Therese felt a bolt of electricity surge from her core to every nerve in her body.

  “Therese,” he said, in a hushed tone. “I knew the moment I saw you that you were an amazing person. And you just keep proving it every day.”

  She cleared her throat. “I just did it because I was inspired by others. I would have never known about it, except for you Mr. Lin. And Mrs. Travis, of course,” she rushed to add.

  “Mr. Lin,” he repeated, nodding as he averted his gaze. “Right.”

  Breathing in deeply, he turned and dropped the paper he still had in his hand, letting it float to his desk. He rounded his desk and sank into his chair, his eyes plastered to the documents splayed across the top.

  “So, how’s the fundraiser going? I hope you’ll give me the details so that I can contribute, as well?” he asked, looking up at her, his expression unreadable.

  “Oh, sure. Uhm,” she said.

  Why did she feel so…disappointed? Why did she wish he would look at her the way he had a moment before?

  “It should be starting this week,” she croaked. Clearing her throat, she continued. “I just have to triple-check everything before I launch it. But please do not feel obligated to contribute. You’re doing enough. Believe me. I wouldn’t be here without your help. As much as I hate to admit I needed it. Need it. Relying on others can be a hard pill to swallow.”

  “Don’t I know it,” he grumbled.

  Her brow pinched together. What did he mean by that?

  Remaining silent, she hoped he would fill the space with further explanation.

  He shook his head, as if dismissing his last statement. “And your business? How’s that going?”

  Her lips bunched together; she was really curious about what was going on in David’s—

  She blinked.

  …in Mr. Lin’s mind. But it wasn’t her place to push.

  “It’s going. It’s pretty exhausting, obviously. But my first client and I have made progress. The pre-planning stage is going well.” She offered a soft smile. “Thanks for asking.”

  “Of course.” He smiled at her then. “I can’t wait to see what you do for your next event. I hope you’ll share pictures with me.”

  “I think that’s a fair ask,” she chuckled, smiling brightly. “Maybe you can come.”

  She slammed her mouth shut. Where did that come from?!

  “I mean, if you really wanted to. Just making sure you know that you’re welcome to attend, Mr. Lin.”

  A lopsided grin appeared.

  “I’d be delighted, Miss Williams.”

  “Perfect. I’ll make sure to get you and your plus one on the list,” she said, quietly.

  “No need for a plus one, Miss Williams. It’ll just be me. Will I be your plus one, then?”

  There went that tingle again, and the thud in her chest as heart hammered against it. “No, I uhm, I have that already covered.”

  Yeah, her cousin.

  His grin slowly faded and he nodded. “Of course, Miss Wiliams. I was only teasing. Forgive me.”

  “Nothing to forgive.” And before she knew it, her mouth pushed forth more words. “It’s my cousin. Nyla. She’s the one helping me with the fundraiser. She’s my plus one.”

  He blinked, a hint of the prior smile returning to his face.

  “Very good to know, Miss Williams.”

  Chapter 8

  Apparently, he was a lech.

  The coolness of the water washed over David in what had become a near nightly tradition of cold showers followed by hot dreams.

  All because of Therese.

  The scent of her when she leaned close to him came to mind. The figure she cut in her tailored suits. The sway of her backside as she left his office after their late evenings working together.

  A soft, brief moan escaped David and he held onto the pipe leading to the shower head.

  Couldn’t this water get any colder?

  Stepping out, he toweled himself off and hopped into a pair of shorts, shrugging on a soft t-shirt sporting the name of his college.

  Going to his closet, he double-checked the attire he’d chosen for Therese’s event today. Nodding at his selection, he walked to his kitchen and made himself a cup of coffee before transferring to his living room.

  Plopping on his couch, he turned on the television only to stare blindly at a woman trying to sell him an ornamental elephant on the Home Shopping Network.

  His thoughts turned to Miss Williams. Her smile, how she seemed to avoid touching him, if she could. The look of surprise on her face when he would look up only to find her gaze upon him.

  Maybe it’d be easier if he hadn’t had an inkling that his feelings weren’t one sided.

  But it all added up. Why else would she have gone out of her way that day, weeks ago, to inform her that her plus one to her next major event was a family member?

  Then again, it’s not like she had blatantly asked him to be her date.

  He huffed.

  He wouldn’t imagine Miss Williams ever doing such a thing.

  The woman wouldn’t even call him by his first name.

  If she was interested in him, she was determined to keep their interactions professional.

  Thank God one of them was doing so.

  Now, David just had to get on board.

  No more daydreams.

  No more night dreams.

  No more wet dreams.

  His head fell back against the cushions of his couch.

  This was not going to work.

  It’s not like they could actually date. Right?

  Right?

  Unless she was really interested in him, too.

  But even if she was, such a relationship would be against the bank’s policy.

  And it wouldn’t be fair to her, given she was technically his staff. And he was her boss. And that could look bad for her among her peers.

  But if she wasn’t an employee…

  David shook his head.

  Overall, it would be stupid for either of them to jeopardize a good thing. Just stupid.

  Right?

  Shaking his head, he launched himself from the sofa and headed toward his bedroom.

  It was time to get ready for the event.

  The host manning the door of the mansion checked David’s name against her list, and with a cool, professional smile she nodded him through. Her expression remained unchanged as her attention settled upon the next guest in line.

  One would think David would have grown accustomed to such a setting after a decade of attending similar events with his clients. But he’d take a long drive or an evening nestled in his sofa over these stuffy affairs, anytime.

  Even better if he could be nestled on his sofa with a certain someone nestled in his arms.

  He clenched his jaw.

  Not the time, not the place, David.

  He eyed the table that’d been set up in the foyer, and chuckled to himself at the familiar sight of the well-dressed crowd discreetly jostling to gather their selections.

  He watched as servers carried various delicacies aloft on platters, offering their wares to attendees disciplined enough to avoid the fray.

  Standing in place, he scanned the room for signs of Therese. His gaze then traced over the perimeter for what might be an entrance to the kitchen, where she may have been unceremoniously pulled like she had the night he’d first encountered her.

  He spotted a line of servers walking through an opening and figured that must lead to the space he was looking for.

  He didn’t want to bother her while she was so busy. But the thought of seeing her in action goaded him forward.

  Might she be as commanding in other arenas?

  Lech, he sighed inwardly, grinding his teeth.

  “David, didn’t think I’d see you here.”

  David’s spine stiffened. Closing his eyes, he inhaled a fortifying breath before opening them and turning to meet the source.

  “Well, Mr. Hsu, I guess I’m just full of surprises.”

  “Indeed, let me introduce you. It’ll be good for you to make acquaintances with some of the people in this room: to benefit your future philanthropic endeavors, of course.”

  “I’m not here to mingle,” David said, his words clipped.

  “What else would bring you here? I’ve never known you to attend any function that the nature of your job hadn’t forced you to. And I hadn’t thought you’d appreciate my making this a requirement in our deal.”

  “I wouldn’t have. Especially considering it had already been agreed upon that such things would not be a requirement.”

  “So why are you here, David?”

  “I was invited by a friend.”

  “A friend? Who?” his grandfather asked, glancing around.

  “No one you’d know. They’re not exactly in the tax bracket that’d draw your attention.”

  “Is this a date you’re talking about, David?”

  “No. But if it were, it would be my business and mine alone.”

  “David, can’t a man merely inquire about the well-being of his grandson? Of his family?”

  “Considering you cared little about your family’s well-being while my parents were alive—and even less so after they passed— I’d say you lost that privilege,” David bit out.

  His grandfather’s expression hardened. He averted his gaze, the muscle in his jaw flexing. “Your mother knew the decision she was making. We all have to make decisions. And deal with the consequences. As for the other thing, I saved you from inevitable heartache, David. And you know it. But this is not the place for us to discuss such things.”

  “On that, we agree.”

  David walked away.

  “Miss Therese, there’s someone asking for you,” came a voice over her headset. “Says to tell you it’s Mr. Lin. Said he’d come to wherever you are.” She could hear a deep voice muffled in the background. “Says he just wanted to say ‘hi’ before he headed out.”

  She smiled, her heart leaping so high it felt lodged in her throat.

  He’d come. And he’d sought her out. She wondered how long he’d been there.

  “Oh, yes. I’m out by the pool area. Tell him I’ll meet him at the double doors leading out to the back yard.”

  She bit her lip, weaving through the crowd as she beelined, as much as possible, to the latticed double doors that opened into the home’s back area. Her grin returned when she watched David step into its threshold, one hand in his pants pocket as he scanned the area.

  Upon spotting her, his nostrils flared as his chest rose and fell. Mouth gaping slightly, David’s eyelids lowered to half mast as she approached; and Therese’s pulse quickened, her own eyelids sinking lower to mimic his.

  Thank the Lord they were in a public environment; if his interest hadn’t been clear before, it was now. And she had little doubt that her expression revealed the same.

  She stopped to stand in front of him.

  Licking his lips, he crooked his free arm her way. “I hope you don’t mind my saying that you look breath-taking, Miss Williams.”

  “Thank you, I don’t mind your saying that at all.”

  He didn’t need to know that her bedroom looked like it’d thrown up half her closet. But that was a problem for future-her to deal with. And totally worthwhile to have this man gazing at her like he was.

  Not that that was the intention when she happened to choose a sleeveless jumpsuit with hints of orange. Just a very nice coincidence that the only outfit she owned boasting his favorite color was the very one she’d felt would best suit the event.

  “May I escort you back to the pool area? That’s where I pulled you away from, correct?”

  She chuckled, and shrugged, placing her arm in his. “Yes,” she said, letting him guide them forward. “I was just making sure all the food items were properly covered, presented and that servers were evenly distributed out here.”

  With her other hand, she pointed them in the right direction. He smiled down at her and nodded.

  “Thank you,” he said, redirecting their stroll. He continued looking forward.

  Therese noticed an added tenseness to his jaw that she typically didn’t see unless he was mulling over a client that he couldn’t help.

  “Anything wrong?”

  He turned to her, the lines on his forehead disappearing as he blinked, then smiled at her. “What could be wrong, when I have the most beautiful woman here by my side?”

  She beamed. “You are being quite charming, Mr. Lin.”

  “Can’t help it, Miss Williams. We’re not trapped inside those office walls. We’re surrounded by beauty.” Stopping their progress, he turned so that they faced one another. He looked down at her, his eyes darting around her face. “And, I’ve got the best view.”

  Her soft sigh teased her.

  “David,” she heard herself sigh.

  His brows shot upwards and her eyes widened, “I mean, Mr. Lin—”

  “Oh no, no, no, no, no,” he said in a hushed tone. “I’ve waited too long to hear you call me by my given name.” He shook his head gently. “Don’t take it back.”

  She stared at him. She had a job to do. She was literally at her job. She couldn’t entertain this…this…

  Hiding her lips, she grabbed his hand and tugged him behind her through the crowd. As she neared their destination, the crowd thinned until they were alone, crossing an empty expanse of grass.

  At an outdoor archway she took a hard left, David dutifully following her lead and stopping with her when their progress was blocked by a small residence.

  She cleared her throat. “They have this little garden house,” she explained in a hushed tone. “Thought it was the cutest thing. Way too far from the party to be of use, though.”

  She turned to face him. His cheeks were flushed, his breathing rapid as he cupped her face.

  “Therese,” he whispered, leaning down, taking her lips. They crashed together, her arms wrapping around his shoulders, his around her waist.

  Pulling back, he leaned past her and turned the knob of the petite house’s door and shuffled them inside.

  Kicking the door shut, he grunted, cupping her face as his mouth consumed her again.

  She moaned as his lips moved to nuzzle her neck and even further to taste her collar bone.

  “We,” she breathed. “We can’t,” she moaned.

  “I know.” His voice was a low, guttural thing as his hands gripped her hips, pulling her closer to him.

  “Miss Therese, we’ve got a slight issue with one of the servers,” came a voice over her headset.

  She inhaled sharply, the feel of David’s strong hands on her body, his body pressed against hers and his soft lips on her skin dulling her mind.

  She blinked. “Miss Therese?” came the voice again, their tone lined with concern.

  “I–I have a call,” she managed to whisper. Her hands fumbled to find the switch that’d open her communication. Finding it, she turned her face away from David who’s look mirrored the same concern she’d heard over her headset.

  “Here I am. You say there’s an issue with an attendant?”

  “Yeah, Evan got an emergency call from his wife. Apparently he needs to pick up their kid from school and there’s no one else who can do it.”

  “Oh! Oh, of course. Tell him he’s free to go. We’ll be fine with one less attendant. We’ll figure it out.”

  “Okay. I’ll see if I can pull someone from the inside area to float indoor and outdoor duty.”

  “Yes. Perfect. Thank you, Luis. I’ll be there momentarily.”

  She stepped back, and closed her eyes. Shaking her head, she inhaled one deep, shaky breath. She didn’t look at David when she opened her eyes, choosing instead to focus on the door behind him.

  “I have to go.”

  She strode past him, placing her hand on the door knob.

  “I shouldn’t have brought you here. And that was a,” she paused, her hand resting on the door jamb as she searched for words. Finally, she breathed, “lapse in judgment on my part. But, I think it’d be best if you leave now…Mr. Lin,” she finished, her back straightening. She opened the door and stalked back along the trail that she’d brought them.

  David watched Therese go, his jaw clenching.

  He licked his lips, tasting her, still.

  Like hell he would leave.

  Chapter 9

  “Miss Therese! There’s someone volunteering to help!”

  Therese looked up from her conversation with Luis and stared directly into David’s gaze.

  Her mouth dropped.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, abruptly turning from her conversation with Luis as she strode to stand before David, her brows knitted together.

  “I’m helping. That’s what I do, remember?” David’s gaze left hers and surveyed the kitchen.

  “Where do I pick up the trays and where am I stationed?” he calmly demanded.

  “You’re not—No,” she began, placing her hands on his arms and pushing against him. He didn’t mind the feel of her hands on his arms. But perhaps this wasn’t the place for such thoughts?

  He didn’t budge. Instead, he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “You’re making a scene, Therese. You don’t want the staff talking, do you?”

  “They can talk all they want,” she hurtled at him, her tone hushed. “Don’t you think the guests around here will talk if they’ve seen you as a guest and then a server?”

  “Then I’ll work here in the back. Send someone from the back up front. I’m not leaving, Therese. You need help.”

  “You don’t always have to be the hero, David,” she bit out, stepping back.

  “Noted,” he said quietly, with a bow of the head. “Now,” he said more loudly, “where do I go, Miss Therese?”

  Her lips pressed together. “Fine,” she harrumphed. “Go over to Beth, let her know she’ll be serving and that she’s to show you what to do to take her place here in the kitchen.”

  David smiled widely.