “You want to fly back commercially instead of with me on my private jet? That will hurt.”
“No, I’m delighted to fly back with you. It’s just your assumption that I will want to. I think you’ve had your way far too much in your life.”
“I’ll have to admit, you’ve been a big challenge, but an enticing, delightful one.”
“Thank you, even though being a challenge to you was never my intention. I just want to move on with my life.” She sipped the cool piña colada, aware he still held her hand and continued to brush her knuckles with his thumb. She should pull away, but his touch was casual and she was tired of picking tiny fights with him.
“I seem to be losing the battles, though,” she said.
“Good. I’m glad you perceive it that way. And this is much better. Now I’m happy I flew here. For a moment there, I thought I would have to turn around and go back.”
“I don’t believe you considered giving up for even two seconds,” she said, and one corner of his mouth raised in a crooked smile. “And you do move fast,” she continued. “I’m flying home with you. You’re holding my hand now, plus I’m spending my free time with you. I’d say you’re getting your way on a steady basis. For someone I intended to get out of my life, you’re pretty well in it.”
He leaned closer over the small table.
“One thing that didn’t happen that night we met—I didn’t get to know you. I can start making up for that now. You’re a swimmer and you like dancing and art. What else is in your life?”
As he leaned back again, he continued to hold her hand, stroking the inside of her wrist with his thumb, light strokes she tried to ignore. His fingers had their effect on her, continually fueling desire, a constant reminder of the physical attraction between them.
“I work out at a fitness center, but otherwise, my job takes up most of my time.”
“I read your résumé, so I know you grew up in Dallas, went to Tech on scholarships, have a stellar scholastic record and were on the high school debate team.”
She held his gaze. “Your facts are correct,” she said, surprised he had delved into her background. “All that education was for a purpose. I grew up in a blue-collar family. My folks sacrificed for us. Mom sometimes worked two jobs. Dad sometimes did. From early on I planned to do better and get out of that struggle. I aimed for college from the time I was young. In some ways, I was also determined to succeed. Just not on your grand scale.”
“I’d say you’ve already succeeded.”
“I know a bit about you, too. Your history is in the media. Golden boy, born into wealth, old Texas family, on football teams, excellent grades, enormously successful on your own. Not exactly similar lives.”
“They say opposites attract. In some ways we’re opposites. There were some similarities, too. We both had goals and set out to achieve them.”
She laughed. “I’d say we’re opposites in almost every way except wanting to succeed at work. Even there, you’re far more driven than I am. That is your be-all and end-all, your major focus.”
“There are plenty of times my attention is not on business. Right now it’s on a beautiful woman. I want to get to know you, make love to you, discover what you like. You’ll be more than a memory in my life.”
“That promises giant complications.”
“But, oh, such delightful ones,” he said in a husky voice.
“Tony, stop flirting. Just talk.”
“Flirting is far more fun,” he replied, and she shook her head.
“Tony—ordinary conversation. Unless you want this evening to end earlier. Tell me your favorite things that do not involve women or your work,” she requested, thinking she would steer the conversation to safer, more bland topics.
