FRAZIER GLANCED AROUND THEconference room, pleased with everyone’s report. Arnold Scurry had taken up a little too much time bragging about how well the international sales department was doing. If the man was bucking for a raise, that was not the way to do it. Especially not today, when Frazier was fighting to keep his eyes off Rylee, who was across the table from Scurry. If he’d let his gaze stray in her direction while Scurry was talking, his interest would have been obvious to everyone.
He stood. “Thank you everyone for your reports,” he said, effectively ending the meeting.
While everyone gathered their belongings to leave, he said, “Ms. Danville, please remain. There’re a few things I need to ask you regarding this past weekend’s event.”
If anyone was wondering why he’d asked Rylee to remain, now they’d think it was strictly business…or so he hoped.
“Yes, Mr. Connelly,” she said, sitting back down.
Once everyone had gone, closing the conference room door behind them, he picked up the conference roomphone. “Mattie, I’m still in conference Room A. I’m not to be disturbed.”
“Yes, sir.”
He hung up the phone and glanced down the table at Rylee who was looking at him expectantly. Did she honestly think he wanted to talk about that charity event?
On Monday morning, he had received a card from her through inter-office mail, thanking him for the flowers. If the card had fallen into anyone else’s hands, they would have assumed he’d sent her flowers on behalf of the company for a job well done Saturday night. But they both knew that wasn’t the case. The card he’d sent with the flowers had been pretty clear.
As he stared at her, he wondered how many times this week had he thought about her? Dreamed about her? Too many to count. Hell, she’d even consumed his mind as he listened to Electra. And wasn’t that crazy?
When he didn’t say anything, she asked, “You wanted to ask me about the event?”
“Yes, I do. However, nothing I have to say has anything to do with business.”
She lifted a brow. “Oh? Then what do you want to know?”
“Did you enjoy my company?”
“Your company, Mr. Connelly?”
He settled back in his chair. “When we are alone, I prefer you call me Frazier.”
“Even here? In the office?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes, even in the office.”
She began nibbling on her bottom lip, which unfortunately drew his attention to her mouth. His only regretlast Saturday night was that he hadn’t kissed her. A part of him wished he had. Another part felt it was a good thing he hadn’t. The memories of her scent had nearly driven him insane. He could just imagine how much worse things would have been had he tasted her.
“I’m not sure calling you by your first name at the office is a good idea.”
“Why not?” he asked, trying to keep himself from drowning in the beauty of her hazel-colored eyes.
“If word gets out that I call you by your first name, people will talk.”
He had news for her. People would eventually talk anyway, because he had no plans to sneak around. He was a grown ass man and she was an adult, as well. There wasn’t a company policy in place that said they couldn’t date. However, he wanted to make sure she was comfortable with it. If she wasn’t, then he was open to suggestions about other ways they could be together. Because he wasn’t taking no for an answer.
“I think you need to understand something, Rylee. I meant what I said Saturday night. I want to be someone who can stir your interest.”
She lifted her chin. “Why? Because you see me as a novelty?”
A smile touched his lips. “No, I see you as a very desirable woman. One who fascinates me.”
Rylee folded her hands together. He wished she wasn’t sitting so far away. More than anything, he wanted to reach out and touch her.
“Why, Frazier? You and I both know I’m not your type.”
Now he was the one who lifted a brow. “And you think you know my type, Rylee?
“I’d think most people would, since pictures of you and your type have been plastered all over the newspapers for years. You’re usually seen with those model types--the tall, sleek and sophisticated ones. That’s the only type of woman you’ve dated in years.”