primal instincts, but—he reminded himself—didn’t he thrive on challenges and defeating obstacles? He forced himself to ignore the sensations that sparked through his body and focused instead on the reality of the woman sleeping so soundly that she hadn’t heard him knock or enter her office.
She had to be exhausted. She’d been through a hell of a lot in the past twenty-four hours. Any regular person would have struggled with the onslaught of emotions, let alone someone forced to be part of a video conference who suffered a phobia like hers. Orson had forewarned him that Sally experienced acute anxiety when it came to public speaking. He’d had no idea how severe it was or the toll it obviously took. Having seen her like that today went a long way toward explaining why she’d remained in a safe middle-management role at HIT rather than scaling the corporate ladder to be at her father’s side.
He’d never before seen such despair on a person’s face at the thought of talking in public and, he realized, he’d never before seen such bravery as she’d exhibited in pushing herself to try. Perhaps if she hadn’t been so emotionally wrung out, she’d have been in a stronger position to attempt to conquer her demons today. But she hadn’t and, from their conversation in the hall, he knew she saw that as a failure.
He made an involuntary sound of sympathy, and she shifted a little on the desk before starting awake and sitting upright in her chair.
“What time is it?” she demanded defensively, her voice thick with exhaustion. “How long have you been waiting?”
There was a faint crease on her cheek where she’d rested her face on the cuff of her sleeve. Oddly, it endeared her to him even more. This was a woman who needed a lot of protecting—he felt it to the soles of his feet. She was the antithesis of the kind of women he usually dated, and yet she’d somehow inveigled her way into a nook inside him that pulled on every impulse.
“Not long,” he answered. “And it’s late. I’m sorry, I got held up. How was your dad?”
“As well as can be expected. He’s still stable and continues to be monitored, and they’re confident he’ll come through the surgery well tomorrow.”
As well as can be expected. It was an awful phrase, he thought, remembering hearing the exact same words from the medical team who had looked after his mother after the first of the strokes that stole her from him.
Sally pushed up from her desk and stood to face Kirk. “But you didn’t come here to talk about him, did you? What did you want to say to me?”
“I was hoping we could discuss it over dinner. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving after today.”
“I thought we were going to talk here,” she hedged.
“Can’t we kill two birds with one stone?”
“Look—” she sighed “—is this really necessary? There’s no need to spend an hour making small talk over a meal before we get to the point. We’re both adults, so surely we can continue to act as such. I’m quite happy to forget last night ever happened.”
Kirk ignored the sting that came with her words. He couldn’t forget last night even if he wanted to—especially not now. “And, as adults, we should be able to enjoy a meal together. Really, I could do with a decent bite to eat, and I’m sure you could, too.”
She looked at him and for a moment he thought she’d refuse, but then she huffed out a breath of impatience.
“Fine. I’ll let my security know I’m leaving with you.”
Ah, that explained the muscle who’d accompanied her to the bar last night. “You have security with you whenever you’re out?”
“One of the examples of Dad’s overprotectiveness. When I was little and HIT was beginning to boom, there was a threat to kidnap me. Ever since he’s insisted on me having a bodyguard. Trust me, it’s not as glamorous as it sounds.”
“It’s hardly overprotective,” Kirk commented as he helped Sally into her suit jacket. “Your father clearly takes your welfare seriously.”
He felt a pang of regret as she buttoned up the front of her jacket, hiding the tempting glimpses of lace visible through her blouse.
“He likes to know I’m safe.”
“I protect what’s mine, too,” Kirk replied firmly.
Sally raised her eyebrow. “Isn’t that a little primitive?”
“Perhaps I should rephrase that. Like your father, I take my responsibilities very seriously.”
“Well, considering you’re standing in for my father at the moment, I guess I should find that heartening.”
Kirk smiled. “I will always do my best by the company—for your dad’s sake, if nothing else. You can be assured of that. He has my utmost respect.”
“You say you’ve known him most of your life, and yet I had no idea he even knew you. No idea at all.” For a second she looked upset, but then she pulled herself together. “Let me call Benton and then we can go.”
He could see it really bothered her that her father hadn’t shared anything about the merger until the ink was drying on the paperwork. But was that because she was disturbed her father had made those decisions without consulting her, or because she had something to hide? Kirk couldn’t be absolutely sure either way.
She made the call, and in the next few minutes they were riding the elevator to the basement parking. Kirk led the way to his car—a late-model European SUV.
“You must be relieved for your dad. That he’s stable, I mean.”
“I’ll be relieved when I know he’s getting better again.” She looked away, but he couldn’t mistake the grief that crossed her face. “He was so gray when I left him this afternoon. So vulnerable. I’ve never seen him like that. Not even when Mom died. And he still has a major surgery to get through.”
“Your father has more strength and determination than any man I’ve ever met, and he’ll be receiving excellent care at the hospital. He’ll come through this, Sally.”
The words seemed to be what she needed to hear to pull herself together again. She looked up and gave him a weak smile. For a second he caught a glimpse of the woman he’d danced with last night, but then she was gone again. Kirk waited for Sally to settle in the passenger seat and buckle her seat belt before he closed her door and went around to the other side. She was still pale, but she appeared completely composed and in control. Not quite the woman he’d met last night, but not the woman caught in the grip of the anxiety attack from this afternoon, either.
He pulled out of the parking garage and headed down the road.
“Any preference for dinner?”
“Something fast and hot.”
“Chinese okay, then?”
“Perfect.”
A few blocks down, he pulled into the parking lot for a chain restaurant he knew always had good food.
“Looks like this is us.”
He rushed around to her door and helped her from the car and they were seated immediately.
“A drink?” he asked Sally when the waiter came to bring their menus.
“Just water, thank you.”
Probably a good idea for both of them, he thought, and gave his request for the same to the waiter. “Do you mind if I order for us?”
Sally shook her head, and he turned to the waiter and requested appetizers to be brought out to their table as soon as possible and ordered a couple of main entrées to share, as well.
Her lips pulled into a brief smile. “You really are hungry, aren’t you?”
Sally slipped out of her jacket and put it on the seat beside her. He looked