Nodding, he typed something into the computer without diverting his attention from her.
A smile stretched across his lips. “So serious, and all business.”
“That’s me, all the time.”
“Well, let’s do this.”
Lena focused on answering a million and one questions about paper quality, weight, finish, and other printing options she never knew existed.
When he asked if the graphics were Pantone colors, she threw up her hands and laughed. “Are you making up some of these questions so I’ll stay longer?”
“I’m not lame. What kind of pansy-asses have you been hanging around? I don’t make up shit just to talk with a woman.”
Suddenly, she noticed they were the only two people in the lobby. Dylan must have gone to the back room without her noticing. And for some reason, knowing that they were all alone ramped up her adrenaline until she was trembling.
“And I can call” —he looked at the computer screen— “Heath and ask him about the Pantone colors.”
“So there really are Pantone colors?”
“Yeah.”
Heat crept up her neck. “Oh.”
Pulling out the flash drive, he dropped it into a plastic case. “How soon do you need these flyers?”
“Next week’s okay.”
“I can probably have them back to you sooner than that, but I’ll note that in your file.” He tapped something into the computer, then put the plastic case into a large envelope and sealed it. “That’s all done.” He came over to the counter and leaned toward her, scanning her face. “Business is finished. So, how’ve you been?”
She licked her lips. “Good. You?”
“I can’t complain. Is your catering office nearby?”
“Not really. I heard your store did excellent work, but I had no idea you owned it.” Scrunching her nose, she said, “You do own it, right?”
The corners of his mouth turned up. “I do. You’re not the only business owner in town.”
Laughing, she playfully smacked his forearm. “I know that.” His eyes followed her movement. “I never would’ve pictured you owning a printing business.”
“Why not?”
“No reason.”
“So when you tell me you’re busy building up your business, I get it, but I also know it’s healthy to take a step away from it once in a while.”
“I keep getting reminded of that, and I am trying.”
“Prove it. Go out to dinner with me.”
“Are you asking me or telling me?”
“Asking. I want to get to know you better.”
A nervous laugh escaped past her lips. “I’ve got some deep issues, and I’m a bit obsessive, so be careful what you wish for.”
Warm fingers ran down the side of her face, stroking her cheek. “Everyone’s got issues, but they still need to eat.”
The simple touch of his hand on her skin sent sparks sizzling through her veins. She shifted in place.
“You know I’m right,” he pressed.
Maybe he was. Life was stressful enough with the constant strain of keeping up with a booming business, but now extortion had been added to the mix. By her calculations, she’d have to double her output to make up what those lowlifes were stealing from her. And when was the last time she did something that wasn’t work related? I can’t even remember. And going out on a date hasn’t happened since… forever. She took him in, his elbows propped on the counter, resting his chin on his hands, a wide grin adorning his face.
“I’m not asking you to sail around the world with me for a year. I’m just asking about one meal. It’s not that complicated.”
But the way her body behaved when he was near her, she’d have to disagree. Dinner with Tank was very complicated. But with everything else going on in her life at the moment, what was one more fly in the ointment?
“Okay.”
He straightened up, his grin growing wider. “You sure about that?”
“Yes.” A small buzz of excitement swiped down her arms and legs as the earlier butterflies nested in her belly.
“What day works for you?”
“Any day, really. But it’ll have to be after nine. I know that’s late for dinner, but––”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll make a reservation for nine thirty and pick you up. Does Saturday night work?”
Saturday. This really is a date. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Do you want me to pick you up at work or at your place?”
Lena didn’t want him knowing about the restaurant. If things worked out between them, she’d share that part of her life, but if they didn’t, then she wouldn’t have to worry about him coming to her place of business and bugging her.
“I’ll meet you. I’m usually all over the county, so it’s easier that way.”
“Right.” He turned away and went over to one of the printers. “Come over here. I’ll make you a stack of flyers for free so you can hand them out at parties between now and when the high-quality ones are done.”
Taking in a deep breath, Lena went behind the counter and stood a sizeable distance away from Tank. Frankly, she couldn’t trust herself around him. He was giving off a ton of sexy vibes, and if she didn’t get out of there soon, she feared she’d do something that would embarrass the hell out of her.
She pressed her lips together as he fiddled around with the printer. Turning, he handed her his phone with an empty contact screen. Without thinking too hard about it, she typed in her information, with a quick note in quotations next to her name.
Looking at the screen, he gave her an incredulous look before tucking the phone back into his pocket. “What the fuck? You noted yourself as ‘the caterer’ in my phone?”
“I don’t know how many women you have listed in there.”
He let out a long, low whistle and smiled. “I can see I’ve got to stay on my toes with you, Lena.”
“Just for one night.” The words just flew out of her mouth, but she didn’t bother to take them back.
“You’re gonna be trouble, aren’t you?”
“That all depends on your behavior, Tank.”
Lena couldn’t keep a straight face. She laughed as she slipped her fingers around the stack of freshly printed flyers he handed her.
“That’s really endearing.”
“What?” Her laughter died away when she met his suddenly serious gaze. “What are you talking about?”
“The way you crinkle your nose up when you laugh. It’s cute as hell.” He said it in a matter-of-fact tone, as if it made total sense that he was pointing it out. “And now you’re looking at me like I’m nuts. Aren’t you used to compliments?”
“Something like that,” Lena muttered, hugging the stack of flyers to her chest. Feeling a light blush flushing across her cheeks, she took a step back, knowing she needed to go before things went any further between them. “It was nice seeing you.”
It was a lame exit, especially when he was taking her out to dinner on Saturday. But his comment, and the desire in his eyes, put her a little off her game. Hell, he knocked her off her feet in ways no one else did, or had done in a very long time.