Casting his gaze downward, he continued his slow, thorough appraisal. Her loose-fitting workout gear hid her fit and fabulous figure, but Harper still remembered how nicely she’d filled out that black-belted-suit she’d worn to last month’s photo shoot. All afternoon he’d hoped she’d ditch the stuffy blazer, but no such luck. Azure Ellison could just as easily be a model for Eminence magazine, and if he ever saw her striking face on the cover, he’d buy stocks in the tabloid.
Harper spotted three gangly teens leaning against the front window. They stood there, their eyes as big as saucers, jabbing each other with their elbows. Was that how he looked right now? Dazed, awed and googly-eyed? Harper hoped not. When it came to the ladies, he wasn’t as confident as his cousin Jake. His ego had taken a hit when he’d caught his ex-girlfriend cheating, and Harper was only now starting to feel like his old self. Watching the trio shamelessly ogle Azure made him feel a mixture of pride and jealousy. An odd reaction considering she wasn’t his woman, or even a close friend.
“I was hoping we could talk.”
“Sure,” he said, giving her his undivided attention, “I could spare a few minutes now.”
“Not here. I’d prefer we speak in private.”
“Are you in need of legal counsel, Ms. Ellison? Because if you are I’m your man.”
* * *
I wish you were. Azure knew Harper was teasing, but a part of her—a big part—wished he wasn’t. Lean and well built, the thirty-one-year-old attorney was an imposing figure with long, muscular limbs and a firm, hard butt she’d spent the past ten minutes drooling over. “I’m not in trouble with the law, but if I ever need an attorney, I’ll be sure to give you a call.”
He blessed her with a wide, disarming smile.
“Are you free tonight?”
“It depends on what this is pertaining to.”
“I’m doing a follow-up piece on the interview I did last month.” The lie slid smoothly off her lips. It should. She’d rehearsed it on the drive over to Premier Fitness, and again while she was working up a sweat on the elliptical machine. “I would love to sit down with you and discuss it further. Why don’t we meet later for cocktails? I can tell you all about it then.”
Harper raised an eyebrow. Three weeks ago, Azure had sat down with his family for an in-depth interview, one that had lasted for several hours. No way she was writing a second piece about the Hamilton clan. Only Brad and Angelina got that kind of coverage. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to give me a little more information about this new story, Ms. Ellison.”
Azure parted her lips, but nothing came out. Not a single word. Then she remembered the conversation in the staff room that morning and invented another, more compelling tale. “The whole city’s buzzing with the news of your cousin’s
surprise engagement, and I thought it would be great to add some quotes and anecdotes about the darling couple to the piece I originally wrote. You’re the first person who came to mind, so here I am.”
His face hardened like stone. “I’m sorry, Ms. Ellison, but I have nothing to offer. I was just as shocked as everyone else when Jake proposed. But, if you’d like, I can arrange for you to meet with my aunt Jeannette, because she had to know something....”
Azure watched Harper closely, and all but fainted when he licked his full, thick lips. She admired the famed attorney from the top of his brown close-cropped hair to the bottom of his sneaker-clad feet. His skin looked as smooth as whipped peanut butter, he had a strong chiseled jaw and a pair of powerful, muscular legs. Azure longed to run her hands down his arms, wished she could touch and massage his athletic physique. Damn, and he smelled good, too. Like a rough and tough alpha male. One who could show her a thing or two in the bedroom. Or the kitchen. Or any other room he wanted to have her in.
At the thought, goose bumps prickled her flesh. Azure blinked, forced her gaze away from Harper’s sexy mouth. No more lusting. It was time to refocus, to get back to the matter at hand. She had to convince Harper to meet her for drinks at Table 13, that chic, upscale restaurant bar in the heart of Center City, but how?
“I’m sorry you wasted your time coming all the way down here, but—”
“Maybe instead of writing a piece about your cousin and his new fiancée, I should feature you, alone,” she began, casually resting a hand on his forearm. Touching him was a mistake. Her heart did a triple back flip, and Azure suddenly felt so woozy she feared she’d collapse at his feet.
What’s wrong with me? Azure wondered, taking a deep breath. She’d interviewed scores of attractive men over the years, and not once did she have butterflies in her stomach or sweaty palms. But in Harper’s presence she became a bumbling, stumbling fool who couldn’t think straight. What’s up with that?
Seconds passed before she felt composed enough to speak. Once her head cleared, she continued her pitch. “I’d love to discuss my idea further with you, and if you could spare an hour of your time to meet with me tonight I’d really appreciate it.”
“Just tell me when and where.” His smile was back, and his dark, penetrating gaze moved over her like the fierce autumn breeze blowing leaves outside the downtown streets. Azure didn’t have the presence of mind to think, let alone speak. Harper Hamilton had it all. Dashing good looks, keen intelligence and a physique that would make an action hero jealous. And he did it for her in a big way. “Let’s meet at Table 13,” she said, breaking free of her sinful thoughts and reuniting with her voice. “Is seven o’clock okay?”
“It’s perfect.”
“Great. I’ll see you then.”
“I look forward to it.”
Azure’s legs were shaking, but she turned around and walked across the racquetball court without wiping out. How the hell am I going to make it through cocktail hour with Harper when I could barely handle a five-minute conversation? she thought, hustling back through the lobby of Premier Fitness and out the front door. Azure had a date to get ready for, and no time to waste. She only hoped that between now and the time she met Harper for cocktails at Table 13, she had a new plan because her first one had just been shot to hell.
Chapter 2
At six o’clock, Azure sailed into Table 13 and after a brief chat with the curvy, blue-eyed hostess, strode through the packed-out waiting area. The word swank came to mind every time Azure entered Philly’s newest hot spot, but after attending last month’s grand opening, she quickly realized that all that glittered wasn’t gold. Table 13 was a place to see and be seen in. That was it. The ceilings were high, and the décor flashy, but the overpriced entrées were smaller than a McDonald’s Happy Meal and the service was painfully slow. But the scathing reviews by local critics didn’t deter the crowds. In the lounge, dozens of young, fabulously dressed patrons with money to burn and not a care in the world sipped champagne and smoked cigars.
Azure was an hour early for her meeting with Harper, but she planned to use the time to develop her new plan. She hoped that once she had a couple of cocktails, and her nerves settled, the ideas would flow freely, because right now she had nothing. Mr. Watson’s words circled her mind, and although it had been hours since her boss had marched into her office and reamed her out, she could still hear his harsh voice in her ears. “Shape up or ship out, Ellison. And for goodness’ sake, quit writing boring fluff pieces that your own mother wouldn’t read!”
Sliding onto the swivel stool in her slim-fitting Gucci dress took more skill than winning Jeopardy’s Tournament of Champions, but once Azure was seated at the bright, circular bar, she felt herself start