Conflict of Interest - By Allyson Lindt Page 0,42
go find another one.”
Kenzie grabbed her sister’s fingers. “Not any of the board members, please.”
Riley rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You mean those old guys? I had my eye on that really cute waiter. Besides, you just said you trust me.”
“Fine.” Kenzie let her go.
Scott chuckled. “You were right, only physically identical.”
Had she just been insulted? Kenzie studied him, still a little breathless at how incredible he looked.
“I mean it in the best way possible.” He grasped her wrist loosely and tugged.
She hissed softly at the tender contact—this wasn’t the time or place to lose herself in his touch—and allowed herself to be pulled even farther out of anyone’s line of sight.
He leaned against a pillar and dropped his hands into his pockets, toe tapping. “Thank you for coming tonight.”
She ducked her head. “Of course. I couldn’t pass up a chance to see you looking good.” She realized how that sounded. “With your peers,” she quickly added. Professional. She had to keep this professional. “All my hard work paying off and all that.”
His fidgeting increased. “Right.” He pulled his hand from his pocket. A small black box rested in his palm. “This is for you. I hear corsages are tacky at grown-up parties, so I hope this will do instead.”
Her curiosity spiked as she took it from him. The velvet was soft against her fingers. She gasped at what was inside, and her heart hammered in her ears. A delicate violet made of gems and surrounded by a smattering of diamonds hung from a silver chain. “It’s beautiful.”
“I know you don’t wear chains often, but I saw it and thought of you.” He took the box from her and pulled the necklace out. “May I?”
She frowned and took a step back. Every inch of her was screaming yes, take it. But she didn’t know how to interpret the gesture. Was she setting herself up to fall even harder by accepting? The unpleasant thought made her chest ache, and she pushed it aside. “It’s stunning, and I love it. But you know I can’t take gifts from clients.”
The corner of his mouth pulled up, and he didn’t look deterred. “It’s true. But if we’re playing by all the rules now, there’s probably a more serious one we’ve broken.” He didn’t back down, but he didn’t step closer. “Besides, your contract says bonuses are allowed.”
People tended to conveniently overlook that clause. “You took the time to read my contract that closely?” She didn’t know what to think of that.
He looked confused. “I always do.” He held his hand out again, the flower sparkling against his palm. “Will you wear it, or do I need to pout?” He stuck his lower lip out.
She bit back a laugh. “Stick to puppy-dog eyes. The pouting doesn’t work for you.” She turned so her back was to him, grateful her hair was already pulled up. “And it’s gorgeous. Of course I’ll wear it.”
She barely felt the pendant rest against her chest. Her breath caught when his fingers brushed her neck while doing up the clasp. His thumbs grazed her back, and she closed her eyes at the feeling of his breath on her skin. His touch lingered after the chain dropped into place, and her pulse increased.
The contact snapped abruptly, and her eyes flew open.
“Let me see.” A tremor ran through his voice.
She spun, forcing aside her disappointment that they were in such a public place.
He had stepped back to rest against the pillar again, putting a more casual valley between them. “You look amazing. Don’t disappear before I get to introduce you around. Show everyone the woman who whipped me into shape.”
She fingered the flower at the base of her throat, wanting the moment back. “Of course. I’m always up for networking.”
* * * *
Scott was going to shoot himself. Or stab himself. Would a salad fork do the trick, or would he need to upgrade to a steak knife? Even Kenzie’s smile from earlier at the gift wasn’t enough to keep his mood light. Not that he’d given it to her to make her smile. It was a bonus, just like he’d said. She’d done a good job despite the grief he gave her. And he’d give her a thousand more if he could get the same reaction every time.
He’d give her a million more to get her to open up again the way she had on the phone. Not the intimate details—though he wouldn’t complain—but the side of her she kept