A Lone Star Love Affair Page 5

  She stopped to tell the graphic arts secretary that she was taking off the rest of the day. Gathering her things and the paper from Tony, she left to go home where she could think.

  The following morning Isabelle stood in Tony’s office again. She had dressed carefully, this time in a conservative tan suit and matching blouse.

  “Please sit, Isabelle,” he said.

  “This won’t take long,” she replied. “I’ll accept your offer. You know I can’t possibly refuse. I won’t find another like it anywhere.”

  He smiled, the devilish smile that affected her heartbeat and breathing and was difficult to resist. “Good. You surely will let me take you out tonight and celebrate. An early dinner and then I’ll deposit you home. This is a big day in your life.” While his brown eyes danced with delight, he smiled at her.

  On top of the promotion, his offer was tempting, but some things had not changed. She shook her head and opened her mouth to decline. He placed his finger on her lips. “Wait. I can see you digging in your heels. This is an offer worthy of a celebration. If we didn’t have a past, and you accepted my job offer, you would agree to celebrate. You’ve agreed to work with me, so we’re going to be together, Isabelle. We’ll work together, we’ll be in meetings together, lunches, dinners, conferences, hotels. Stop worrying about one night and one dinner. Celebrate your victory. And this is a victory for you. No seduction. Just dinner.”

  She inhaled deeply. He had a point. She was going to work with him. She thought of the few times she had been with Seymour Morris, purely business. She couldn’t equate Tony with Mr. Morris, but she was going to be thrown with Tony sometimes by working for him.

  “I can see the wheels turning,” he said. “You’ll sit home alone tonight otherwise, will you not? No fun there when you have a real triumph. Stop making a mountain out of a definite ant hill.”

  “You’re persuasive. I’ll have to give you that much.” She thought about sitting home alone with this fabulous new position dazzling her. One dinner. Maybe she was blowing everything out of proportion. She should be able to have a dinner with him without succumbing to his charm. She couldn’t keep from wanting to celebrate this new job. “Dinner it is,” she said, wanting to add, Seduction, it isn’t, but she knew he would stand by his word about that for tonight. She nodded. “Thank you, Tony.”

  “Excellent. How about I pick you up at your house at seven?”

  “Which means you are leaving work early tonight,” she said.

  “For you and your celebration, definitely. I’m glad, Isabelle. You won’t regret your choice.”

  “Are you always so sure of yourself, Tony?”

  He smiled.

  She picked up her briefcase. “Now I have to go to Human Resources and fill out paperwork. I’ve been told I’ll keep my same office.”

  “Yes. You’ll get to do it over. We’re having them all redone. Soon you can make the selections of furniture, carpet, wall colors, everything.”

  “Actually, it’s very much the way I like it now.”

  “That’s your decision. Welcome to Ryder Enterprises, Incorporated,” he said, extending his hand, shaking hers. The moment his hand closed around hers and heat warmed her from his touch, she wondered again if she could cope with working in close proximity to him. She had spent a sleepless night processing his offer. The job was fabulous, a dream position and salary so good it was worth working with Tony. She reminded herself of how little she’d seen of Mr. Morris over the years, yet, she knew Tony would be different. It was just too good an offer to turn down. She ought to be able to work around him without being constantly drawn to him. And he was a workaholic. He would move on to other concerns. He was a deal maker. He didn’t sit in one office all the time. She didn’t really expect to see much of him after the first few months when he was getting the company set up the way he wanted. Even that, he probably left to others.

  Shaking off uneasiness, she withdrew her hand. His enthusiasm was contagious and she smiled at him.

  “Thanks, Tony. I hope you’re keeping most of my people.”

  “We’ll have a meeting concerning that later this week.”

  “I’ll see you tonight,” she said, and left his office.

  The day was busier than she had expected and she got home with only a little over half an hour to get ready for dinner.

  Was she already making a mistake by going out with him? But she had made her career decision and had no intention of fretting about it. She wanted to celebrate and she had begun to feel ridiculous for making such an issue about avoiding him. She should be able to treat him the same as any other man, Mr. Morris, Dylan, anyone. Just go to dinner, keep a distance, stay composed and cool and Tony Ryder would move on soon and forget all about her. No flirting. No intense reactions. Dinner with a new boss. Nothing more.

  After showering, she changed into a red dress with long sleeves and a V-neck. She fastened her hair on both sides, allowing it to fall loosely down her back. Finally she stepped into red high-heeled pumps.

  On impulse, she picked up the phone and called Dylan to tell him about her promotion.

  “Awesome! That is terrific, Isabelle,” he said, his tone changing from enthusiastic to somber. “He remembered who you are and wants to go out with you.”

  “Yes, he did. Whatever his motive, I couldn’t turn it down. It will give me a jump in the corporate world. Even if I just stay a few months, I can get a better job than I had.”

  “As you told me, think about it. Be careful. His family is also Sydney’s family. They won’t accept you.”

  She laughed. “Dylan, they won’t have to. Ever. Whatever I do, Tony Ryder isn’t going to propose marriage. He’s wrapped up in making a bigger fortune. I’m just going to work for the man. Speaking of Sydney. How’s it going between the two of you?”

  “We’re talking. She wants to get back together. I still think it would be supremely selfish of me, yet I keep discussing it with her.”

  “That ought to tell you something right there. You want to be with her.”

  “Hell, yes, I do, but I can’t be the one to cost her a family split plus losing her inheritance.”

  “Dylan, stop and think. She’s studying to be a doctor and you’re successful in graphic arts. You can both live comfortably and well. Multimillions aren’t a guarantee of happiness.”

  “I’m not going to be the one to take her away from her family. Those kind of bitter feelings sometimes last lifetimes and that would be terrible. She’s been close to them.” He was quiet for a moment, then said, “Want to go to dinner? We’ll celebrate your job offer and I’ll buy your dinner.”

  “I’d love to, but Tony asked me if I wanted to go to dinner to celebrate and I accepted. Had I known, Dylan, I would have turned him down. I thought I’d be sitting here by myself. And I didn’t want to make such a big deal out of trying to avoid him.”

  “Ah, sorry I didn’t talk to you sooner. Call me on a night you’re free and we’ll go.”

  When they hung up, she stared at the cell phone before she placed it on the dresser. She hated to see Dylan hurt and Sydney had seemed like a fine person. She wished she were having dinner with a friend instead of Tony. Isabelle thought about Tony supporting his sister. Perhaps family wasn’t as far down his list of what was important as she had first thought. She shook her head. She’d better not fool herself on that one.

  When the doorbell rang, her heart thudded. Impeccably dressed, Tony wore a dark topcoat and his charcoal suit with a red tie. Only the thick, unruly curls proclaimed a streak of wildness in the handsome corporate tycoon whose whole life was wrapped up in his work. That and the look in his eyes, indicating his approval as well as his longing, made her pulse beat faster.

  “You look gorgeous,” he said, taking her coat to hold it for her.

  “Thank you,” she answered. “I’m excited over my promotion, whatever motives you have behind it.”

  His smile broadened. “I want you in my company. I want us to work together. I’ve already told you, I want more than that, but we’ll go slowly. Have you told your family? If I recall correctly, you have a large family.”

  “You really do remember me,” she said as they headed toward a waiting black limo. “A limo, Tony?”

  “Sure. It’s easier.”

  A chauffeur held the door and she stepped into luxury. Tony shed his coat and asked if she wanted to wear hers.

  “I’m comfortable,” she said, looking at the fine leather and walnut trim of the interior, realizing what a difference there was between their lifestyles, something easier to forget at the office.

  “This is beautiful and makes the evening seem even more of a celebration—at least to me. You’ve been riding in limos all your life.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I didn’t remember what you were majoring in when we met. After I recognized you, it came back to me that you were interested in graphic arts even back then.”

  “Yes. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

  “If I had recalled that, I would have known you and Jessie were one and the same. I debated the possibility that you were Jessie and dismissed it. You’re more sophisticated now. You’ve been far cooler, less receptive, not the party girl I recall from that night.”

  “Responsibilities. Also, some resentment over your buyout of Morris, something I can’t help. They’ve been great to work for and I had a dream staff.”

  “Hopefully, you’ll like your new life even better. I’ll see what I can do,” he said, his tone conveying a promise that sounded removed from work.

  “I’ll manage,” she replied, thinking he had incredibly dark brown eyes, almost black now in the faint glow inside the limousine.

  He touched a lock of her hair on her shoulder. It was a casual touch, yet it was as fiery as a caress and made her wonder whether she was tempting fate by going with him.

  “You’re decisive—another good trait,” he said. “Simplifies life. It’s always good to know exactly what you want to do.”

  “One trait we probably have in common,” she answered, thinking she usually was decisive, but she hadn’t been around Tony.

  Tony’s cell phone buzzed and he reached for it, giving her a nod. “Sorry, I better take it.”

  “Of course,” she answered, turning to look at the scenery outside as they sped along the freeway. She heard Tony discussing a business problem with renovations on a hotel that wasn’t connected with Morris, so she ceased paying attention to his conversation, surreptitiously studying him when his focus was elsewhere. If she could continue to appear as cool and composed the entire evening, she should be able to get through this dinner, perhaps making him lose a degree of interest in her. She would have a celebration of sorts if she could only ignore the man beside her, but that was impossible. She focused on the new title and job prospect, clinging to it, feeling a tingly excitement over her promotion and trying to ignore who had caused it and why. Finally he put away his phone and turned to her.

  “Sorry for the interruption. Tell me, what’s gone on in your life during the years between when we met and now?”

  “Graduation, getting started in business, gaining experience at my job, making friends. What about you?”

  “Mostly business. Nothing unusual. Have you told your family about your promotion?” he asked.

  “No. Simply because I was late getting home from work and had to rush to get ready for tonight.”

  He was staring at her. “I like your hair. I like it best completely down—the way I remember it. Maybe before the evening is over.”

  “I doubt it,” she said. “This is a partial concession. I rarely leave it down and unfastened. As for my family—I’ll call them tomorrow night.”

  “Are they all here in Dallas?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact. Makes it easy for us to get together.”

  Shortly after, the limo turned into a private driveway, passing a pond with fountains as they drove to a canopied entrance with sparkling lights lending a festive atmosphere. She had heard about the restaurant, a famous one in the area, but beyond her means. Another reminder of the differences between her life and Tony’s.

  The door was held open for them and inside, the maître d’ knew Tony, motioning them to follow as soon as they arrived. They were led to a cozy alcove with a fire burning in a fireplace and a view of the dance floor and stage where a small combo with a bass fiddle, a piano and drums played.

  The table was covered in white linen with a bouquet of white gardenias floating in a crystal vase. She could detect the flowers’ sweet scent, but her attention was held by the handsome man she was with. A candle highlighted Tony’s prominent cheekbones, catching glints in his midnight curls.

  A bottle of champagne on ice already waited and the sommelier appeared to uncork the Dom Pérignon. As soon as he received Tony’s approval, he poured the pale, bubbly liquid into crystal flutes. Iced shrimp, a steaming artichoke dip and a plate of bruschetta were brought for appetizers. Menus were placed before them.

  When they were alone, Tony raised his glass. “Here’s to a fabulous promotion in your career and a night to celebrate.”

  “Thanks to you,” she said, thinking he still made it sound as if work was the last thing on his mind even though he referred to her career.

  “Actually, both Mandy and Porter were enthusiastic about you and deserve some of the credit for your job offer.”

  “That’s nice to hear,” she said, surprised. She had assumed the exorbitant raise and promotion had been all Tony’s doing to keep her at Morris. “You can’t tell me Mandy and Porter helped set the salary you’ll pay me.”

  The corners of Tony’s mouth raised slightly. “No, they didn’t. I don’t want to lose you. I go after what I want.”

  Her heartbeat fluttered in spite of the red flags of warning his statement raised. He had made his intentions clear and she hoped she was making hers just as clear, although accepting dinner tonight had to have sent a mixed signal. Though turning down a celebration of his fantastic offer would have been its own announcement of how much she reacted to him.

  “Don’t read too much into this dinner,” she cautioned. “I’m celebrating with you, which frankly, is more of a celebration than sitting at home by myself tonight or worse, working late. As you said, it is not a monumental deal,” she added, hoping she sounded casual about the whole evening with him.

  He looked amused. “I’m glad you’re here, whatever the reason. I want to get to know you.”

  “Try to keep an employer-employee view. That’s all it will be between us. Unless of course, you decide to become a marrying man. I’m interested in marrying in my near future,” she added, enjoying herself because she suspected he did not want to hear what she was telling him. She was not only telling him the truth, she was also hoping to make him realize they had no future together. She had no doubt that a woman looking for a husband was the last person Tony would want to spend time with.

  “I’m not a marrying man. We can still enjoy an evening out,” he replied smoothly, and she wished she could remain as cool as he was. “As a matter of fact, with your attitude, I’m surprised there’s no wedding ring on your finger. I can’t imagine there haven’t been proposals.”

  “I’ve been far too busy. The right person has never come along. Where we differ— You don’t want to be tied down for years. I do. I want a family, so our association outside of work isn’t a good idea.”

  “We’ll see about that one,” he said, smiling at her. “I realize you know how to enjoy life. I have a memory.”

  “I’m older now and life changes,” she said, sparring with him. “What are your goals, Tony?” she asked, hoping to change the conversation, which was taking a direction she didn’t want. “I have a goal—billionaire by forty.”

  “Unattainable for ninety-nine point nine percent of the world.”

  “I doubt if the odds are that bad. What about your main goal? Did your promotion bring you closer to achieving it?”

  “No. I want to succeed and have a rewarding career, but I want a family like the one I grew up in. I love my family. I hope to be married by thirty.”

  “Married by thirty. That’s unique today. Your goal doesn’t scare away most guys?”

  She hoped it scared away Tony, which was why she was happy to continue bringing up the topic. “I don’t tell my intentions to every one. You may be the first to ask about my goals. You’re business oriented.”

  “Not altogether,” he said softly.

  “Oh, yes, you are. Time will prove my case.”

  “Business wasn’t my driving purpose the night we met. It’s not tonight.” She gazed into his dark eyes across the candlelight. In depths of brown was craving that kept her excitement simmering. “Forget business. Let’s go dance once before dinner,” he suggested.

  He held her hand and she stepped into his arms for a ballad. She already knew he was a good dancer, remembering vividly being in his arms the night they met. He pulled her closer and they danced in perfect rhythm. In that moment she realized just how hard it would be to stay away from him in her new role. Besides his handsome looks, he had too much else going for him. He had made it clear he was not into marriage, family, children—commitment—because they would interfere with his focus on business. He had already mapped out his most important goal. If she didn’t want heartbreak, she needed to continue to guard her heart.

  “Why so quiet?”

  “Thinking how strange it is to be dancing with my boss.”

  “Stop thinking of me as your boss. It’s Tony—the Tony you met a long time ago. Forget the office. Enjoy the night.”

  “I’m enjoying every minute. A limo, champagne, candlelight, a handsome man.”

  “You’re beginning to sound like the Jessie I remember. I assume you no longer want to be called Jessie by anyone, including me.”

  “Maybe you most of all. I don’t want to explain to anyone why you would call me Jessie.”

  “I won’t until you approve, but I can’t keep from thinking of you as Jessie.”

  He looked into her eyes and smiled. How easily she could fall into his bed. Beware, beware. When Tony spun her around and dipped, she had to cling to him, looking up into his riveting brown eyes. Electricity sparked between them, generating desire.