Two drinks later, we’ve jumped to multiple non-sports topics. Thankfully. Despite our differences, we do find some topics we can both talk about. I even manage to talk about some pieces I think he should buy from some online sales we have going on, and he makes some bids.
Priya would be so proud.
I finally look at my phone. “Oh god. It’s much later than I thought it was. I should head out.”
Beau looks at his own phone and signals for the check from the bartender. “Wow. I didn’t mean to keep you out late on a school night.”
“No, you’re fine. I was having fun.”
I reach for the check, more to watch his brain explode than out of any real burning desire to pay, and I’m not disappointed. He snatches it from my outstretched hand, throwing a surprisingly dirty look over his shoulder for someone who’s supposed to be all nice.
I laugh right into his face and he doesn’t respond in words, signing the bill in silence. He winks at me when he’s done to show there’s no hard feelings. Or maybe to gloat over his win.
We get off the bar stools and for the first time I notice that we’re the last ones in the room.
“Thank you for another fun city night,” Beau says as he walks me to the lobby.
It was a fun night. If this wasn’t technically a client-wooing with vague personal overtones, this would be one of the better dates I’ve had.
We had great conversation, and those hazel eyes remind me of a Christmas tree with their mix of green, brown, and gold. Mesmerizing to someone who loves the holiday as much as I do.
And he is genuinely nice, despite his severely misguided opinions on town size, geography, and my abilities.
I want him. For now.
And I’m going to have him.
“I’ll call a car and come with you to drop you off.” Beau gets out his phone.
I put my hand over the screen of his phone, my heart pounding with the choice I just made. “None of this is related to, or a condition of, any sales that we make.”
Beau’s eyebrows draw low over his eyes. He looks back to the bar we just walked from, like the visual reminder would give him clues as to what sparked that statement. “What are you talkin’ about?”
“I think, as an ambassador for the great city of New York, I should come inspect your room to make sure it’s up to our fine standards.”
I hold my breath for his response.
Chapter Eight
Beau’s eyes get wide, giving him a deer-in-headlights look. Not that I’ve seen one of those outside a TV or zoo. But if popular culture can be relied upon, they freeze when presented with surprising or scary stimuli. So it’s not a good sign that he has the look now.
He doesn’t say anything and my stomach drops, the smile freezing on my face. “No worries if not. We can keep this profesh.” Someone help me, I just saidprofesh.
Oh god, this is embarrassing. Did I misread this whole situation? Without any conscious thought, my feet make baby steps toward the door and the freedom of the city night outside. At least all the people outside don’t know about the rejection that occurred inside these gilded walls. One of the perks of city anonymity.
“No.” He jerks to life, hand back to its favorite resting spot on my lower back. It stops my nascent attempts at escape. “These city hotel rooms can be so dangerous...” He stands there, hand not pushing me to the elevator, letting me make the decision again.
I do, starting toward the elevators. I push the button, his hand rubbing a slow circle on my lower back while we wait for the doors to open. The movement causes sparks of warm electricity under my skin through all the winter layers of my coat and dress.
I’m not expecting the sensation, so I automatically shift away but immediately regret it when he withdraws his hand. I take a small step back into Beau, a little too abruptly, crashing into him until my side is flush against his. Thankfully, he takes the hint and puts his arm back around me. Since we’re closer now, he slides the hand all the way around my back and tucks it in the dip of my waist this time.
I like this new position even more than the other one, shifting my body even closer into him. From here, I can smell his woodsy cologne coming through. Liking the smell, I tuck my nose into the crook of his neck, inhaling the smell and stealing the warmth for my always chilly nose.
Though with Beau, this woodsy smell is just as likely to be the result of him rolling around in some leaves like a giant German shepherd as it is a high-end cologne. I stifle a small laugh into an awkward cough at that image. Beau leans his head away from me to check out what the commotion is about.
There’s no way I’m going to tell him what I was laughing about, but I’m saved from having to make any explanations when the gold-and-mirror elevator doors glide open. I shuffle into the space with even more gold and mirrors and Beau follows me in.
I catch a glimpse of us in the mirror as the doors close. My curly black hair cascades over his arm around my waist, while the head it’s on is tucked in close to his shoulder. My curves fit into his body like we’re jigsaw pieces. Finally united after trying too many pieces that don’t fit this well.
