“I believe your . . . date has left,” he said.
Sticking with her instructions, she replied simply, “I’m more than capable of finding my own way home, thank you.”
The way he looked at her made her shudder. “I’m sure you are. I was just leaving, and if you’d like—”
“No thank you,” she said firmly. Max said don’t talk to him. She was positive he’d flip if she accepted a ride. “I already told you, I can find my own way home.”
He cocked a brow and said, “You’ve made that clear. I was going to ask if you wanted to have a drink with me, we could discuss your opinion on how the event went.”
She didn’t know him and didn’t want to either. There was no way he cared what her thoughts were one way or another. The closer he got, she was positive he was the same man from the restaurant. Did he recognize her as well? She did have a transformation since this morning.
“I really don’t have an opinion.” She hoped that was enough to drop the subject. His comment almost blew her away.
“Even someone like you has an opinion.”
Like me?It was like a slap in the face. Breathe, Rosslyn. Don’t make a scene. He’s not worth it. Think of Mom. She had a lot to say, but opted to go a different way. “I think Maxwell would be a better person to ask. Now if you’ll excuse me,” Rosslyn said and tried to slip past him.
Her spiked heel caught between two boards on the balcony, causing her to stumble. She wobbled a bit but regained her balance. Unfortunately, not without hearing the snap. Looking down she saw the heel wedged in the decking and no longer attached to her shoe.
Rosslyn bent down and tried to pull the heel out. The thing wouldn’t budge. “Let me,” he said and brushed her hand away.
It would be ridiculous to deny his help. She needed to walk through a crowd of people to leave the building. She definitely would draw attention walking like this. While he pulled the heel out, she decided to take the other shoe off. It felt wonderful to have her toes free. Slipping off the broken one, she picked it up.
“I’m not sure I can fix this,” he said, holding the heel up.
That was what she got for buying from the clearance rack. Taking the heel from him, she replied, “I have another pair.”
“Most people do,” he said. With her shoes in hand, she headed again for the doors leading inside. “There’s another way.”
“Excuse me?” she turned.
“There is a staircase around the corner. It leads directly to the parking lot.”
Rosslyn walked over and looked over the railing. She could see the parking lot, but the pathway leading to it was poorly lit. “I might break more than my heel going that way.”
“I’ll carry you if you’re worried about hurting your feet.”
Rosslyn’s feet couldn’t hurt much more. “I wouldn’t accept a ride from you, what makes you think I’ll allow you to carry me?”
“I don’t assume anything. It was strictly an offer. Take it or leave it. I really don’t care.”
Rosslyn looked over the rocky pathway. He stood directly behind her, so close she could smell his cologne. He smells as sexy as he looks. Which provided her answer. No way was she getting in his arms for any reason. Not even if the building was on fire.
“Then you won’t be offended when I decline your offer.” She gripped her shoes tightly as she entered the building. She was wiped out both physically and emotionally. Right now she didn’t care if the room erupted in laughter. To her knowledge, no one seemed to notice. The music was playing and the remaining people seemed to be enjoying the party, some a bit too much.
And now I know why Max left.The only ones who stayed obviously didn’t need to work in the morning.
When she got outside, she asked the doorman if he could call a taxi for her. “We offer free transportation for those who feel it is best not to be behind a wheel.”
She wasn’t drunk, but then again, there she was standing outside holding her shoes. If it got her a ride home, let him think what he wanted. Smiling she said, “I’d appreciate that, thank you.”
It wasn’t long before she was on her way and could call it a night. She was tempted to call her friend Cassie to let her know how everything had gone. There might be a few things she’d need to keep to herself. Like Mr. Lawson Steel. If she even hinted about talking to someone that sexy, Cassie would keep her up all night, giving her the third degree. Sadly or thankfully, there wasn’t really anything to say.
And it needs to stay that way.She wasn’t blowing this job by not being able to resist one stinking man.
At least I know one place he won’t be tomorrow. Grayson Corp.
Charles had been upset when his brother Seth backed out of attending the reception and he had to step in. Charles didn’t buy the last minute excuse of having a stomach bug. He knew Dylan had spoken to Seth. This was their way of taking sides.