She laughed. “You’re probably right.”
“C’mon, let’s dance,” he said, rising to his feet. “I really like this song.”
Addison allowed him to take her by the hand and lead her to the crowded dance floor.
“Hey, I have a couple of football tickets for the 49ers game on Sunday,” Kellen announced when the song ended and they were on the way back to their table. “If you’re interested, we can fly up to San Francisco on my father’s jet Saturday evening or early Sunday morning. We’d have a good time.”
“You really can’t think it’s a good idea for us to hang out together,” Addison responded.
He was surprised by her statement. “Why not? We both love football.”
She gave a slight shrug. “I don’t know, Kellen. I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I don’t agree,” he responded. “It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know one another.”
Addison gave him a sidelong glance. “And why would I want to get to know you better?”
“Because you’re curious,” Kellen responded with a grin. “You would never admit it, but I’m pretty sure that you are interested in me.”
“I’m interested in all of my employees.”
He smiled. “If you go to the game with me, you’ll get to see a different side of my personality.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Addison responded with a wry smile. “Enjoy your game.”
“You’re going to miss out on a great game.”
“I’m sure.”
Kellen accepted two glasses of white wine from the tray of a passing waiter. He gave one to Addison and kept the other for himself. He sat down beside her.
“This is a really nice event.”
“My mother and sisters worked together to pull this off,” he responded. “Zaire came up with the theme and they just ran with it.”
“I love that you’re so close to your family, and you’re very proud of their accomplishments. I think that’s nice.”
“Do you have any siblings?” Kellen asked.
“No, I’m actually an only child—more like an orphan now since my mother passed away.”
He glimpsed the sadness in her eyes, prompting him to ask, “How long has she been gone?”
“Two years.”
“What about your father?”
“He died when I was twelve years old. Then it was just me and Mom.” She smiled. “Let’s talk about something happier.”
The tiny peek at her tongue sent a shot of adrenaline through Kellen and the fine hairs on his body standing on end.
“C’mon and change your mind, Addison. We both love the 49ers. Let’s go to the game and cheer them on to victory.”
She shot him a skeptical look.
Kellen held up both hands. “I promise that I’m not looking for anything more than someone to enjoy the game with.”
“Why not take one of your brothers?” she questioned.
“Because none of them are huge fans of the 49ers, for one thing. I want to take someone who will actually enjoy the game.”
* * *
Kellen strode into Addison’s office and placed a ticket on her desk. “The ticket is yours. I hope to see you at the game.”
He left her office before she could utter a response.
Addison loved football, and she especially wanted to see the 49ers play the New Orleans Saints, but she wasn’t sure if it was a wise idea to attend a game with Kellen. She had even considered buying tickets but couldn’t get good seats.
She picked up the one Kellen left and looked at it. This is a really great seat.
“I can’t do this,” Addison whispered. “He’s my employee and it wouldn’t look right.”
She considered the art show she attended with Lisa, another member of the team who reported to her. Addison had also gone to another function with another employee. Maybe she was just overreacting.
Addison glanced down at the ticket. She really preferred to see the game live.
She couldn’t believe that she was acting so foolish about this.
I’m a grown woman. I can go to a game with Kellen and not end up in bed with him. Besides, he’s been nothing but a perfect gentleman.
Still, she decided to take some time to think about her decision.
On the following Saturday, Addison scrunched down in the driver’s seat of her rental car and pulled her ball cap low over her eyes, hands clenched on the steering wheel. She was parked near the main gate of the Candlestick Park stadium.
Near the entrance stood Kellen Alexander, a man she was sure that she should avoid at all cost, but was powerless to do so. He looked even more handsome in his football jersey and cap. Her skin tingled.
Kellen was one of Beverly Hill’s most eligible bachelors. He graduated from grad school with honors; he had brains, money, good looks and charm. Despite the fact that he could charm diamonds off a jewel thief with his generous smile and smooth manners, he projected an air of utter masculinity.
Really, who could resist him? she rationalized.
The truth was that Kellen was the real deal. She had a strong feeling that he was an amazing lover. Feeling her cheeks heat up, Addison moved restlessly, suddenly too hot in her team jersey and denim Capri pants.
* * *
“Is this seat taken?”
The moment Kellen heard her voice, his lips turned upward into a smile. He glanced up at Addison and smiled wider. “You’re here.”
She sank down into the empty seat beside him. “Yes, I decided I would rather watch the game live than on television.”
“I really didn’t think that you’d come, but I’m glad you’re here.” Even in a baseball cap and a football jersey, she looked stunning.
Addison smiled at him. “I just couldn’t resist coming to cheer on my favorite team.”
“Likewise,” Kellen murmured.
She was like a kid at a candy store. He had never seen her so animated and filled with excitement. When the 49ers scored a touchdown, she jumped out of her seat, cheering.
“Now that’s the way to start a game,” she said.
Addison laughed with her head thrown back, and the sound of it hit Kellen right in the center of his chest. And when those sexy brown eyes blinked back at him, he felt the warm pull of attraction firing through his body nearly knock the reason right out of him.
He’d thought it couldn’t get any better than the laugh. But then he’d heard the laugh coupled with the squeals of delight and gotten an eyeful of Addison’s sensational and perfectly displayed backside as she shimmied in some victory after the second touchdown.
“Okay, guys,” she yelled. “Third and six. Hold ’em.”
Kellen eyed her in amusement. Addison was completely immersed in the game. He could have left and she wouldn’t have noticed. Some of the women in his past pretended to like football but eventually revealed how much it bored them. Others displayed no love for the game at all. He found her a refreshing change.
“How do you know so much about football?” Kellen asked.
“Growing up, I used to watch my dad coach Pop Warner teams. I found the game fascinating and so I wanted to learn more. Both my parents were passionate about football. On Sundays after church you could find us in front of the television watching a game. I love the atmosphere of intensity and joy at a football game. I love the strategy of the game. I love how a well-formed team with a good battle plan can overcome a more powerful team.”
“I totally get what you’re saying. I admire those guys and at times, envy them—playing a game with heart and passion... I believe in doing something you love, and getting paid for it is a plus. It’s the same way that I feel about what I do.”
Addison nodded in understanding.
>
“Would you like to grab some dinner?” he inquired after the game ended.
“Sure.”
As she walked, Kellen studied her backside, liking the set of her shoulders, the determined tilt of her head, the way her jeans fit her.
Addison slowed down a bit, allowing him to catch up with her. “Do you have a certain restaurant in mind?”
“No, do you?”
“Why don’t we drive until we find one that looks inviting?” Kellen suggested.
“I’m feeling adventurous.”
They decided on one that was about four blocks from the stadium.
Addison was mildly surprised by the soothing atmosphere of the restaurant. The mural of New Orleans and the smooth sounds of jazz playing in the background immediately put the diners in a relaxed mood, melting away the tensions of everyday life temporarily.
Her eyes traveled to Kellen.
“So what do you think?” he asked.
“This is nice,” she said, her eyes bouncing around the restaurant that was draped in rich, but soothing jewel tones.
Waiters started to bring the food out, arranging it attractively on the table. They started with antipasto—asparagus spears wrapped in prosciutto and balsamic-glazed cipollines and sautéed beef tips.
As they dined, Addison acknowledged that Kellen had a wonderful sense of humor. She could not deny how much she really enjoyed spending time with him.
He caught her watching him and flashed that sexy grin, which caused a shudder to pass through her.
He watched as she struggled to finish her butternut-squash tortellini. “This is some of the best Italian food in California,” he said as she put her cutlery down and pushed her half-finished plate aside.
It was, except Addison did not want to be stabbing pasta with a fork when her gaze could be held by his, and her mouth did not want to be eating when she could be speaking with him. The restaurant was suddenly too noisy, too busy, all distractions unwelcome.
“It is delicious,” she agreed. “They just give you so much of it. I’m taking the rest of mine back to the hotel.”
She shook her head when the waiter came over with a bottle of champagne, but he ignored her protest and poured two glasses.
“You ordered champagne?”
Kellen nodded. “We have something to celebrate.”
“And what is that?”
“Friendship.”
“You mean us?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes,” Kellen responded. “I’d like for us to be friends, Addison. Don’t worry. I’m clear on the boss thing.”
“Okay, friend. So what else do you like besides football?”
“I love basketball, too,” he said. “In fact, I love it more than football.”
“Did you play?”
Kellen met her gaze. His eyes always did funny things to her stomach when they locked on hers.
He nodded and said, “I played both football and basketball all through high school and college.”
“I played on the girls’ basketball team in high school,” Addison stated.
“I never figured you for a basketball player.”
“Why? Is it because you think I’m way too girly?”
“Something like that,” Kellen admitted with a chuckle.
Addison knew that he was teasing her.
“I’m staying at the Alexander-DePaul Hotel. Where are you staying?” he asked after paying the bill.
“I’m staying there, too,” she uttered. “I bet you’re staying in one of those fabulous suites.”
“I can have your room upgraded, if you’d like.”
She shook her head. “My room is really nice. I’m fine.”
Kellen checked his watch. “It’s still early. Is there anything else you’d like to do?”
She shook her head. “I don’t have anything in mind.”
“We can maybe catch a movie somewhere?” The truth was that Kellen wasn’t ready for the night to end. He was enjoying his time with Addison.
“Sounds good, but we have to go to the hotel first. I want to freshen up and change clothes.”
She drove them to the hotel.
Kellen couldn’t take his eyes off Addison.
“I can feel you staring at me.”
“I was just admiring the view,” he responded.
“You need to quit,” Addison uttered with a short laugh.
“Okay,” he said. “I’m going to behave.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Meet you at your room in about fifteen minutes,” he said upon their arrival to the hotel.
Addison got off the elevator and headed to her room while Kellen went to his.
In his suite, he took a quick shower and changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a crisp linen shirt in a soft peach color. Kellen made a quick phone call to his dad.
Fifteen minutes passed.
Kellen waited another five before leaving his room and knocking on the door to Addison’s hotel room.
She opened the door and exited with her purse. Addison had changed into a pair of skinny jeans, a fuchsia-colored T-shirt and matching sandals.
They left the suite, walking down to the elevator.
The doors opened and they stepped inside.
“According to the desk clerk, the movie theater is not too far from here,” Kellen stated.
“Do you want me to drive?” she asked. “We do have the rental car.”
“You drove to the restaurant and back to the hotel,” he said. “Let’s just take a taxi.”
“I’d rather take the car. I’m not crazy about taxicabs.”
“Do you mind if I drive?”
“Not at all,” Addison responded.
They made it to the movie theater in less than twenty minutes.
Kellen reached over and took her hand in his as they entered the theater. A warm feeling of well-being stole over her, and she found herself remembering the kindness and gentleness of Kellen’s touch long after he released her hand.
* * *
“That was a great movie,” Addison said when they returned to the hotel and relaxed in his suite.
When he didn’t respond, she glanced over at him. “Kellen?”
“Huh?”
“What are you thinking about?”
His gaze landed on her face. “Do you really want to know?”
Addison thought she saw a whisper of something inviting in Kellen’s eyes. It was a look that said he wouldn’t mind a kiss, and she caught her breath as he half bent down toward her. For just a minute she felt like a young woman coming home from a date, her chest filled with the anticipation of a sweet first kiss with a promise of something more to come.
Addison quickly backed up.
She realized she wanted Kellen to kiss her, but she had to resist the temptation.
Addison wondered what his mouth would taste like, how his lips might play on her own. It would be the height of stupidity to allow a kiss to take place between them.
Yet she was powerless to resist.
His mouth covered hers hungrily.
A five-star kiss in a five-star hotel; his mouth soft and suggestive on her lips, his scent, the feel of his warm hands on her flushed cheeks. There was a moment where Kellen increased the pressure, where he shifted just a little and she felt as if they were both lost in the moment.
She returned his kiss with a hunger that belied her outward calm. Burying her face in his neck, Addison breathed a kiss there.
When the kiss ended, she resisted the urge to touch the place where his lips had been. Her heart was racing, and Addison could feel her blood rushing through her veins. She was falling for Kellen.
She looked into his eyes. She�
��d never been able to resist his eyes; she should have known better. But in the moment their eyes met, it was like she could hear him speaking, although his lips never moved.
Don’t leave. Stay with me.
Silence fell, heavy with implications. Because neither of them was saying it had been a mistake. Or expressing regret. Or promising it would never happen again.
“Addison, I’m not a man to beat around the bush,” Kellen blurted a moment later. “I’m very interested in you, and from that kiss, I believe that you feel the same way about me. I’d really like to see where this road takes us.”
“A relationship can’t happen between us,” she interjected quickly. “Not as long as we’re working together.”
“Maybe you should fire me again.”
Addison smiled. “Maybe I should.”
“Why are you so against us being together?” he asked.
“I’ve never made it a habit to date someone I worked with,” she responded. “If the relationship doesn’t work out, then it carries over into the office. I don’t want that.”
“Like I told you before—I know how to separate my personal life from my business one.”
“Kellen, we definitely have chemistry,” she admitted. “But animal attraction burns itself out eventually.”
“Is there anything I can do to change your mind?”
Addison reached over and took his hand in her own. “No, there isn’t.”
“I’m crazy about you.”
She held her ground. “We can’t do this.”
He kissed her. “Are you sure?”
“I am,” Addison stated. “Let’s just keep it at friendship. Okay?”
Kellen snapped straight up and stepped back from her. “If that’s what you want.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“You’re welcome to fly back with me,” he told her. “We leave at six in the morning.”
“I already have my ticket. I won’t be in the office until noon tomorrow. I’ll see you then.”
Kellen walked her to the door.
“Good night, friend,” she murmured.
Chapter 8
During the ride from the airport to the office, Kellen tried to erase the memory of their kiss. He had wanted to kiss her so badly, it had ached in his bones. Chest slowly squeezing the air from his lungs, he quickly reminded himself that he hadn’t intentionally set out to have a casual fling with Addison, no matter how attractive she was.
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