Stretching her feet to feel around for her shoes, she snagged them with her toe and then slid them on. After grabbing her handbag, she tossed her cell phone inside and headed for the door. As she walked by Carrie’s office, she heard her assistant’s cheerful voice as she passed on the information to Michelle’s parents.
A smile crept over her mouth despite her attempt not to become involved in the more personal details of Michelle’s trip. She stepped into the hot summer air and closed her eyes as the sun brushed across her face.
It was muggy and hot, but she loved the weather in Houston. Even the perpetual haze that hung over the city in the summertime didn’t bother her.
As she reached for her car keys, her cell phone rang. With a sigh, she fumbled for it and looked at the LCD. She frowned when she didn’t recognize the number. It could be a client.
“This is Serena James,” she said by way of greeting as she continued on to her car.
“Miss James, this is Damon Roche.”
His deep voice crawled up her spine and hit her right at the base of her skull. She hadn’t expected to hear back from him.
“How did you get this number?” she demanded, then winced when she realized she sounded exactly as he had when she’d first called him.
His chuckle rolled through the line. “It’s my turn to intrude. Your number didn’t register when you called me so I had to track you down using other methods. You’re a hard lady to find.”
“Not too hard, apparently,” she murmured.
“I called Faith,” he said simply. “I apologize for my earlier rudeness. It was uncalled for, particularly as you are a friend of someone I care a lot about. Now, what can I do for you?”
Serena grimaced. “Faith didn’t tell you?”
“Of course not,” he said smoothly. “She only told me that you needed my help. Have you had lunch yet?”
She blinked at his abrupt shift in topic. “Uh, no, was on my way right now, as a matter of fact.”
“Perfect. Why don’t we meet so we can discuss your . . . problem.”
Hell. She drew in a deep breath. She’d already chickened out of her grand plan to seek out her fantasy. It was absurd to think she could go through with it. She hadn’t counted on him calling her back after she’d hung up on him.
“Miss James?”
“Call me Serena, please.”
“Very well, Serena. Would you like to have lunch?”
“Uh.” Crap. “You see, Mr. Roche, what I wanted to talk to you about isn’t something I wished to discuss in a public setting.”
“I can guarantee we’ll have the utmost privacy. Are you there at your office?” he asked.
“Yes—”
“I’ll send a driver over to collect you. Say fifteen minutes?”
“But how on earth do you know where my office is?” she protested.
He laughed softly, the sound husky in her ear. “Research. Fifteen minutes?”
Her head was spinning, and yet she found herself saying okay. “I’ll wait in the parking lot.”
“I’d feel much better if you waited inside where it’s safe. My driver will come up to collect you. I look forward to our meeting, Serena.”
Before she could respond, he cut the connection, leaving her standing next to her car, openmouthed. Still, she found herself reentering the building and punching the button for the elevator.
“Back so soon?” Carrie asked when Serena passed her office a few minutes later.
“Last-minute appointment,” Serena said. “A driver is coming up for me in a bit.”
Carrie raised her eyebrows in question. “Sounds intriguing.”
Serena ignored her and continued to her own office. Once there, she sank onto the couch in front of her desk and kicked off her shoes.
She’d officially lost her mind.
She closed her eyes. Sweet Jesus, but how was she ever going to have a normal conversation with the man on the topic of sex slaves?
Client. She’d pretend she was acting on the behalf of a client. Then it wouldn’t seem so personal, and if this Damon guy reacted like she had a couple of loose screws then she could shrug it off as the oddities of her line of work. If he researched her, he probably already suspected she was asking to see him for a client.
Feeling marginally better about the sheer idiocy of her plan and the terror it invoked, she leaned back and tried to relax. Several long minutes later, her intercom beeped.
“Serena, Damon Roche’s driver is here for you,” Carrie said.
Serena scrambled up and hastily straightened her clothes. She slipped into her shoes again and collected her purse before striding out of her office and down the hallway.
A large man with a stocky build stood next to Carrie. When he saw Serena, he dipped his head in acknowledgment. “If you’re ready, Miss James, the car is waiting.”
She nodded in return and followed the man to the elevator. They rode down in silence. He held the door to the office building open for her as she stepped out then motioned her toward the street.
A sleek Bentley was parked in front, the metal glistening in the sun. “Nice car,” she murmured.
The driver merely nodded and opened the backseat door then gestured for her to get in. A few moments later, they glided into the busy traffic.
She ran her palms over the soft leather of the seat, enjoying the supple feel of such luxury. She still wasn’t convinced Damon Roche wasn’t a drug dealer.
“Is the temperature to your liking, Miss James?”
She glanced up at the driver, who was regarding her in the rearview mirror. “I’m fine, thank you.”
He returned his gaze to the street, and she turned her attention to her window to watch the flurry of traffic zip by. Finally, they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and came to a stop under the awning covering the entrance.
Her door opened, and one of the men working valet reached in to help her out. Before she made it to the entrance, she was greeted by the maitre d’ and swiftly escorted inside.
Now, this is the place Mr. Gallows should have chosen for his head chef fantasy. It looked exclusive and obviously catered to a very upscale clientele.
“Mr. Roche will receive you in here,” the maitre d’ said with a bow as he opened the door to an opulent private dining room.
She walked in on trembling legs and saw a man rise from his seat at a table set for two. Good Lord but the man was gorgeous. He screamed wealth and breeding from the tips of his Italian loafers to the top of his meticulously groomed hair.
“Serena,” he greeted as he came to meet her halfway. “I’m so glad you could join me.”
He tucked her hand under his arm and guided her to her seat. It was all she could do not to gape as she settled into the comfortable chair.
First rule of business: Never let the opponent realize his advantage.
She straightened and shook off the awe he inspired. Okay, maybe it wasn’t awe as much as a huge bolt of unadulterated lust.
Focus, Serena. For God’s sake.
Reclaiming her poise, she relaxed gracefully in her seat as a waiter poured wine into her glass.
“I hoped you’d join me for a glass of wine since you aren’t driving. I hope I wasn’t too presumptuous in choosing the label or having the waiter pour you a taste.”
“It’s fine,” she said easily. “I love wine.”
“Excellent.”
He gestured once before taking his seat across from her, and the waiter produced two menus.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Damon remarked. “The food here is quite superb.”
“I am, actually,” she admitted. Her nerves had prevented her from eating much the day before. “This was all quite unnecessary, Mr. Roche,” she said as she swept her hand around the room. “I got the impression you were quite busy, and my request is . . . unimportant.”
“Please call me Damon,” he said with a smile. “And it was no trouble at all. As for the matter you wish to discuss with me, perhaps we should talk about it before you dismiss it so readily.”