Jerome held out several sheets of papers. Katie moved next to Zach so that he could read them as well. They were detailed food selections for the charity dinner. Handwritten notes filled the space by the typed items, detailing everything from possible condiments, to notations on availability and cost per serving.
“You’ll have to pick the chocolates quickly,” Jerome said as Katie flipped a page. “Some are easy enough to get, but if you’re serious about chocolate from around the world, some of my suppliers require a month’s notice.”
“No problem.”
When he started talking about the availability of produce, Zach excused himself and stepped into the hallway to call his office. Dora assured him there were no emergencies. He slipped the phone back into his jacket pocket and watched Katie work.
His mind returned to all the possibilities available in the large hotel. A small room with a smaller bed? A luxurious suite with a Jacuzzi tub? The sauna?
He found he really liked the idea of both of them slick with sweat, sliding against each other, burning from the inside out. He imagined himself pumping into her, then quickly shifted the fantasy so she was on top, riding him, her breasts-
He swallowed a sudden laugh. What the hell. His vivid images had produced a predictable and physical response. He was hard, horny, and couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten an erection during business hours. Work generally consumed him. Just not lately.
Katie made notes as Jerome talked, narrowing down the list of possible choices to something manageable. She would get all the information onto spreadsheets that evening. It would seem less unwieldy that way.
“What about a tasting dinner?” she asked. “When do you want to do that?”
He pulled a Palm Pilot from his jacket pocket and pushed a couple of buttons. “You want it here, or you want to take it with you?”
“Either works for me.” She looked around and saw Zach in the hallway. “You’re not escaping that easily,” she called to him. “Come on. I won’t make you decide on the items for the tasting dinner, but you did promise to help me with the actual eating.”
Zach returned to the ballroom. He moved with an easy masculine grace that left her mouth dry.
He annoyed her, impressed her, charmed her, and surprised her. And she was supposed to be the people person.
“We have two important issues regarding the tasting dinner,” she said, determined not to let him know how much he affected her. “Do you want to eat it here or get it to go, and when do you want to have it?”
“Let’s get it to go,” he said. “Then we won’t be rushed.”
“Sounds great.” Maybe they could make it a very long evening. One that ended with…
She mentally slapped herself into paying attention to the moment at hand. Rather than deal with Zach, she focused on Jerome. At least he was completely safe. “What dates are good for you?”
He named off several.
Zach pulled out his own Palm Pilot and pushed buttons. “I’m pretty open. What about you, Katie?”
She ignored the suggestive tone of his voice. “Same here.”
Jerome pushed more keys. “The fifth?”
“Works for me,” Zach said.
She nodded in agreement, noted the date, and volunteered to pick up the food. They would deal with the “where” they would be eating another time.
Jerome excused himself and returned to the kitchen. Katie pulled seating charts out from her briefcase and held them up to Zach. He shook his head.
“Not in this lifetime.”
“You have no opinion? Isn’t there someone you’re dying to sit next to? A rich divorcee? A female rock star? The latest Hollywood ’It’ girl?”
“I prefer women to girls,” he said. “And despite the rumors, I’m more into substance than style.”
She laughed. “Just once I would like to meet a man willing to admit he likes his relationships simple and his women easy.”
His gaze narrowed. “You don’t believe me?”
“Not for a nanosecond. Come on, Zach. You’re successful, good-looking, and rich. I’ve seen the photos in the press. Tabloid text may not always be accurate, but you know what they say about pictures speaking a thousand words. Are you trying to tell me you haven’t dated all those women?”
“No. I’m saying there’s a reason I walked away from all of them.”
It was a semi-decent comeback. “So you’ve been converted? Now intelligent, articulate conversation is the way to your heart? Big breasts and long legs no longer work? Imagine my surprise.”
He shook his head. “I’m not going to win this conversation, so let’s change the subject. Why don’t you show me these fabulous gardens I’ve been hearing about?”
She couldn’t believe it. “You’re conceding defeat?”
“I’m making a strategic retreat.”
“Wow. I must remember to put a star by this day on the calendar when I get home.”
He grunted in response. Katie was still delighted with her victory as they stepped outside into the landscaped gardens of the hotel.
It was late afternoon on the sort of day that made postcard photographers drool. The sky was the color blue only ever seen on the California coast. A warmish breeze chased away any clouds that might want to linger. Dappled sunlight illuminated the perfectly green grass, while elegant trees provided patches of shade. A few colorful leaves decorated the stone path, and birds offered commentary on the events. All the moment needed was an orchestra playing something dreamy and a quick, magical clothing transformation during which she would shed her sensible business attire for something diaphanous.
But that wasn’t likely to happen. Rather than push her luck when she’d already scored for her side, she went for a safe topic.
“How’s David doing in school?” she asked.
“He’s starting to panic. It’s nearly time for finals again. The quarter system is proving to be a challenge for him. He’s used to being the smartest kid in his class and not having to work very hard, but suddenly everyone around him was the smartest in each of their high school classes. But he’s doing okay. I think by the third quarter, he’ll be more relaxed.”
There was pride in Zach’s voice. And love. He might have a million faults, but his relationship with David made up for a lot.
“I’m surprised you didn’t have more children,” she said idly.
Zach paused, giving her a startled glance. “I never thought about it,” he said slowly. “I like kids. But I was so busy being a single parent, I never considered having more.”
“You didn’t have to stay single.”
“Another marriage wasn’t in the cards for me,” he said easily, his blue eyes staring directly into hers. “What about you? Why aren’t there a dozen or so Marcelli grandchildren running around? It’s not as if your parents wouldn’t have approved.”
She sighed. “They would love it. As you’ve already experienced, the pressure to marry and have children is pretty relentless in our family.”
“Yet you resisted.”
“Probably because a dozen kids seems like a few too many.”
He smiled. “Okay. How about four? It’s a nice round number.”
“I’ll agree.” She’d always wanted children and four sounded perfect. “However, in my world, children require me to be married, and as I’ve yet to find the right guy…”
“You’re kidding?” he asked.
“What? That I think there’s a ‘right one’?”
“Yes. That’s a myth of popular culture.”
She laughed. “So speaks the man who has never risked marriage after one youthful mistake. I don’t think that makes you an expert.”
“My career does.”
“No. Your career makes you an expert on why marriages fail, not why they succeed. You know everything a couple shouldn’t do, but very little about what they should do. In my family, marriages have always been forever.” She glanced at him. “Brenna’s recent troubles to the contrary.”