Tempted by My Billionaire Boss(4)

"I know that, but why couldn't he just train all his staff like regular  bosses do? Why do his meetings have to be in restaurants and hotel  rooms? I don't like it."

"You and me both Mel, but don't worry; this will only be a one off event."

"I don't think so," said Krystal in a sing song voice sounding like a  doorbell. "Men like Mr. Bloomfield always have their way, and the fact  that you let him in, he will have his way with you before you even  realise it."

"Oh shut up Krystal," Melanie said in Selena's defence. "It doesn't have  to be more than dinner. Selena, just eat and let him talk and then get  the hell out of there. If you like I can call you about eight thirty and  you can pretend you have an emergency and leave."         

     



 

Selena laughed. "That's not such a bad idea Mel. Won't you do that? I am  not sure I can sit with Mr. Bloomfield for longer than ninety minutes  without chafing. The man is so pompous he reeks."

"Well just give me the go ahead and I got you," she grinned.

Krystal merely looked at them and shook her head. "Plan all you want; by  the end of the night she will be in his bed. Only way to avoid that is  to not go at all."

"Are you saying I have no self control?" Selena asked Krystal almost accusatorily.

"No, that's not what I'm saying. I am saying you will use all that you  have to affront him, but he will win you over. I know these things  Selena. How many times have you dated a rich man or any man at all? The  game is always the same; the only way to win is to initiate the game or  not play at all."

"Still, she doesn't have to fall for anything. She will be alright," Melanie defended again.

"Whichever way this goes, I only hope I learn about real estate in the process. I have no intentions to sleep with him."

"That's what you think," Krystal whispered and then wandered off to the bathroom.

"Don't pay her any mind Selena. So, what are you wearing? You don't want  to seem like a stiff, but you don't want to do black and sexy either."

"I've been wondering the same thing all day." Selena got up then and  went to the bedroom. Melanie followed closely behind. There were all  sorts of clothes to choose from and finally they settled on an off white  dress that fell just below her knees. It had a turtle neck fold at the  top that fell just at her shoulders to reveal her long graceful neck. A  silver chain with a pearl teardrop pendant with matching earrings was to  be her accessories, complemented by silver clutch and stilettos to  match.

Krystal whistled when she saw what was to be her attire for the night,  and when Selena was ready, she looked even more stunning. Her hair was  gathered to one side of her head and a silver hair pin was fastened just  behind her left ear. The rest of her hair was swept to the right, but  she was a real undeniable beauty.

"You look lovely," Melanie said when she twirled for them.

"Absolutely. If you weren't my friend I'd make a pass at you," Krystal giggled.

"Krystal you are incorrigible," Selena said as she laughed.

Just then they heard a honk outside. All three bustled to the window  where they saw the black 2014 Volvo parked alongside the curb. "There he  is," Krystal said. "Game on."

Melanie punched her in the shoulder and it was much appreciated by  Selena. They wished her good luck as she opened the door and walked out  to meet Ethan Bloomfield. He was every bit as handsome now as he was in  the office, but possibly more so as she saw him there in his black  pants, sky blue shirt rolled up half way to his elbows and a few buttons  undone to reveal his curly black hair on his chest. It was hard for her  not to notice these things and she tugged her eyes away before  Krystal's predictions could prove true. She glanced back at the window  and saw them both standing there, waving her off. She gave them a small  wave and then looked straight ahead.

Ethan hadn't moved off as yet so she turned to look at him. "What's the matter? We are going to be late."

"It's just," he began and shifted his position so his entire body was  facing her, "I thought you were beautiful before, how you looked at the  office. But now, you are even more stunning. You look incredible," he  told her.

Selena blushed when he spoke and mumbled a thank you, but Ethan still sat there staring. "Can we go now?" she asked.

"Oh yes, sure," he said as he shook his head and turned the key in the  ignition. Several times along the way she caught him staring at her, and  she imagined that was the same reaction he had to all his other dates.  There was no need to take any of this personal; she would do what she  needed to do and go home. if she ever needed an escape she could always  steal away to the bathroom and call Melanie to create an emergency for  her.

They got to the Marea in time for their reservation. "How do you feel about Italian food?"

"Oh I love it," she exclaimed.

He escorted her inside and she was blown away by the decor and the  aroma. She knew why she had come here, but suddenly she was unsure of  what would happen. She would resist Ethan Bloomfield tooth and nail, but  she kept hearing Krystal's voice in her head, and deep down she  couldn't deny the possibility of more.





Chapter 4


It was hard to keep her eyes away from Ethan; the man was striking, and  now that he wasn't in the office he didn't seem all that commandeering.  Right now he seemed like a perfectly normal man she had gone on a date  with. She saw the other women staring at him, even the ones who had  dates, and she couldn't help smiling that he was there with her and not  any of them.         

     



 

"Would you like anything to drink while you pore over the menu?" the  waitress asked Ethan. She didn't once take her eyes off of him, but he  didn't flirt with her either. Strange.

"Yes, I would like a glass of wine to whet my appetite," he told her. "Would you like anything Selena?"

"White wine, thanks," she told her.

"The best in the house," Ethan added to Selena's general comment.

The woman nodded and went about procuring the order while the two  browsed the menu. "I am a sucker for pasta and sauce," Selena added  without scanning the entire menu.

"Likewise," he told her. When they waitress returned they ordered the Summery Fettuccine Alfredo and oven roasted porchetta.

"Would you like anything for dessert?" she asked.

"Yes, please," Selena said. "I would like to have the cassata."

"Lemon Biscotti for me," Ethan told the girl. Once more she nodded and walked off to fill the order.

Now all that was left was the void to fill while they waited for the  food to arrive. Selena wasn't sure what to say in the interim, and  perhaps Ethan saw that so he took the initiative.

"Are you afraid to look at me?" he asked her.

"Why do you ask?" she said even while she avoided his gaze. She kept  staring all around the restaurant and it was obvious she was  uncomfortable.

He boldly stretched across the table and used his index finger to tilt her head to face him. "Because you aren't looking at me."

Selena shifted in her chair and she was astonished that her body had  reacted to a simple touch from him. She tried to change the subject so  that the feeling would dissipate. "So, what is this great secret that  you want to share with me about real estate?"

Ethan chuckled before answering. "A bit hasty are we? Let's save that  discussion ‘til later. Right now I want to know the woman who is seated  across from me."

Selena blushed. "What is it you want to know?" She wasn't sure she was  prepared to answer anything he might ask, but under the circumstances,  what else was she to say?

"Why do you avoid me so much at the office?"

"I do not," she said almost instantly.

"You stay as far from me as possible, even when I try to talk to you."

"Are you aware of how people look at you? You walk by and everyone turns stupid and Megan..."

"What about Megan?" he asked as if he really didn't know.

"She is already getting jealous that you have been talking to me more lately."

"Megan isn't and shouldn't be anyone's concern."

"And how about the many women who pass through the office every day to see you? They are no concern either?"

Ethan laughed. "My, by the way you are talking one would think you are  really concerned. I didn't think anyone would notice all of that,  especially you."

"How could one not notice? You parade them through the office all the time like nobody's business."

Ethan was silent for once. The waitress came then with the orders and  the food looked as good as it smelled. Selena wasted no time in digging  in, nor did Ethan. They both loved Italian food and there was complete  silence as they ate. Selena took longer than usual to eat, hoping to  delay whatever might be going on in Ethan's mind. Several times when her  eyes rose above the wine glass, she caught him looking at her, and she  turned her attention once more to the food.