“Of course not.”
“Claudette’s warnings aren’t enough to scare you off?”
“I’m not afraid of a challenge,” I say back. Smooth, Ivy. Smooth recovery.
One eyebrow lifts up and his grin becomes lopsided. His expression says, Oh, really? and That’s interesting, at the same time.
Yes. He’s got all the moves.
“Mrs. Watters sends her thanks.”
“Who?” I ask.
Nolan waves his hand towards the window. “Mrs. Watters. I adjusted her mister and told her you discovered they were misaligned. She is eternally grateful for your attention to detail.”
“I like to please, Mr. Delaney.” Too late I realize how that sounds. And so does he, because that other eyebrow is raised now, and his expression is one of keen interest.
“I have to admit, Miss Rockwell, you intrigue me.”
“How so?” I ask, my heart suddenly beating fast. His gaze goes to my chest, which is heaving as I try to breathe through my mistake. Can he tell that he’s having this effect on me? Can he see how flustered I get when he speaks? When he looks at me?
“Weston Conrad is an experienced headhunter. He supplies the perfect candidates for the perfect positions in every Fortune 500 company in the US, and many lucrative businesses overseas as well. And yet he sent you.”
It’s my turn to raise my eyebrows. “You say that like it’s a surprise.”
“It is, Miss Rockwell. West doesn’t normally make mistakes. I’d ask him what he was thinking but he’s conveniently out of the office today. I have a feeling it was a joke.”
“A joke?” I can’t stop the sudden anger in time to keep the disgust out of my voice. “I’m not a joke, Mr. Delaney. And your sister has already informed me that this was a pity invitation, so I am expecting to go home very soon. But since you’re forced to see me today, I will give you my expert opinion about your resort.”
“Is that so?” Nolan says, leaning back in his chair. “Then by all means, commence with said expert opinion.” He waves his hand at me like some sort of king talking to a subject.
“I’m still making my assessment, Mr. Delaney. You’ll get a full report at the meeting tonight.”
“Will I?” he asks, grinning like a boy.
Why is he so fucking handsome? I’d like to slap his face right now. I even picture it in my head, but decide Nolan Delaney would not tolerate that kind of outburst from a woman.
Stay away from him. Claudette’s voice is in my head.
I can’t quite decide if she’s exaggerating about his personality or not. But I am certain of one thing. Nolan Delaney is not a man who likes to be fucked with.
“You will,” I say. “I was right about the misters and the temperature of the pool. I bet you’ve already called engineering and asked that they adjust the threshold on the AC.”
“I have,” Nolan says. “I know good advice when I hear it. And yours came with proof. It was clever to take a dip in the pool. Especially wearing those few scraps of clothing you’re calling a bathing suit.”
“It was the only thing I packed, Mr. Delaney. I won’t wear it again if it distracts you.”
“It was very distracting, Miss Rockwell,” he says, sliding out of the booth. “But it would be a shame if you weren’t able to enjoy the pool tonight when it’s cooler out. So don’t let me stop you from swimming.”
“I have it on good authority that I’ll be on a jet back to Rhode Island tonight, Mr. Delaney. So it will hardly matter.”
“I have it on good authority that you won’t, Miss Rockwell. But if you’d like to scale down the reaction you’ll get when I see you out in my private pool half naked, you can pick up a one-piece suit in the women’s shop on the west end of the hotel and charge it to your room.”
He makes this little bow with his head and says, “Good day, Ivy. I look forward to the meeting.” And just as he turns he whispers, so low, I might not have been supposed to hear it, “And our midnight swim tonight.”
I stare at his ass until he disappears out of view. He called me Ivy. He’s flirting with me. But why?
“Miss Rockwell,” a familiar stuffy voice says from behind me.
Shit. “Ms. Delaney,” I say, standing up and turning around.
“Are you deliberately trying to piss me off?” She hisses the words in a whisper through clenched teeth. That sweet perfume smell is there again and I realize I hate it. I might even hate her.
“Uh… no.”
“Then why can’t you follow my simple instructions? I already told you not to interact with my brother. How much clearer can I make it?”
“He came up to me. Sat down uninvited. What do you propose I do? Blow my chances at this job by telling him to get lost?”
“We’ve already discussed this—”
“We have, Ms. Delaney. And I’m done discussing it. Your threats are highly inappropriate. I’m here as an applicant, on Mr. Delaney’s request. How that got screwed up and these silly details about your friend the headhunter are not my concern. I’m here and I’m applying for this job. End of discussion.”
“For now,” Claudette snaps.
“For now,” I agree.
“He’s dangerous.”
“I’ve been warned.”
“Then I wash my hands.”
“Consider them clean.” My last words stand final in the ensuing silence and then Claudette shoots me one more angry look and turns away. I don’t watch her as she disappears. Just take my seat and try to pretend that all four diners in this room didn’t hear that.
They aren’t looking at me, so maybe they didn’t. I’m not sitting close to any of them, but still. Who the hell does Claudette think she is? I might be inexperienced in the bedroom but I’m not one to let people walk all over me. I can be a competitive bitch with the best of them and that Claudette has another think coming if she thinks I’ll cower.