“Jeremiah…” I called after him suddenly.
He turned and looked at me, raising an eyebrow curiously.
“Would you like to join me?” I asked, a hopeful smile tugging at the corner of my lips.
Chapter 22
Jeremiah
Ididn’t know what urged me to say yes to joining Sadie. Maybe it was the fact I had nothing better to do. I had just secured a deal with one of my biggest clients to date. The whole point of coming to Dallas was to fish for the mackerel, and boy, did I ensnare the prize-winning fish. I was eager to get home and get the deal going, to show off my catch to the office and press. Yet, a part of me wanted to stay here with Sadie.
Because besides this morning’s meeting going superbly well, it was the only matter of business we had tended to since arriving in Dallas yesterday. We might as well have been on vacation between last night’s rooftop dinner to giving her a little show just outside the closet this morning. I was well aware of her eyes taking in every inch of me, a quivering hunger growing inside her. I would have taken her right then and there, but we had the meeting.
And I was still wondering if anything had happened last night. It was an embarrassing question to ask just now, thinking I should full well remember the feeling of taking her in every which way. I woke up to her scent in the sheets, warm vanilla and something else I had come to realize was just her very essence, but the bed was empty. It left me with so many questions. Questions I was an idiot for asking, making me regret the bottle of wine I had all to myself.
Maybe part of me saying yes to getting back in that car was to make it up to her. I remember her telling me about her asshole of an ex-boyfriend who I was ridiculously jealous of without knowing much about him, other than him being a drinker. And I took that information, pocketing it inside me, and still continued to drink myself into oblivion.
I was such an ass.
As I searched her eyes and saw a rare glimpse of hopefulness in them as she looked at me from the car, every molecule in my body was screaming “yes” to her simple invitation. I gave her a nod and strode back to the car, sliding into my still-warm seat as the driver closed the door behind me.
Sadie bit back a smile before asking, “I don’t really know where to go…”
“Me either.” I shrugged. “But we’ll find our way.”
I leaned forward and told the driver to take us to the best shopping mall in the city. He gave a nod, knowing the way,and pulled away from the curb. We talked a little about the meeting with Mr. James, and Sadie excitedly talked about the chart-topping records of triumph that hung on his walls. Her excitement made the deal that much more sweet.
Soon, we arrived at the Galleria Dallas. The large glass entryway loomed over us as we walked up the stone walkway surrounded by black and white awnings of restaurants. Sadie looked up at the glass arch above us, sunlight trickling through and warming our skin. She really looked stunning today. The cream suit she wore hugged her perfectly, and I gave myself an internal pat on the back for sending her shopping before this trip.
“Where to first?” I asked, as we entered the main length of the mall, stores surrounding us on either side, above and below us.
“I don’t even know.” She turned in a slow circle before facing me again. “I suppose now that I have my work wardrobe, I could use some non-work clothes.”
“Like some more sneakers?” I asked with a raised brow, remembering her stark white sneakers she strode into the airport wearing yesterday.
“No,” she said sarcastically. “Like some dresses or something.”
I knew just the place. I gestured to a nearby map of the mall and glanced over it, looking for the particular store that I had unabashedly taken a few past flings to back in New York. I spotted it on the map and started walking in its direction, gesturing for Sadie to follow.
We walked into the well-lit store, a crystal chandelier hanging above casting rainbow prisms across the white marble floors. We were immediately greeted by an associate, who, judging by the way she looked at us, saw us as an opportunity for a high commission day.
“How may I help you?” she asked, her voice dripping with sweetness.
“My assistant here is looking for some dresses. Not for work. More for leisure,” I said.
The associate simply nodded and led us to the nearest rack, sizing Sadie up, suggesting what would look best with her fair skin and red hair. I stood back and watched them talk, the associate’s fingers running over the hangers, pulling various dresses of different sheens and colors. Soon her arms were overflowing, and she led us to the fitting rooms. She set us up in the largest room in the very back, hanging the dresses neatly on the bars. I couldn’t help but look around the room and think of every place I could have Sadie. I couldn’t wait for the associate to leave.
“We can take it from here,” I said, taking the last pile from her arms.
She looked taken aback, but simply gave me a curt nod before exiting the room, closing the cream velvet curtains behind her. Sadie looked at me curiously, crossing her arms.
“What?” I asked.
“Are you going to let me change or just stand there?”
“Oh,” I said, realizing she was asking me to step out of the room. “Right.”
I slipped out of the room, not letting the defeat show on my face, and took a seat in a nearby armchair. I heard the hangers click against each other and the swoosh of fabric. Soon, Sadie stepped out in a silk forest green dress that hung off her shoulders.
