His slow smile undid all the calming I’d done.
“No,” I said.
“What exactly are you saying no to?”
“Whatever is making you smile like that.It won’t end well for me.”
The sound of his chuckle was doing things to me.Or more specifically, my libido.
“How do you know unless you try it?”
“Smart people can see a bad idea from a mile away without trying it.Like cliff diving without a parachute.Bad ending there, too.”
“Not with me around.I’d never let you fall for long.”
That scent was teasing my senses again.
“If you can stay focused on the real reason we’re here?—”
“A date.”
“—I’ll let you drop me off at the office instead of taking a rideshare there.”
“Deal.”
I felt the weight of my mistake in his immediate answer.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
Felix sat next to me,the picture of composure.Not me.My palms were sweating, and I knew why.But I didn’t want to think about how Konni was in his private room, waiting for me to finish so he could drive me back to the office.
I glanced at my phone at the same time I heard voices outside the door.Six-fifteen right on the dot.
The door opened, and Dad paused when he saw me sitting there.His gaze immediately went to Felix.I would have introduced him, but the man in the expensively tailored suit who Dad stepped aside for caught my attention.
Without a shred of doubt, I knew I was meeting the gaze of the “elderly” Mr.Hestian.I couldn’t tell his age at a glance.He strode forward confidently, the silver-topped cane he used seemingly unnecessary.His face had a few wrinkles, and his hair was thinner, but still present.
The sharp way he watched me turned my stomach and made me grateful I’d said yes to having Felix with me.
“I apologize for being early,” I said, looking at Dad, who’d already hidden his surprise.“I didn’t know you planned another meeting before ours.If you want to pass the contract to my lawyer, he can review it quickly, and we can leave you to your meeting.”
“Why rush things?”Dad said smoothly.“We should take some time to celebrate the occasion.Mr.Hestian, this is my daughter, Sophia Elmantas.Sophia, stand up and greet Mr.Hestian.”
The latter’s gaze was as calculating as my father's as he continued to watch me expectantly.
I slowly smiled.“I have severe mysophobia, which is why I can only stay a few minutes.”
Felix stood and extended his hand, not in greeting but to receive something.“The contract, Mr.Elmantas?”
Annoyance flashed in Dad’s gaze as he glanced at me.
“It’s not here yet.I wasn’t expecting you until six-thirty.”
“Who is delivering it?”Felix asked.
“My assistant,” Dad said.
Felix looked at his watch, then at me, indicating that whether we stayed was my decision.
