“I did, but I’m afraid I can’t have dinner,” I respond, trying to keep the panic out of my voice.
He frowns as he reaches me, his finger coming out to tuck a piece of my hair that had gotten loose behind my ear. “Why not?”
“I think it would be better if you spoke directly with Olivia. This is about the two of you and I don’t factor into it.”
He looks at me for a moment and then nods in agreement. “I think you’re right. This is something Olivia and I should talk about together. If you think she could handle that, I’d like to meet with her.”
“I’ll speak to her and arrange it. I think she will be okay if she knows you aren’t meeting with her to punish her. Believe it or not, the panic attack that Olivia had at the funeral was the first one she’s had in a while. It was just too much for her.”
“That works. If she needs him, I can bring Cross with me.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I talk with her,” I reply, feeling let down that he’s agreeing so easily to all of this. I know it’s for the best, but damn it, he could be a little upset about it.
“Sounds good,” he says, and I turn around, just wanting to get away from him at this point. I’m such a fool. “Hey, where are you going?”
I look over my shoulder at him. “Home. I’ll talk with Olivia tonight and let you know when she decides.”
“You’re not going home, Arwen,” he says, staring at me, his eyes so intense it feels like they can see through me.
“What?”
“We’re having dinner. I had the chef prepare something special. Are you ready?”
“I don’t think dinner would be a good idea.”
“Too bad. You already agreed,” he says easily.
His hand rests against the small of my back, and he literally guides me toward the elevators. “Did I mention this wasn’t a good idea?” I hiss.
“You did. I’m just ignoring it,” he chuckles.
The doors open and we step into the elevator. My heart is running away with me. I feel like I can’t breathe. I try to look anywhere but at him. I step to the other side of the elevator to make some room between us. I’m acting crazy. I know it, but I can’t stop it. I’ve always been businesslike and self-controlled when dealing with others. I can’t even manage it around Blade.
I’m so wrapped up in what I’m feeling that I don’t notice that he’s moved so that he is standing right in front of me. He puts his fingers under my chin and lifts my head. “What’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours, Arwen?”
I’ve always hated that name but hearing him use it somehow makes my toes curl. “That I’m not this kind of girl.”
One of his eyebrows twitches up in a high arch, and a smile plays on his lips. “Everyone eats, sweetheart. You’re going to love what we have waiting for us. I’ve personally made sure we have the best chefs around for this particular restaurant. One is a Michelin star chef. She’s very temperamental, but her food makes it worth it.”
“It’s not about eating, you jerk. You’re being purposefully obtuse. I’m talking about the fact that I shouldn’t be having dinner with a man who just fucked his secretary in his office this morning!”
“I didn’t have sex with her this morning.”
“You didn’t?”
“No. I’d met a woman with long dark hair and haunting hazel eyes that kept staying on my mind.”
I feel my body tremble at his words. I know I can’t allow myself to believe him. But I want to. I immediately shake my head no. “You’re lying.”
“I’ve done a lot of bad things. I’ve even planned to do much worse, but I promise you I’m not lying,” he answers, not looking away from me at all.
I cross my arms and face him, ignoring the fact that the elevator chimes and the doors slide open. I notice Blade punches the button to hold the doors open, so I just push ahead to ask a question I have no business asking. “When was the last time you slept with her?”
He gives me a positively wicked grin. “I’ve never slept with her.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not stupid, Mr. Aetos.”
He reaches behind me and his hand slaps down on my ass. I screech out before I can stop myself. “You spanked me.”
