David was the one who, with a single once-over, made me feel as if I’d be less exposed wearing nothing.
“It’s just business,” I said.
When he stepped forward and inclined, I stiffened. “Do you really find him attractive?” he asked near my ear, pushing the apple into my hand.
My breath caught, but I managed to compose myself. I shook my head slowly and made eye contact. “I suppose some women might think so,” I echoed his words. “But, no. Brian Ayers isn’t my type.”
David only grunted and picked up his phone from the desk.
When he eased back, only a half a foot from me now, a hint of men’s hair product perfumed the air.
Holding the clipboard over my breasts like a shield, I turned the smooth, firm apple over in my hand. “How’s Maria?”
“We can call her and ask if you’d like.” David arched a scolding eyebrow. “Listen, Olivia. I’ll tell you anything you want to know,” he said, his words measured. “But after the way you told me to back off on the roof, you’re going to have to ask if you expect me to open up.”
He’d heard my plea for restraint earlier in the week. I needed to heed my own request. But being bathed in his presence, his hint of cologne, his beauty sohere, so unavoidable. Our playful banter had me wishing for just a little more time with him.
I looked into the apple, searching for an answer it couldn’t give me. I even shook it slightly, hoping for a Magic-Eight-Ball miracle.
David sighed and returned to the changing area, drawing the curtains closed.
The image of Maria’s perfectly browned skin and slitted green eyes had haunted me since the night I’d seen her at the restaurant. Did I really need more details to torture myself with?
“So?” he called from the other side of the fabric.
“Okay.” I took a bite of the apple and chewed slowly. “You said she was a friend. Is she yourgirlfriend?”
“No.”
“Do you have sex?”
He chuckled a moment and fell silent. “Yes.”
My heart dropped as my insides simultaneously tightened. Of course I’d known the answer, but instead of picturing her underneath him, I thought of myself looking up at him from the bed. I thought of him over me—fucking.
Through the tiny sliver where the curtains met, his tan skin flashed as he changed, and my blood coursed a little faster.
“We have an unspoken arrangement. Maria accompanies me to some events.” David paused. “We sleep together. But we’re not exclusive.”
The apple crunched as I took more crisp and juicy bites. “Not exclusive?” I asked after swallowing.
He reentered the room in what I assumed were the suit slacks he’d worn here, his upper half still in the tuxedo.
He crossed his arms, positioning himself in front of me. “No. We’re allowed to see other people.”
“I thought you didn’t have time for dating around.”
“I don’t,” David said, lifting his chin fractionally. “I’m too busy to seek women out, but that doesn’t mean I don’t find them.”
Or they found him, more likely. “Brittany?” I asked.
He nodded. If he was surprised I knew of her, he didn’t show it. “My date for the gala tonight.”
“Who is she?”
“Nobody, Olivia. Ask me to cancel on her and see what my answer is.”
I swallowed. A dare—not a guarantee that he’d actually cancel. And why should he?
