Free Race to the Top: Book one in the Racing to Find Love series by KT Shears Page B

right down his
body. He stood up, quickly.
    ‘Thank you,’ Anna said, sounding grateful. She scrolled
through her emails. ‘Nothing important anyway, just a reminder of when my first
column was due.’
    He had forgotten she was here to write.
    ‘Have you any idea what to write in it yet?’ he asked,
hovering a bit awkwardly as Anna remained seated.
    She shook her head.
    ‘Not really. I’m hoping inspiration will hit over the
weekend. Probably some sort of celebrity-spot.’
    She pulled a face and Erik laughed. Even pulling faces she
was gorgeous, he thought. He loved that she had a sense of humour and didn’t
take herself too seriously – Nikki would never have made fun of herself, or
been self-aware enough to point out her shortcomings. Anna seemed so
refreshingly…normal, and in a world that was anything but, Erik loved it.
    ‘There should be some pretty big names,’ he said. ‘The first
race of the season is always a popular one with the Hollywood scene, so I’m
sure you won’t struggle.’
    Anna smiled, looking glad. He sensed she was a bit worried
about her column, but from what he knew of her, she had no reason to be – she
was obviously talented way beyond a column about celebrities and fashion.
    ‘I hope so,’ she said, getting to her feet. ‘I’m sorry again
for bothering you.’
    As she reached the door, Erik spoke, surprising himself by
what he said.
    ‘Would you like to get something to eat?’ he asked. He
thought he noticed the tip of Anna’s ears turn pink.
    ‘Now?’ she asked.
    ‘Sure,’ Erik said, warming to the idea. ‘I’m starving and I
know of a really great restaurant nearby. I can call them and reserve a table
if you want to get changed.’
    ‘Changed?’ Anna stared at him. ‘What’s wrong with what I’m
wearing?’
    Erik started to stammer that it was fine, but she cut him
off, laughing.
    ‘I’ll go change,’ she said. ‘Meet you downstairs in half an
hour?’

Chapter thirteen
     
    Anna skipped around her hotel room. Erik Jonasson had asked
her to dinner. Her! She delved into her suitcase, throwing all her
clothes onto the bed and surveying them. She needed something attractive but
not too attractive. She didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard.
    She eventually settled on a fitted peplum dress with her
favourite knee-highs. She straightened her hair and applied her make-up,
concentrating on her eyes. Then she sat on the bed, watching the second hand on
her watch tick down until it was time to meet Erik downstairs.
    He was already there when she arrived in the foyer, with his
back to her. She touched him gently on the arm, revelling in the thrills one
small touch sent running up and down her body. He turned and Anna was delighted
to notice his eyes travel up and down her body.
    She was looking forward to an evening in Erik’s company –
and not just because he was smoking hot. She enjoyed his conversation. He made
her laugh, and she liked a man who made her laugh. Scott had made her laugh at
first, but that had quickly faded, so it was nice to be in the company of an
attractive man who made her brain sing, as well as her body.
    ‘Shall we?’ Erik said, starting towards the door. Anna
walked along beside him, wondering where they were going. Erik guided her
towards an expensive-looking car and a chauffeur popped out, doffing his cap
like something in a film. Anna giggled. The chauffeur opened the door and she
and Erik both slid into the back of the car.
    ‘You’ll love this restaurant,’ he said. ‘It’s Thai food, one
of my favourites.’
    Anna nodded enthusiastically. She loved Thai cuisine.
    ‘It’s one of my favourites, too,’ she said. ‘Do you eat out
often?’
    ‘Pretty much every night when I’m away,’ Erik said. ‘I like
to cook when I’m at home, though.’
    ‘I’m an awful cook,’ Anna said, sadly.  She remembered the
time she had tried to make fudge, and had ended up with something so brittle,
she’d cut her thumb on it