Oh, God. “That’s ambitious,” I mumble into my glass. But I remember the smoothie tastes like mold and I gingerly place it back on the table.
He preens and I’m doing my best to stay focused on the conversation. I’ve had job interviews more pleasant than this.
“My last girlfriends didn’t understand that this was their role. It’s not that difficult,” he scoffs. “Men are born to spread their seed and women should be grateful to be chosen to bear our offspring and take care of the house. Why would you need a job anyway, right?” He must take my shocked silence as agreement because he keeps going. “My wife will have her hands full, that’s for sure.” He laughs and I want to ninja-star throw my spoon at Quinn, who’s pretending to ignore us behind the counter.
I have a mile-long list of things I should be doing rather than wasting my time here. The clock is ticking on my first big project. Valerie’s clients squeezed me into their busy schedule for two grainy video calls. They appeared to be somewhere in Asia. The nice couple is around my age and were overly excited about my proposals for their lake house, which tempered some of the doubts I had.
The screech of a chair nearby startles us both and I’m equal parts relieved and frustrated to see Carter leisurely sitting at our table, pinning me with his gaze, two glinting silvery bullets piercing my flushed skin.
“Who’s your friend, kitten?” Carter asks, the muscle in his jaw popping.
“I’m her date,” Matt bristles.
“You’re confused.” Carter talks at him with that posh tone that drives me up the wall. He levels my poor date with a cool glare, oozing the confidence of a man who knows Matt has zero chances against him.
I forgot what a turn-on it is. I narrow my eyes at him. “How did you find me?”
Carter smiles cheekily at Quinn over Matt’s shoulder. The double-crossing hag! My eyes snap to my supposed friend who finds a pesky stain on her counter that requires all her focus.
His intrusion in my life is outrageous, but the sight of him, so mischievous, carefree, smiling—it’s a heart-stopper.
“Excuse me, we were in the middle of something,” Matt’s raised tone turns some heads.
Please don’t make a scene.
“If you’re searching for a breeding mare, you’re at the wrong table.” Carter leaves no room for debate. “You can go now.”
Matt’s looking at me, but I don’t have the heart to stop him. “I’m sorry,” I mouth and Matt storms off in a huff.
With a resigned sigh, I switch my attention back to Carter. “Whatareyou wearing?” That flannel shirt looks too good on him.
“I’m trying my hand at casual. Don’t worry, it’s designer,” he grins. “I want to blend in.”
Blend in? He could be the cover model for a fancy men’s magazine for the outdoorsy. I don’t want to make his head bigger so I don’t say anything, but my exhale snags on its way out when he leans closer and whispers.
“What do you say, Miss Cherry Pepper?” His nose slides over the shell of my ear. “Want to go out on a proper date? We got a bit ahead of ourselves last time.”
His touch and unmistakable scent make me dizzy and I can’t deny I still want him. The smug bastard knows it, but I won’t allow him to use it against me.
“Call me that again and they’ll never find your body.”
“Are you sure you want that? You look flustered, Eliza.”
I want to slap that impertinent smile off his face.
“Tell me. Did you touch yourself thinking of me while I was gone?” He comes closer and the carnal darkness of his eyes sets off a blast of hormones through my system. “I did. I have an archive of moments of you burned into my brain. When I made you come. The sweet sounds you make while I fuck you. That same fire in your eyes I see now, that tells me you want me to devour you.”
I want him desperately, there’s no two ways about it. I miss spending time with him.
The message scribbled on the thick paper made me tear up this morning. Both from laughing and crying.
I’d go anywhere with you. Even in your deathmobile.
I felt seen and cherished in a way nobody made me feel before. He also showed me I can’t keep him for long. So why am I contemplating saying yes?
Because I can’t help it. Basking in his attention is addictive.
Chapter Forty-Two
