Worth the Risk by Robin Bielman Page A

back to her hotel room. Forced herself not to think about going back to her hotel room. Wondered if Dean was thinking the same thing.
    She took in a slow, deep breath to calm herself, and Dean’s scent filled her, spiraling her back out of control. She hated his effect on her. Hated that she’d let herself tumble into something with him again. His nearness alone made her feel the kind of want she’d never experienced with anyone else.
    She told herself when they got back to the hotel she’d kiss him good-bye, wish him the best, and hightail it back to her room—alone. Any more physical contact would plunge her over the cliff she’d promised herself never to stand on again.
    When out of the blue Dean mentioned work, nausea punched her in the stomach. She pressed the button to lower her window and tried to focus on the breeze hitting her face. They’d successfully avoided the subject of Route 66, and Sam wanted to keep it that way. How could they mix what they were doing with work when one of them would win and one would lose?
    They couldn’t. And beyond what happened tomorrow morning, Dean’s future plans still concerned the environment and nothing more. He’d given her no indication of a “you and me” going past today. Never said this weekend could lead to something more. She’d accepted that because she couldn’t resist his invitation for one more fling. She couldn’t give up taking what she could get from him and dealing with the rejection later.
    “Hey, are you paying attention?”
    “Yes, sorry,” she answered, shaking away the thoughts ricocheting in her head. “You said the architect you’ve hired has an urge to combine lean places with benign suburban architecture.” She felt her face give way to a hopeful expression, the words obviously rolling off her tongue without much thought.
    Dean fell into full-fledged laughter. “Did you hear what you just said?”
    She winced. “Um, not really. I’m sorry. I guess I did kind of zone out there for a second.”
    “You were close. I said he’s the best in merging design and environment in urban green spaces. But I kind of like the way you said it better.” He grinned, one more chuckle escaping his mouth. “We don’t have to talk about work if you don’t want to. I’m just curious to hear your thoughts on things, and I wanted to share my thoughts, too. I can’t believe we’re working in the same field. Still can’t believe we’ve met again like this.”
    Samantha stared at Dean’s profile. When he turned and cast his blue eyes on her, eyes she felt no amount of competition could turn ugly or bitter, she wondered what her reflection showed. There was no one else in the world she’d rather talk business with, but she couldn’t remain indifferent when this contract meant everything to her. Dean’s job wasn’t at stake here. Hers was.
    “Me neither.” No other words came to her.
    “How many sites is Global working on right now?”
    “A dozen or so. We’ve got teams in Austria, Portugal, the UK. I’m hoping to head to Indonesia at the end of the month.”
    “Hoping?” He cast her a sideways look, his eyes gleaming like polished chrome. His confidence in her wiped away any misgivings she had about her upcoming job review.
    “It all depends on when we start the Route 66 project.” And if her freelance position became permanent.
    He chuckled. Not with disrespect or a low opinion of her comment, but with genuine camaraderie, like he didn’t discount her capabilities. Another admirable quality Samantha knew bettered her. Why did he seem to take their rivalry so lightly? Did he know something she didn’t?
    “Yeah, I guess we both can’t plan too far in advance.”
    She wondered if he meant personally as well as professionally . She wanted it to be both. Wanted to believe that maybe this time he’d be open to making future plans with her. But that was unrealistic. She knew his love affair lay with the environment and always would. He’d