“You can be my Alfred. You have a cool accent and I think you’d do the job,” Parker offers and I laugh.
“All right,” I say walking out into the living room, keeping my eyes on Parker. “I think it’s time for you to go to bed, buddy.”
“Whoa!” Parker says. “You sound like my mom, but you don’t look like her.”
“Is it bad?” I ask with fear.
I don’t make any eye contact with Milo. I’m not ready to see his reaction to whatever I look like. It’s not like I go to work looking like I rolled out of bed, but I was a housewife for sixteen years. I don’t know what’s trendy. My insecurity is at a ten out of ten and if Milo looks at me with disappointment in his eyes, I might lose it.
Which is insane because he works for me and hates me.
Parker smiles at me and puts my nerves at ease. “You look pretty.”
“Well, I’m glad you think so.” I tap his nose. “Ava is upstairs. Go get ready for bed and she’ll tuck you in, okay?”
“Okay, Mom.” Parker walks back to Milo. “Have her home by ten, okay?”
Milo laughs and ruffles his hair. “I’ll do my best.”
“Bed,” I order.
Parker runs off, leaving Milo and I alone. I look at the floor and Milo’s feet enter my view.
“Well.” He clears his throat. “Are you ready to see my charm, as you so call it, in action?”
I laugh at his ridiculousness and do my best to settle the butterflies wreaking havoc in my belly. There’s no denying how unbelievable Milo looks right now. He’s wearing a black suit that’s cut to fit him perfectly. His shoulders are square and his normally light brown hair looks a little darker. The stubble that was on his face is now thicker and more of a beard than before. I’m not sure if it’s the suit or the way he’s wearing it, but Milo is most definitely sexy.
“Are you all right?” he asks as I stand there staring at him.
“Me? I’m . . . yeah. I’m great. Ready to get this dinner over with already,” I say nervously as I tuck my hair behind my ear.
He takes a step closer and I remind myself I’m his boss and this is not a date. This is dinner with a purpose.
“This will work brilliantly. My plan is foolproof.”
“I’m giving you a shot at this, Milo. You’ve got one opportunity to make it work.”
He takes a step closer, and my stomach drops. He even smells fantastic.
Jesus Christ, Danielle, stop it. Focus. Work date with your subordinate.
“I’m fully aware of the terms,” he smirks. “Remember I once had an assistant, and part of being a good boss is knowing when someone can do something for you.”
“Right. And your job is what now?”
Milo’s hand lifts, grazes my cheek and then drops. “Making your life easier.”
I shake my head and focus on putting my nerves to the back of my mind. I have to pretend that I don’t care one tiny bit about how good he looks or smells. I have to remember that it doesn’t matter what Milo thinks of how I look or this dress or the fact that he hasn’t made a single comment. I’m not a woman and he’s not a man. This is war and we’re dressed for battle.
I have to lie like my life depends on it.
“I like your suit, by the way,” I say as I grab my purse off the side table.
He tucks his hands in his pockets and rocks on his heels. “Glad you approve.”
I wait for him to say something about what I’m wearing, but he doesn’t.
I square my shoulders and shake my head, the strands tickling my bare back. “Let’s see if your talk is as good as your walk.”
Milo’s eyes drift to my chest and then back up. “I’m going to rather enjoy myself. I hope you’re ready, Ms. Bergen.”
Maybe he’s not as uninterested as I thought.
“This was your brilliant plan?” I ask Milo as I pull my dress a little lower, only to have the back drop lower which means the top of my butt is showing. I can’t win with this damn dress.
We’re standing in the club, waiting to see if the girlfriend of the city inspector shows up. Apparently, Milo didn’t actually have a dinner planned. No, he just found out where the guy would be and plans to crash his date. So, we’re at the country club that Nicole hates more than life itself because this is where he frequents.
I had to come here a few times with Peter and once with Nicole. This place is where the rich, snobby self-proclaimed society hang out.
A girl passes by, gives me a smirk and I remind myself never to let Ava help me pick out a dress again. She vetoed everything I came out wearing until this one. She demanded I not take it off and that I let her use her “mad skills” on my face. Tonight has been like living in an alternate reality.
“Stop squirming,” he tells me.
“I feel ridiculous. What if he doesn’t even come here?”
“Just relax, he’ll be here.”
That’s not why I feel ridiculous. It’s because I look like a very expensive hooker. Not to mention this is some I Love Lucy type scheme he’s concocted. I’m not sure if I’m Ricky or Ethel in this role.
“Milo, I think this is a mistake.”
“What is? This is exactly what we need to do. Don’t get your knickers in a twist.”
“Okay?” I snort laugh at his choice of words. “They’re panties, but sure.”
He looks at me with one eyebrow raised. “Knickers is much more dignified.”
“Nothing about this is dignified.”
“Trust me, this is all going according to plan. I have everything the way I need it to secure the permits he’s been dragging his feet on.”
Everything the way he needs what? That makes no sense. All the plan consists of is a possible “friend” from the gym is going to be having dinner with Darren, the inspector. What kind of plan is that exactly?
“You needed me to look like this?” I hiss.
In the car he informed me that my role was to help entertain his friend while he worked his magic. If that didn’t work, he wanted me to look alluring and help him find a way to manipulate the inspector. Little does he know I have zero plans of either of those. I’m the boss and I’m going to get shit done the right way. I just needed him to set up the meet.
“You do look rather delicious,” he grins, eyeing me up and down. This is the first time he’s said anything about what I look like. Not that I haven’t caught him looking. In the car, when I sat down, the dress barely covers . . . anything . . . and I saw his eyes flash and he shifted in his seat. Then, when he helped me out of the car, Milo did his best to keep his eyes on his feet when I know he had a view of my boobs. And a few moments ago, I saw his eyes go from my feet to my waist before he cleared his throat and looked away, but still not a word.
“You think?” I ask and twirl around.
I’m toying with him a little. It’s only fair since he’s made it his mission to catch me looking at him.
“Yes, the back on that dress is divine.”
“There is no back,” I remind him.
“I’m aware, and it’s definitely working for you.” Milo wiggles his brows.
And by the looks of the man who stopped with a grin, he agrees as well.
Milo steps closer, putting his arm around my back, fingers grazing the skin on my back and making me shiver.
“Cold?” he asks.
“A little.”
I’m full of shit. It’s never cold in Tampa. It borders on hotter than hell and roasting in a fire pit.
“I would offer you my jacket, but then we’d be covering your back and that’s what our secret weapon is,” he mutters conspiratorially.
“What?”
“Your dress, Danielle. It’s going to knock him on his arse.”
He’s insane. I can’t do this. “This is such a bad idea,” I tell him. “You know what? I changed my mind on this plan. We’ll get the permits because we have the paperwork in order, not because we flirted with him at the club. I’m a grown ass woman with a good head on my shoulders.” I step out of his hold, but he grips my wrist to stop me.