“This is appropriate attire for a business meeting. We are meeting the lawyers before we see your daughters, right?” she replied.
“Maybe they’ll be dressed like miniature businesswomen, too,” he murmured, not putting it past MaryEllen. Wearily Jared felt as if he’d never known his wife at all.
“I doubt it.” She eyed his suit. “I hope you brought something else. Kids can be messy, especially when confined in airplanes.”
He looked at her lazily. “I have a couple of changes in the bag. I figured we would stay at least one night in New York. If I don’t get some sleep soon, I’m going to just pass out.” He rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger.
“You can sleep on the plane.” Compassion struck Cassandra. He did look exhausted. After flying in from Asia, it had to be next to impossible to fly on to New York.
“I’ll have to. After the flight from Bangkok and the flight tonight, my body won’t know whether it’s coming or going. Do you know how many time zones I’ve crossed in the last twenty-four hours?”
She shook her head, her gaze moving slowly over his shoulders to the long legs stretched out before him. So much for her idea of discussing business on the flight to New York. For a moment Cassandra wondered what it would be like to travel with him when he was rested. Would he be a fascinating conversationalist? He’d been to so many places and done so much. Wasn’t he only in his early thirties? She would love to hear how he and his wife had started Hunter Associates and where they planned to take the company.
But it wasn’t going to happen tonight, she knew that.
Jared idly noted Cassandra’s perusal. Or was he imagining it? She probably wanted to discuss the bottom line or future projections and was trying to think up the best approach. She was no more interested in him than he was in her.
And he was not interested in any woman. Except he couldn’t quite explain the desire to loosen her dark hair, unbutton that high collar and remove the glasses. He couldn’t remember if he’d ever seen her not wearing them. He wouldn’t mind seeing her in a dress, or shorts—or nothing at all.
Nothing?
God, he must be tired—now he was hallucinating. Closing his eyes, he tried to focus on the impending meeting with his daughters. Disbelief warred with fascination. He had no time for idle fantasies about one of his employees—one. moreover, who reminded him strongly of his late wife. He’d had his fill of determined career women who cared more for competing in the business world than in making a home and planning a future complete with family.
Next time he ventured into a personal relationship, he’d find someone soft and feminine and more interested in flowers in the garden and a comfortable home than spreadsheets and bank statements. That’s what he’d look for—if he ever wanted to marry again.
The flight was called. Jared and Cassandra boarded first class. He offered her the window seat. “I plan to sleep the entire trip, don’t need to see out the window,” he said.
“Thank you. Though I should mention I’ll also be napping. If not, I’ll be a zombie tomorrow.” She slipped in, stowed her bag and briefcase, clutched her magazine like a lifeline. Bemused, Cassandra realized she could smell his after-shave lotion—tangy and masculine. Sitting close enough to feel the heat from his strong body, she wanted to draw away, but there was only the airplane wall on the other side. Tongue-tied and feeling awkward, she gazed at the magazine, wondering why all her common sense seemed to have gone cockeyed. Jared sat beside her, fastening his seat belt. She’d attended meetings in the conference room that he’d chaired. So what was the problem tonight?
Of course, at the meetings, she had not sat beside him. Not been so acutely aware of his strong hands, the width of his shoulders and the smooth skin of his freshly shaved jaw. She tightened her grip lest her fingers give way to the desire to brush against that stubborn jaw and test the texture of his skin, feel his heat sear into her.
Cassandra swallowed hard, moving her gaze out the window. There was little to see in the darkness. Lights lit the service vehicles scurrying around the big jetliner, but beyond that nothing was visible. Yet she continued to stare out the window. It felt safer, somehow.
“As soon as we get airborne, I’m reclining the seat and going to sleep. If anyone asks, I don’t want food or drink,” he murmured in her right ear.
Cassandra turned and drew in her breath. His face was mere inches from hers. She could see the lines of fatigue radiating from his eyes and her own image reflected there. His breath caressed her cheek. Swallowing, she nodded, fascinated to be so close to the man.
“Been to New York before?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.
She shook her head, conscious of the wild beat of her heart. Mesmerized by the sensations that raced through her, she couldn’t look away.
“Sorry we won’t have time to go sight-seeing.”
“I hope to go one day on vacation. I’d like to see the sights, maybe go to a Broadway show.”
“It’s okay to visit, but I prefer San Francisco any day.”
Cassandra nodded.
“Are you from the Bay Area?” he asked.
She shook her head. Feeling like an idiot and not the competent woman she tried to portray, she cleared her throat. “I grew up near L.A. Now I prefer San Francisco.”
“Live in the city?”
“In a small place on Telegraph Hill.”
“Lots of tourists.”
“Mostly in the summer. Coit Tower is a popular site. I like to walk up there myself and gaze out over the city. It offers a magnificent view.”
“How long have you lived there?” Jared asked, wondering why he didn’t know more about an employee who had worked for him for two years.
“I arrived a couple of weeks before I went to work for you,” she replied. Why didn’t he lean back in his chair? Why was he still so close, close enough for her to feel as if there were only the two of them on the entire plane? She longed for some distance. His eyes were dark, compelling, mesmerizing. She liked the lights that danced in their depth. Wondered what he thought as he gazed into her eyes.
The flight attendant began her preflight demonstration. Cassandra drew a deep breath and looked at the woman. She knew Jared continued to watch her through narrowed eyes, but she focused on the demonstration as if she’d never seen one before. Almost feeling the waves of fatigue wash through him, she knew he’d last only a few more minutes. Once he reclined his seat and slept, the trip would be easier.
Jared awoke as the plane began its descent. He felt the pressure in his ears and yawned to relieve it. Something heavy and warm rested against his shoulder. Turning his head, he realized Cassandra had decided to use him as a pillow during the night. Both of them were covered with airline blankets. Both seats had been reclined. Had he done this? Had she?
He shifted a bit, his arm asleep. How long had she rested against him? A faint hint of roses wafted on the air. Her special scent? He tipped his face toward her and took a breath. Sweet, definitely roses. Closing his eyes, he tried to envision her purchasing that particular scent and spraying it on each morning. Somehow it evoked images of a different woman, soft and feminine—not a straitlaced, ambitious businesswoman.
He had to get a grip. She was not there to be his personal fantasy, but to play nanny to his daughters on the return trip. That was all. Once they reached San Francisco, she’d resume her role as marketing analyst, and Helen would have located a nanny for the twins. He had other things to think about besides Cassandra Bowles.
Immediately thoughts of the twins had him awake and alert.
He shook his seat companion, then waited while she slowly came awake.