He absently swept a light brown lock of hair behind his ear. She caught a flash of his tattooed arm and squeezed her ink pen. A fire-breathing dragon melting a Dada clock. Strange, but beautiful artwork. “Yep. Leave it to me and we’ll have you squared away.”

“Okay,” she breathed. “I guess we should plan something else then.”

“What kind of food do you like?” he asked, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his thighs.

The sudden movement and the question startled her. “What?”

“What kind of food do you like?” he repeated. “If we plan any more, it should be over a meal. My treat.”

Victoria frowned. “No, I think we can very easily discuss plans here or at the library.”

John scoffed. “Oh come on, Dr. Reese. There is such a thing as a free sandwich.”

No there isn’t. “We’re getting off topic.”

“I tend to do that. If you don’t hold me to task, I’ll veer anywhere,” he said with a wink.

He actually winked.

“How are you the head of an entire department?” Victoria said before thinking. “How old are you?”

He blinked. “Probably older than you.”

Her face warmed at his candid words. “I ask because you have a very laid-back...” she trailed off and gestured to his overall appearance. “You seem like a man in his twenties.”

John gave a nod of approval. “Thank you. You have no idea how flattering it is for a thirty-eight-year-old to hear that.”

Victoria felt foolish.

He didn’t seem bothered though. He shrugged that off as well. “I have a loose work ethic that hasn’t done me wrong yet.”

She shifted in her seat again. “Mr. Donovan, if you’re not serious about this project...”

“Oh, don’t mistake my laid-back demeanor for my ability to produce results. I get things done on time,” he said, “and the kids seem to like my methods.”

Victoria cocked her head to the side, wondering if she heard him right. “That’s fine and well, but I’m not a child, Mr. Donovan.”

His green eyes traced a path down her body before they met her gaze head on. “No, Dr. Reese. You’re not. I can tell I’m going to have to employ other methods on you.”

Sweat pricked her scalp and the space between her breasts. He was playing with her. The subject of their meeting was waiting in the background while he batted her emotions around like a child jerking a balloon by the string. Victoria was losing the upper-hand in this discussion and was desperate to get it back.