“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t worry about it. You’re perfect. Tell me why you called.”
I knew that tone. I’d turned him on somehow. “You’re a maniac. Seriously.”
Lucky me.
“Anyway, ace, I wanted to see if I could borrow one of your conference rooms for lunch with Megumi. She’s back, but she’s a mess and I think she wants to talk about it but there’s really not a good place to go nearby that’s private and quiet.”
“Use my office. I’ll have something ordered in and you’ll have the space to yourself while I’m out.”
“For real?”
“Of course. However, I have to remind you that when you work for Cross Industries you’ll have your own office to lunch in.”
My head fell back. “Shut up.”
—
THE research involved in prepping for the PhazeOne RFP kept me hopping, but I was antsy for information from Megumi, so the hour seemed to drag anyway.
I met up with her at the reception desk at noon. “If it’s not too weird,” I said, as she pulled her purse out of a drawer, “we’re going to use Gideon’s office for lunch. He’s out and it’s private.”
“Oh man.” She shot me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Eva. I should’ve congratulated you. Will told me about your engagement, but I spaced.”
“It’s totally okay. Don’t worry about it.”
She reached out and squeezed my hand. “I’m really happy for you.”
“Thank you.”
My concern deepened. Megumi always followed the latest gossip. The friend I knew would’ve heard about the engagement almost before I did.
We took an elevator to the top floor. The Cross Industries vestibule was as striking as Gideon himself. It was much bigger than others in the building and decorated with lilies and ferns in hanging baskets. CROSS INDUSTRIES was etched into the smoked-glass security doors in a masculine but elegant font.
“Impressive,” Megumi murmured, as we waited for the receptionist to buzz us through.
The redhead I was used to seeing at the reception desk must have been out to lunch, because a guy with dark hair let us in.
He stood when we approached. “Good afternoon, Miss Tramell. Scott said you should just go right in.”
“Has Mr. Cross left?”
“I’m not sure. I just took over here.”
“All right. Thank you.” I led Megumi back. We rounded the corner to reach Gideon’s office just in time to see him stepping out.
Fierce pride and possession moved me. Pleasure, too, when his stride faltered just a bit when he saw me. We met each other halfway.
“Hi,” I greeted him.
He gave me a nod in return and held his hand out to Megumi. “I don’t think we’ve been officially introduced. Gideon Cross.”
“Megumi Kaba.” She gave him a firm shake. “Congratulations to you and Eva.”
A ghost of a smile touched his sexy mouth. “I’m a lucky man. Make yourselves comfortable. If you need anything, just call up to reception and Ron will see to it.”
“We’ll be fine,” I told him. “You won’t even know we had a raging party in there while you’re gone.”