Zach clinked his glass to hers. “The jury is still out on that.” Then he took a sip and she did the same.
The delicious wine coated her dry throat and sent a feeling of relaxation through her tired body. It had been an exhausting day, and she deserved some wine and good food, even if she had to consume both in Zach’s presence. But that didn’t mean that she was going to get involved with him again. He was the object of her investigation and therefore taboo.
“Zach,” she started, “you know as well as I do that I shouldn’t even be here tonight. To be seen in public with you could cost me my job. I only came to—”
Zach put his hand over hers and interrupted her. “I’m aware of the risk you’re taking. I appreciate it.”
She tried to pull her hand from underneath his without him noticing, but he didn’t allow it.
“Please, Rochelle, don’t we owe it to each other to talk about this?”
She felt her chest rise and fall. “The only thing we need to discuss is the fact that we can’t see each other outside of work.”
He opened his mouth to answer, but the waiter arrived at the table at that moment and placed two tiny bowls with an exotic looking dish in front of them.
“An amuse bouche made of salmon foam with fennel sauce and a touch of dill,” he announced.
Zach let go of her hand. Automatically Rochelle took the spoon and put some of the food on it. She took a bite, tasting the concoction. The delicate flavor spread on her tongue. Involuntarily she let out a sigh of contentment.
Zach smiled at her from across the table. “See, I told you the food was good here.”
A smile escaped her. “I never doubted that. But it doesn’t change anything about the fact that we can’t see each other.”
“Because you’re investigating me, or because you only ever wanted a one-night stand?”
“The one has nothing to do with the other.” She took a breath and went on the offensive. “Besides, you’re the one who suggested a hotel, even though you live in Manhattan. You didn’t want a relationship either, or you would have invited me to your place last night. I’m right, aren’t I?”
Zach put down his spoon. “The reason why I preferred the anonymity of a hotel was because I didn’t want to intimidate you with my penthouse.”
“Intimidate me?” She shook her head in disbelief. “Please, at least be honest with me.”
He cleared his throat. “Okay, maybe intimidate wasn’t quite the right word. I have a rule when it comes to women.”
She lifted her eyebrows, but said nothing.
“I don’t invite women I just met to my home. I don’t want them to be drawn to my wealth so they only want to be with me because of my money.”
She nodded slowly. “So you thought I’d throw myself at you, just because you’re rich. Thanks a lot for your confidence.”
“Rochelle, I didn’t mean that personally.”
“How did you mean it then?”
“You wanted me to be honest with you. I didn’t even know you. Had I known—”
“Had you known what? That I work for the SEC?”
He gave a determined shake of his head. “No. Had I known how much you affect me, how much you get under my skin, I would have taken you to my place and insisted that you give me your phone number.”
The revelation silenced her. She was getting under his skin? No, no, that couldn’t be. That was impossible. He only said this to soften her up. To confuse her. Yes, that was the reason. He was trying to butter her up.
“Do you really think I’ll be lenient in my investigation if you charm me?”
Zach’s jaw tightened visibly. “Why do you assume that I have an ulterior motive? Can’t you just accept that I’m attracted to you?”
A shadow fell on the table and Rochelle realized that the waiter was placing a plate with salad in front of her. At some point he must have removed the empty bowl without her noticing.
“A salad of red and yellow beets, with arugula and a truffle vinaigrette.”
“Thank you,” Zach said stiffly, while he pinned her with his eyes.
The waiter hurried away.
For a moment, there was silence between them.
“Don’t you want to answer me?” Zach finally asked.
She picked at her salad without eating. “What do you want me to say?”
“The truth would be good.”
She lowered her lids. The truth was that she felt charmed by his words, no, more than just charmed. But she couldn’t allow him to get to her with his seductive compliments. However, heat flared up in her when she thought of the night before, when she remembered how passionate things had been between them. And to hear Zach say today that she was getting under his skin made the entire experience even more intense.