Not even their shared humour could ease the effect of her warning.
What did she mean?
‘Let’s talk when I’ve been through those files,’ Julia continued, clearly understanding her hesitation. ‘I’ll call you.’
‘Of course, whenever you’re ready,’ Zara replied, injecting an enthusiasm into her words she didn’t feel, and climbed out of the car. She couldn’t even look at him, her apprehension keeping her eyes fixed on the office building as she headed straight for it.
The car door slammed shut, his hurried footsteps on the asphalt coming up behind her. ‘Hey, I didn’t mean to scare you quite so completely.’
She sent him a swift look. ‘I have an appointment shortly,’ she lied. ‘You really don’t need to walk me up.’
‘I wanted to speak to you alone.’
She frowned, yanking open the heavy glass door and heading into the bustling foyer, his sister’s words resonating and distracting her as she asked on auto-pilot, ‘What about?’
‘I wondered if you were free—’ He broke off, narrowly missing the door closing in on him as he leapt through it and swept her a questioning look.
She avoided his eye and continued on.
Yes, I’d normally hold the door open, but right now, I don’t feel anywhere near normal.
‘Like I was saying,’ he tried again, beating her to the lift button and pressing it. ‘I wondered if you were free tomorrow night?’
‘By “night”, I’m guessing you mean another date,’ she said, ignoring the excited thrum of her body.
Think on his sister’s warning. If anything, it means you should give an outright no.
‘It’s not a good idea.’
A few people joined them in the queue and she could see him re-evaluating his next words, his grin speaking volumes. ‘I beg to differ.’
‘You do
?’ she said, striving for neutral and fixing her sights on the lift doors.
Come on, come on, come on...
‘I do,’ he said confidently, his gaze still on her.
She could feel the heat of it teasing at her resolve—thank God they were in company.
The lift arrived and they stepped inside. The small space was rammed with other people and she let go of a relieved breath.
He ducked to speak against her ear. ‘Feeling safe?’
His hot breath tickled, his words burning up her core.
Safe? With him?
It was a ludicrous question, one that conjured up answers at both ends of the spectrum. She was inexplicably drawn to him, her body craving every millimetre of his, and she loved that he cared so much for his sister that he wanted to help her. She loved that he could make her laugh. She loved how well they worked together, how he knew how to drive her crazy, how he made her feel beautiful and desired. She could go on and on.
But did she feel safe?
No.
She felt all kinds of vulnerable and his sister’s words had a rage of emotion whirling up within her. Too many memories. Too much heartache.
As the lift slid into position on her floor, she stepped out and strode across the office, straight for EJ.