Date. She really shouldn’t let that term settle in because actual dating wasn’t possible for them. A date would imply there could be more, but other than attraction and flirting...this was all there could be.
Unless she was up front with him with as much as she could be and still not ruin her quest for the downfall of Miranda.
“I’m not naive,” she told him as she took the glass. “I’m also not going to deceive you.”
Well, not any more than she had to.
Nigel held onto his tumbler and raised his brows. “Is there something you think I’ve misunderstood?”
She pulled in a breath and took a sip of her wine before she exposed a very personal truth. “I’ve been focused on my career and trying to grow my design business, so my social life has taken a backseat.”
More like it wasn’t even in the car.
“I want to be the best at any job I do,” she went on. “So dating hasn’t exactly been on my radar.”
“I’ll take it as a compliment that you made an exception for me.”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “You would,” she laughed before pulling in a deep breath. “What I’m trying to say is that I realize you called this evening a date and I’m positive you brought me up here hoping we could extend our...um...”
“Oh, now you’re shy?” he asked. “You’ve been so blunt and honest since you came to work for me. Don’t stop now.”
“Fine.” She squared her shoulders and tipped her chin. “We’ve already agreed there’s an attraction, so I won’t pretend you don’t hit every button for me.”
“Is there a but?”
“But,” she went on, “you need to know one vital piece of information before you decide anything else about me.”
He took a sip of his own drink and took another step closer to her. “And what’s that?”
“I’ve never been with a man before.”
Seven
Nigel stared at Roslyn and waited for her to laugh or tell him she was joking. But those bright eyes continued to hold his and she didn’t even offer a hint of a smile.
An innocent. He honestly didn’t know any adult who was still a virgin. Yet the one woman he’d been craving for days—even though it sure as hell seemed much longer than that—stood before him as vulnerable as she could be. Quite the juxtaposition to her bold, confident personality in every other aspect of her life.
She hadn’t had to tell him, yet she’d trusted him with her most personal piece of information.
“I totally understand if you want to end with the drinks and call your driver to come get me.”
Without a word, Nigel took the glass from her hand and sat both of their drinks on the accent table. Turning back to face her, he stepped closer to her and framed her face until she had no choice but to look directly at him.
“I’ve said this before, but I’ve never met anyone like you.”
Her eyes studied him. “I can’t tell if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
“Good,” he laughed. “Definitely good.”
“So... I’m staying?”
His body stirred and he had to force himself to move slowly. He’d never had to worry about this before, but he found that her being a virgin wasn’t a turn off at all...quite the opposite, actually.
“Everything from here on out is your call,” he told her, grazing his thumb across her plump lower lip.
He’d never relinquished control of anything in his life, but found that’s exactly what he wanted to do with Roslyn. He not only wanted her comfortable, he wanted to follow her lead, to learn with her as she expressed herself and explored her passion.
Nerves settled deep and he had to tamp down the anxiety over the thought that he was taking advantage. He wasn’t about to do anything she didn’t want, but he had questions.