Weekends Required (Danvers #1)(38)
The restaurant was only a few minutes from her apartment, and she arrived fifteen minutes early. The parking lot was already crowded and Claire was forced to park almost at the end of the lot. Walking so far was going to be painful, and she grimaced as she got out of her car and locked her door. She was so intent on making her way to the front of the restaurant as gently as possible that she didn’t notice another car entering the lot. Claire jumped as she felt a hand cup her elbow. “Owwww! Ouch!” cried Claire.
Jason peered down at her foot in concern. “I’m sorry I startled you; I thought you heard me. What happened?” asked Jason.
Claire replied, “I knocked something on my foot and the toenail is… well, you don’t want to hear the details, but I hurt my toe,” finished Claire.
“Do you need to go to the hospital?” asked Jason.
“No, it will be fine; it’s just a little sore now.”
“Would you rather I just take you home Claire? I can’t stand the thought of causing you further pain.”
She looked up into Jason’s beautiful blue eyes so filled with concern for her and knew that she would not give up this time with him for anything; much less a little toe pain. “It’s fine, really; it already feels better.”
He continued to study her for a few moments and then tightened his arm around her. “Lean on me and let’s walk slowly. Let me know if you need to stop.” Maybe it was Jason’s nearness and the feel of his arm holding her close but Claire didn’t feel any pain as they made their way into the restaurant.
Jason walked up to the host and smiled. “Carlo, it's so good to see you again.”
“Mr. Danvers, what a pleasure, and you brought such a beautiful companion tonight,” said a beaming Carlo. “I’ve the perfect table; it has a lot of privacy for you and your lady.”
Not bothering to correct him, Jason said a sincere thank you, and they were led to a secluded table in the corner. Claire was grateful when Jason pulled out a chair for her and carefully assisted her into the seat. After he was seated Jason asked Claire if she had any preferences in wine, but she was happy to leave the decision to him. Soon, Carlo had departed after leaving their menus and promising to return with the wine that Jason had selected.
“Are you doing ok Claire?”
“I’m fine Jason, really,” replied Claire.
“Let me know if you’re feeling any discomfort. Would you like a chair to elevate your foot?”
“Er… no, that’s ok, thanks.” Claire could just imagine her bandaged foot complete with flip flop sticking out in a chair for Jason and the other customers to see. That was not going to happen.
Carlo returned with their wine and poured them both a glass before taking their orders. Claire decided on a simple meal of lasagna and surprisingly Jason indicated that he would have the same. “You must come here often if they know you by name,” Claire said.
“I usually dine here at least once a week, I love Italian food,” replied Jason.
“Is this on your way home, then?” asked Claire.
“I’ve a house on the ocean about fifteen minutes from here depending on traffic, and I admit to doing a certain amount of takeout during the week,” laughed Jason.
Claire was pleasantly surprised that Jason seemed so normal. He was no doubt a millionaire yet talking with him like this you’d never know that. Most people in his position would have a cook or someone responsible for taking care of the details of his life such as his meals but Jason seemed to be completely self-sufficient. Even at the office he never expected to be waited on. He went to the cafeteria for his own food or coffee and didn’t ask Claire to run any type of personal errands for him.
She knew that Jason was wealthy of course but there was never actually anything flashy that reminded you of that fact, well maybe the Mercedes. Somehow, that made her respect him even more. After working for him for three years, she still felt like she’d never really known Jason, the man. With Suzy’s revelations about his generosity, Claire was more intrigued than she would care to admit. How could someone as accomplished and powerful as Jason also be the man sitting beside her in a quiet, low key Italian restaurant?
Jason the tycoon and object of various fantasies over the years was safe. The Jason she’d gotten to know over the last few weeks was oh so dangerous to her. This was a man whom she could lose her head over and her heart too if she wasn’t very careful. Was it already too late to save herself and did she even want to anymore?
Claire noticed Jason studying her intently across the table and felt her cheeks flush. “You look beautiful tonight Claire, blue suits you,” said Jason.
“Thanks, you look beautiful too, I… I mean; you look nice,” stammered Claire. Oh great, I’m treating a business dinner like my senior prom, and I just told my boss that he looked beautiful. Please table, open up and swallow me now.
With a grin, Jason replied, “I liked the beautiful comment best.”
Embarrassed, Claire asked, “What did you want to go over tonight?” She reached for her purse and pulled out a small notebook and pen then looked at Jason expectantly.
“Let’s wait on business until after dinner, shall we?” asked Jason. “It’s been a very long day, and I could use some time to relax if that’s ok.” Claire studied him noticing the signs of fatigue around his eyes. He always made everything seem so effortless, and his energy seemed to be limitless but possibly this merger was starting to wear on him. She’d no doubt he was putting in more hours in the evening after he left the office than anyone was aware.