“I see your point,” she said, nodding slowly.
The passion in his words created a spark of excitement inside her. She would need to research and think further on the issue, but she would love to be part of the movement Colin envisioned.
“This film could add the Asian-American voice to the majority’s dialogue. Our journey, the same but different, is part of American life, too. It’s like this—the French mirepoix and the Creole holy trinity are only one ingredient apart. Both of them have onions and carrots, but the mirepoix has celeries and the holy trinity has red bell peppers. They are more similar than different, and the difference isn’t a bad thing. They’re equally good,” Colin said, his hands punctuating his words. She liked his analogy, which she readily understood thanks to her many cooking certificates. “I don’t know where that analogy came from, but I’m going with it.”
She laughed. “No, it makes complete sense.”
“Best Placed Bets could be a film that takes America one step closer to acceptance without being heavy-handed and didactic. Nobody wants to be lectured, but I believe everyone wants to understand. This film has the potential to be a dynamic, pivotal work in the industry. And with Rotelle Entertainment’s influence and resources, the change could be far-reaching.”
Colin Song’s energy and intelligence made her pulse pick up speed. His dark eyes glowed with intensity, and he sat forward in his seat, bringing his gorgeous face closer to hers. He had lovely, faint laugh lines in the corners of his eyes. He was someone who laughed often, and suddenly she wanted to hear what his laugh sounded like.
She wished she knew some funny jokes. Wait. Full stop. She was acting like a tween with a hard crush—thoroughly awkward and dorky. Even her palms were sweaty. This was blooming ridiculous. She surreptitiously wiped her hands on her pants as she leaned forward to show that she was listening with great interest.
When he shifted in his seat, a waft of his cologne drifted her way, and her eyes nearly fluttered shut. Fresh and woodsy, like he’d hiked through the woods to come to the meeting. It took Herculean effort to keep her eyes from drifting to the muscular thighs that filled his slacks.
Oh, Lord. Her mind did not just go there. Her body was already warm and hypersensitive from his proximity. She had to rein in her attraction. Jihae’s reputation was built on her unshakeable professionalism and acute business sense. Lusting after the head of a partner company could tarnish that reputation. Without the respect she garnered, performing her job as well as she had been would become impossible.
Moreover, if this attraction led to...something, her father could take the one thing that helped her survive his scorn and her lonely existence—Rotelle Entertainment. Her work was everything to her. She couldn’t forget that. Ever. As long as there was a chance of them working together, Colin Song was off-limits.
“Thank you, Mr. Song,” she said in a cool, level voice despite her unsteady breathing, and rose to her feet.
“Thank you for your time, Ms. Park.” He extended his hand and she put hers inside it, trying and failing to feel indifferent to his touch.
She released a soft wavering sigh, and his eyes shot to her lips and lingered. Bloody hell. This attraction might go both ways. A secret part of her rejoiced at the realization, but the sane part of her shivered with apprehension. It doubled her temptation to test out their attraction, but she wasn’t a mindless body. She was the vice president of Rotelle Entertainment.
“I’ll be in touch in the next couple days,” she said, gently withdrawing her hand.
“That sounds perfect. I look forward to hearing from you.” He released her hand and blinked rapidly as though he was trying to get his bearings. Could he tell how attracted she was to him?
With a curt nod, he walked out of her office. As soon as the door closed, Jihae plopped back down on the chair she’d been occupying and pulled her shirttail out of her slacks and flapped it rapidly. What in the world just happened to her? She had never been so attracted to someone at first sight. It was a crazy, instant chemical reaction, and she could swear he’d felt it, too.
She shot up to her feet and paced the floor. The temptation to explore these newfound feelings was overwhelming, but her willpower had to be greater. Jihae was excited about what CS Productions brought to the table, and she was very much interested in working on Best Placed Bets. But did she have the discipline to make certain that she wouldn’t act on her attraction?
Partnering with CS Productions would provide a great opportunity for Rotelle Entertainment’s venture into Hollywood. Partnering with Colin Song could mean trouble for her. Big trouble.
* * *
Colin was back at CS Productions but he wasn’t getting any work done. His mind was too busy replaying his meeting with Jihae Park. He dragged his hands through his hair and leaned back in his chair.
Her beauty had taken him by surprise. He had no business thinking it, but it was undeniable...she was beautiful. He couldn’t breathe for the first few seconds in her presence. Her hair had been pulled into a low knot, revealing her long, graceful neckline. Her fair, heart-shaped face looked like cool porcelain, with an expression to match—placid and aloof. Dressed in an all-white pantsuit, she’d seemed almost celestial. Like the elves in The Lord of the Rings.
When she spoke with a sexy-as-hell British accent in a warm, husky voice, his libido had spiked like it had been hit with a shot of adrenaline. If that hadn’t been enough to throw him off, there was the matter of her shoes. She’d worn a pair of nude, patent-leather stilettos—he was a sucker for women in gravity-defying heels—with rock studs imbedded in a T shape over her feet. It was edgy and hot. Were her shoes—so different from the rest of her—a glimpse into her true personality? And...he was analyzing her shoes.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” He wearily wiped a hand down his face.
It was all Colin had been able to do to focus on the meeting. But Jihae had conducted the interview with frank professionalism and respect, listening to what he had to say with genuine interest. What had stunned him the most about her was her embarrassment and regret at having her cell phone ring during the interview. The blush on her cheeks couldn’t have been feigned, and she’d apologized profusely. That didn’t seem like something an entitled, self-absorbed woman would do.
Colin was confused and enthralled by Jihae Park. Dislike and suspicion were the only emotions he’d felt toward her before the meeting, but his first impression of Jihae Park now warred with what he’d assumed her to be. If he didn’t know about the espionage, he would’ve seen her as a colleague he could respect and come to like. Since they might end up working together, having some professional respect for her wasn’t all bad, but it made spying on her even more distasteful.
In all honesty, his plan to spy on her had never been pleasant. The idea of sneaking around and gleaning information from someone through subterfuge made him mildly nauseous. Besides, he had no idea how to go about gathering intel or even what kind of information would help rekindle Hansol’s investigation against Rotelle. All he had to fuel his plan was his loyalty to his family, and his desire to do what was right by them.