Close to Perfect by Tina Donahue

the body armor for now.” She slid her gaze to him. “Unless you don’t behave.”
    â€œIn that case you have your cuffs.”
    Without warning, her mind returned to that fantasy of him and the four-poster. Before Tess got too excited or distracted, she said, “Better call your attorney in here so we can get started on that contract.”
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    In all of his days, Josh never knew that contract negotiations could be so arousing.
    Of course, after the first hour he stopped paying attention to the particulars of that contract, focusing instead on Tess as she duked it out with Alan.
    Not once did she back down; not once did she lose her cool.
    Alan, on the other hand, had never looked more human or vulnerable. By the end of the second hour the man’s face had color, he was actually perspiring, and finally loosened his tie.
    And not because he was frustrated. Oh, no. Alan was loving this. He was unbelievably turned on and was actually flirting with her.
    Tess didn’t seem to mind, or maybe it was that she just didn’t notice.
    She sure as hell noticed when he had flirted with her.
    Change your mind about those separate rooms? he had asked, but only because her breathing had suddenly picked up, while her gaze had been blurry with what appeared to be desire.
    We need to get down to business, she had said.
    Like the kind she was conducting with Alan? They were currently laughing about something as if they’d been friends for years.
    And that certainly didn’t bother Josh. By nature, he wasn’t a jealous man. If a woman wanted him, fine; if she did not, he had always accepted that.
    Tess wanted him; he had seen that in her gaze, in her touch, in her voice. Trouble was, they were never going to be alone if Alan didn’t get a freaking move on and end this thing.
    â€œSo, we about through?” Josh finally asked.
    Alan stopped mid-sentence and looked from Tess to him. “You’ll have to ask Tess. She keeps tying my hands.”
    â€œOh, yeah?” Josh’s gaze moved to her. I’m hoping mine are cuffed before this is over.
    â€œWhat?” Alan asked.
    Josh looked at him, then Tess. Her brows were lifted. Her gaze said, Bad, bad boy.
    Had he spoken his thoughts aloud?
    Alan delicately cleared his throat. “Anything you want to add, Tess?”
    Josh suppressed a groan. Was there never going to be an end to these damned negotiations? He waited impatiently as Tess carefully reviewed each page of the contract that was nearly as thick as his thumb.
    At last, she looked up and smiled at Alan. “Looks good. I’ve enjoyed this.”
    His blush deepened. “Me, too.”
    â€œWell,” Josh said, “now that we’ve got that out of the way.”
    â€œYou won’t be sorry you hired me or the company,” said Tess.
    Josh looked at her and spoke from the heart. “I’ve never been happier.”
    This time, Alan sighed. “So, I guess we’re through here.”
    Josh could only hope. Already Alan was sounding far too down. A few more seconds and the man might be seriously depressed.
    â€œFor the moment,” Tess said, then waited until both men were looking at her. “I still have to run the contract past my father.”
    Alan stopped tightening his tie. He smiled. “I can stay here if you want to come back after you see your—”
    â€œNo need,” she said. Her voice was so nice it didn’t sound like a rejection at all. “I’m sure he’ll agree with everything here.” She pushed away from the table and stood.
    So did Josh. “I want you at my place tonight.”
    Color rose in her cheeks; she arched one slender brow.
    â€œTo start protecting me,” he quickly said, then added, “you can’t do that if you’re not there.”
    Unlike that banter with Alan, her voice was now pure business. “I said I’ll be there, and I will.”
    If she