Chuckling, he nipped at her bottom lip. “I don’t mind the first two.” As his mouth settled more truly on hers, he slipped the garment bag out of her lax fingers and tossed it aside. Taking the bottle of wine, he used it to push the door closed at her back. “I like your dress. You look like a rose in sunshine.”

Freed, her hands could roam along his back, slip under the chambray work shirt he hadn’t tucked into his jeans. “I like the way you look, all the time.”

His lips were curved as they pressed to her throat. “You’re hungry?”

“Mmm. Past hungry. I had to skip lunch.”

“Ten minutes,” he promised, and reluctantly released her. If he didn’t, dinner would be much, much later. “What have you brought us?” He twisted the bottle in his hand to study the label. One dark brow lifted. “This will humble my goulash.”

With her eyes shut, Sydney took a long, appreciative sniff. “No, I don’t think so.” Then she laughed and took the bottle from him. “I wanted to celebrate. I had a really good day.”

“You will tell me?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Let’s find some glasses that won’t embarrass this champagne.”

She didn’t know when she’d been more charmed. He had set a small table and two chairs on the tiny balcony off the bedroom. A single pink peony graced an old green bottle in the center, and music drifted from his radio to lull the sounds of traffic. Thick blue bowls held the spicy stew, and rich black bread was heaped in a wicker basket.

While they ate, she told him about her decision to promote Janine, and her altercation with Lloyd.

“You ask for his resignation. You should fire him.”

“It’s a little more complicated than that.” Flushed with success, Sydney lifted her glass to study the wine in the evening sunlight. “But the result’s the same. If he pushes me, I’ll have to go before the board. I have memos, other documentation. Take this building, for example.” She tapped a finger on the old brick. “My grandfather turned it over to Lloyd more than a year ago with a request that he see to tenant demands and maintenance. You know the rest.”

“Then perhaps I am grateful to him.” He reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear, placing his lips just beneath the jet drops she wore. “If he had been honest and efficient, I wouldn’t have had to be rude in your office. You might not be here with me tonight.”

Taking his hand, she pressed it to her cheek. “Maybe I should have given him a raise.” She turned her lips into his palm, amazed at how easy it had become for her to show her feelings.

“No. Instead, we’ll think this was destiny. I don’t like someone that close who would like to hurt you.”