Headlines (Prime Time #3) - Ella Frank Page 0,42
asked if we’d be free to meet them at JULIEN at around nine. Thrilled at the opportunity to visit one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago, I’d sent a confirmation and then let Sean know what time to meet me.
“Uh…define fancy?”
Sean’s groan made me smirk as I got to my feet and headed to the window. I’d missed this view. The buildings, the lights, the hustle and bustle of a city that never really slept. But at the same time, I wouldn’t give up the peaceful nights I had in Sean’s arms. For the first time in my life, I truly had some balance between work and life, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world.
“Let’s see…” I grinned, and when I spotted my ridiculous smile in the reflection, I shook my head. I was in so deep with Sean that I wouldn’t care if he turned up wearing a burlap sack. But I wasn’t about to let him know that. “Are you wearing a tie?”
There was a pause, and then Sean cursed. “No. Do I need to wear a tie?”
I almost laughed at the panic in his voice. Sean was usually so blasé about things, not caring what people thought one way or another. But the second he’d found out my parents wanted to have dinner, he’d been…spinning out.
“You didn’t tell me I needed to wear a tie.”
Of course I hadn’t. There wasn’t a dress code for the place. But Sean didn’t know that, and I was going to file this little moment under the “payback” column…for the frog.
“I didn’t?”
“No. You didn’t.”
My lips twitched. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure whatever you’re wearing is fine, and if you want a tie, I have plenty to spare here.”
There was a pause, and it took everything I had not to put him out of his misery, but then Sean sighed.
“I mean, I suppose that’d work. Especially if you don’t think I look the part.”
I was about to tell him I was just playing around with him when a sound at my office door had me turning around to see—Sean.
Standing in my doorway with his shoulder resting against the frame, Sean held his phone to his ear and wore a smile just this side of arrogant. He was dressed in all black from his shiny shoes to the pressed pants and button-up shirt. He’d left his collar open a couple of buttons at the neck, and the jacket he’d paired with the outfit molded to his broad shoulders and arms like it was designed specifically for him.
He looked smoking hot, and knew it. Like the kind of man you wanted to take home and to your bed. The kind of man your mother warned you to stay away from, not bring to dinner.
“Evening, anchorman.”
If I’d thought Sean looked devastating, the deep, velvety sound of him saying my name just about melted me to the ground.
“Hello.”
Sean slowly lowered his phone, ended the call, and slipped it into his pocket, then pushed off the doorframe and started my way.
Like a panther stalking its prey, he was sleek and smooth, and when it was clear he wasn’t about to stop when he reached me, I backed up until I was pinned against the glass window.
“Still think I need that tie?”
I didn’t think he needed anything at all. Not one damn thing. “I think you look fine.”
Sean’s eyes roved over my face to my mouth, and the commanding sexual energy pouring off him made me lick my lips. Jesus, I was about two seconds away from calling my mom and dad and cancelling just so I could lock my office door and get Sean’s hands on me.
“Fine, huh?”
I took in a shaky breath and then tongued my top lip. “You know you look seriously hot right now. Stop it.”
“Stop what? I’m not doing anything.” He lowered his head and placed his mouth by my ear. “I’m not even touching you.”
“That’s half the problem.”
“Hmm, don’t I know it.” Sean winked at me and then, unfortunately, took a step back. “So, do I pass inspection?”
“Considering I’m close to canceling dinner just so I can take a closer look, that would be a yes.”
Sean chuckled, and I had to close my eyes for a moment and count back from twenty.
“I got to say, you’re doing wonders for my ego right now. And to think you were worried I’d embarrass you.”
My eyes flew open, and I placed a hand on his chest. “That’s the last thing I was