“Do I have to?”
Lucky’s laugh is loud and boisterous.The butterflies in my stomach jump and flutter like a puppy among fallen leaves.
“Love, you can call me anything you’d like.”
Oh God, I might be blushing.
Is he really flirting with me?
It’s hard to tell since I haven’t flirted with anyone since … hmm.Too long.
It’s not something I’m good at.Banter takes wit and a silky sort of seduction I’ve never understood, let alone had.Lucky has it coming out of his perfect pores.
“Mia,” I say, holding my hand out.
The calluses on his fingers graze my skin when we shake, and a million questions flare to life.Who is this guy who wanders the streets on a Tuesday morning just because he can?
Why can’t I take my eyes off him?
“You’re right,” he says, keeping my hand in his.
He turns it over with a look of concentration, and I have the ridiculous idea that he’s about to kiss it.The sharp tang of anticipation stings my throat.
“Coffee isn’t nearly enough to apologize.Have dinner with me.”
In shock, I pull my hand free.He doesn’t look upset about it.
“But you don’t know anything about me.”
“That’s what dinner is for.”
Unbelievable.“Have you always been this presumptuous, or did money make you that way?”
It’s an educated guess that must hit close to home because he sobers.
“It’s nice to have, but I don’t see any reason to put material shit on a pedestal.There are far better things to covet.”
His eyes don’t leave mine, and I can feel myself flushing all the way to my toes.
“Clean air, equal rights, taxing the rich?”I guess.It’s what I want.
“Sure,” he says, leaning in.Everything about him is intoxicating.“There’s also art, food, and sex.”
I could set a match to my clothes and not feel the fire burn as brightly as his words do.
Thankfully, as he opens his mouth to say more, the barista calls out my order.
* * *
About time!
take your drink(go to 7)
go back(go to 2)
“Okay,” I say, “where do we start?”
Sterling clears off the desk behind mine, which is being used as a tech graveyard.In one long sweep of his arm, he corrals everything into an empty box and sets it on the floor.It’s a smooth move.Powerful.
