I gazed out the window at the park as night was falling. We’d had a wonderful day. When Charlie returned, I joined him on the couch.
“Everything okay now?” he asked.
My skin had goosebumps, but I took his hand. “I was nervous since we kissed.”
He smiled at me, and my heart thumped even faster as he said, “I noticed. What can I do?”
I understood I was really fighting off the desire to rip off his clothes. I sat on my hands. “Let’s talk.”
He winked. “I’m all yours.”
I shook my head. “Funny. What do you have to drink?”
He blinked. “Wine. Okay?”
“Yeah.” I started to get up.
Then his butler walked in. “What kind do you wish, sir?”
So he'd absolutely heard everything. I tensed, and Charlie said, “We were having a Bordeaux earlier, so something similar.”
“Right away, sir,” Michael Fuller said and left.
The idea of a butler had always sounded fun, but I'd based it on a TV show in which the nanny fell in love with the millionaire Broadway producer. But Michael Fuller didn't seem the joking kind. I whispered to Charlie, “Can he always hear us?”
He shook his head. “No, Michael will be leaving soon. He has the night off.”
Good. I would have more time to get used to having someone like him around. I sat more comfortably. “Sounds perfect.”
He came in, with two glasses and a bottle. When he settled it on the nearby table and poured, I said, “Have a great night off.”
“You too, miss.”
We sipped our drinks, and I battled my inner questions of what happened next. Then we heard the front door click.
Charlie smiled. “We’re alone.”
“Good.” I lifted my chin and put my glass down.
Charlie did the same. “What’s going on?”
I rubbed the back of my head and ignored the heat rising in my body. “Well, I wanted to ask what you would need in a partner, if you opened your own business, like how would a partner fill in for one of your weaknesses?”
He folded his hands in front of him. “Staying focused.”
My mouth opened. He was very self-aware. I wished I was as I asked, “That’s it?”
He relaxed in his seat. “Yeah. I tend to get big ideas, but following through isn’t always my strength. It’s my biggest weakness. I get bored.”
I tapped my cheek. I'd been hired to fix him, and honestly, he was looking at the opportunities he had wrong. He was bored because he had no challenges where he was. So I took a deep breath. “Okay, so I’m a focused worker, and while I have no idea how to run a business on my own, I’m willing to do more than just advertise, if it’s something you’re interested in.”
He traced my face, and every part of my being was on fire. “I’m tempted, Hope. More than you realize.”
If this weren't just a lie, everything would be easier. I sucked on my bottom lip as my heart beat wildly. Then I whispered, “We wouldn’t have to date for Kir anymore.”
He ran his hands through my hair. “I’d prefer you as my real girlfriend, if I’m being honest.”
My soul jumped up and did a jig. He wanted more too. I sighed. “I’ve already promised you six months of my life. I think it’s more beneficial for both of us if we work on an airline for you.”
