“Have dinner with me tonight,” he said. If she were involved with another man then she’d say no.

“You can tell me about how you’ve changed and I’ll tell you all the reasons why I like it.”

She blanched, bit her full lower lip and then looked away. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. The next few weeks are going to be very complicated.”

Not exactly a no, he thought. He wasn’t sure what that meant for the competition or for him. “They are but I see no reason why we should deny that we are friendly. I’m not saying we’ll go straight back to my place after dinner--”

“We won’t. I’m a lot more cautious now,” she said.

“See, that’s something I want to know more about. And we’re both going to be too busy at work. Besides, this isn’t the place for anything personal.” He wanted to know more about her. He didn’t feel like he’d had enough time with her eighteen months ago. Now he had the time, while he was assessing her two company.

“I agree,” she said with a cheeky smile that made him want to go over and kiss her.

“Great. What time shall I pick you up?”

“I was agreeing to your statement,” she said.

But he noticed she didn’t say no to dinner. Finally she sighed and pushed her chair back and stared over at him, searching for something, he couldn’t really say what. But then she seemed to reach a decision and nodded. “Tell me where and I’ll meet you at seven. Meanwhile, I’ll have Ally get an office set up for you but until one can be made available, you can work out of this conference room.”

He let her be in control for the moment and watched her walk swiftly to the door, her hips swaying with each step. He followed a few steps behind. She’d clearly dismissed him and for Dec, that wasn’t acceptable.

No matter what she wanted to believe he was in charge of this entire operation-- the business one and the personal one. And she’d just dismissed him like a servant-- something that wasn’t acceptable to him at the best of times much less when he was still jet lagged.

She turned and gasped as she realized how close he was to her. Then she licked her lips and he saw her gather her composure around herself like a shield.

God, he’d never forgotten the taste of her or how her mouth felt under his, and in this moment he wanted nothing more than to taste her again. He’d never had a problem going after anything he wanted and until she’d waltzed into the conference room looking calm, cool and confident, he hadn’t realized exactly how much he wanted her.

“Was there anything else?” she asked.

“Just this,” he said, lowering his head and taking the kiss he’d wanted since she’d walked into the conference room and made him regret leaving her all those months ago.

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