That’s when he would make his move.

Adam had been in the corporate world a long time and his business instincts were well-honed. He knew how to stoke the fires of desire-in both business and pleasure. He was aware that the surest way to drive up both price and demand was to make it clear that the item was unavailable.

It worked in property development, in sales and acquisitions-and it would work with Trish. With that in mind, Adam decided that he would be the one to play hard to get. He would wine and dine and flatter and cajole and work her into such a state of frenzied need that she would be the one to proposition him. And then he would decide whether to say yes or no.

And because he was such a nice guy, he would probably say yes. Make that hell, yes.

Accompanying Trish into the dining room, Adam stood close enough to hear her breath catch as he touched her shoulder. He felt her heartbeat flutter as his fingers glided over the pulse point of her wrist. He wondered what she was thinking. Was she as attracted to him as he was to her? Oh sure, she wanted him as a husband, but did she want him as a lover? If so, she was playing it awfully damn cool.

He looked forward to turning up the heat.

They were led to a beautifully set table in front of the wide, plate-glass window overlooking the shimmering lake. As Adam pulled out her chair, he deliberately touched the small of her back, then let his hand glide up to her neck as she sat down. He was pleased to feel her back arch in response, as though she wanted more.

He would not disappoint her.

As Trish gazed at the view, dusk turned to dark and the world outside the window turned magical. She gasped as strategically designed outdoor lighting twinkled to life, accenting the beauty of the nearby forest and surrounding mountains. All of it was reflected in the serene surface of the lake.

“It’s so perfect,” she said, gazing across the table at him.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said, admiring the way her brown hair tumbled loosely around her shoulders and her green eyes sparkled in the candlelight.

“How could anyone not love it?” She smiled dreamily as she placed her napkin in her lap. “If I were you, I’d never want to leave.”

Adam was glad he’d arranged in advance to have the stylish restaurant all to themselves. It should’ve felt odd or eerie to be the only diners, but it didn’t. The room was beautiful and well-lit. Willow screens and feathery trees in large pots were used to create intimate dining spaces. The staff was attentive, yet discreet.

Again leaving nothing to chance, Adam had contacted Jean Pierre over the weekend and requested that the chef prepare an extensive tasting menu consisting of those items he was considering serving at the opening-night gala.

For the next two hours, Adam and Trish tasted tiny skewers of tender grilled baby vegetables and savory meats along with a wonderful assortment of delicate canapés. Tiny pancake pillows topped with smoked salmon, crème fraiche and dill, bite-sized pieces of rare roast beef in a pastry crust accompanied by dipping sauces of creamy, homemade horseradish and a savory chutney. There were decadent sauces, fluffy patés and fragile mini-soufflés.

To accompany the hors d’oeuvres, there were six different champagnes to choose from and a number of vintages of cabernet sauvignon to sip and enjoy.

The conversation was enjoyable, as well. Adam found Trish’s opinions stimulating and thoughtful, so they had a spirited discussion on a number of issues. They discovered a mutual appreciation of both vintage jazz and the Sunday comics. She had a sense of humor and she was smart and most important, loyal.

When the conversation finally wound around to the issues plaguing the resort, Trish wondered aloud just how the construction snafu might have occurred. She offered to assist Bob with his investigation of the subsidiary that had cut corners.

“When the truth emerges,” she said, shaking her finger at him, “heads will roll.”

“I’m glad you’re on my side,” he said, chuckling.

“Oops,” she murmured, realizing what she’d said. “I think I’ve had too much champagne.”

“But you’re having fun, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” She smiled. “Everything is just beautiful. Thank you for including me in your evening.”

“I had no intention of dining without you.” He sipped his wine. “But now I have to ask, why were you so concerned about staying overnight up here? Do you have a boyfriend waiting at home?”

“Good heavens, no.”

He was relieved to hear her say so. “A hot date maybe?”

She frowned. “No, of course not.”

“Why ‘of course not’? Don’t you date? You’re a beautiful woman.”

Despite the soft candlelight, Adam could see Trish’s cheeks turn pink.

“You shouldn’t say things like that,” she said.

“Even if it’s true?” Adam teased. His grin faded as he sipped his wine. “Were you nervous about being alone with me?”

She glanced around the room as if she might be looking for the waitstaff. “We’re not alone.”

He leaned in. “Yes, we are.”

Biting her lower lip, she looked around again, then straightened up and gazed directly at him. “No, of course I’m not nervous about being alone with you. You’re my boss. I know I’m perfectly safe with you.”

He studied her. “I wish I could say the same.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure how safe I am around you.”

She swallowed. “Don’t be silly.”

“You’re dangerous to my peace of mind.”

Her brow furrowed. “But I’m…I’m harmless.”

“Hardly,” he said with a grin, then let her off the hook by changing the subject. “Did you grow up around Dunsmuir Bay?”

She hesitated, then said, “Yes.”

He chuckled. “You don’t sound sure about it.”

She raised her chin. “I grew up down by the pier, with my grandmother.”

“Oh, yeah?” Adam said, relaxing back in his chair. “I like that area.”

“Yes, I loved living there.”

“You moved?”

“Yes.” She looked away, unwilling to say more.

It sounded to Adam as if there might be more to the story but he didn’t push. Instead, he held his glass up, determined to lighten the mood. “Let’s have a toast. To Fantasy.”

Trish managed a smile as she tapped her glass to his. “To Fantasy.” She took a sip, then put the glass down and groaned. “Everything has been delicious, but I can’t put one more thing in my mouth.”

A vivid image of what else she might do with her mouth almost brought Adam out of his seat. It was absurd. What was it about this woman that made his libido behave as if he hadn’t gotten laid in five years? Perhaps it was because he knew they’d come together soon. Very soon, he’d be able to bury himself in her warm depths. It wouldn’t be soon enough to suit him or his raging erection, however.

Had he honestly thought he could wait for her to make the first move? Impossible.

He was about to suggest that it was time to go, when Jean Pierre emerged from the kitchen with several small platters and began to explain all the desserts he’d chosen for them. Adam’s ardor was effectively extinguished, probably a good thing.

Trish’s eyes grew wider with each little morsel the chef pointed to. After he left them alone, she stared at Adam in dismay.

“This is crazy,” she whispered. “Seriously, I can’t eat another bite.”

“I’m not sure I can, either, but we don’t want to hurt Jean Pierre’s feelings.” Adam speared a succulent miniature fruit tart with his dessert fork and held it out for her to taste. “Just one more bite?”

She moaned and rubbed her stomach. “I can’t do it.”

“But how will we know if it’s suitable for the gala?”

“Why don’t you taste it?” she asked.

“Because I’m the boss and I say it’s your job to taste the desserts.”

Trish laughed. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that rule in the employee handbook.”

Adam chuckled. “Okay, then do it for Jean Pierre.”

“Oh, all right.” She took a deep breath. “This is for Jean Pierre.”

“Good girl,” Adam said, moving the fork closer. “One little taste.”

She took the bite and licked her lips. “Mmm, it’s really delicious.”

Beguiled, Adam scooped a small spoonful of creamy chocolate mousse and held it out for her to sample. “One more bite, babe. Open wide.”

“Okay,” she said, smiling. “but only because it’s chocolate.”

“That’s my girl,” he murmured.

Time stood still as he watched her close her eyes, open her mouth and take the bite. Then she sighed.

“Oh.” She licked her lips and moaned. “Oh, my God. Oh, it’s fabulous.” She swallowed, then licked her lips again.

In an instant, Adam’s body was tight and aching. So much for playing hard to get. He wanted her with a need that burned right through him. In his current condition, he’d never make it out of the restaurant alive. Fine with him. He’d send the staff home, then make love to Trish right here.

So much for his grand scheme of withholding sex until she begged for it. He was the one who would beg her if he had to. Without even trying, she was the sexiest woman he’d ever met.

She was saying something, but he couldn’t hear her. All the blood that might’ve helped his brain function had recognized a more urgent need and rushed to his body’s lower half.

Adam tossed his napkin on the table and stood. “Let’s go,” he said, almost growling the command.

“Don’t we have to pay the bill first?”

“I own the place, sweetheart.” He came around to pull her chair out. “There is no bill.”

“I guess I really am tired if I forgot that.” She smiled up at him.

But on the way out, she insisted on stopping to thank everyone who’d waited on them, then poked her head into the kitchen and called out her gratitude to Jean Pierre, who came running over to kiss her on both cheeks and thank her profusely.