1. I determine the time and place
2. You have to make me want you
3. No falling in love
Those are my terms. Take ‘em or leave ‘em.
Aubrey
I chuckle to myself. I give her an open door and that’s the best rules she can come up with? Number one is fine by me as long as she doesn’t make me wait too damn long. The second one’s laughable. She already wants me or she wouldn’t be playing this little game in the first place, and third not falling in love? Is she kidding me? That’s the easiest one on the list. I don’t do love. Period. Not even with my own family. I don’t love them and they don’t love me. This chick has another thing coming if she thinks I’m some sad, sappy asshole. I’m not a guy that can be tamed. Ever.
Chapter 4
AUBREY
I double-check my phone again before tossing it back into my purse under my desk. Riff hasn’t responded yet. He probably thinks I’m completely lame now. I mean, I’ve never claimed to be witty, or someone who’s good with coming up with ideas on a whim, so I panicked a little last night. If I put more thought into what the rules were, maybe they would’ve been better—made this game between us more fun.
It’s not like I can call Lanie up either and tell her all about this. I don’t want her trying to play matchmaker while she’s on that damn bus because I don’t want a relationship with Riff. It’s a good thing I didn’t mention the kiss between Riff and me to her either. I would’ve never heard the end of it about how I let men walk all over me and how I always pick the wrong guy.
Sometimes she sounds like my mother.
I get so tired of hearing what people think is the right thing for me to do with my life and my relationships. People don’t get that I’m not looking for a guy to settle down with. Not really, anyway. I like freedom and being crazy if I feel like it. I like sex. I like slightly kinky sex even more, which is why I think Riff will be down to play a few naughty games if given the opportunity.
I open a new file on my computer and get busy typing up a memo about the Black Falcon charity that Isaac assigned me earlier in the day.
Speak of the devil…
Isaac gives me an easy smile as he strides up to my desk. “Hey, Aubrey. You got a minute?”
I nod as I take in his polished features. The skin on his cheeks appears smooth and soft, with no hint of stubble. He probably takes better care of his skin then I do. I bet he smells pretty great too.
I lean in a little as I stand before him and take a whiff, hoping it’s not obvious. I grab the things off my desk. Yep, there’s definitely some type of woodsy cologne sprayed on him, which is off because nothing about him screams lumberjack.
I follow Isaac into his office, and he shuts us inside once I’m seated. “How have you been?”
One of my eyebrows shoots up on its own accord. This is unusual. “I’m fine, and you?”
He shakes his head as he sits behind his desk. “Not so good. Diana’s breathing down my neck wanting preliminary details for the marketing plan. Did you get any information from Ms. Vance about the vision from the project?”
My lips pull into a tight line. “She just left this morning to meet up with them.”
Isaac sighs. “I was afraid you were going to say that. This project has to get rolling, and since we don’t have any information from Lanie, I have to move on without her input.”
I bite my bottom lower lip. “Do I still have to keep this secret from her?”
He nods. “Think of the damage walking out on a company like Center Stage will do to her career. I know she’s your friend, but the best thing you can do is keep this from her. If she gets upset, she won’t think rationally. Plus, Diana would probably fire me if this got back to Lanie and we lost the Black Falcon account.”
I slump a little in my seat. I hate that he’s right so damn much. Lanie Vance is one of the most hotheaded people I know. I’ve never met someone so willing to fight at the drop of a hat if she knows she’s right or feels she’s being wronged in some way.
I want to tell her, but I think maybe I need to keep this from her while she’s on the road because I don’t want her to go crazy. If she quits, Isaac and I will probably be fired for telling her. This is Diana Swagger’s company and she’s not known for being understanding.
I stare into Isaac’s big blue eyes. There’s concern in them marked by crinkles on the outer edge of them. In the two months that I’ve been here, not once has he shown me any real concern, merely been a friendly coworker.
I sigh. “That’s true. I just hate keeping things from her, especially since she’s my roommate, but I don’t want her to ruin her dream because Diana refuses to have faith in her work abilities.”
Isaac stands, his black suit hugging him in all the right places, and then walks around his desk. I stiffen a little as he gracefully takes the seat beside me. “I’m glad you’re being so reasonable about this. You’re a strong person who cares a great deal for her friend. That’s very attractive in a woman.”
I swallow down the lump in my throat and my pulse quickens. This closeness between us feels very intimate—like we’re entering into new territory. One that will end up with us spending late nights with me bent over his desk if I’m not careful.
I nervously tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear and curse myself for having these thoughts about my boss. I’m sure he’s just being nice and is in no way trying to flirt with me. I’m reading into him sitting next to me all wrong.