He didn’t have a chance to respond when our waiter arrived, placing two glasses of water in front of either of us, and asking if we wanted a drink. I opted for just a lemonade. Being this close to this man all night was intoxicating enough. I wanted to do my best to keep my wits about me, and not do something I’d later regret. And when I looked across the table and found those hungry blue pupils, intently focused on me, I knew the idea of keeping myself from doing something I’d later regret with this man were nothing but famous last words.
~ Chapter Seven ~
Carter
Is it possible to be attracted to the way someone eats? I hadn’t realized it was until I sat across from Michelle at that Japanese restaurant and watched her expertly use her chopsticks for her sushi. The only regret I had was that I wasn’t what she was devouring. I’d have to fix that. The last thing I wanted, as I sat across from her, was the food on the table. All my thoughts, wants, and needs in that moment centered solely around her. I got absorbed in the sound of her voice when she discussed how she came to be an event planner. She’d stumbled upon it by accident, having worked as a caterer while attending Williamsport Community College.
“I planned on transferring to Williamsport U since I had the grades to get my four-year degree, but one night, I met Nancy at an event I was catering for and ended up becoming her assistant and then moved to becoming one of her event planners.”
“I’m sure she appreciates how good of an employee you are.”
She shrugged. “I hope so. I’m not sure she’s over what happened last Friday, to be honest.” Her frown and the look of uncertainty in those brown eyes punched me in the gut.
I sat up, reaching my hand across the table. “I thought that was all sorted out.” I’ll kick Aaron’s ass for real this time if it wasn’t.
“It is. I mean, I’m back at work and she hasn’t mentioned it again, but I still hate that it happened. It was completely unprofessional of me,” she sighed.
“Hey,” I tugged her hand across the table, squeezing it, “what happened was on me. If you need me to tell your boss that, I will.”
She was already shaking her head before I could finish. “Definitely not. I just want to forget it ever happened.”
My body went completely erect and she glanced up with regretful eyes. “You want to forget all of it?”
“No. I didn’t mean that,” she sighed. “Friday night was …” She paused, eyes circling the room, searching for something I knew was indescribable. “There aren’t any words for what Friday night was. It’s just … there are things I can’t get into that make this messy. And obviously your brother had a problem with what happened.”
“My brother’s a prick.”
A small smile creased her face. “Don’t say that.”
“It’s true. Want to know what else is true?”
“What?”
“That none of it matters.” I stood, moving closer to her until I stood over her. “None of it matters because I’ve already decided you’re mine. Friday night before you let me slip in between your legs was the time you had to run in the opposite direction. But I’ve had you now, and I’ve decided I’m not giving you up.” I pulled her by the hand to stand, pulling out her chair with my free hand. “You have circumstances you think will keep us apart. That’s fine. Because I’m not someone who backs down easily … hell, not atall.”
I planted a quick kiss to her parted mouth. “Come with me.”
“Where’re we going?” she asked, carefully watching me toss a few bills for the check on the table, and taking her hand.
“Remember what I said Friday night?”
“You said a lot Friday night.”
I smirked at the same time I pulled the door open of my car for her to get in. “The part about wanting you to know everything about me.”
“I think I recall something like that.”
I nodded, my eyes lingering on the exposed skin of her thighs when the fabric of her dress parted as she adjusted herself in the passenger seat. My mouth watered. She inhaled sharply when I reached across her lap for the seatbelt.
“I can buckle myself in,” she murmured, voice hitched.
“Just making sure you don’t go anywhere.” I stared into those brown pools of hers. “We’re going someplace so you can get to know more about me.” I closed the door on her suspicious gaze and rounded the front of my Denali.
“As long as you don’t keep me out too late,” she responded once I got in behind the wheel.
“What’s too late? You have a curfew?” I teased.
I laughed when she rolled her eyes and said, “Just drive.”
