Free Hornet's Nest by Jaycee Ford

through my purse for my keys, I smacked right into a hard chiseled chest. A pile of papers fell around us as my eyes rose up to a sea of emerald I drowned in every time I saw them. His hands rested on my hips as we shared one silent moment. In that moment, everything was forgotten. I leaned into him briefly, his heart thumping underneath my palm. I didn’t want to move. I didn’t want to speak. I didn’t want to breathe. I just wanted to be in his arms.
    “Where are you running off to?”
    The moment was gone. I pushed myself away and tore my eyes from his. Papers covered the floor around us, and I bent down to scoop them up.
    Lance followed my lead and asked, “Are you going home for the day?”
    I gathered a fist full of papers and answered, “Yes, I have a date.”
    His hands slowed as he picked up his documents and looked back up into my eyes. I should have never said I was going on a date. And I shouldn’t have looked into his eyes.
    “With him?”
    I nodded. He sighed softly as he gently took the paper from my grasp and stood. I got up as well.
    “Well, be careful,” he whispered and then moved around me. I turned back to watch him go. My heart clenched like it always did every time he left.
    • • •
    I didn’t have a clue what to wear tonight, but I figured a sleeveless dress and my painful stiletto boots would work. Josh didn’t seem like the type to walk around at night, so hopefully my feet would be spared. I drained my glass of wine just as a text beeped on my phone.
    I’m downstairs.
    Did that mean he wasn’t coming to meet me at my door? Was it too much to expect a gentleman? I shook my head as I grabbed my clutch and then left my apartment. As I waited for the elevator, my phone beeped with another text. Was he telling me to hurry up now? I slid open the screen.
    It helps when I type in the right number – Lance
    My jaw dropped. He had the wrong number the whole time? The elevator doors opened. I stepped inside, allowing the doors to close behind me. I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony of the situation.
    It helps to know numbers since you’re in accounting.
    I turned my phone on vibrate as the elevator doors opened. I walked outside to find Josh leaning against a sleek, black sports car, wearing tailored gray slacks and a black button down shirt. A smile grazed my face as I caught his chocolate brown eyes.
    “Hey beautiful,” he said as I approached his car. After leaning down to kiss my cheek, he opened the passenger side door, allowing me to slide in before he closed the door behind me. I sighed. He was amazingly gorgeous. I just wished that little nugget in the back of my brain would shut up… the one that kept throwing the red flags around, warning me away from dangerous territory. It was just a date, and there was nothing wrong with a gorgeous man wanting to take me out.
    As Josh maneuvered his way around the city, he asked, “Have you and Lance started the trust check project yet?”
    The mention of his name sent my heart fluttering again.
    “Um, no, we haven’t yet, but we plan on starting Monday.” There would really be no avoiding Lance next week. As if on cue, my phone vibrated in my purse. I waited until we arrived at the valet stand to pull out my phone.
    Well now that I know how to count, you call me if you ever need anything.
    I shook my head and slid my phone back into my purse. Josh’s hand extended toward me, and I grabbed it as he led me into a classic Mediterranean restaurant. Inside the hostess led us to a table near the bar. I ordered a dirty martini and Josh ordered a beer.
    “So, Katherine, tell me about your family.”
    I tried to hide the confusion that I was sure was showing on my face. Either he was playing like he didn’t know or he truly didn’t. After being in the same social scene, I would have figured he would have known. Since he didn’t act like he did, I went with what I was most comfortable with.
    “My dad works in banking and my mom is a