Is It A Date?

Rebecca

“You know, if you’re not busy, some of us are grabbing a drink in a few minutes at O’Malley’s down the street.” Jason moved into her doorway, Rebecca looking up from her stack of papers on Vandenbilt, a smile on her face.

“Oh yeah?” She looked over at the clock on her computer, leaning back a little and then realizing the position jutted her chest out. She corrected it quickly, blush touching her cheeks. She stood up and smoothed down her skirt, her eyes remaining on Jason. “I think I’ll probably just work late and then head to the house. It’s been a long day, and I’m hoping to make some serious progress on my new house this weekend.”

He leaned against the doorframe, a smile on his handsome face. Crossing his arms, he lifted his eyebrow. “You’re going to work on your house this weekend? As in decorating it or building parts of it?”

For a younger man, he had the confidence of one a few years older than her. It was none of his business what she was doing for the weekend, and yet without a doubt, he had something else he wanted to add to the end of his questions. If he were just five years older, she wouldn’t think twice about getting drinks with just him. But he wasn’t.

His short brown hair was cut in a manner that allowed him to keep a full, thick head of hair and yet still appear very professional. Wide, strong shoulders and a chest that pressed against his long-sleeved shirts made it obvious that he worked out most days of the week, but his gym bag forever around did so as well. He was taller than her, but not too tall, maybe 6’2” at most. A laid back expression played along his face when it was just the two of them, and he had a frat boy smile to boot. In front of everyone else he laid out the same facade she did—all business and no play.

She pressed her hands to her hips, leaning onto her right foot and feeling irritation rise up in her at his concern. If he continued to chip away at her resolve she would eventually give in and find herself involved with someone that she worked with, and worst of all, she’d have to pick up her membership to the cougar club. She had twelve years on Jason, and even though she knew she looked like she was still in her mid-twenties, she wasn’t.

“I’m going to meet with a new contractor. The old one jacked me around, so hopefully this one has the right tools to finish the job.”

He moved into the room, stopping before the desk and placing his hands on the shiny wooden structure. “When are you meeting with him?”

“Tomorrow morning. Stop worrying about my stuff and go have fun with everyone. It’s been a long week and I’m sure you need a release.”

He smiled and his eyebrows lifted quickly, her words being twisted into an entirely different meaning. She blushed again, hating the way he studied her. She felt like she was eighteen again and standing before someone who could rock her world or ruin it. Was there anyone in her past that had proven that more than Kade?

Kade.

The very thought of him grounded her.

“Let me go with you. My father owns a construction company, and I’ve been dealing with those rough-neck guys all my life. I’ll pretend to be your brother or your boyfriend, or whatever you want. Just let me help you in case he throws you some shit.”

She started to tell him absolutely not, but having him there would make things easier. The last guy had spent the entire walk-through meeting staring her down like a hungry hyena. She’d taken four showers that day just to get the feel of his gaze off of her. She shivered in disgust at the thought, Jason’s eyebrow raising again.

“Yeah … that would be good. Just thinking of my last encounter with one of the male contractors, which didn’t go so well.” She shrugged and sat down, leaning back and crossing her legs. She watched his eyes run over her, his teeth biting at the top of his lip as if he were holding back something he wanted to say.

He is. He’s into you, remember?

“Awesome.” His expression melted into a smile. He moved back toward the door. “I’ll pick you up in the morning at what time?”

“I have to be there at ten, so eight-thirty? I want time to walk around the place before he gets there.”

“How about seven and I’ll take you to breakfast. I have a few questions about work and want to get some clarity on what’s left on the house so that I can help, should you need me during the meeting.”

She started to bat him away again, but figured he was doing her a favor by spending his Saturday morning coming with her and driving all the way out to get her. The least she could do was go to breakfast. Besides, he just had a few work questions, and she could use an ear and a male opinion when it came to the debacle with the house.

“Yeah, okay. I’ll text you my address.” She placed her hands in her lap, her eyes staying on his face. The last thing she needed was to give him false hope by letting her gaze roam over the strong muscles of his chest.

Wonder what his stomach looks like.

She growled internally, trying to shut down her hormones. She was headed for danger, and they were just having breakfast. This was what happened when you didn’t allow yourself a steady relationship for years. You became a sex-starved cougar and started preying on little kids.

He’s not a kid. Jeez.

“Becca? You okay?”

She realized he’d been speaking to her, and damned if she wasn’t staring at his abs, which probably made it look like she was looking at his crotch. She felt the blood drain from her face as she stood, her hands reaching for the desk.

“Yeah, just thinking of the horrors of this house thus far. Sorry, it’s been a long week. I just faded out.” She smiled and reached up to run her fingers through her long copper-colored hair. “I’ll take you up on helping me tomorrow. See you at seven.”

He moved back a little, a smile on his lips that told her she’d been caught thinking about things other than work or building houses. She would have to be more careful in the future. Their relationship wasn’t going anywhere.

He moved out of the doorway, stopping in the hall and smiling at her. “You sure you don’t want to come tonight? I’ll be your designated driver if you need a release.”

She laughed and turned back to her computer, speaking over her shoulder. “Don’t push this thing between us. We’re business associates. I’m your boss and could probably be your mother. Get out of here.”

She smiled at his warm laugh, his voice echoing down the hallway. He was most likely laughing at the absurdity of her being his mother’s age. She realized then that he probably didn’t know she was in her mid-thirties. Good. Tomorrow would be the perfect time to tell him.