Chapter 37

Linny

“Great minds think alike.” Mitchell taps one of his fingers on his forehead. “My plan was similar although I was planning on adding a helicopter tour of Manhattan to it and the matinee of a Broadway show.”

“That would lessen the impact.” West sighs. “Linny’s presented a high-end experience that the average tourist wouldn’t be able to afford. Helicopter rides and musicals are standard items on the itineraries of most people when they visit New York City.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

I bite back the urge to smile. My presentation went off without a hitch, except for the fact that Trent couldn’t keep his hands off of me.

At one point, I thought West was going to crawl across the table and grab him.

“Jeremy and I will discuss your ideas.” Trent pushes back from the table. “We’re heading back to the office now.”

West rises to his feet, buttoning his suit jacket. “Walk us to the elevator, Linny. I have a few questions about the contest for you.”

I slide back my chair and pick up my notepad and pen. “I’d be happy to do that.”

I’d be happier if I were getting on that elevator with West so we could spend the rest of the day in bed together.

“After you.” Trent waves his arm in the air.

I round the table and breeze past West on my way out the door.

I’d call this meeting a success. I’m hopeful that West and Trent see it the very same way.

***

“Do you know how desperate I am to kiss you right now?” West leans against my closed office door.

“You practically threw Trent in the elevator before pushing the button to take him to the ground floor alone.” I laugh as I toss my notepad and pen on my desk. “Your desperation is showing, Jeremy.”

He tilts his chin toward the floor. “I’ve heard my name thousands of times from hundreds of different people, but it’s never sounded like that before.”

“Jeremy?” I repeat it back. “You’ve never heard it sound like what before?”

He closes the distance between us with a few measured steps. “Like that. I love the way it sounds coming from your lips.”

I raise a hand to stop him right before he reaches me. “We can’t.”

His hands fist at his sides. “I know. I almost pulled the goddamn fire alarm in the corridor to clear the building so I could get you alone.”

“You can have me all to yourself tonight.”

He gives a short laugh. “Is that supposed to satisfy me until then? What the hell am I supposed to do with the overwhelming urge I have now to kiss you, angel?”

I take a step closer to him, knowing that I’m tempting fate. “It’s supposed to make you think about me all day until that moment when we’re alone later and you can kiss any part of my body that you want.”

He rakes me from head-to-toe. “I’ll kiss every inch of you.”

The sound of my office door opening turns West on his heel. I peer past his shoulder.

“Linny.” My dad’s gaze is cast down to his phone. “Back in the conference room, you mentioned that you wanted to discuss…”

“Dad,” I interrupt him. “Jeremy and I were just talking about…”

“Who should judge the Rizon launch contest,” West interrupts.

My dad’s head pops up. A wide grin sweeps over his mouth. “Jeremy, I was just typing out an email to you, but here you are.”

West nods. “What can I do for you, David?”

I catch my dad’s expression when he notices the bouquet of flowers on my desk. “I have two tickets to the baseball game tonight. I was wondering if you wanted to join me.”

West’s shoulders stiffen. “I haven’t been to a game in years.”

“If you don’t enjoy baseball, I’ll pass them to Linny and her special someone.”

“Her special someone?” West glances at me.

“I believe his name is Roland.” My dad approaches the flowers, reaching out to touch one of the delicate petals of a yellow rose. “One of our clients owns a jewelry store. I stopped in there yesterday to pick up a surprise for my wife. I had a good conversation with the owner and her husband. He’s the one who let it slip that my daughter was dating a young man. It would have been nice to hear it from her first.”

I almost drop to my knees so I can crawl under my desk.

Who knew Jax Walker was a gossip?

“Roland is a lucky man,” West says, amusement flashing across his face. “I’m needed back at my office. Thanks for the invite, David, but give those tickets to Linny and Roland. There’s nothing quite as romantic as a night at the ballpark.”

I rub my forehead.

“I agree with you on that one.” My dad shakes West’s hand. “We’ll be in touch tomorrow.”

“I look forward to it.” Turning away from my dad, West faces me directly. “Make it a night to remember, Linny.”

His play on my words isn’t lost on me. “I plan on it, Jeremy.”

The arch of his brow and the smile on his lips says it all. I’ll be in his arms tonight, right where I belong.