The Weekend Proposition - Ella Jade Page 0,15
me off? Why would he do that?”
“Tyler thought our grandfather had been influenced by Pierce. Ava expressed her irritation over me having a date, and we thought maybe Grandfather was trying to get you to leave.”
“How ridiculous. It’s like a soap opera around here.”
“I know.” He sighed. “I’m sorry I got you mixed up in all of this.”
“Are you kidding? I’m having a blast.”
“Still, my family can be somewhat obnoxious.”
“I wouldn’t have taken the payoff.” She looked down at her feet. “I don’t play that way. I have a deal with you.”
He tilted her chin so she had to look at him. “I appreciate that.”
She looked over his shoulder and then back to him. “Time to do some convincing.”
“Ava?”
“She’s staring at us from the bar.” Coda giggled out loud in an attempt to make it look like Spencer had said something funny. He’d become fond of that sound. “We should make her think we’re having a good time.”
“I DON’T HAVE TO PRETEND that.” He stared into her big brown eyes as he pulled her closer to him. “I like dancing with you.”
“We didn’t get to finish that kiss in the boutique today,” she reminded him.
“No, we didn’t.” He leaned into her, breathing in her sweet smelling body wash. “Are you up for it now?”
She looked over his shoulder again. “Yes, I think I am.”
Once her warm breath caressed his lips, he couldn’t hold off any longer. He pressed his mouth to hers. When their flesh met, he hadn’t expected to feel so invigorated. The connection ended much too soon, but they were in public and he didn’t want to seem over-the-top in front of his relatives.
When he broke the kiss, Coda’s eyes remained closed as she rocked into him. He held her by the waist. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She opened her eyes. “I guess the champagne has gone to my head.”
“Not my kiss?” He pretended to be offended.
“I guess you’ll have to work on that.”
“You’re teasing me.” He laughed because he liked it. These days no one really saw him as anything but the fierce CEO in charge of making everything right. No one cared if he laughed.
“You’re an easy target, Mr. Cannon.”
“That may be so, but now we have to discuss how we’re going to avoid talking about you as a graphic designer. My grandfather got his start many years ago in a small agency drawing coffee ads. You picked the wrong profession to pretend.”
“I didn’t pretend. I know who Jack Cannon is. I’ve written a few papers on him for my advertising courses.”
“You have?” Spencer wondered what he was missing.
“I’m a little disappointed, Mr. Cannon. I would have bet you did a background check on me before inviting me to spend a weekend with you.”
“Should I have?” He arched a brow. “What don’t I know?”
“You think you found a waitress and a cleaning woman, but I have a degree in graphic arts from NYU. I’m in the process of looking for a job.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that?” There was so much more to her than he realized. Something about her had pulled him the moment they met, but now he needed to know who she really was.
“I had planned to on the ride here but you were on your phone most of the time.”
“Are you any good?”
“I think so.”
“Then why are you cleaning the office and not working in the art department?”
“You’re so out of touch.” She ran her fingers along the back of his neck, stirring something inside him. “You own one of the most prestigious ad agencies in the country. How often do you think you hire recent college grads with little to no experience?”
“I’d have to look at the numbers.”
She giggled again. “You’re cute when you’re analytical.”
“We have an intern program. Did you apply for that?”
“When I was in college but I didn’t get it. Your program is very competitive. I ended up interning for the now defunct Sage Agency.”
“We bought them out.”
“I know. I probably could have had a job with them if they were still around.”
“Have you applied to my agency?”
“I’ve interviewed for your company twice, but I haven’t had any luck. The job market is tough. I took a job with the cleaning company hoping I’d have a better shot if I heard about openings while I was there. There are some really nice people in your art department. Friendly and helpful.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I’ll make sure they accommodate you on Monday when we get back.”
“You don’t have to