She told herself not to trust anyone with that much power and wealth.

Or good looks.

But he leaned against the booth, so very relaxed, his broad shoulders at an angle, the corner of his lips lifted, his smile slightly wry, and her heart did that tumble again, falling low and fast before surging up again.

She liked him. And it had been a very long time since she’d liked anyone this much.

She took a deep breath and exhaled even more slowly, aware of the heat in his gaze, and wondering if he had any idea of his effect on her. She suspected he did, which made her pulse race even faster.

Just sitting here with him was thrilling, but also dangerous. Yes, he was smart, gorgeous and interesting. But he was also the boss. As in, the absolute top of the food chain. The Sheenan in Sheenan Inc. The Sheenan in Sheenan Media. “So what did you want to talk about?” she asked, unable to bear the suspense.

“You didn’t call me after the meeting.”

She frowned, not understanding. “I didn’t call you?”

“You said you were walking into a meeting, and you’d call me after. You didn’t.”

Whitney’s brow cleared. “Ah. Yes. The meeting where you turned out to be the Founder and CEO of a rather significant media conglomerate.”

“It changes things.”

She wasn’t sure if that was a question or a statement. “Doesn’t it?”

“I’ve never dated anyone that worked for me.”

“So it obviously changes everything.”

“But you don’t work directly beneath me.”

For some ridiculous reason she felt herself blush at the words beneath me. She was quite sure he didn’t mean beneath as in, beneath him physically, but her imagination was running amuck, and she thought she’d very much like to see what he looked like with his shirt unbuttoned. She was a visual person. She’d majored in communications but her minor had been graphic design. Her designing eye was telling her he’d have great shoulders and an incredible chest, with lots of hard, taut muscle-covered warm, sun-kissed skin. “No.” Her lips twitched. “I most definitely don’t work beneath you.”

And then his eyebrow had lifted and his eyes warmed, and she felt the craziest flurry inside her chest. Hope, excitement, desire.

“I would hope it’s never work to be beneath me,” he said gravely and yet his eyes were gleaming with silent laughter.

Wicked, she thought, holding back her own laughter. She loved how smart he was. Loved the verbal word play. He might be her type after all.

Their drinks had arrived and she lifted her beer. “If that were the case, I would blame you.”

He clinked glasses with her and smiled into her eyes. “As you should.” And then his smile gradually faded. “But in all seriousness, I’ve made it a point to keep the personal out of the office, and vice versa. Business and pleasure don’t mix. Inevitably something, somewhere goes wrong, and you’re truly talented and I respect what you’ve accomplished—”

“You must be known for hideous breakups.”

His features tightened and his lips pressed grimly.