the neutral expression on her face, he noticed her quick inhale. The rhythm of excitement he got when pursuing a new woman quickened his pulse.
Her brows rose, and her head tilted to the side. “Have brunch with me tomorrow. I’ll tell you about my grown-up thoughts.” There was no flirtation in her voice; she sounded almost businesslike, but the humor remained in her eyes.
Dante wasn’t sure what that meant, but he wasn’t about to deny a chance to be with her tomorrow. “I know a place.”
She shook her head. “I’ve already looked up local restaurants, and I’d like to go to Geoffrey’s. I’ll meet you there at nine.”
This woman knew what she wanted, meaning she was going to be damn difficult to resist. “I’ll be there.”
Her devilish smile made him feel as if he were missing something. “It’s a date.” She stood and walked away.
Dante watched the sexy sway of her hips, his body hardening with each one of her assertive steps. His desire was quickly doused when she crossed over to speak with Carlos.
What the...? Women didn’t typically leave him to talk to another man. For the first time, he’d been thrown off by a woman.
Julie shifted her position next to Carlos, and her gaze flitted to Dante for a second. Dante grinned and leaned back in the chair. Her quick look got him back on balance. Julie Dominick may play impartial toward him, but she was interested. He couldn’t step to Raymond’s girl like that, but he damn sure was going to enjoy the heat sizzling between them.
Julie casually sipped ice water and stared out at the magnificent ocean view from the patio at Geoffrey’s Malibu. Immediately after booking her trip, she’d looked into places that would work for relaxed business meetings and that offered superb food. As she looked over the brunch menu, she was pleased with her choice.
After putting down the water, she pulled out her tablet and navigated to the website of the contractor she was considering hiring for the club. The sun was hot, and she wore a sleeveless beige blouse with a tan pencil skirt, so she wasn’t sweltering like yesterday. She leaned forward to get more shade from the white umbrella over the table to see the screen better. She’d gotten a list of reputable contractors from the coworkers who didn’t hate her for her abrupt exit from Nexon-Jones. She’d narrowed her choices down to three firms, and, depending on their availability, along with Dante’s and Raymond’s schedules, she hoped to have one secured by the end of the week.
“She’s right here, Mr. Wilson.” The host’s voice came from behind Julie.
She glanced up from the tablet to where the young man indicated to her. Dante smiled and thanked the host, looking every bit the sex symbol that he was in a fitted dark gray T-shirt, white pants and dark shoes. Julie swallowed hard and sucked in a breath. The man had thrown her off yesterday. She’d assumed Dante would be charming, flirtatious even, but when he’d indicated that he should be the exception to her no-mixing-business-and-pleasure rule, her mind became slushy.
How badly she’d wanted to take him up on that offer was almost embarrassing. Getting involved with a guy in the entertainment industry, and a business partner at that, went against many of the rules that prevented her from being played by a man.
“Good afternoon,” she said with what she envisioned to be a professional, I’m-not-drooling-internally smile.
“You’re early.” He pulled out a chair and sat down.
“I’m typically early when I have a meeting.”
He raised a brow and placed his forearms on the table. The breeze brought over the scent of the sea and his enticing cologne. Dante leaned closer to her. “Meeting. I thought this was a date?”
She had left him with that impression, and she had to admit, there were plenty of things worse than going on a date with him. Too bad for him. She wasn’t here to have a fling with Dante or jeopardize her reputation.
But she would flirt. Flirting went a lot further and got her a lot more than being an ice-cold superbitch. From what she knew about men, flirting was just another tactic they used to throw a woman off her game.
“This isn’t a date,” she said with a smile.
“You promised to give a little insight on your very adult thoughts.”
The way he said “adult thoughts” had her imagining all types of adult things—things that involved him, naked and smiling.
Julie leaned back in her chair. “Are you sure you’re ready to hear them?”
“Oh, I’m very sure.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Because I’ve thought about this all morning.” She leaned forward.
Excitement entered his eyes. “You have?”
“All night, honestly. I can’t get the thoughts out of my mind.”
“Sometimes talking about things helps, or having a helping hand.” His warm hand covered hers. The touch nearly made her forget this was supposed to be harmless flirting.
“Are you willing to help?”
“In any way possible.”
“I thought you would be.” She glanced down at his long fingers casually brushing the back of her hand. Each light stroke was like a dose of steroids to her pumped-up hormones. “You’ve got nice hands.”
“They’re willing to help you in any way.”
The muscles of her thighs clenched. Julie pulled her hand away. Time to remember this is supposed to be harmless flirting. “Good, because I’m meeting with a contractor that I’m considering hiring to help with the renovation of the building you’ve picked out for the club. I’d like to get your opinion.”
His smile froze for a second before his brows drew together. “Excuse me?”
“I’ve narrowed the choices down to three, and, of course, I won’t pick one without discussing the details with you and Raymond first. I’m glad you’re so willing to help.”
“So that’s why you invited me here?”
“Of course. Why else would I?” She tried to look innocent but knew he had to see the humor in her expression. She was having a hard time not chuckling at his confusion.
Julie quickly turned and nearly sagged with relief when she saw the hostess bringing the contractor to their table. She stood and held out her hand to the man beside the hostess.
“Orlando Salvatore,” she said.
Orlando nodded and took her hand. He was tall with wavy dark hair, gleaming straight teeth and a body honed from working in construction. His white shirt and dark brown pants accentuated broad shoulders and strong legs.
“And you must be Julie Dominick.” His handshake was firm but not too tight.
“I
