“Hi, Jason, come on in.”
He dragged his gaze to her face. Her smile surprised him. It was genuine and matched the gleam in her blue eyes. He’d assumed she would be nervous and uncomfortable after last night. That kiss had knocked him sideways but she had showed no reaction. Had she lost any sleep over it? Had she dreamed about it, or was he alone in that?
He stepped into her apartment and she closed the door behind him. His gaze rested on the front zipper. It was too much of a temptation. Blood roared in his ears as his body hardened. He wanted her to drag it down a little to show off her cleavage. He imagined jerking the zipper down fast, as if he was eagerly tearing off wrapping paper from a present. And now he was dreaming about catching the tab with his teeth and unzipping it slowly as he explored her curves.
Jason abruptly glanced around. He wasn’t going to look at that zipper again. He froze and took another look at her place, this time a little slower. Her home was an explosion of color. The throw rug was a splash of red on the wooden floor and her sofa was also bright red. There was a lamp with a bright yellow shade sitting next to a collection of the kind of glass art that seemed to be sold at every farmer’s market and specialty shop in the Seattle area.
Jason stared at the modern lithograph prints on the wall. They were vivid and sensual. He tried to align this apartment with the Claire who wore dark blazers and jeans and drove a beige car. The woman who was quiet and preferred the sidelines to the spotlight. It didn’t make sense.
“I was just finishing up something in my office,” she said as motioned for him to follow. “It won’t even take a minute.”
His gaze lingered on her swaying hips. Jason swallowed hard and bit his bottom lip. He hadn’t noticed how curvy she was before. His chest felt tight as his skin heated. Claire usually wore clothes that concealed her voluptuous figure.
She glanced over her shoulder, flipping her blond hair to the side. She stopped when she saw him staring at her dress. “Is what I’m wearing okay? It’s not too much?”
Too much? Where did she get that idea? “It’s perfect,” he said gruffly.
She gave a relieved smile. “I didn’t know what to wear to a tasting party for a charity,” she admitted. “I had to go buy this dress this morning. It’s not as if I have a set of party clothes for a last-minute invite. I’m only pretending to be a party animal. Miranda had to walk me through this one. She swore I needed to wear a bandage dress.”
Thank you, Miranda. He wondered how the woman had convinced Claire to try something different. Claire was the most stubborn person he knew.
“By the way, I’m not happy with you,” she announced.
He should have guessed. “Why?” It had to be about the kiss. Should he mention that she had been with him every step of the way? That he had been the first to end the kiss, but that he had been reluctant to pull away? No, she didn’t need to know that.
“Seriously?” She stopped at her office door and put her hands on her hips. “I get a text from you first thing this morning saying that I have to attend this charity event. And then you don’t answer my texts or my calls.”
Jason gave a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I had forgotten my phone.” He had, in fact, avoided it and gone for a long run. He had been unable to stand still and decided to get out and exercise. It was the only thing that diminished his restlessness. He was exercising a lot lately. He had pushed himself hard on the trail, hoping it would clear his mind, but all he could think about was Claire.
“And then,” she continued, “I get a random text from you a few minutes ago stating that you will pick me up. No discussion, no asking, just telling me.”
“And the problem is?”
She tossed her hands up in the air. “I don’t work that way. I need more notice.”
“Why?” He gestured at her. “You’re dressed, ready and available.” She had exceeded his expectations. He knew he was going to fade into the background with his light gray suit and white button-down shirt. All eyes would be on her, and he looked forward to seeing that happen. Would she try to hide or would she enjoy the moment?
“You will never understand.” Claire gave an exasperated growl and swung the door open to her office. Jason blinked when he saw the white walls and utilitarian office furniture. While her apartment was vibrant and homey, her home office was devoid of color. The walls were filled with whiteboards and calendars. Everything on her desk was in place. There wasn’t a sticky note on the big computer screen or a forgotten coffee mug off to the side. It was all very orderly and precise.