We walk over to the elevator and step inside a moment later. I don’t know what to say and the intensity in his gaze makes me shift and let out a small sigh.
“You should wear your hair down more,” he finally says in a low voice. The attraction between us is palpable. “It’s very pretty.”
My stomach flutters with butterflies at his compliment. It’s the first one he’s ever given me, and I can barely find my voice. “Thank you.”
The ride over in Nash’s Tesla begins in silence but he starts talking as we pull into traffic. “I feel like we need an icebreaker game.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s like I’m just getting to know you. We’re both different people than we were before.”
“Are we?” I ask.
“Aren’t we?”
“How would you say you’ve changed?”
“I think I’ve done some growing up. A little, anyway,” he adds and tosses me a charming smile.
I know that smile has melted the panties off quite a few women, but I will not be included in that number.
Damn, it’s attractive, though, and doing something strange to my insides. Twisting them all up.
“What about you, Charlie? Have you changed these past couple of years?”
Have I? I’m honestly not sure. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Trust me when I say you have.”
“So can we safely assume we’ve called a truce tonight while we’re in front of a potential client?”
“For tonight,” he agrees and flashes me that stomach-dropping smile again.
When we arrive at the fancy hotel where the charity dinner is being held, I remind myself that no matter how dreamy Nash looks or how combustible our chemistry, I need to keep my guard up. The man simply can’t be trusted, and his eyes are on the prize– TB Tech.
Which means mine need to be, too.
Jordan Lowe swoops in out of nowhere and slips a glass of champagne into my hand. “You look stunning, Charlie. My God, I thought Margo Robbie just walked in here.”
I give him a smile and take a sip, eyeing him over the rim. He’s a silver fox, no doubt about it. “I am surrounded by charmers tonight,” I say and glance over at Nash whose cheek twitches. “Jordan Lowe, I’d like you to meet Nash Beckett.”
“Thank you for coming tonight,” Jordan says and offers his hand.
Nash pastes a grin on his face and shakes the other man’s hand.
“My condolences. Your father was a good man. When I heard you were back at TB Tech, I wanted to meet you before the presentation in a couple of weeks. I assume you and Charlie will be doing it together?”
His choice of words makes my face flush and when I glance up at Nash, I can see he is highly amused. “Yes, we’ll be doing it,” he says, blue eyes darkening and holding mine. “Won’t we, Charlie?”
I look away and take another drink of champagne. God, that look communicated so much. More than I am ready to handle, if I’m being honest.
Shit.I have no idea how I am going to get through this evening.
11
NASH
The dinner is boring as hell, and I don’t like the way Jordan Lowe looks at Charlie. Hell, he’s old enough to be her father and he’s very clearly flirting with her throughout the entire evening. It’s starting to get on my last damn nerve.