him think of nothing but sex. With Ms. Scott. Sex with Ms. Scott.
The absurdity of the idea drove him to his feet. Unfortunately he took the corner of the blanket with him. Silverware clinked off her plate and the chocolate cake flipped to the carpet. She scrambled after it.
“Ms. Scott, thank you for the lunch. I’ll eat the rest at my desk. I have to go over this merger contract one more time.”
Maybe he had more of the hunter left in him than he thought. His company falling about his ears, his most valued assistant about to leave him and the only thing that filled his mind was the image of her on that patchwork blanket.
Naked.
And the ideas. The first image had him laying her back on that quilt and drawing her into his arms. The second one had to do with butter, slathering and licking. He balled his hands into fists to prevent himself from acting on those ideas.
When she looked at him, her eyes were filled with something… What was it… ? Hurt?
Anger, with himself and this strange, frustrating situation, made him regret his awkward, brusque behavior. “Uh, thank you, Ms. Scott. And congratulations.”
With a tight nod, she scooted around on the quilt on all fours, gathering the remnants of their lunch and returning it into the wicker basket. He turned his head as her delicious backside came into view.
He was a pig.
The lid banging on the basket signaled her cleaning task was completed. “Ms. Scott.”
Her eyes met his, a mixture of dread and hope evident in her gaze. “Yes?”
“I’ll be working late this evening. Please lock up when you leave.”
He broke out in a sweat as she shut the door behind her.
ANNABELLE SUCCESSFULLY resisted the temptation to slam the door. Instead, she stalked over to her desk, dumped the basket next to the file cabinet and grabbed the pad under the phone.
This time she retrieved a thick Sharpie marker to cross out her stupid list. She meant business.
1. Use your tongue. Bite it the next time you feel the need to seek advice from Katie.
2. Play with your food. Leave that to the toddler set.
3. Arch your back more. Keep that up and you’ll give yourself a real backache.
The pungent odor of the marker filled the room as she colored over any trace of her latest mantra. You’re a seductress.
Yeah. Sure. A seducer right back to work.
Pushing the paper aside, Annabelle dialed Katie’s number. She should put it on the office speed dial. Her friend answered on the first ring; she must have been expecting her call.
“Are you sticky from butter?”
“How’d you know it was me?”
“Caller ID.”
“The plan tanked. I’m finished.”
“Hmm.”
The clicking sound over the phone line gave Annabelle a clear image of Katie in her mind. She reclined in her chair, clicking her pen between her teeth. Thinking. Never a good sign.
“No new plans. You’re right. The well’s a bust,” Annabelle said. She had a plan of her own. Maybe if she agreed with Katie, her next suggestion wouldn’t involve stilettos and a black feather boa.
“I don’t know. I can’t help but think all he needs is a nudge.” Katie took a sudden intake of breath. “I’ve got it.”
Annabelle cringed. “Maybe you shouldn’t say those words again. Your last two plans backfired.”
“Those plans should have worked. I’m beginning to think it’s the execution. That’s why I’m taking matters into my own hands. I’m overseeing the next operation.”
“Katie, I’m not interested—”
“You’ll start seeing another man.”
Her muscles relaxed. This newest brainchild would go nowhere. “Well, first I have to choose just one from the many clamoring outside my door.”
“We’ll start small. There’s a party tonight. Heather’s roommate got married and she’s throwing an ‘I’m still single’ bash at her apartment.”
This time Annabelle’s groan was audible. “No, not a party. I hate parties.”
“Belle, honey, maybe it’s time for you to move on. Nothing’s happening there in the office. You need to search for something new. It might not be at this party, but it’s a start to get your feet wet.”
She cut another glance at Wagner’s firmly shut door. His heart, like that door, would remain shut to her forever. She might as well get used to it. “Okay, I’ll go.”
“Great. See you there.”
Annabelle replaced the receiver and looked back at her notebook. She ripped out her carefully prepared notes. With purposeful steps, she walked to the paper shredder, flipped the switch and rammed the pages home.
2
“WHY AM I HERE?” Annabelle shouted over the din of the crowd.
“Do you mean philosophically?” Katie teased as she slid two drinks off the makeshift bar and handed one to Annabelle.
“No, you know what I mean.” Annabelle had never really fit into the singles’ party scene, although this one was better than most. Someone’s home always won out over a loud bar. But noise was noise. She smoothed the muscles above her eyebrows, a headache already forming. She should have worn her glasses.
Laughter drifted from the center of the room where two couples stood. Annabelle couldn’t miss the uncomfortable posture and forced smile on the face of one of the women. She did not relish an evening of doing the same. She tried to hand her drink back to Katie. “This is crazy. I hate parties.”
“Which is exactly why you need to be here. You need to get back into the groove. A few years ago, you were the life of the party.”
“Parties are all wrong for me. See that group of guys over there. They have ‘my-dot-com-start-up-went-bust-and-now-I’m-living-with-my-parents written all over them. They’re scouting for a woman to bankroll their next project. Not a soul mate.”
Katie raised an eyebrow. “And are you trying to find a soul mate? No, you’re only trying to have a nice time, maybe have an intelligent conversation with an interesting man.”
For six months, her best friend had been on a mission to give Annabelle a life—starting with the ridiculous toe ring now twisting around her index toe. Annabelle was amazed Katie still managed to gear up any energy for the project, especially after the picnic fiasco this afternoon. Of course, Katie did the easy part. Her best friend was all about suggestions.
As hard as Katie might try to zap her into some semblance of hipness, Annabelle could never match Katie’s innate coolness from her pink gel-spiked hair to her glimmer eye shadow. Glimmer. She’d just gotten used to glitter. And this party was a mistake.
Yes, it was time to leave. “Do you see any coasters?” Annabelle asked.
Katie shrugged, lifting her tank top higher and emphasizing her belly ring. “Just set it anywhere.”
Annabelle shook her head and scanned the room. Some deep-rooted sensibility prevented her from putting a glass on bare wood.
Katie straightened her back and smiled. “Hey, Jeff’s over there. Let’s join him.”
Annabelle glanced over to where Katie was pointing, then quietly groaned. She should have guessed. The group consisted of all men. Parties where her best friend felt an obligation to throw