before her. “What’s up? Was there something you wanted?” she asked, peering quickly over her shoulder at the stage crew who continued to work quietly behind them. The question wasn’t a loaded one, but a carefully worded one, although she could tell from the mischief in his eyes he was thinking of all the possible ways he could answer. A slow smile began to slide across his features.
“Nothing. Just checking in on you. Last night was great. Very memorable.” He cleared his throat, but stated the words softly so as not to embarrass her if she wanted to keep this between just the two of them. His intentions were good in that moment. Normally he wouldn’t care.
Aliya blushed and looked down. “Yes, it was. This morning too.” He watched her shift from one foot to the other. Before he could speak, she was talking again. “And don’t worry about me if that is why you are here. I’m good. I know what last night was. And really, I’m good with that. I’m not looking for more.” She picked up her bag and began to leave.
“Woah! Where are you headed so fast? I . . .” Jonathan reached out and lightly stroked her arm.
“I’ve got a show . . .” She tried to pull away from him, but couldn’t help looking at the spot on her arm he clutched. It was on fire.
He felt it too. “I know but I thought maybe Friday, we could . . .,” his words were spoken huskily. It did something to her. Made her feel things she hadn’t felt in a very long time.
She laughed trying to appear unaffected by this man’s slightest of touches. “Really Jonathan. It’s not necessary. I had a great time. Fantastic. But I’m really not looking for a relationship right now.” She wasn’t. And from what she had heard, he wasn’t one to want to pursue a woman either. So his being here, and suggesting a repeat performance had her a bit baffled. No, she subconsciously shook her head to clear it. Getting involved with this man would be a mistake. A huge one. Especially not with another super alpha man like Jonathan Sassacus. She’d been there once, and did not want to go down that road again. Plus, this one was her employer. It was just all wrong on so many levels. She knew his reputation enough to know a longer relationship would only end up disastrous, even though she’d only been working there just over a month. Rumors ran rampant in a business like this, and also in a small tightly knit community like Lantern Hill. A few years older than she, she vaguely remembered his high school reputation as well.
Jonathan was floored, nearly speechless. He hadn’t thought she’d brush him off so quickly, but he recovered. If that’s how she wanted it, it was fine by him. For now. “Sure Aliya. Okay. But I did enjoy last night, and this morning,” he repeated her words with a smile. “But, if you ever want some company on your night off, you know where to find me.” He winked, placed a soft, friendly kiss to her cheek, turned and left. He wasn’t going to beg. That was for sure. He headed swiftly back up the aisle, and just before he reached the turn to the short hall leading to the doors, he turned and looked back once.
His stunning smile was in place.
That smile had her heart pattering and her body remembering. Warmth spread down to her core. Her stomach did flip flops. No, she could not pursue anything with this man despite what her body craved. He affected her just too damn much. Sighing, she picked up her duffle bag, and turning on her heel left to head backstage and get ready for the evening’s performance.
Chapter 3
‡
“L isten, this is just inexcusable. We are three weeks away from our audit, and the reports we have been seeing are not what we’ve expected.” Tawny’s tone was firm and spoken with authority. She gazed across the table giving each board member and department head a cautious look.
Jonathan chimed in. “Three months ago everything was on track. The numbers looked good. But now, the profits we