There was something else. Something that threw her into a strange sense of déjà vu. He didn’t look like every other Capitol Hill guy. There was something striking about him. Something more than his perfect face with the chiseled jaw and that impressive body. He…looked familiar. Something about him ticked a memory, but she couldn’t bring it to the front of her brain.
He continued to stare at her. “Miss Sullivan? Are you alright?”
She couldn’t remember how to swallow.
“Nice to…meet you.”
“Okay.” Amusement played in his voice.
“Sorry.” She shook her head, hoping to knock her common sense back into action. “I just finished a call with another client.”
“I totally understand. Let’s have a seat.” He gestured toward the table and waited for her to sit down before talking again. “I apologize for being late. I got tied up at work.”
“Obviously, I get how that happens.”
He watched the server pour water in his glass, then said “thank you,” before turning back to her. “It’s still not excusable. Your time is as valuable as mine.”
She had no idea what to say to that since clients didn’t usually fall over themselves apologizing to her for wasting her afternoon. Not usually…or ever.
This guy was a charmer…and so familiar. “I’m sorry, but have we met before?”
“No.”
It was a blunt response. His voice stayed light but it didn’t waver.
She inhaled and tried to focus. “What exactly do you do, Mr. Hunter?”
“Please, call me Dave.” A waiter stepped up to the edge of the table. Dave turned his impressive smile on the man. “Could you give us a few minutes?” Without breaking stride, Dave looked at her again. “Lawyer.”
When he continued to stare and the silence dragged on, she realized she’d lost track of the topic. That never happened to her, but it seemed to be a problem around this guy. “Excuse me?”
“I’m a lawyer.”
Well, of course he was. She knew basic information about him. But their telephone call didn’t prepare her for the impact of seeing him in his perfect navy suit, with that dimple in his cheek.
She’d never cheat on Jasper. She’d never wanted to and certainly would never hurt him like that. But if she wasn’t with him, she’d be all over this guy. After she sold him a house and collected the commission, of course.
It was normal to notice a handsome man. She refused to feel guilty about noticing. But right now, she needed to concentrate on business. She needed to stop noticing.
Dave had said something about law. She grabbed on to that. “Corporate?”
“Interesting guess.”
“You have that look.”
It’d be lucky for her, because the corporate law type tended to buy expensive real estate.
He glanced down at his tie before looking at her again. “I’m not sure that’s a compliment.”
He sounded amused, so she continued the lighthearted banter. “We do live in a town full of lawyers.”
“I’m not sure that’s a compliment to DC.” His warm smile never faltered. “My practice deals with white-collar crime.”
It still sounded lucrative to her. “Defending it, I take it.”
“That’s why I can afford to buy in this market.”
The comment struck her as matter-of-fact rather than bragging, which she appreciated. “Then I’m a fan.”
He laughed and the rich sound blocked out the soft murmur of conversation in the crowded room. “I spend a lot of time rescuing people from their bad decisions.”
“I’m guessing otherwise intelligent adults can make a surprising number of terrible choices.”
That had been her experience, anyway. She’d made a few of those herself, like Gavin and a career in commercial finance that ended when her company went under, taking her job security with it.
“You have no idea.” Dave fiddled with his knife for a second. He exhaled as he leaned his elbows on the edge of the table. “So, tell me about you.”
She’d rehearsed this speech so often she had it memorized. This was her pitch, her simple explanation for why heavy hitters like him should pick her over more experienced agents. “In four years I’ve accumulated—”
“I’m familiar with your sales record. Very impressive, and in a short period of time.” He leaned in a little closer. “But I asked about you. The woman.”
Uh, okay. “Do you think who I am relates to whether I can get you a great deal on a house?”
Maybe it did. She had no idea. She enjoyed things like eating and being able to afford a car, so work tended to be a pretty big priority for her.
“Frankly, I can probably handle my own negotiation. I do that sort of thing all day.”
As they talked he treated all the staff of the lounge with respect and said “thank you,” then focused on her. Totally on her. His gaze never strayed. Not onto the pretty blonde a few tables away who ignored the congressman and kept staring at Dave, or the server who seemed reluctant to leave his side. Just her.
Having all that attention centered on her made her a little breathless.
“Is this the part where I say something brilliant about lawyers making terrible clients?” She took a sip of water. “I’m thinking that applies to life in general. Hire experts, delegate.”
“Subtle.”
She refused to back down because she knew from experience that she was right. “Realistic. Let me take care of the details for you.”
The rich sound of his laugh rang out. “I think you just called me a control freak.”
“No, I hinted at it.”
His smile warmed even more. “I have the sudden urge to show you my résumé.”
“Please don’t.” That seemed like something a few of the DC men she’d met would do.
She knew what services she could provide and what benefits she brought to the table. She wondered if he did.
“Setting aside my need to impress you, I do like people with drive and a track record. I’m not really a fan of those who coast on reputation.” He shrugged. “Plus, you have the resources and experience to make my house hunt run smoothly. I’m willing to pay for that.”
“Sounds like I’m the right woman for the job.” She reached down into her bag and pulled out a folder. She slid it across the table to him. “I prepared this portfolio to show you different areas of the city and price points to give you an idea of what your money will buy, depending on where you settle.”
“All business.”
“Right.” Because that’s exactly how she had to act if she didn’t want to notice that face and that smile.
He took the portfolio and opened the cover. “Go on.”
“There are several options here. Some of these properties aren’t officially on the market yet, but if you show me what appeals to you, then I can preview properties and arrange for viewings.”
“I don’t intend to rush this process.”
She cleared her throat, hoping it would also clear her head. “Of course not.”
But it was the way he said it. There had been something in his tone. She refused to think that it reeled her in. As he spoke, she leaned forward, as if her body needed to get closer to him despite the warning sign flashing in her brain.
The immediate connection surprised her. She often fell into comfortable conversation as part of her job. But this felt…different.
That pesky sense of having met him before refused to leave her.
“I’ve made mistakes in the past. Let the right thing get away from me. Didn’t fight when I should have.” He touched the knot of his tie. “Chose the wrong ones other times.”
The conversation seemed to have veered onto a topic other than real estate. The desperation to pepper him with questions almost overwhelmed her. Work…focus on the work. “Is there anyone else who will be joining us?”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand the question.”
“You didn’t me
ntion a wife during your previous call, but is there a fiancée or—”
“Just me.”
“Then you need a bachelor pad.” She didn’t think about how that sounded until the words escaped her. She wasn’t fishing…was she?
“I have to be honest. That conjures up images of all-glass walls, shiny surfaces, and uncomfortable furniture. None of that is my style.”
Information. Good, this she could handle. Knowing these preferences would make the house hunting easy and efficient. “What is?”
“Something comfortable. I want to come home and relax.”
He smiled at her. The woman two tables down continued to stare at him. She didn’t even try to hide it. Annie couldn’t believe Dave didn’t notice, but maybe people gawked at him all the time.
“Do you like small homes or do you want something bigger, if you start a family?” The words tumbled out. With anyone else, she wouldn’t blink at them. With him, she weighed every sentence as it rang in her ears, fearing her questions felt too personal.
“Just me…for now. I was hoping to reconnect with someone, but now I’m not sure that’s possible.”
It wasn’t the answer she expected. “I’m sorry.”
“Life doesn’t always work out the way you plan.”
“Very true. I’m guessing this is one of those mistakes you were referring to earlier.” Her mind shot to Jasper’s big question and the idea of losing him.
“I let the right person go when I should have fought,” Dave said as he sat back in his chair. “That’s actually part of the reason I moved back to Washington, DC.”
Annie tried to forget the tiny pang of regret that moved through her at the idea of him turning that sexy smile on someone else. She tamped that down, buried it…pretended it never happened.
“To rekindle a lost love? That’s romantic.” She never considered herself that way, but she recognized the emotion in others. She may not understand the idea of sacrificing everything for one person, putting that much trust in the idea of being together forever, as freeing, but others did. She respected that.
“Whether old or new, I’m hoping to find someone who shares my passion.” The sly smile returned. “Maybe you can help with that.”
For a second the noise of the busy lounge died out. People bustled by and the server hovered, looking as if he were waiting for the signal to approach them again. All Annie could hear was the whoosh of blood through her veins and thump in her ears. “You mean by finding you the right house.”
He hesitated before responding. “What else could I mean?”
She had no idea.
Chapter 5
Annie’s hands still shook an hour later when she walked into the two-story row house that housed the Glasson Property Group offices on G Street. From the outside, it looked like a well-kept residence on a tree-lined street in the Capitol Hill area. Inside, walls had been knocked down to create an open area with two glassed-in conference rooms, a few offices, and desks for the agents.
After a quick hello to the receptionist, Annie headed for Manda’s office near the rear of the building, just before the double doors to the outside brick patio. Amanda Ryan was only two years older but was a seasoned real estate professional. She was Annie’s mentor when she switched careers and started at Glasson.
As usual, Manda was on the phone and working a lead. Stacks of other files covered her desk. The woman was a property-selling machine. Curvy and beautiful and all business.
The second Annie stepped into the office, Manda spun around in her chair and flashed a warm smile. A second later she hung up the phone.
“How did the meeting…” The smile faded along with her voice. “What happened?”
Annie didn’t bother pretending that meeting Dave hadn’t thrown her off balance. They talked. He smiled. The conversation moved easily from real estate to a shared love of Chinese food and hatred of running. Once they got over his whole cryptic old-romance comment they’d settled into a comfortable back and forth, which was part of why she didn’t feel all that comfortable right now.
She fell into the chair in front of Manda’s desk. “My client, Dave Hunter.”
“Yeah?”
“I swear I’ve seen him before.”
Manda frowned. “Where?”
“No idea.”
“Huh.” Manda appeared to turn a response over in her head for a moment before she said, “Like, saw him in a movie once or more like he was my tenth-grade stalker?”
“It was a weird déjà vu sensation.” Annie didn’t even know how to explain it. But she did want to talk about the other part. The weird mix of being comfortable with him while acting and sounding a bit like a seventh-grade girl. “Then there was this thing where I would talk and in my head I’d hear myself stammering.”
Manda shook her head. “You lost me.”
Of course, because she wasn’t making any sense.
Annie crossed and uncrossed her legs. Did the full routine a second time before she stopped fidgeting. “I don’t normally say this, and I wouldn’t, but…see, there’s this—”
“Lord, woman. Spill it.”
“He’s as hot as hell. Has that whole Tall, Dark, and Charming thing down.” She’d barely let herself think it before the words were out there.
Manda snorted. “Oh, you poor thing.”
“No, I’m serious.”
“So am I. You’ve got hottie Jasper at home, catering to your every need and wanting to spend a lifetime with you. Then you come to work and get to stare at some good-looking guy.” Her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward in her black leather chair. “Wait, how good looking are we talking?”
“He’s so…”
God, what? From the short talks on the phone Annie had expected a guy in a hurry to get back to work. Instead he listened to her without taking over the whole conversation. And the whole lost-love thing was kind of adorable. Being surrounded by men who wanted a commitment had her brain misfiring.
Manda held up both hands. “You’re not actually using any words.”
“Never mind.”
“That’s not likely to happen.” Manda leaned back in her chair, almost in slow motion. “Oh, my God.”
Don’t ask. “What?”
“You’re into him.” Manda sounded stunned and a little amused by the idea.
Annie meant to say that’s ridiculous but the words wouldn’t come out. She went with a safe alternative. “Jasper? Of course.”
“Don’t be obtuse. I’m talking about this…” Manda waved a hand around in the air. “Dave Hunter. Any chance you have a photo?”
“It would have been a little weird to snap his photo during lunch.” Tempting, but still weird.
Manda shrugged. “If you say so.”
Silence swept through the room, so Annie quickly switched topics. This one always got an interesting response. “How’s the boss today?”
Aaron McDaniels, the co-founder of the agency. The guy had a reputation—ladies’ man, playboy…a bit dangerous in his likes and dislikes in the bedroom. All rumors, of course, and the guy was nothing but professional in the office.
One night, after a bit too much wine, Manda let it slip that she had a crush. Like, a want-to-screw-the-boss crush. She denied it afterward, insisted she was joking. Annie didn’t believe her. She’d also noticed that Aaron did a good bit of staring back at Manda when she wasn’t watching. In Annie’s mind, they were inevitable but they’d need to go through several rounds, and possibly years, of denials and other partners first.
“Annoying. Don’t change the subject,” Manda said.
“He asked me to marry him again.”
It should be a good thing. Find the right guy, love him, commit to him. It sounded good in books and in movies, but scared the crap out of her in real life.
“This Dave works quick.” Manda laughed but immediately stopped after glancing at Annie. “Sorry, bad joke.”
Annie didn’t have the strength to laugh. The whole topic confused a
nd exhausted her. “Why can’t I just jump in and say yes? I do love him.”
She didn’t realize she’d grabbed on to the armrests of the chair and dug her nails in until her fingers cramped. She forced her hands to unclench.
“You came out of your marriage all repressed. Your ex thought missionary position was risqué if you did it more than once a month. So you left that mess and started experimenting, trying to pretend you didn’t feel guilty—”
“My marriage ended. Guilt is inevitable.”
“Of course, but I meant how you felt guilty because you needed more in the bedroom. Hell, you needed to have sex somewhere, even one time, outside of the bedroom. Gavin didn’t want that.”
“He was…” Annie wasn’t even sure how to end that sentence. Set in his ways? Bored with her? Threatened by the fact she enjoyed sex? All of those, probably. It was his insistence that there was something wrong with her and how easily she started to believe it that finally made her call an end to the marriage.
Truth was, they weren’t a match. But she couldn’t blame Gavin for all of it. She mistook the ceremony and the house for the marriage. She’d believed if the trappings looked right she could muddle through, but no.
“You got divorced and finally start dating again. Next thing you know you meet Jasper and he encourages you to be who you are and ask for what you want.” Manda shook her head. “The guy is kind of a walking, talking sex miracle.”
That all sounded right. Perfect, even. “So, I should marry him.”
“I’m not the one to answer that.” Manda sighed at her in that way that said get your shit together. “Look, there’s something that’s stopping you with Jasper. You have to figure out what it is, and if you can overcome it.”
Desperation clawed inside Annie. “I want to.”
There was a clipped knock, then Aaron stuck his head in. “Hello, ladies.”
“Sir.” Manda winced after she said the greeting. Not that Aaron would have seen her face since he was already gone.
The Experiment Page 3