Romantic Acquisition Page 0,6

she didn’t want David Jamison to see them. She knew he wouldn’t like it at all. Not that she and Carlo were going on a date, she told herself. He was only taking her out on a business dinner to work longer.

Kate didn’t think a simple business reason for socializing would matter to David. He discouraged everyone from even being friendly with other employees outside the office so going out to dinner with the lead of the due diligence team was probably forbidden. But then Kate ignored the idea. This wasn’t a date, she told herself again. He wanted more information. That was her whole purpose for being in the conference room so it was only more of the same. She was sure David would approve of working and eating at the same time.

They made it to the elevator and out to the parking lot without anyone seeing them. “Mr. Attracelli, I really don’t…

“Carlo,” he interrupted. “And you do really.” He didn’t slow his pace but continued guiding her through the parking lot.

“No, I can just make myself a sandwich at home. There’s no need for you to take me out to dinner.”

Carlo just opened the door to a beautiful black Porsche, one eyebrow raised as he waited for her to get into the car.

“Really, there’s no need,” she said, glancing up at the windows to the building, hoping no one would see her getting into this man’s car.

“Get in and stop worrying about who is watching you,” he said challengingly.

Kate shook her head but gave in. She could tell that he wouldn’t take no for an answer. And if the truth were known, she wanted to go with him. This was the first time she’d really talked to him and, unfortunately for her peace of mind, she was fascinated by him.

He got in beside her and Kate could barely breathe. His masculine scent surrounded her and his long leg was almost touching hers in the tiny, powerful car. She moved her hand so it was over her lap. Otherwise, she’d be touching him in the small confines.

Kate watched in fascination as his hand shifted gears. She shook herself mentally as she realized that she even liked his hands. They were strong looking, with long fingers and well manicured fingernails.

Why in the world was she thinking about the man’s fingernails? She was sure he thought she was a completely idiot. She dressed like a Barbie doll and said the first thing that came to her mind. What could an intellectual man with a serious attitude towards life like in a flighty woman like her?

“I don’t think you’re an idiot,” he said, his deep voice gravely in the quiet of the car.

“I’m sorry?”

He glanced at her quickly as he shifted down to turn a corner. “You said I probably think of you as an idiot. I don’t,” he explained.

Kate stared at him, furious with herself for actually voicing that comment out loud. “Oh,” she said. That was the third time she’d done that. She had been able to pull the first idiotic statement off as a joke yesterday and the second time she’d come up with the e-mail excuse. Was she losing her mind?

Of course she was. She wanted to kiss the man. If that wasn’t insanity, she didn’t know what was. He was dangerous both professionally and personally.

Kate listened in the car for a moment, worried that she’d said that desire out loud as well.

When he said nothing, she let her breath out slowly, thankful that she’d kept the thought in her mind only.

“Why do you think I consider you in that light anyway?” he asked.

Kate shrugged and watched as he pulled up in front of a building that looked completely shut down for the night. But a valet jumped out from the doorway and was immediately holding her door for her. “It is what most people think when they first meet me,” she said as he came around to her side of the car.

“I’ll admit, you’re a little different with your attire, but you know what you’re talking about when you’re explaining the information to Jeff and Peter.”

“Well, that’s just because I’ve worked in every department in Jamison’s.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a liaison as knowledgeable in so many aspects of the company,” he said as he held the door to the restaurant open for her.

Kate was both shocked and pleased by his compliment. It gave her a warm glow as he spoke to the maitre D in