Page 22 of Office Intrigue (Office Intrigue Duet 1)
“I’m trying not to be rude,” I told him, shifting over so that Landon could stand beside me. “I figure we’ll have dinner, and he’ll realize I’m totally not his type.”
“But what if you are?” Jordan’s eyes were wide.
“Trust me, I’m not. He just doesn’t do it for me.”
“So,” Jordan’s voice was a little softer. “What does do it for you?”
I giggled shyly, then my eyes flew up to Landon’s face.
He does it for me.
Oh, thank God I didn’t say that out loud.
However, based on the gleam in Landon’s pretty eyes, I think he read my mind. A small smirk tilted his sexy mouth and I had to look away.
“Not into the bendy types, huh?” Jordan asked, continuing to carry the conversation.
“It’s not that,” I admitted, fighting the urge to look up at Landon. “I prefer guys who are a little more…sure of themselves but not stuck up. Will looks down his nose when he talks to people. Total turnoff.”
“I know exactly what you mean.”
“When he asked me out, he actually told me what he wanted me to do.” I lowered my voice to imitate him. “‘So, Luci, I’m going to ask you out and you’re going to say yes, then we’ll have a good time.’” I shivered because it still made me a little queasy.
“Seriously?” Jordan barked a laugh.
“Yes. Exactly like that. Not in the way a girl wants to hear. I mean, I could totally get behind a dominant man, but this… It was just icky.” Not at all the way it was depicted in books.
I had absolutely no idea why I was sharing all this information with Jordan. Then again, he and I had established a friendship in the two weeks I’d been working there. On the other hand, perhaps my inner hussy was doing it for Landon’s benefit.
Whatever the reason, I was grateful when the elevator reached the main floor.
“Well, have fun on the date,” Jordan said as we stepped out of the elevator together. “I look forward to getting the details in the morning.”
“I hope you like tragic endings,” I said playfully.
Although I really wasn’t joking.
•
I met Will at a small café near the yoga studio right at six. Okay, maybe a few minutes after, but I’d done the best I could considering the traffic. He was waiting out front for me when I arrived, pacing back and forth as though he didn’t think I would make it.
I walked right up to him. “Will?”
He smiled, eyeing me from head to toe in a way that sort of creeped me out. “You look…breathtaking.”
Now, I knew it was a line because I hadn’t bothered to change clothes from work. After the long day, I felt a little frumpy. I hadn’t even bothered to freshen up my makeup. However, I probably looked significantly better than if I’d been wearing my sweaty yoga clothes.
“Thank you.” I glanced at the door.
Will stepped back and motioned for me to go ahead. It only took a second for me to realize he wasn’t going to open the door for me, so I did it myself, then headed inside. Being that it was Thursday night, the place wasn’t packed, so it was easy to find a table, which Will did, by moving in front of me and leading the way.
I usually enjoyed this place because they had great food and it always smelled like chocolate pie, which happened to be one of my vices. Unfortunately, whatever cologne Will was wearing overpowered any other smell in the room. It was enough to make my sinuses throb, but I pretended not to notice. Granted, a couple of other patrons glanced our way as Will’s scent wafted by them. Apparently, they couldn’t pretend the way that I could.
“How was work?” he asked when he flopped into a booth in the back.
I took my seat more eloquently. “Good. I’m just getting ramped up.”
“Oh?” He looked confused. “New job?”
I nodded. “I’ve been there for two weeks.”
“Wow. So, really new.” He sounded as though that was a problem.
Will picked up a menu for himself from the small holder on the table. He didn’t offer me one, so I reached for one after, although I already knew what I wanted.
“So, what is it that you do?” he inquired as his eyes scanned the menu.
I spoke to my menu as well. “I’m a secretary.” I already knew he was going to be disappointed by that.
“But your outfit…”
I glanced down at myself. I wasn’t sure what was wrong with my outfit. I was wearing a long-sleeve black silk blouse and a black skirt, which rested just above my knees. My heels were red because I’d wanted a splash of color. More than once I’d noticed my new bosses eyeing my shoes. I was pretty sure they liked them.
I lifted my gaze back to his. “Is there something wrong with my outfit?”
