“You’re a serious woman.” His green eyes hardened. “And you’ve been giving me back-off vibes from the moment we met.”
“But that’s because I work for you and what sort of professional would I be if I let myself get involved with my employer?” Again. She clung to the final thought. This conversation had strayed too deep into personal territory.
“You won’t be working for me forever. What happens then? Does a serious girl like you give me a chance?”
* * *
Liam watched Hadley’s face for some sign of her thoughts. Sharing the details of his recent personal crisis had been a risk. She could decide he was playing her. Building up sympathy to wear down her defenses. Or she might write him off as a sentimental fool in desperate need of a strong woman. The thought of that amused him.
“I...don’t know.”
He refused to be disappointed by her answer. “Then obviously I have my work cut out for me.”
“What does that mean?”
“You need to be convinced I’m sincere. I’m up for the challenge.”
“Is that what you think? That I need to be convinced I’m wrong about you?” She shook her head in disgust. “I can make up my own mind, thank you.”
Torn between admiration and frustration, Liam debated his next words. “I seem to be saying everything wrong today.” To his amazement, she smiled.
“I might be harder on you than you deserve. It’s really not for me to offer an opinion on your past behavior or judge the decisions you’ve made.” She glanced at Maggie and then fastened serious blue eyes on him. “You’re wonderful with Maggie, and that’s the man I’d like to get to know better.”
In business and horses, this would be the sort of breakthrough he’d capitalize on. But her next words deflated his optimism.
“Unfortunately, you are also my boss, and that’s a line I can’t cross.”
But she wanted to. He recognized regret in her downcast eyes and the tight line of her lips. With the snow still falling, he would have plenty of time to turn her to his way of thinking. The chemistry between them was worth exploring. As were the emotions she roused in him. She wouldn’t react well to being rushed, but it appeared he’d have several days with which to nudge her along.
“Any idea how you’d like to spend the day?” he asked. “It’s unlikely we’ll be dug out any time soon,”
She gestured to the mountain. “I thought you’d be dying to go skiing. Isn’t all this new powder a skier’s dream?”
How to explain his reluctance to leave her behind? “It’s not as much fun alone.”
“That makes sense.” But her expression didn’t match her words.
“You don’t look convinced.”
“You’ve never struck me as a man who sits still for long. I can’t imagine you’ll be happier here than out on the slopes.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me for some reason?”
“No. Nothing like that.”
“I don’t want to leave you and Maggie alone.”
“We’d have been alone if your guests showed up. No reason anything has to be different.”
Except that it was. This was no longer a business trip. It had morphed into a vacation. And Liam had very different expectations for how he’d like to spend his time.
* * *
That night’s dinner had been arranged for six, but since it was beef medallions in a red wine sauce with mushrooms, herb-roasted potatoes and creamed spinach, it had been a simple matter for the chef to make only two portions.
With the chandelier lights dimmed and flickering candlelight setting a romantic scene, the tension kept rising between them. Liam had dated enough women to recognize when a woman was attracted to him, but he’d never known one as miserable about it as Hadley.
“You are obviously uncomfortable about something,” he commented, breaking the silence that had grown heavier since the chef had presented them with dessert and left for the night.
“Why would you say that?”
“Because you are as jumpy as a filly being stalked by a mountain lion.”
Her brows drew together. “That’s ridiculous.”
“What’s on your mind?” he persisted, ignoring her protest. When she pressed her lips together and shook her head, he decided to talk for her. “Let me guess. Since you started acting all skittish shortly after learning we were going to be snowed in alone together, you think I’m going to seduce you.” Liam sipped his wine and observed her reaction.