Page 98 of For One Night

I open the files, looking over the information. “This is amazing.”

“By the way,”—my eyes dart to hers—“does the hotel have massive windows with a view?”

My nostrils flare. “I have no idea, but I’ll damn well check.”

She blushes. “I can’t play this game with you, you have the advantage.”

“What is it, Lola? Do I intimidate you?”

Her eyes glint. “No man intimidates me.”

“So what’s my advantage?” I tilt my head. “Do I make you uncomfortable?”

She shifts in her seat. “Just the opposite, Lennox. You make me comfortable, so much so, I forget who we are and why we’re together.”

What in the hell do I say to that? My heart ratchets, making my breathe hitch, and I have to catch my breath. We barely take our eyes off each other for the next hour. We land early and for once, I want to stay where I am.

We deplane and go immediately to the warehouse. I stop by the office to let them know we’re here and grab some gear for us. I hurry back out to find her talking with several of the assembly line workers.

“Hey, now. What’s going on over here?” I slide up beside Lola.

“Man, she came on to us,” one of the guys says, holding his hands up.

Lola elbows me. “Stop it, you’ve lost your mind.”

The group laughs. “Did he ever have one.”

“You can’t blame me this time; she’s making me crazy.”

An older gentleman chimes in, “Does she scare you?”

Lola eyes me, trying not to giggle. When I look into her eyes, I’m lost. “She terrifies the hell out of me.”

“There’s your answer.” He winks at her.

Another worker pats my back as Lola blushes. “She looks good on you.”

“Hold up, what did she ask?” They laugh and walk toward the back. “Are you trying to turn my people against me?”

“There isn’t a chance, Lennox.” Her smile radiates from her. “I asked if there was one thing they could change here, what would it be. They all said they’d keep you in charge.”

Now it’s my cheeks flushing. “That’s great of them to say.”

“You keep thinking you’re doing it wrong, but there’s no better proof you’re doing everything right when it comes to having a lasting business.” She bumps her shoulder into mine. “Come on, show me the rest.”

We spend the afternoon in the warehouse going over everything from assembly to packaging. Lola takes it all in stride, asking the right questions and knowing when to take notes.

“Lola?” I pull her away from a line worker. “We’ve been here all day. We should get checked in and find some dinner.”

She checks her phone. “I can’t believe how fast it went by.”

“This way we’ll get out faster.” I point to the corner as she takes my arm, surprising me.

I call the driver, and we’re on our way to the hotel within a few minutes. She types away on her phone, lost in thought. I sit back, drinking her in, the fantastic creature she is.

Her eyes cut to me. “What?”

“Nothing.” I stroke my beard as my eyes wander her body.