wouldnât be right for me to keep you from that goal.â
âAnthony, Iâm not harboring secret dreams of white picket fences. The work staff and regulars were my family. Iâm fine with keeping it that way.â
âAre you sure?â
âAbsolutely.â
He sagged against the back of the sofa and stared at the ceiling. âI canât tell you how relieved I am.â
She was relieved too. The thought of caring for infants, then chasing toddlers around, and finally coping with teenagers scared her to pieces. As far as Claudia was concerned, this was just another indication that they belonged together.
***
Over the next two months, Anthony and Claudia studied the tea business in public places.
He used the excuse that they needed clear heads to discuss products, equipment, and staffing, and if they were alone in her apartment, he might not be able to keep his hands off her. That much was certainly true.
What he also needed was a way to keep Claudia safe from Ruxandra.
He thought heâd spotted his jealous ex-girlfriend following him one night. Fortunately, he was able to lose herâthat time.
For now, he had to make his romantic relationship with Claudia appear as if it were strictly business. That was the opposite of what he wanted, but he needed time to deal with a certain dangerous vampiress. How to do thatâshort of killing Ruxandraâutterly mystified him.
Claudia seemed to understand his explanation of needing to put the business first and reluctantly agreed. She had her own work to do. The AA program had specific steps and she was taking them seriously. She admitted she wasnât looking forward to taking a moral inventory of herself, but Anthony couldnât imagine any of her actions being remotely immoral. If she only knew his historyâ¦her worst sin would pale in comparison to some of his normal behavior.
For now, she was attending meetings during the day and leaving her evenings free for him. If she kept to that schedule, he wouldnât have to worry about Ruxandra getting her alone in a dark alley.
His plan was working, at least temporarily. Each time they saw each other, theyâd find a secluded table in the back and go over business decisions while waiting for their meals. Well, Claudiaâs meal. Anthony explained that he was on a special diet. Not untrue.
They tried really hard to keep their hands to themselves, but by the time dessert came, they were playing footsie, or if they had one of those padded-bench seats where they could sit side by side, they groped, kissed, and tried to stop short of getting thrown out for lewd behavior. Anthony didnât know how much longer he could postpone the inevitable.
He was going to sleep with Claudia. It wasnât a matter of if, but when.
âHave you considered my proposal?â
Her eyes rounded. âYour what?â
Whoa. Maybe I should have been more specific. âMy offer to give you the apartment over the shop? Itâs brand new, very chicâlike you, and the commute canât be beat.â
âOh.â She chuckled. âThat. Yes, Iâve thought about it, but I wonât take it rent free. I know you could get upward of three thousand a month for that place.â
âTrue, but I like to know whoâs living in my building.â He reached across the table and took her hand in his. âIâd like to know youâre living in my building. I want you safe.â
âBut I already owe you so much.â
âYou earned every penny I paid you. Who else would work seven days a week without complaint?â
She smiled but kept her eyes down. âItâs very generous of you, but it could be awkward if things donât work out between us.â
He let go of her hand and leaned back in his chair. âWhy would you think thatâll happen?â
âI donât. I meanâ¦nobody does when the relationship is new. But things could