She winks at the lady beside her, who looks closer to eighty than seventy.
“Yes, dear, he’s certainly been impressed with my increased flexibility since taking your classes. I’ve been much more able in the bedroom. I’m ashamed I didn’t work on my fitness earlier in life. We could have enjoyed a much more satisfying sex life.”
Trey coughs, disguising a laugh. I choke on mine. Amy just smiles, warm and unbothered. It makes her even more mesmerizing.
The women file out of the gym, shrugging into coats as they push through the doors. The three of us watch them leave.
“Amy,” I say and hold out my hand. “Lovely to see you. Your ladies are certainly enthusiastic.”
She gives me a tight smile, ignores my outstretched hand, and replies, “Bex’s New Youis a gym for all. How can I help you? Are you looking for some fitness advice? You’re looking a bit soft round the middle. Maybe I can help tighten things up?”
My ego winces as my hands automatically drop to my abs, which are as toned as they’ve always been. Trey snorts, then turns and walks away, chuckling to himself.Don’t rise to the bait.
“I came to invite you to dinner,” I blurt, and her mouth falls open. Mine almost does too; this was not in my plan. I wanted to arrange a business meeting, not a date.
“Dinner? You want to invite me to dinner?” she stammers. “Yes,” I say, squaring my shoulders and running with the idiotic comment that passed my lips. “We got off on the wrong foot. I’d like to fix that on Friday night.”
Dinner? What the hell was I thinking? If I spend a whole evening with this woman, heaven knows what I’ll do to her. Orwant to do to her. She may be found in the River Thames or flat on her back in my bed if she pisses me off enough.
Her gaze flicks over me—slow, deliberate, like she’s assessing a threat. Then her mouth curves upward.
“Fine,” she says, shocking me. “You can take me to dinner. Make sure it’s a decent restaurant. I have standards.”
She pulls a card from her leggings pocket and hands it to me. “My details are on there. Email me.”
Our fingers brush for a second. I can’t ignore the spark. Then, she walks past me, straight into her office, the door clicking behind her.
I’m left standing like a lemon in the middle of the reception area, wondering how I ended up arranging a date with one of the most maddening women on the planet.
Chapter twenty-one
Amy
I’m applying another coat of red lipstick at my dressing table mirror when Katie knocks on my bedroom door. “Come in,” I call, and she wanders into the room. Her gaze lands on my sexy black dress hanging on the wardrobe door handle. She turns to me and smirks.
“What?” I say, feigning ignorance.
“You’re going to a lot of trouble to get ready for dinner with a man you hate.” Her two canine companions yap at her feet in agreement. They’re a byproduct of her time in Scotland, and she brought them home.
I tsk through my teeth, and my focus returns to the mirror. Sitting in only my black lace underwear, I finish applying my makeup, then re-brush my straightened hair until every strand lies obedient.
She chuckles. I ignore her, standing and stepping past her to lift the dress from its hanger. I wriggle into it; the stretchymaterial gives way to my muscles before snapping back hard against them.
“Where’s he taking you?” she asks.
“The new Thai restaurant on Oxford St. The table’s booked for eight,” I tell her. “It’s a business dinner. Why else?” She raises her eyebrow; a knowing smile plays on her lips. She knows me too well. My mouth says business; my gut rolls its eyes.
“To get in your pants,” she says, and I laugh.
“Katie, the man hates me. There’s no way that’s on his agenda. He’s just trying to butter me up so I’ll give in and sell.”
“And the reason you’re wearing your sexiest dress and applying hooker’s lipstick is?”
I glare at her, then return to looking for my shoes. Eventually, I find my highest black heels, nestled at the back of my wardrobe.
“Make that slut shoes too,” she adds.
“I want to cocktease him.” I say it like a dare to my reflection.
