“I hope so, because I loved being with you. You’re an interesting woman who I’d like to get to know better. Do you think you can pencil me in before I leave on Friday?”
“I don’t think so. I’m going to be crazy busy with the launch and all my other work. Let’s hook up after you get back next week.”
He slipped my hand into his as we walked out of the restaurant. When we arrived at my car, he grabbed my shoulders and leaned me against it. “I really like you, Cierra.” He bent his head at the same time he placed two fingers under my chin and lifted it. When he came in for the kiss, I turned my face and his mouth landed next to mine. An exasperated sigh blew through his lips.
“I’m sorry. I guess I’m just not ready,” I said as my stomach churned.
“For a kiss? That’s all I want.”
I couldn’t. All I could think about was Trace and the way his kisses electrified me. It was absurd, because Cory wanted something more with me and Trace wanted an office fling, but it was Trace who made my heart race, my blood pump, and my stomach flutter. He was the one I dreamed and fantasized about. He was the one I craved. I wished I could’ve felt that way about Cory; it would’ve been a lot easier. But I didn’t.
“You don’t like me?” he asked, slicing through my musings.
“I do. I just want to take it real slow. I have so much going on right now, and I want to keep seeing you, but I need to go slow. I get it if you don’t want that and don’t want to see me anymore.”
He stared at me for a few seconds that felt like an hour, and then he smiled. “I’m good with that. You know, waiting can be an aphrodisiac.”
Again, Trace invaded my thoughts.That’s for damn sure.“Have a good trip. I hope everything goes the way you want it to.”
I looked in the mirror and saw Cory standing there watching me until I turned and lost sight of him.
For the nextfew days, I didn’t see Trace at all. The whole agency was a flurry of activity with the launch coming up, and six new clients signed, all thanks to our new CEO. He really was doing a fabulous job, and I was so damn proud of him that it took all my strength not to go to his office and tell him. It was better if we stayed apart as much as possible. Whenever we were around one another, something strong pulled us together like a magnet. I couldn’t let myself be his office break.
“Ready for Saturday?” Sofie asked as she walked into my office.
“Pretty much. I just can’t wait for it to come and be over with. I’ve been living and breathing Vibra for too long. Is Colin coming?”
Her curls flew around her face as she nodded. “He’s so excited. He said it’s his first ritzy party since he’s been in America. He’s so cute.” She giggled.
“He’s turning out to be a real good guy. I’m happy for you.”
“Did you ask Cory?”
“Yeah, but he left this morning on a business trip.”
“That’s too bad.”
I shrugged. “It’s okay. And I’ll be so busy with the event that if he were there, I’d feel guilty about neglecting him, so it works out. We’ll connect when he gets back next week.”
“So things are going well?”
“I guess. I think I’m just not ready for a relationship right now.”
Sofie shook her head. “If Cory was the right one, you’d be ready.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Are you ladies talking business or gossiping about our CEO? It seems like all the women around here are hung up on him,” Paul said as he entered my office.
“We’re talking about the launch,” Sofie replied.
“And why are you dissing Mr. Prescott? He’s turning out to be a strong and fair boss,” I said. Why did I feel the need to constantly protect Trace whenever anyone said something negative?
“It just seems like he’s riding on the coattails of his grandfather. I’d be doing great too if I had all my connections because of who I was.”
I clenched my fists and rose up in the chair. “Mr. Prescott has found new clients on his own. Mr. Linder didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“And how do you know? Are you privy to everything he does?” Paul shot back.
