“What do you want then? Money?”
Her mouth falls open and her honey colored irises flare. With straight shoulders she leans forward. “How dare you,” she utters, her voice low and threatening. “I don’t want your money.”
Jesus, can this woman be any more confusing? She’s practically an open book and yet I lack the experience to read her.
“Then what do you want?”
Her shoulders relax, her eyes soften, and her playful smile returns. “Two lunches.”
I nod. “Done.”
“Oh, I’m not finished. Two lunches, two dinners and one orgasm.”
Instantly, I feel my cheeks heat up and I hate it. Unashamedly, I snort and shake my head. “No.”
“What’s wrong? Not feeling up to the task? It wouldn’t be the first time.”
I glance around a practically empty bar. I can’t believe I’m having this conversation right now. Of course she’d want to make this as complicated as she can, but I’m not about to jump back into the water with her. No way. My inability to keep it in my pants last night is the thing that started this whole predicament, and I’m a man who learns from his mistakes.
“Two lunches and two dinners. That’s all I’m offering.”
Alix inches closer and the hints of her perfume begin to wash over me—vanilla and fig—if I’m not mistaken. “You got yours, now I want mine. Two lunches, two dinners and one orgasm; or nothing at all.”
She can’t be serious? I eye her closely. This is her ultimatum. If I walk away, who knows what can of worms it’ll open up? And if I accept, I’ll have the same problem.
“I think it’s unwise for us to have sex again.”
“Who said we have to have sex?” She arches an eyebrow at me. “Believe it or not, Mr. Sophisticated Caveman, missionary isn’t the be all and end all of intimacy.”
“Fine,” I hiss, completely offended by her remarks. Despite my reservations, I reach into my jacket and pull out one of my business cards. Underneath the logo and title, it has my name and private line. I hold it out to her. “There’s my number. Don’t text me, but call tomorrow, only to confirm a time for lunch.”
She opens her mouth and I assume it’s to say something snarky and completely out of line. Before she gets the chance, I step around her and march right out of the bar area. Unable to stop my legs, I storm through the lounge and into the elevator. Once inside, I hit the button and slump against the wall. God! What did I just do? That woman is the most obnoxious person I have ever met. Some people say they’re born without a filter, but I think she ripped her own out for fun and games. I can’t stand her, and I’m sure as hell she can’t stand me either. I have no idea how we’re going to pull this off without one of us losing something… or everything.
I can only hope it goes quickly and it all goes back to normal once it’s over.
Chapter Four
Alix
My sneakers scuff over the concrete as I juggle bags in my hands. I shouldn’t have gone shopping, but it was the only thing I could think of to ease the tension in my tummy. When I woke up this morning and trudged to the kitchen to feed Four, it hit me. I’m forcing my boss into a situation that I’m certain he’s not comfortable with. Is that illegal? Probably. I just want an adventure, dammit, like the women in my books—with the exception of Juliette Portland. She can keep her adventure, and Dornan Ross, to her damn self.
I extended Jesse’s lunch offer to two (plus two dinners), so I can take my time and understand him more. Maybe he’s the kind of guy who needs an existing connection in order to perform better. If I’m only getting one last go at this, I want it to be worth the effort, and if I want him to be on the same par as me, I want him to understand me, too. I want him to know what I like and don’t like; and I guess I want him to see that I’m not crazy or obsessed with sex… or maybe I am crazy, but I’m just trying to find a decent reason to hide it behind.
On a different note, it wouldn’t hurt Jesse to open his mind a little. Who knows, I might be able to teach him a few things about women I’m sure his future wife will appreciate.
“Oh my gosh! The pink ones are really cute.” A girl exclaims to her friend as she pushes in front of me, pulling me from my thoughts.
I clench my jaw and slow my steps so that I don’t stand on the back of their freakishly tall heels. Almost in unison, they flick their platinum blonde locks over their shoulder and lower their sunglasses to their face. Immediately, they fall into conversation about sushi and frozen yogurt and I lose interest. My stare falls onto the pink bags in their hands… Victoria’s Secret. I halt in my steps. I’ve never shopped at VS before. I’ve thought about it, but have never gone through with it. If I’m going to be seeing Jesse, albeit briefly, I should have nice underwear… or panties that match my bra at least.