Once Upon A Time(39)

IT HAD BEEN A WEEK since the altercation at Alpha with Gabriel. I hadn't heard from him since I pretty much stripped him of his pride and ego. My thoughts drifted to him more often than I’d have liked while working on his account, thoughts of the night at Omega and how naive I was for sleeping with a man without knowing his name. Kate was very much down my throat, watching me constantly and demanding details on the account. If it wasn’t emails, it was calls and texts, and she was really starting to drive me nuts. If I hadn't needed her help with some of the things I had no experience on, I’d have probably told her to back off… well, at least in my own head anyway.

Throughout the week, Kylie had been in and out of my office more than usual, questioning me daily and asking whether he’d called. The answer was always the same and the defeated look on her face never changed; I’d tell her, over and over, why would he call me after what happened, unless absolutely necessary? The only contact I’d had with him was via his secretary, who supplied me with everything I needed to further the account and work on the grand opening for Alpha.

I wasn't delusional: there was clearly something between us. Sexual tension, the need to take a bite from the forbidden fruit – call it what you like but I knew I couldn't do anything about it.

The sound of my cell chiming pulled me out of my thoughts. Sliding my finger across my screen, I noticed a text message from a number I didn't recognize.



UNKNOWN: Truce?

I frowned.

ME: Who is this?

UNKNOWN: You usually call me Mr. Black when you’re angry.



I paused, shocked he’d finally gotten in contact with me. I presumed I’d be carrying on contacting him via his secretary like I had the past week. Then Then something occurred to me, how in the hell he’d gotten my cell number.



ME: How did you get this number, Mr. Black?

GABRIEL: Your unique friend with the black belt. Have I been a bad boy? You’re calling me Mr. Black again.

ME: I’m going to kill her and I’m not even going to dignify that with an answer. Was there something in particular you wanted?

GABRIEL: You. I want to take you to dinner.

ME: Why would I say yes?

GABRIEL: My dashing good looks and indisputable charm.



Rolling my eyes, I placed my phone on my desk and got back to the mountain of paperwork I’d been neglecting since Gabriel barged through my life. As I opened my cluttered inbox, my phone chimed once more.



GABRIEL: Clearly my looks and good charm aren't helping here.

ME: Clearly.

GABRIEL: I want to apologize by taking you to dinner. I’m not comfortable with the way we left things. If we’re going to work together, we should be able to stand to be in the same room as each other. And just so you’re aware, I never apologize.

He had a point. I didn't want to risk doing anything else that would cause me to lose my job.

ME: Okay. But this is a business dinner and nothing else.

GABRIEL: It’s a date.

ME: Don’t make me change my mind.

GABRIEL: Relax, it’s a figure of speech. Are you free tonight? I have reservations at Illusion for 7pm



I leaned back in my seat. Illusion was a high-end restaurant in downtown Manhattan, renowned for having the best steak in New York, not to mention the celebrities who frequented it.

I told Gabriel this was a business dinner, which meant we’d split the bill. I knew just a single glass of wine there cost more than a month’s rent on my apartment. I couldn't afford it.



ME: Not all of us are millionaires.

GABRIEL: Be ready for 6:30

ME: Gabriel…

GABRIEL: Payton…

ME: You’re infuriating.

GABRIEL: One of my many talents, Miss Miller.

ME: I’d love to slap you right now.

GABRIEL: I'll take it if it means getting your hands on me.

ME: Pervert.

GABRIEL: Tease.

ME: I think you're trouble.

GABRIEL: I think you might be right.



I was pacing my apartment come 6pm. Kylie and Quinn were both looking at me like I’d lost my damn mind as I started to wear out my carpet. In truth, they were probably right. I think I left it back at Omega a couple weeks ago when Gabriel screwed it out of me. I was sure of it.

“Why are you so nervous? It’s just a business dinner, right?” Quinn piped up from my sofa as he stuffed his face with popcorn.

I hadn't told either of them the full extent of what happened at Alpha, glossing over the details they didn't need to know. Of course, since then I hadn’t been able to get him off my mind. It was exhausting.

“Of course it’s just a business meeting, what else would it be?” I blurted out, stopping mid-step and glaring at Quinn.

“Okay, okay. Christ, PMS much?” He snickered, throwing a handful of popcorn at me. I continued to glare, which only made him laugh harder.