"Dinner should be ready in a few minutes," Lena informed Gage. She fired up the stove and poured olive oil in the frying pan. "I’ve left the documentation we're going to discuss out on the coffee table. Perhaps you want to thumb through it before we discuss it."

"I can do that..or…" Gage moved to stand directly behind Lena at the stove. "I could keep you company out here," he whispered.

Gage leaned down and drank in the scent of Lena’s rich perfume. Soft wisps of her silky hair teased his cheek. He wanted to taste the sweet curve of her neck that was just a kiss away from his lips. Ever so gently, he slipped his hands along the side of her waist and drew her against him.

"You smell good enough to eat," Gage crooned into her ear. He dipped his head and kissed her nape. It was like touching liquid satin. "Delicious."

Gage felt Lena shiver and reveled in her response. She inhaled deeply then he felt her stiffen in his arms. He could sense Lena fighting an inner battle to submit. Gage knew the moment her sensibility won out. He had to admire her strength of will. They were here to discuss business.  He wondered where his discipline had gone. He stepped back.

"I think I’d better go look through that material," Gage said gruffly.

Picking up his glass of ice water, he disappeared into the front room. He never saw Lena turn and gaze longingly as he left the kitchen.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

For a time, Lena forgot that Gage had come to discuss the problems at NST Technology. She was surprised to discover how many areas they had in common. Lena had gone so far as to confide an interest in writing a book on cultural etiquette for tourists.

"I think you should write a book," Gage encouraged. He popped the last bite of apple pie in his mouth. "People are traveling more today, particularly abroad. There are a lot of travelers who could use a book like that."

Lena felt a flicker of warmth inside her heart. Never once had Brian supported her in her literary dreams.

"I want to follow a user friendly format," Lena said. She stood to clear off the dining room table. "Readers have so little time to dig through a lot of material. I want lots of white space, bullet points, that sort of thing."

Gage rose and followed Lena into the kitchen. "I don’t know anything about writing and little about the publishing industry, but perhaps I can be of some help." He placed his dirty plate in the sink.

Lena turned and searched his face. "How?"

Gage pondered her question. "I do know several people that work in publishing in New York. If you’d like, I could introduce you."

"That would be very good of you," Lena said excitedly. She turned and busied herself filling the sink with soapy water to let the dishes soak. "I’ve thought about writing for a while. I’d really like to pursue it."

"All it takes is commitment," Gage said matter-of-factly. He walked to the front room entrance. "I have no doubt you can do anything."

Lena heard the sincerity in his voice. His eyes were serious. She wasn’t sure what to say. She had only just met Gage McCotter yet she felt he could see her deepest secrets. Somehow she needed to let him know how much his support meant to her. What could she say that could make him understand?

Lena said, "Thank you."

♥♥♥♥♥♥