Page 38 of Jordan
"And you went just like that?" he asked with a frown.
"Of course not! Even though I was desperate to get someone to notice my work, I was also cautious. I googled him at first and then asked my brother to do a deep investigation."
He burst out laughing, his insides melting as he stared at her. "That was very clever of you."
"Oh, please don't give me the credit. Caleb insisted on it."
"And I'm assuming he found nothing in his background to send up a red flag."
"Nothing at all."
"Then you went to meet him," he prodded.
She nodded, smiling whimsically. "He has this quaint little house, more like a cottage. He's single by choice and enjoys golfing and gardening. And having tea parties."
"I don't get it."
She laughed at his confused expression.
"Like Alice in Wonderland tea parties. His garden is a treasure trove. Henry loves books and wanted to be a writer, but according to him, he never had the talent. So, he made up for it by becoming an agent and decorating his immense yard with themes from several of the classics. Hell of a guy. We had tea and crumpets served under a striped umbrella, with a breathtaking view of a small bridge arching over the lake. And he speaks with a British accent."
"Let me guess, he's American born and bred."
She nodded, eyes dancing. "He spent a year in London and never lost the accent. Told me it makes him feel posh."
"Sounds like quite a character."
"I had my doubts about him representing me and getting results, but he came through big time. He's very tenacious and if he believes in you, he will work his butt off to get things done. I owe a lot to him."
"You've made him a hell of a lot of money, so I'd say the score is evened," he pointed out.
"He took a chance on me and that's something I'll never forget."
Leaning forward, he poured more wine into the glass and had her squinting at him. "By any chance are you trying to get me hammered?"
"Hammered?" His brows lifted, a smile tugging at his lips.
"You think I don't know street slangs?" She took a sip of the wine and closed her eyes. "Might I remind you that I have a brother who's a cop?"
"Something I try my best to forget."
"You haven't answered my question." She gestured with the glass and managed to spill some of the wine over her top. "Oh crap. Look what I did. Lucky for me, this top is on its last leg." She looked over at him and grinned. "I have an idea."
"And that would be?"
"Why don't I take it off?"
He went still in the middle of reaching for his own glass, eyes darting to her face.
"Uhm."
Grinning at him, she settled the glass carefully on the gleaming hardwood table. Keeping her eyes on his face, she rose a little unsteadily and started to unbutton the blouse. It was a slow strip tease that had his blood boiling in under a minute. He could not take his eyes off her movements. It was as if he was hypnotized.
Finally, she shrugged the blouse, and he watched it fluttered to the floor. Her bra was a wine-red silk with lacy edgings, just barely cupping her breasts.
He swallowed, his pulse quickening. "You sure about this?"
Her gaze was unwavering as she nodded. "Absolutely."
