“Everything is okay? Your job is good?”

“Everything is wonderful, Daddy. I’m actually on my way to Saint Louis right now to meet my boss.” Why did she say it that way?

“You be careful. I’m not fond of you being away from me, but now you’re traveling…”

And that was why she’d said it that way. “Daddy, I’m fine.”

“Your boss is a nice man?”

Darcy smiled. “He’s the best.”

Her father growled. “You’re not ready to come home yet, are you? I still don’t see why you had to go to Nashville to work. You know, Pete’s son…”

“Daddy, I’m fine. I don’t need a job from Pete’s son or anyone else. I landed a great job, and I’m very happy.”

“I worry about you. You know your mother would have been sick over you moving.”

Darcy’s hand was tightening on the steering wheel. If they’d only told her the truth to start with, she wouldn’t be worrying her father.

“It’s time for me to spread my wings.”

“You’re always welcome to come home.”

Darcy took her exit and started toward the airport. “I know. Daddy, I have to go. But remember, I love you very much.”

“Take care of yourself.”

Darcy hit the button on her cell phone and tossed it back into her purse. Her father had a hard time expressing his true feelings. But even though he never ended his phone calls by saying he loved her, she knew he did. Darcy pulled into the parking garage and began to search for a spot that was big enough for Ed’s truck.

***

Ed rubbed his eyes and then leaned his head back against the couch in his hotel room. He’d forgotten to get Darcy’s itinerary, and he hadn’t been able to reach her on her cell phone. She was probably in flight.

He’d wanted to be at the airport when she arrived. He owed her that much.

It looked like their stay in Saint Louis might last at least three more days. He’d rather spend time with her without the interruption of getting this build back on track, but he had to remember she was his assistant.

He was walking a thin line between keeping it professional and losing his mind. There had been no choice but to have her fly out to meet him. Sure, she could have done everything he needed her to do from Nashville, but the truth was he couldn’t focus.

There had never been a time when a woman had seemed so perfect in his life, and the crazy part was he didn’t really know her at all.

His grandmother had always said that when the right woman came along he’d just know it, but he’d never believed it.

And what was it about her? Why this woman who ran into him and then blamed him? But that hadn’t been it. There had been more on her mind than just finding a job. Fate had put her in his path, but why?

He lifted his head and stood from the couch just as there was a knock on his door. It was probably Valerie. They’d discussed getting a bite, but he’d wanted to try and get a hold of Darcy first.

Ed pulled open the door and was more than pleasantly surprised to find Darcy standing on the other side. She was dressed in a simple, black dress with a shawl draped over her arm. Her makeup was fresh, and her smile slightly seductive.

“You owe me a dinner, and if they play music, you owe me a dance, too.”

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“How did you know where to find me?”

“Valerie, who by the way says she has plans for dinner already.”

He laughed. “I’ll bet she does.” Ed reached for her hand and pulled her though the door.

As soon as she was in front of him, he shut the door, pressed her up against it, and his mouth came down on hers.

She moaned as his tongue found hers, and his heart beat kicked up. Any other woman—any other time—he might forget his gentlemanly promise and carry her to the bed only a few feet away. But this was different. This was Darcy, and there was time. Time to kiss. Time to caress. Time to wait.

Ed ran his finger down her throat and then followed with his mouth. He could feel her pulse beneath his lips. Her heart was racing as fast as his. Her breath was in his ear, and her fingers gripped tightly to the back of his shirt.

It wouldn’t take much persuading. She’d give into his needs as a man, this much he knew. But he couldn’t—wouldn’t—do that.

Ed nuzzled his face into her neck and felt her body quake against his.

“Oh, I did miss you,” he whispered in her ear.

She gasped for a breath. “I missed you, too.”

“It’s a good thing you got your own room. This is truly a test of my good behavior.”

She chuckled in his ear and then pressed a kiss to his ear. “Ed, I’m not a virgin. You don’t have to worry about that.”

He pulled back and gazed into her dark eyes. “I’m not worried about hurting you. I’m more focused on keeping you.”

“Oh,” she said on a sigh.

“I have never felt this way about someone. I don’t even really know you, but…”

“I know.” She smiled. “I know.”

Ed sucked in a breath. “Let’s go to dinner. Suddenly my head is swimming.”

“I could use a decent meal.”

Ed sat in the booth across from Darcy in the restaurant in the hotel. It wasn’t a five-star establishment, but it wasn’t some downtown dive either.

She was glad she hadn’t missed him by the time she got to the hotel, cleaned up, and met him in his room. Her phone had died during the flight. She was just glad it had all worked out.

Once their order was taken, Ed reached across the table for her hand. “How was your night last night?”

She chuckled. “Eventful. So you don’t let people drive your truck?”

Ed’s brows narrowed. “Who told you that?”

“Your dad.”

“You were with my dad last night?”

Darcy smiled. “And your mother, brother, Aunt Simone, and Uncle Curtis too.”

“I leave town and they invite you to spend time with them?”

She laughed then covered her mouth with her hand to stifle it. “No. Christian tore a muscle in his leg.”

Ed’s face tightened in concern, and he leaned in over the table. “He’s okay? No one called me.”