Jamie flashed her an innocent dimpled grin, the kind that could melt panties without even trying. It wasn’t intentional flirting, but it still had the desired effect.
“Thanks.”
Vicki’s retreat was a little too quick, and she collided with an unoccupied chair behind her and turned with a groan.
What made it even worse was the fact that Jamie hadn’t even noticed.
While he shrugged off his suit jacket, Shannon’s eyes wandered, drawn to the way his shirt clung to his torso.
The cotton outlined every curve of muscle, and the thought of what lay beneath had her blood pumping faster.
Her fingers found their way to her mouth, nibbling the edge of her nail as the image escalated in her mind.
She noticed things about him that rarely fazed her, like the strength of his hands and the amazing scent of cologne.
He was a study in fluidity and power, wrapped up in one impossibly hot package.
“That’s better,” he said, dropping into the booth across from her. “I hate wearing suits, but it’s a necessary evil.”
He unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled his sleeves up to his elbows, revealing a hefty gold Longines watch.
Damn, her favourite brand.
“Longines, huh?” she said, her voice a mix of surprise and curiosity. “Pretty sure that’s a watch people wear when they want to make a statement.”
He glanced at her, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Is it now? I guess I just like what I like.”
She raised an eyebrow, her gaze lingering on the watch. “Is it fake?”
He gave a small, easy shrug, a hint of mystery in his smile. “Nothing about me is fake, love. What you see is what you get.”
He repositioned the cutlery, his eyes glinting with mischief. “So, Shannon. I owe you a massive thanks.”
“Accepted.” She flashed him a triumphant smile. “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
He rubbed his stubbled chin, chuckling. “It was semi-hard, but now it’s ready.”
She rolled her eyes, even as her cheeks flushed crimson, and goosebumps ran down her arms.
“Is this your usual line of conversation? Sexual innuendos over lunch? Real classy, Jamie,” she teased, trying to sound indifferent, though she couldn’t hide the little smile tugging at her lips.
“To be honest,” he said, his voice low and playful, “I don’t usually have to work this hard to impress.”
Parts of her body that had been dormant for years, or maybe never really awake, tightened with unexpected heat.
Her brows furrowed. “You’re trying to impress me? What about the woman you were with yesterday?”
Just then, the waitress leaned in to place the drinks on black and gold McGrath coasters.
“Ready to order?” she asked, tapping her pen, her smile more for Jamie.
Jamie nodded toward Shannon, his gesture smooth and polite. “Go ahead, love.”
Her heart leapt at the courtesy, and she couldn’t help but smile. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as she’d thought. Taking a light breath, she scanned the menu.
“Umm... I’ll just have the house burger and skinny fries, please.”
Without even glancing at his menu, Jamie hummed in approval. “Good choice. Make that two, Vicki.”
