Free Much More Than a Mistress by Michelle Celmer

line—liked and respected him, and the feeling was clearly mutual. Jordan greeted the workers warmly, shaking hands, addressing almost every one of them by name. And his vast knowledge of the inner workings of the plant completely blew her away. By the time they finished the tour she knew more about refining oil than she ever imagined possible. And after seeing Jordan there, interacting with the people, she simply could not imagine him willingly doing anything to cause damage or harm here.
    â€œSo, what did you think?” he asked when they were in the limo and on their way back to Western Oil headquarters.
    â€œI actually had a really great time. I never imagined an oil refinery could be so interesting.”
    â€œThere wasn’t time today, but someday soon I’ll take you to the research lab. That’s where the real magic happens.”
    â€œAre you in charge of that too?”
    â€œThat’s my brother’s territory, but I love hanging out there. My second choice to majoring in business was science.”
    â€œWhat made you choose business?”
    â€œThere’s more money in it. And I’m good at it.” His cell phone rang and he pulled it out of his coat pocket. “Sorry, I have to take this.”
    She looked out the window while he talked, realizing,after they got back into the heart of the city, the driver was taking them in the opposite direction of the corporate building. Either he was lost, or Jordan had a stop to make before they went back.
    The limo pulled up in front of Café du Soleil, one of the priciest French restaurants in the city. He obviously had a lunch date. She imagined he would send her back to the building alone, then the limo would go back and get him when he was finished.
    Jordan hung up his phone just as the attendant opened the door to let him out, but he didn’t move. “Ladies first.”
    Confused, she said, “Excuse me?”
    â€œWell, I suppose we could eat in the car, but it’s much nicer inside.”
    Wait a minute. She was his lunch date?
    â€œEarth to Jane.”
    â€œWe’re eating here? Together?”
    His brows rose. “Are you embarrassed to be seen with me or something?”
    â€œNo!” she said, laughing at the utter ridiculousness of the question. What woman wouldn’t want to be seen with a man like him? “Of course not, I just…”
    â€œIt’s your birthday, and since you don’t have plans for this evening, you get a nice lunch.”
    â€œThat’s really sweet of you, but you don’t have to do that.”
    â€œI don’t have to, but I want to.”
    And she wanted him to, too. But what if someone she knew was there, and her cover was blown? Not that this was a regular hangout for her. It was about two stars out of her price range. And other than the people at Edwin, no one knew where she was working.
    â€œIf you don’t like French cuisine we could go somewhere else,” he said.
    She was being silly. Of course she wouldn’t run into anyone she knew there. And she couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to get to know him.
    â€œLunch here would be lovely. Thank you.”
    They got out of the limo and went inside, Jordan placing a hand on her back as they walked through the door.
    â€œMr. Everette,” the pretty young hostess with an authentic-sounding accent said. “So nice to have you back.”
    She took their coats, handing them off to the other young woman standing nearby and said, “Right this way.”
    Jane glanced around as they walked through the restaurant, relieved when she didn’t see anyone she knew. She did notice the appreciative looks women cast Jordan as he passed, though. Not that she blamed them. Had she she been dining there, and he walked in, she would have looked at him exactly the same way.
    The hostess seated them near the window and said, “James will be right with you.”
    She was barely