I Can Make You Love Me. Karen White-Owens

his arm.

      “Okay.” She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and allowed him to escort her through the bar’s front door. Once inside he bid her good night and left the club.

      I hope this works out, Wynn thought, clutching the strap of her purse in a death grip as she studied the crowd. Where should she go? The bartender might know something.

      Music hummed through the club, creating a low buzz. Dancers moved to the primal beat of the live band. Tables were packed with customers, hooking up and separating, forming new alliances. Young business professionals populated the place on a Friday night. They mingled, danced, and merged into social groups. The dance floor lay beyond the central room.

      With a gentle stroke of his finger along her arm, Adam drew her attention away from the crowd. Her skin tingled as her pulse raced from his touch. He kissed her briefly on the lips, sending her thoughts into a million different directions.

      “Hey,” he muttered close to her ear. His warm breath caressed her cheek, sending a shiver of delight surging through her.

      Sighing with relief, she smiled and answered softly, “Hi. I was just thinking about you.”

      “Good thoughts I hope,” he said.

      “Oh, yeah.”

      Wynn felt the warmth of Adam’s gaze as it skipped along her frame, lingering on her breasts cupped in an empire style top in hot pink. He glanced lower, checking out Wynn’s black Capri pants. Dark leather sandals covered her pink-painted toes. His heated gaze returned to her face and Adam gave her a sexy smile of approval.

      “You look wonderful,” he whispered in a husky drawl.

      “Thank you,” Wynn replied shyly.

      “How was your ride?” Adam asked, brushing away the silver lock of hair falling into her eyes.

      “Good. Riding in a limo is exciting. Thank you for the opportunity.”

      “You’re welcome. I really wanted you to come. Plus, this way works out better for me. I got you downtown without leaving my meeting, and I get the pleasure of taking you home.”

      She examined the goings-on for a beat. “Where is everyone?”

      “Private room in the back.” He intertwined his fingers with hers and tugged her away from the doorway. “Come on.”

      Following him, Wynn strolled along the edge of the bar. “You like those private rooms, don’t you?”

      He grinned. “They can be handy.”

      Her eyebrows lifted suggestively. “Really?”

      “Here. Let me show you.”

      Adam and Wynn picked their way through several rows of occupied wooden tables across from the main room to the back of the club. They moved down a long hallway and stopped outside a closed door.

      “This is the place,” Adam announced.

      Panic, sharp and unexpected, roared through Wynn. Her transparent expression couldn’t be hidden.

      Adam frowned and gently ran his hands up and down her bare arms. “Chill! We’re all friends here. Kick back and enjoy the evening. Eat, drink, and have fun. There’s no pressure. Honest. That’s why I invited you.”

      “I know,” Wynn said, feeling foolish. “I feel like the new girlfriend going home to meet the family for the first time. I want everyone to like me and find me witty and charming.”

      “You’re all of those things and more,” Adam said. He took her lips in a swift, explosive kiss. The taste of him rattled her and sent coherent thoughts into the next century.

      Grinning at Wynn, Adam held her hands. “FYI. The only person that matters in this group is me. And I like everything about you. So, come on. Let’s do our thing and have some fun.”

      He opened the door and pushed Wynn inside ahead of him. Professionally dressed men and women filled the room. Many stood in groups, holding wineglasses or beer mugs as they conversed.

      Adam steered her through the maze of people to a table. A pretty African American woman with light brown hair tied in a ponytail stood among a group of partygoers playing court to her. Wynn found herself mesmerized by the gold-green twinkle in the woman’s eyes.

      The woman studied Wynn for half a second and then grinned broadly. She stood, extending her hand. “Hi. I’m Tia Edwards. And you must be Wynn. It’s nice to put a face with the voice.”

      Wynn instantly liked Tia. “Congratulations on your promotion. Thanks for inviting me.”

      Grinning, Tia waved her away. “You’re welcome. Adam has said nothing but good things about you.”

      “That’s good to know.”

      Adam, Tia, and Wynn stood at the table. The trio talked quietly, getting to know each other.

      An attractive woman in a tailored two-piece rose-colored suit joined them. Her hair was pulled into a bun at the back of her head. The severe style accented her long, angular face and walnut-colored skin. She was beautiful. The woman stroked her hand down Adam’s arm. “Hey, Adam.”

      He turned, removing the woman’s hand from his shoulder. “Hi, Vi. Let me introduce you to my friend. Vivian Manning, Wynn Evans. Vi is one of the acquisition attorneys on my staff. She does a lot of traveling for the company.”

      For a moment, Wynn watched the pair, noting Vi’s body language and familiarity with Adam. He stiffened when Vi touched him. Wynn sensed something more in Vivian’s casual gesture. Were they more than colleagues? Did they have history together? Wynn couldn’t tell from Adam’s expression. But there was definitely something more.

      For now Wynn was a guest and she planned to play her part. “Nice to meet you,” Wynn said, offering her hand.

      Vi took her hand in a limp shake that lasted less than a second. She gave Wynn a smug smile and said, “Do you mind if I steal him for a moment?”

      Confused, Wynn shook her head.

      “What’s up?” Adam asked, rubbing his hand up and down Wynn’s bare arm.

      “That Bradford business. I need a word with you.”

      Adam kissed Wynn’s check and promised, “I’ll be back in a minute.”

      Frowning, Wynn watched the pair walk away.

      Tia studied Wynn’s face for a second and then pointed to the opposite wall. “Can I get you something? There’s food on the table against the wall. Open bar at the back of the room and lots of conversation and opinions flying around the place.”

      A gentleman dressed in an expensive pair of Armani trousers, cashmere loose-fitting sweater, and handmade leather shoes approached the group. Tia turned to him, asking, “Do you need me?”

      “Nope.” The man shook his head. Golden locks whipped across his cheeks. Fascinated by the sheer beauty of the man, Wynn stared. He was the most striking man she’d ever seen. Tall with an athletic build, he stood silently. His angular features would have been considered pretty on a woman, yet, he wore them well. It made him more alluring and appealing.

      Tia gestured to Wynn. “Attorney Christophe Jensen, Wynn Evans.”

      “Pleasure,” he replied in a slightly accented voice, kissing Wynn’s hand.

      “Chris just transferred to Detroit from the home office in France,” Tia explained. “I’ll be working with him once I find my replacement.”

      Adam returned, sliding an arm around Wynn’s shoulders and pulling her against his side. “Hey. Stop with the French charm. You’ve got my secretary. Stay away from my girlfriend.”

      Everyone laughed. Wynn studied Adam. Am I? She wondered. Did he think of her as something more than friends? This was going to be an interesting evening.