Rory (Hope City #7) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,49

little moans. She opened her mouth and he took advantage, sliding his tongue over hers, loving the sweet and tart taste that he remembered so well.

Finally, he dragged his mouth from hers when his cock swelled painfully against his zipper. Before he could get his head wrapped around a thought other than his erection, she asked, “Do you want to come in?”

“God, yes… but I’m not going to,” he replied, then immediately wished he could pull the words back in. He pressed his forehead against hers. “I want to do this right, Sandy. I want to do us right.”

Nodding, she smiled. “Then there will be another date?”

“Absolutely.” After kissing her once again, he opened her front door and saw her cat standing nearby, eyeing them suspiciously. “I brought her home to you, Ocee.”

She laughed and lifted on her toes for one more quick kiss. With an order for her to lock up and a promise to take her out once his next long shift was over, they parted.

16

Sandy wondered what she was doing. Sitting in the opulent restaurant having lunch, she could only think about being with Rory. Instead, she smiled politely toward her dining companion—Anthony Partridge. She had tried to turn the conversation to her concerns but was continually talked over.

“I know my father will hand more of the business to me soon,” he said between bites. “He’s getting older and there’s no one else he can leave things to. It’s just so frustrating.”

“Well, I—”

Narrowing his gaze, he said, “How much did your father give you to set you up with your business?”

A little gasp slipped out at the audacity of his question. “Anthony, first of all, that’s none of your business. Second of all, the only reason I’m telling you this is to make sure you understand where I’m coming from. None.” She watched him blink as his chin jerked back. “None. Zero. Zip. Nada. I set myself up in business. I took out a loan. I’m building my own business my own way.”

He waved his fork around dismissively. “That’s different, I suppose. You’re just a designer, not prepared for a full financial consulting business like your father. Or like what I’m doing—taking over my dad’s multibillion-dollar businesses.”

“A lady should always smile even when someone says something ridiculous. Especially if it’s from a man.” She swallowed her sigh. “Since you brought up your father’s multibillion-dollar business, that’s why I wondered if you’d had a chance to check on the contractors that are working in Partridge Tower.”

“I leave all that up to Dave. I just need to make sure the Tower is ready for tenants within the next two months. That means we came in before the deadline and under budget.” He let out an exaggerated breath and grinned. “It’s taken a while. My father never gave me preferential treatment.”

Ignoring the desire to roll her eyes at his comment about not receiving preferential treatment, she tossed out a noncommittal smile and speared another bite of her salad. She was younger than Anthony but remembered him having a very preferential upbringing and knew that he planned on taking one of the condos in the Tower once it was complete. She had even recommended the designer and decorator for his condo.

He didn’t seem to notice her lack of interest in his comments. “When I was given the challenge to get the Partridge Tower underway, it was a huge vote of confidence by my father. I predict good things are on the way for me.” His lips curved upward as he held her gaze. “And for you and me as well.”

The bite of carrot stuck in her throat as she caught his innuendo. Taking a gulp of water to keep from choking, she said, “If I can gain some business contacts from the work on the Tower, that’ll be good.”

His head jerked back ever so slightly at her emphasis on the word ‘business’ but continued to expound on his plans. “By the way, do you remember the Sandersons? The judge used to play golf with your father. I saw them the other day, and his daughter is interested in one of the condos. Oh, and one of the oldest attorney groups in Hope City is thinking of moving their corporate offices to Partridge Tower. If they agree, I’ll have you set up a meeting with them.”

Sucking in a breath, she pressed onward with her concerns. “I just don’t want any negative publicity for Partridge Tower, and by association, your family business by