Purr.
“When is the last time you stood and stretched?” She handed over the container, a plastic fork, and a stack of napkins. She was determined to focus on her job, on anything other than the attraction vibrating in the air between them.
Did he feel it too?
His eyes went to his lunch, back to her, and then he asked in a low, rumbling voice she felt in her tummy, “When was the last time you stood and stretched?”
“I stretch once an hour.” Sort of. When she remembered. “I move around a lot, as you noticed the other day when you lodged a complaint about my heels.”
His deep blue eyes ran down her legs like a caress, lingering at the red heels she’d worn today. Red heels and a slouchy pair of army-green pants paired with a white button-down shirt. Casual and cool was what she’d been going for. Even dressed slightly down and less professionally than usual, with the way he looked at her she felt like she wore a tiny scrap of a dress instead.
“You trimmed your beard,” she said to get his eyes off her body.
His hand went to his face, blunt, wide fingers stroking his remaining facial hair. The back of his neck had a good trim as well, but he’d left his hair longish—the front falling rakishly over his forehead. The full beard and ruffled hair suited him, but this slightly cleaned-up version suited him as well. It was a weird thought to have since she didn’t know him.
Okay. This one-sided conversation was fun.
She was turning to leave when he said her name—his name for her.
“Sable.”
Anticipation bloomed in her chest at the rough sound of his voice. “Yes?”
She threaded her fingers together in front of her, waiting anxiously for what, she didn’t know. Just having his attention was its own reward.
Eli’s brows bent, sadness eking into his expression. His lips parted but no words fell out. His eyes flicked away, then to hers—holding her gaze with fierce intention.
“Did you order lunch for yourself?” he finally asked.
“No,” she answered, a bit stunned by the question. “I was going to go out.”
“Fine,” he growled. His features morphed, anger chasing away the sadness. He pried the lid off his food and fisted the fork, digging in for a bite while she stood idly by. Had he wanted her to join him? She was about to offer when he lifted his face, swallowed the bite he took, and said, “Take off the rest of the day while you’re at it.”
There was that mile-wide mean streak she knew too well.
“Fine.” She left his office, making sure her heels clopped as loudly and as much as possible while she gathered her things and left.
***
“That’s not the worst of it!” Isa said as she palmed her margarita. She’d planned to meet Chloe for a much-needed girls’ lunch at the same Mexican restaurant where she’d ordered Eli’s takeout today. “I’ve been fired at least five times.”
Chloe lifted her glass of sangria. “I think you secretly love that he’s a challenge.”
“At first, yes.” Isa held up a finger. “Now it’s less about the challenge and more of a concern. Will I be able to replace myself with another assistant? Who would put up with him?”
Isa had a company to run and Chloe filling in during the daytime hours and Isa working all weekend and most evenings until midnight wasn’t a good long-term plan.
“I don’t know, Isa.” Chloe grew serious, her nose crinkling. “If he’s not going to cooperate, maybe you should give up on the Cranes altogether. They may have wealthy contacts in Chicago, but they’re not the only rich people who live here.”
True. Her own parents were rich people, but they preferred to keep what Isa did quiet rather than share that their daughter was an indentured servant. Which was exactly why she’d opted to go to a most uncomfortable banquet. If she could introduce herself around, make a few high-end acquaintances, she might be able to let the Cranes go.
“You’re right,” Isa confirmed, her voice strong. “I can overcome adversity. I can’t let myself believe that Elijah Crane could single-handedly tank my reputation.”
“’Scuse me.” A velvet male drawl sounded over Isa’s ear. If Chloe’s gobsmacked expression was anything to go by, the guy speaking wasn’t unattractive.
Isa turned and was pegged with two very green eyes, shaggy, sandy-blond hair, and a full-lipped smile.
“Did I hear you mention Eli Crane?” he asked.