It was past noon.

I’d heard back from the owner of the salon earlier that morning. Allie had agreed to bring me the ring, he’d said. There had been an unusual amount of relief in his voice, so much so that it made me think he’d doubted if she’d do it at all.

Had he doubted?

I hadn’t.

Maybe I should have.

Regardless, she was on her way. My driver had texted me right before he left the airport to let me know they were en route. He also mentioned that she’d asked if he could bring me the ring so she could catch a return flight right away. He'd told her that those hadn't been his instructions, so she'd relented.

I had to admit, I was puzzled that she’d asked. What woman turned down a free trip to New York? All expenses paid, including a hotel room where she could stay the night. All of that, plus a hefty sum for the trouble.

While it should've made me annoyed that I couldn't figure her out, I found myself intrigued instead.

The business lunch I’d just finished had gone as well as I could expect, but it wasn’t over yet. The company I was dealing with was going to require some hardball. That was fine with me. People tended to look at me and either think I’d be as laid back as my father was, or that I was too young to really be much threat. They were wrong on both counts. The meeting had also served to keep me from thinking about Allie too much, but now that it was over, I couldn't keep her off my mind.

My phone rang.

“Hello?”

“The young lady is here and is on her way, sir.” It was the concierge.

“Excellent. And the food?”

“Already on the way.” Even as he said it, the doors in the back swung open, and two men dressed all in black save for spotless white aprons emerged, bearing dishes. They were followed by more men who cleared away the steaming trays leftover by the lunch that had been enjoyed, or picked over, depending on the mood of those in the meeting.

My table was cleared in moments, and two new place settings were put down. I hadn’t eaten anything during my meeting. I rarely did anyway, and I’d planned on sharing a meal with Allie. Just as the last server swept out of the room, the doors at the front of the small, intimate dining room opened.

Allie stood there, one hand resting on the door, the other in front of her, holding my coat. I'd actually forgotten that I'd left it too, even though the ring had been in the pocket.

I got to my feet, the gesture so ingrained in me it was automatic.

Her eyes sought me out, and she inclined her head. “Hello, Mr. Lindstrom.”

There was no smile on her face.

I didn’t smile at her either. I was too busy trying to catch my breath.

She really was that beautiful.

Smooth dusky skin, the color of coffee with just the right amount of creamer. Pale green eyes that all but glowed, and a full mouth that had me hungering for things I had no business wanting at all.

She glanced around, the look on her face full of cool disdain. She wasn't impressed by her surroundings or the lengths I'd taken to see her again.

It was that look that goaded me into moving. Taking a step forward, I said, “Thank you for bringing my coat.”

“And the engagement ring,” she added in a taciturn voice.

“Of course.” I stepped aside and gestured to the table. “I was about to have some lunch. Business meetings have tied me up most of the morning. I imagine the flight ate up most of yours. Are you hungry?”

“You imagine the flight took up most of my morning?” She tucked her tongue against her cheek, looking like she wanted to add something else, but good manners kept her from doing so. “Sure. I could eat. The snacks they offer on first class might satisfy the sweet tooth, but they aren't filling.”

She came toward me, still holding the coat and when she stopped in front of me, I stayed where I was, a little uncertain what it was she wanted.

Finally, a faint smile cracked her face. “You’re standing in front of both seats.”

“Oh. Of course.” I held out my hand for my overcoat, wondering just what in the hell was wrong with me. This woman did weird things to my head.

Once she’d passed the coat over, I stepped aside, carelessly slinging the coat she’d so meticulously folded over the back of a chair at a nearby table. She’d already sat by the time I’d turned, ready to pull her chair out for her. She was studying the food in front of her critically, and just as I was about ready to tell her I could call the chef and have him make her something else, she used the fork to cut into the light, flaky fish and popped a bite in her mouth.

“Hmmm.” She made a humming noise in the back of her throat as she chewed. After she’d swallowed, she shot me a smile. “Not as good as what my mom makes, but it'll do. Have you tried yours?”

As I hadn’t even sat down, it was pretty obvious I hadn’t, but I took the not-so-subtle hint to quit towering over her. By the time I’d spread my napkin in my lap and taken the first bite, she was already through half the fish and had tried the potatoes and broccoli.

“It’s over-cooked,” she said with a shrug. “But overall, the food is pretty decent.”

I was about to call her on the broccoli – there was no way a place like this didn't serve perfection.

Except the broccoli was a little overcooked.

My mouth tightened, but she caught sight of me and laughed. “It’s just broccoli.”

I could have pointed out that I’d ordered a meal expecting it to be perfect, but it seemed a little idiotic to make a fuss when she was sitting there laughing about it. I didn't want her to think I was petty. It was already pretty clear that she didn't think much of the elaborate display.

“I suppose it could have been worse.” I scooped up a bite of the fish. It was succulent, cooked to perfection. That made me wonder just how good her mom's cooking was. “It could have been bad fish.”

“Oh, puh-leeze.” She nipped up the last bite of potatoes. “Don’t even joke about that.”

Leaning back in her chair, Allie studied me, and I found myself at a loss for words. Talking to women was easy for me. Or at least, it usually was, but I couldn't think of a thing to say to her. All of the usual smooth talk I used, the flattery and charm, none of it seemed right.

She leaned forward, one elbow braced on the table. “Can I ask you something, Mr. Lindstrom?”

I wished she'd call me Jal.

“Absolutely.” She was closer now, and I thought about reaching over, stroking my fingers down her arm. Her skin looked incredibly soft. Just like her hair. I wanted to see it spread out on my pillow, see her spread out under me–

“Why did you leave the engagement ring behind?”

“What?” The question caught me off-guard, especially considering I was wondering just how lush those curves were under her jeans and simple blouse.

“Your ring.” She propped her chin on her hand, her eyes dancing with something I couldn't name. “You left that ring in the salon, and I can’t help but think you did it on purpose.”

I tried to summon up some sort of argument, but my mind was blank.

She didn’t even seem to notice as she eased back and settled into her chair, that faint smile still curving her lips.

“See, you just strike me as the kind of man who has all his ducks lined up. I bet you packed for this trip of yours several days ago, and you knew exactly which shirt you’d wear today and with which pair of pants. You’ve already planned what you’ll wear for tomorrow and probably the next day too. Your drawers and your socks all matched up just so. There’s nothing extra in your suitcase.” She paused, shook her head, and then continued, “No. Not a suitcase. A carry-on. It’s just a quick trip, I’m thinking, and you don’t want to waste time with luggage, so the carry-on was enough. You have only what you need.” Allie’s eyebrow rose, and she asked, “How close am I?”

Damn. I stared at her. “Just about spot on.”

“Okay, then. Why’d you leave the ring?”

Now it was my turn to lean forward. “What makes you so sure I did? Just because I plan doesn't mean I'm not forgetful.”

“Because a man like you isn’t the kind of man who’d leave an expensive and hopefully important engagement ring behind. Especially when it was in a coat he'd have missed as soon as he stepped outside.” She gave me a hard look. “Unless, of course, he had some ulterior motive.”

She bent down and reached into her purse, pulling out the box that carried the ring. She placed it on the table. “So, what reason did you have for leaving it behind?”

Instead of answering her, I picked it up and flipped it open, studying it. I’d only looked at it twice, once when it had been shown to me by my assistant after she'd bought it, and once yesterday morning, right before I left the house. I almost asked her what she thought of it. But when I opened my mouth, the question that came out was something entirely different.

“Did you try it on?”

I expected another flippant reply, something snarky.

Instead, her gaze slid away. “Excuse me?”

Hmmm…interesting. I'd been waiting to get some sort of reaction from her since the moment she walked in, and now I had.

“You heard me.” Smiling now, more comfortable that she wasn’t in control of the conversation, I leaned toward her. “Did you try it on?”

“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes and reached for her water. Her pretty mouth was damp when she lowered the glass, and I wanted to lick away the bead of moisture lingering on her lower lip, but she beat me to it.

Damn if that didn't send my blood rushing straight south.

“I can always have it checked for prints.” I studied the ring and flicked her another look.

“If you so choose.” She gave me a droll look. “If you’re done with me, your highness, I’ve got a life to get back to.”

Before she could stand up, I reached out a hand and covered hers with mine. “In such a hurry to be off? You’ve got the whole day off – with a nice bonus.”

She tilted her head to the side, studying me. “The whole day off. Is that how you see it, Mr. Lindstrom?”

“Well, you’re in New York…and you’re not working.”

“No. I’m not working.” She made a deliberate show of tugging her phone from her purse and studying the time before looking at me. “It’s well after one. I’d be coming up on the end of my shift if I was at home.” After she put the phone back, she looked at me again. “I don’t suppose it occurred to you that maybe I might have responsibilities that don’t particularly…coincide with the plans you had for me when you set this little deal up.”

Shooting for a grin, I shrugged. “I just needed the ring back, Allie. If you didn’t want the bonus…”

“You made it more than clear that I was the one you wanted to bring it back.” She looked mildly annoyed now. “Which meant you didn't even stop to think about how any of this would affect me.”

I’d gone and fucked up, and I hadn't even realized it.

As she crossed one leg over the other, I thought back to the call I’d made to the salon. Had I been that guy? The one who talked over what anyone else had to say because I was so sure what I wanted was the most important thing?

She continued, “See, my boss is a great guy – a little nervous, sure, but a great guy. Regardless, it was made clear enough that you wanted me personally to bring the ring back. Once I did that, you’d bring your not-so-insignificant patronage to his establishment. Alistair is a worrier. He would have made excuses for me because he knows I do have responsibilities, but he asked if I could make arrangements. All it would take is a few wrong words from you and his salon would have suffered for it. So I figured it out for him. Not for you.”

“Now wait a minute,” I snapped.

She arched her eyebrow and folded her arms under her generous cleavage. “Did you make it clear that he’d do well if he helped convince me to trot up here like a good little girl?”

Son of a bitch. “I made it clear that I’d appreciate it.” But maybe I hadn’t made it clear that it was no harm, no foul if she couldn’t. Carefully, I took a deep breath. “Maybe I wasn’t clear enough that regardless of what you chose to do, it was my fault the ring had been left behind, and I was the only one who’d bear the blame for it. I…apologize.” The word almost stuck in my throat. It wasn't one I used very often.

“Apologize to him. He’s the one worrying himself sick that you're going to ruin him.” She lifted a shoulder. “Unless that’s just not the kind of thing you do.”

She had a smirk of a smile on her face. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to kiss it off or just…no, I wanted to kiss it off.

I tried changing the subject, both so I could stop thinking about kissing her and so I could learn more about her. “You said you had responsibilities. Are you taking classes? Is there a second job?”

“I have a younger brother,” she said flatly. “I’m responsible for him after work.”

Well, shit. Now I really felt like an asshat.