God was there ever a time that she’d been this embarrassed? With a groan, Claire put her hands over her face and felt Suzy reach over and pat her on the back. “It’s ok babe; we all make an ass out of ourselves from time to time. You have just done it a little more than usual lately.”
“Um… Thanks for that Suz,” said Claire weakly, “I have to apologize to him but how exactly do I do that?”
“Well let’s see,” began Suzy helpfully, “'hey hot buns, sorry I threw your offer back in your face; I just wanted you to know that I would be glad to give it up for free, you don’t have to offend me by trying to pay for it.'”
“Oh thanks! I’m sure that would sound so much better; and I don’t want to give it up for free,” laughed Claire.
“So you do want to be paid after all?” replied Suzy wiggling her brows.
“No, you pervert; I don’t want to give it up at all as you so nicely put it. Speaking of giving it up though, Jason wanted me to ask if you’d like to come to his house this weekend. We’re working there with Grayson on the merger and apparently Grayson asked if you’d come as well.”
“Ugh… Really? That stuffed shirt thinks he’s going to get his groove on with me? I mean he’s good- looking and all, but it’s a damn shame he’s such a tight ass. He probably thinks I’m some call girl he can buy for the weekend to rock his little uptight world. Nope, I don’t see it happening for him; tell Jason I’d rather pick lint out of my belly button.” Suzy seemed to protest a little too much every time the subject of Grayson was brought up.
Although maybe someone like Grayson was exactly what Suzy needed for her ego after the heartache that Jeff had caused, Claire put on a really brave face, but knew Suzy was still hurting inside and the front that she presented was really to protect her heart. “I might not be interested in going, but I’m really interested in what you plan to do there,” said Suzy.
“I’m going there to work, nothing more,” defended Claire.
“Umm Hmmm, is that what they call it these days?”
“It’s not like that, and we won’t be alone; Grayson will be there and probably others as well. It’s strictly professional so get your mind out of the gutter,” said Claire.
With a sly look, Suzy said, “We will see girly. You forget I saw you two at dinner last week and the looks between you were actually making my underwear melt. I can’t imagine you being under the same roof and being able to control yourself. Just rip each other’s clothes off and see where it goes from there.
“I do insist on details though as soon as you get home, call me, text me, email me, just get me the 411 on exactly what happened.” With a laugh, Claire moved on to safer subjects and thoroughly enjoyed her lunch.
~~~
The next day Claire was in the office before Jason had arrived and used the extra time to arrange for the repairs to her mother’s home. She picked up the check from the credit union yesterday and was still overjoyed at how simple the process had been.
When Jason arrived a short time later Claire greeted him with a smile and a cheerful good morning. As if almost surprised, Jason returned the greeting and stopped in front of her desk.
He looked at her warmly and asked, “How are you today?”
“Very good, thanks.”
“I’m going to be out of the office for most of today, but I wondered if you were free for dinner tonight?” asked Jason.
Surprised, Claire replied, “Dinner?”
At her obvious confusion, Jason quickly added, “It’s really a business dinner. I’ll be out of the office for the rest of the week at Mericom in Charleston, and I want to go over a few things with you before I leave. Since we both have to eat, I thought dinner would work out well.”
“I can just stay late, and we could go over everything here when you get back if you’d prefer.” said Claire.
“That’s not necessary; we will eat somewhere close to your apartment if it’s more convenient,” added Jason. “How about the Italian place down the street from you, Villa Risso?” asked Jason.
“They have great food,” said Claire, “it’s very casual though if that’s a problem.”
“No, I like casual. Let’s say around seven, does that give you enough time?” asked Jason. Claire agreed and after picking up some files from his office, Jason left with a quick goodbye.
The afternoon passed quickly in nervous anticipation. Claire kept trying to remind herself that this was a business dinner and not a date. There was no reason to be nervous. She left promptly at five so that she would have time to go home and freshen up before meeting Jason. Luckily, she didn’t run into Suzy on her way out. She could just imagine what type of graphic comments she would have made.
Chapter Fifteen
Claire went straight to the shower when she arrived home. After getting out, she threw on her robe and walked over to the vanity to touch up on her make-up. As she was leaning over the vanity to apply her blusher, the sleeve of her robe caught the small wooden box that she used to store her toiletries and it came crashing off and landed painfully hard on her right foot. Shit! Owwww God that hurts!
She hobbled to her bed to assess the damage. Her big toe was now bleeding profusely. She grabbed some tissue and held it against her toe until it looked as if the blood flow was slowing. Upon inspection, she was dismayed to see that her toenail had been cut. She hobbled back to the bathroom for her trusty first aid box and located a band-aid and antiseptic spray. Soon, she had an ugly but functional white bandage around her toe. With a sigh, she thought she should really start avoiding the bathroom since most of her accidents seemed to occur there.
Claire planned to wear a long blue sundress she’d purchased on a whim several years ago and a pair of flat, white sandals. The dress might still be possible; the shoes, however, weren’t since the toe openings were too small for the bandage. Almost ready to admit defeat, Claire spotted a pair of flip flops she kept to wear on the beach. After sliding on her dress, Claire then gingerly tried on the flip flops. It wasn’t as bad as she feared.
The shoes gave the dress a more casual appearance and of course there was no missing the huge bandage on her toe but from the ankles up she looked fine. If she could arrive at the restaurant first and be seated before Jason he might never notice her toe. After quickly finishing her makeup and locking up her apartment, Claire made her way to her car. Oh great, instead of looking sexy, I’m waddling like a duck.
~~~
The restaurant was only a few minutes from her apartment, and she arrived fifteen minutes early. The parking lot was already crowded and Claire was forced to park almost at the end of the lot. Walking so far was going to be painful, and she grimaced as she got out of her car and locked her door. She was so intent on making her way to the front of the restaurant as gently as possible that she didn’t notice another car entering the lot. Claire jumped as she felt a hand cup her elbow. “Owwww! Ouch!” cried Claire.
Jason peered down at her foot in concern. “I’m sorry I startled you; I thought you heard me. What happened?” asked Jason.
Claire replied, “I knocked something on my foot and the toenail is… well, you don’t want to hear the details, but I hurt my toe,” finished Claire.
“Do you need to go to the hospital?” asked Jason.
“No, it will be fine; it’s just a little sore now.”
“Would you rather I just take you home Claire? I can’t stand the thought of causing you further pain.”
She looked up into Jason’s beautiful blue eyes so filled with concern for her and knew that she would not give up this time with him for anything; much less a little toe pain. “It’s fine, really; it already feels better.”
He continued to study her for a few moments and then tightened his arm around her. “Lean on me and let’s walk slowly. Let me know if you need to stop.” Maybe it was Jason’s nearness and the feel of his arm holding her close but Claire didn’t feel any pain as they made their way into the restaurant.
Jason walked u
p to the host and smiled. “Carlo, it's so good to see you again.”
“Mr. Danvers, what a pleasure, and you brought such a beautiful companion tonight,” said a beaming Carlo. “I’ve the perfect table; it has a lot of privacy for you and your lady.”
Not bothering to correct him, Jason said a sincere thank you, and they were led to a secluded table in the corner. Claire was grateful when Jason pulled out a chair for her and carefully assisted her into the seat. After he was seated Jason asked Claire if she had any preferences in wine, but she was happy to leave the decision to him. Soon, Carlo had departed after leaving their menus and promising to return with the wine that Jason had selected.
“Are you doing ok Claire?”
“I’m fine Jason, really,” replied Claire.
“Let me know if you’re feeling any discomfort. Would you like a chair to elevate your foot?”
“Er… no, that’s ok, thanks.” Claire could just imagine her bandaged foot complete with flip flop sticking out in a chair for Jason and the other customers to see. That was not going to happen.
Carlo returned with their wine and poured them both a glass before taking their orders. Claire decided on a simple meal of lasagna and surprisingly Jason indicated that he would have the same. “You must come here often if they know you by name,” Claire said.
“I usually dine here at least once a week, I love Italian food,” replied Jason.
“Is this on your way home, then?” asked Claire.
“I’ve a house on the ocean about fifteen minutes from here depending on traffic, and I admit to doing a certain amount of takeout during the week,” laughed Jason.
Claire was pleasantly surprised that Jason seemed so normal. He was no doubt a millionaire yet talking with him like this you’d never know that. Most people in his position would have a cook or someone responsible for taking care of the details of his life such as his meals but Jason seemed to be completely self-sufficient. Even at the office he never expected to be waited on. He went to the cafeteria for his own food or coffee and didn’t ask Claire to run any type of personal errands for him.
She knew that Jason was wealthy of course but there was never actually anything flashy that reminded you of that fact, well maybe the Mercedes. Somehow, that made her respect him even more. After working for him for three years, she still felt like she’d never really known Jason, the man. With Suzy’s revelations about his generosity, Claire was more intrigued than she would care to admit. How could someone as accomplished and powerful as Jason also be the man sitting beside her in a quiet, low key Italian restaurant?
Jason the tycoon and object of various fantasies over the years was safe. The Jason she’d gotten to know over the last few weeks was oh so dangerous to her. This was a man whom she could lose her head over and her heart too if she wasn’t very careful. Was it already too late to save herself and did she even want to anymore?
Claire noticed Jason studying her intently across the table and felt her cheeks flush. “You look beautiful tonight Claire, blue suits you,” said Jason.
“Thanks, you look beautiful too, I… I mean; you look nice,” stammered Claire. Oh great, I’m treating a business dinner like my senior prom, and I just told my boss that he looked beautiful. Please table, open up and swallow me now.
With a grin, Jason replied, “I liked the beautiful comment best.”
Embarrassed, Claire asked, “What did you want to go over tonight?” She reached for her purse and pulled out a small notebook and pen then looked at Jason expectantly.
“Let’s wait on business until after dinner, shall we?” asked Jason. “It’s been a very long day, and I could use some time to relax if that’s ok.” Claire studied him noticing the signs of fatigue around his eyes. He always made everything seem so effortless, and his energy seemed to be limitless but possibly this merger was starting to wear on him. She’d no doubt he was putting in more hours in the evening after he left the office than anyone was aware.
Tenderness flickered to life in her chest as she gently said, “That sounds great; I know you must be tired.”
“You have no idea; I love nothing better than putting a deal together, but this particular one has come close to consuming my life. I look forward to a much-needed break after this closes.”
“When do you think that will be?” asked Claire.
“Within the next few months barring any other last minute issues,” replied Jason.
“That reminds me,” began Claire awkwardly, “I asked Suzy about this weekend and she… already has plans.”
Jason smiled as he picked up on the hesitation in her voice and said, “Told you no way, huh?”
A laugh sputtered out of Claire as she said, “You really do know Suzy well don’t you?”
“Yes and I’m betting her answer was a bit more graphic than you’re letting on.”
“After her recent breakup, I don’t think she’s ready to get back out there again yet,” said Claire. Plus she thinks Grayson is a tight ass and not in a good way.
“Grayson does seem very interested in her,” said Jason. “He’s a good guy and will be in the office quite a lot after the merger.”
With a smile, Claire said, “He seems a little… normal for her so I’m not sure anything would ever come of it.”
“Well stranger things have happened so let’s leave it to fate, shall we?” The waiter delivered their lasagna and a basket of fresh bread, and soon they were both enjoying their meal and Claire was finding it harder to remember this wasn’t a date.
~~~
Jason looked across the table at Claire as she laughed and picked the fork up from her lap. Mishaps did seem to follow her wherever she went. First, she’d arrived for dinner with her toe bandaged and was painfully hobbling towards the door when he reached her in the parking lot and now when gesturing with her fork while talking, she’d somehow flipped it from her hands and up in the air, finally landing it in her lap.
She called it bad fortune; he called it endearing. It was obvious she was quite used to the frequent mishaps and had learned how to handle them with grace through the years. God, she looks so beautiful and sexy tonight. He had seldom seen her wear anything with color in it and the blue dress she was wearing seemed to make her sparkle; her eyes were luminous. Her tanned shoulders had felt smooth and soft when he had put his arm around them to help her inside earlier. Her scent was intoxicating, and he was again grateful for a tablecloth covering his groin.
This whole dinner thing was probably a mistake. The idea had just popped into his head this morning when he had seen her sitting there at her desk, smiling up at him with those beautiful soft lips. Before he knew it, the invitation had been issued. He was damn lucky he hadn’t already blown this merger by now. If they could just get the sex out of the way, he would be able to breathe again, to focus. They were both adults so when whatever was between them burned out, life could return to normal. He could be in public without having a constant erection, and business would again be foremost in his mind.
He was so damn angry when she’d thrown his offer of financial assistance back in his face with the insulting accusation that he needed to buy sex. Someone willing had never been an issue for him. He kept his affairs out of the office and off the front page. The women he had been involved with through the years knew exactly where they stood with him. They enjoyed each other while it lasted, but they always came in second to the company.
His mother was constantly harping on him to settle down no doubt because she felt it was expected, and his answer to that was why? When he came to the point in his life where he was content and no longer felt driven to complete the next big deal then he might entertain the thought. Something in his chest tightened when he looked at Claire and thought of her settling down with someone else in the future.
At least he found a way to help her without offending her again. If she ever found out there would probably be hell to pay, but right now it seemed worth it to see the happy, relaxed expression on
her face. Hopefully not having to worry about finances or her neighbor for awhile would make her life easier. Soon, he would get her out of his system, and his life would be his own again, and he would insist that she benefit enough to do away with the weekend job permanently.
~~~
Claire ruefully pulled the fork from her lap and laughed, “At least I didn’t stab myself with it.” Dinner had been wonderful, full of laughter and shared stories. Jason seemed interested in every boring detail of her life up until the present. Claire carefully avoided any mention of her father and mainly talked about her mother and Chrissie. He in turn told of his summers growing up around the beach with an often absent mother who tended to drink too much and needed to be taken care of and a workaholic father.
He said he probably didn’t have any siblings because they simply forgot to take care of it as they did most everything other than Danvers. Luckily, his mother’s sister Ella had lived with them and tried to provide him with some type of maternal figure. It was obvious from the warm tone of his voice that he loved her very much. Ella had since moved to Florida and lived in a retirement community there that Claire suspected he paid for.
His parents lived in Charleston where his mother chaired several charities to keep up appearances. His father golfed most every day and still attended the occasional board meeting at Danvers. His childhood that she thought would be so vastly different from her own held many similarities. She could tell that, for the most part, he had never been a child. He seemed to always be taking care of either his mother or Ella. The neglect of his childhood still seemed preferable to the abuse of hers.