“And?”
“Everyone said they were sure the man was working for the company that approached them.”
The partners inhaled deeply—each of them impressed by how much information Topaz had collected.
“You guys don’t think I’m reading too much into this, do you?” she asked, suddenly appearing skeptical.
“You may be on to something.”
“Yeah, Paz. The whole thing is kind of strange,” Stan agreed with his partner.
The meeting proved to be quite productive. Topaz shared her suspicions and theories, while Horace and Stan listened and offered their own takes on the subject. Of course, neither was prepared to share his own facts just yet. They certainly weren’t going to tell Topaz about Alexander Rice’s involvement. They urged her not to do anything major without talking to them. She promised to keep them informed.
Female employees of the Queen City Happening attempted to downplay their intense appraisal of the two tall, incredible-looking men in their presence. Alex and Clifton were returning from a late lunch and were obviously in fine spirits. Their boisterous laughter, as they teased one another, exuded both masculine appeal and humor. Nevertheless, their looks and powerful builds were what drew the most attention.
“Mr. Rice, you’ve got a visitor waiting outside your office. Darby’s already gone to lunch.”
Alex was shaking hands with Clifton. “Thanks, Sherry,” he said to the receptionist. “All right, man,” he called, waving off his managing editor.
The wide, gorgeous grin Alex sported vanished when he rounded the corner and saw who was waiting to see him.
“Why are you waiting in the hall?” Alex whispered, not bothering to mask his anger.
“Your secretary was gone,” Topaz explained as she stood from the comfortable armchair in the small lobby. “Your receptionist said you were out to lunch.”
“Doesn’t matter,” he grumbled, taking her by the arm. “Someone should’ve had you wait inside.”
Topaz smiled, appreciating his concern. “It was no problem. Please, I’m fine and I only stopped by to say thank you.”
Alex simply shook his head and guided her inside the office. “Thank me for what?” he asked, pushing the door shut.
Topaz pulled the card key from the front pocket of her quarter-length black angora cardigan. She waved it in the air and giggled when Alex closed his eyes and nodded.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t think I was trying to put down your neighborhood.”
“I didn’t.”
“I just felt good about doing it,” he continued, massaging his neck as he walked farther into the office. “I think deep down you’ll feel better too about enjoying a park with security.”
“You’re right,” Topaz sang, slapping her hands to her sides. She sobered for an instant, thinking how much offense she would have taken if anyone else had made the gesture. “I only wanted to thank you,” she repeated, shaking off the thought.
Alex rolled his eyes. “Not this again,” he groaned, walking over to lean against his desk.
Topaz closed the distance between them before he could finish his complaint. “It was important to me to thank you,” she said, taking his hand into hers. “Will you let me make you dinner?”
Alex fixed her with a look of playful doubt. “Make me dinner?”
“You’re surprised?”
“I wouldn’t peg you for a cook.”
Topaz shrugged, acknowledging his insight. “It’s something I do only on special, rare occasions. And you have certainly earned it.”
“I’ve earned a dinner by Topaz Emerson,” Alex remarked, his striking gaze tracing her face with unmasked appreciation. “You that good a cook?” he teased.
Topaz propped one hand against her hip and shrugged. “You’ll probably want to kiss me when you’re done eating.”
The playful expression vanished from Alex’s devastating features and he rose to his full height. “You don’t have to cook to make me do that.”
Topaz was speechless. Her amber stare faltered to the seductive curve of his mouth. When she looked back into his eyes, she gasped at the intent she found in his turquoise gaze.
He kissed her then—hard and deep with an authority that was both savage and possessive. Soft moans rose from some place in his throat as his tongue thrust relentlessly into her mouth. When Topaz kissed him back, he squeezed his eyes shut even tighter and curved his hands over her hips to bring her closer. He cupped her chin and broke the kiss to tease the satiny skin of her jaw with his lips. Shortly, however, he was back—testing the sweetness of her lips with renewed intensity as he proceeded to kiss her all over again.
The long-anticipated moment, though, was interrupted by the ring of the phone. The sound went ignored for a while. Alex’s arms were like bands of steel around Topaz’s waist as he fought to ward off any intrusions upon the moment he’d craved.
“Alex?” she whispered, when he released her mouth to nuzzle the softness of her neck. “It might be important,” she cautioned as the fifth ring pierced the air. “Alex ...”
A hushed curse passed his lips as he fought to restrain himself. He stood there, his forehead pressed against hers, as he inhaled large gulps of air.
“You better get that,” she whispered, her fingers trembling as they toyed with the collar of his shirt. “Dinner’s at seven. My house.”
Alex was so affected by the kiss and the softness of her gaze, he had no thought to express his disapproval over her choice for dinner locations. He simply nodded and watched her collect her purse and walk out of his office.
When the door closed, he snatched up the ringing phone and growled into the receiver, “This better be damned good.”
EIGHT
