Do You Believe in Magic? Read Online Free Page B

stepped out of the gate guarding the apartment complex.
    “Yes. I told her we ran into each other in the lobby of my building and you asked me out. I hope it was all right. I didn’t want her to think you were in the Brazos offices because she might tell Kevin.”
    “Perfect. I thought we’d go to a restaurant in the Montrose-Westheimer area, if it’s okay.”
    “Fine,” she replied.
    He helped her into his silver Jeep Grand Cherokee, and they were quickly on their way. Traffic was heavy and took much of Clay’s attention, so they didn’t talk much, just made inconsequential comments about the weather and the idiocy of some drivers.
    Lack of conversation gave her the chance to think, to remind herself of her decision to make the best of the situation. Clay was stuck with her as much as she was with him. For all she knew, he could be unhappy with having to play her boyfriend. She resolved to be pleasant company; not only would the time go faster that way, but she’d show him she wasn’t intimidated, either. She had to do a good job for Herb and Brazos Chemical.
    It was all strictly business.
    They made good time, and soon were seated at a candlelit table in a cozy corner. After they ordered, Francie looked around the restaurant. The décor was a mixture of old and new, with antique-looking chairs at the tables and contemporary art on the walls. The styles somehow melded into an elegant, welcoming atmosphere. “I’ve always wanted to come here,” she confided. “Several people at work have recommended it highly.”
    “I’ve always liked the place,” Clay replied with a smile. “It was originally an old house the owners renovated and added several rooms for the restaurant. They serve a great brunch on Sundays.”
    His smile caused a tiny shiver to run down Francie’s back. Damn, the man looked good by candlelight. His silver eyes practically gleamed, and she wondered at the spell of attraction he seemed to be casting on her. But, no matter. She’d ask questions to keep him talking. “I enjoyed meeting your sister. What exactly is her specialty? I’ve never heard her name connected with computers.”
    “She’s a human-relations and management-organization consultant. She studies a company’s management system and people and recommends changes for efficiency, competence, and teamwork.” Clay stopped talking, leaned forward, and stared at her intensely.
    “What?” she asked, sitting stiffly upright. She felt his scrutiny all the way to her toes.
    He reached across the table, removed her glasses, and put them in his coat pocket. “The candlelight reflects off your glasses, and it hides your eyes. You don’t have to hide from me, Francie,” he said gently.
    Maybe not, but they certainly helped her maintain the fiction of invulnerability. “I need those. Give them back, please.” She sounded prim and proper and scared, even to herself. She held out her hand for the glasses.
    “No, you don’t,” Clay said. He took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed the back of her fingers, his eyes never leaving hers.
    Francie snatched her hand back. It tingled as electricity raced all the way up her arm and scattered across her body. “What are you doing?” she whispered while the additional question rattled around in her brain: And why do you suddenly look like you want to eat me up?
    His gaze may have been hot enough to melt steel, but his voice was as bland as bread pudding when he answered. “Francie, we’re supposed to appear to the outside world as lovers. We need to get used to each other’s touch.” He suited his action to his words and ran his hand down her arm. She shivered. “If we don’t, when we touch in Tamara and Kevin’s presence—and we have to touch to be convincing, you know— they will know something’s wrong between us.”
    “All right,” she acquiesced glumly, but she moved her arm away from his hand. “I get the point. Just don’t push it, okay?” Maintaining