Vanilla On Top(45)
Surprise widens his eyes. “Seriously? But you were so nice to him.”
“Being polite in public does not equate to being nice. Would you rather I called him an asshole for dumping me and made a scene?”
“He dumped you?” Tony reaches across the table for my hand again, drawing it into his and teasing my palm in slow circles with his thumb. “Idiot didn’t know what he had right in front of him.”
I smile. “Good thing I do.”
A smoldering look darkens his caramel depths and he leans forward, raising my hand to his mouth. He moves to kiss the tips of my fingers, but instead, slips his mouth over my index finger. Warm suction surrounds the digit up to the first knuckle and the tip of his tongue teases the end.
A zing of energy travels up my arm and shoots to my crotch. A shudder runs through me as he draws away his clever mouth. “You seem like a smart woman to me.”
The rest of our dinner proceeds without a hitch. Tony feeds me delicacies from his plate and begs some from mine as well. I’ve never been in a situation where the outside fades into the background and the only thing in the moment is you and the man you’re with. But tonight, that’s exactly what happens.
It’s as if Tony is deliberately setting out to seduce me—making sexual innuendos and flirting non-stop. My skirt has been sticking to my privates all night and I feel like a gush of moisture has collected between my folds. Squirming in my seat seems to emphasize my growing desire rather than diminish it.
Even after our explosive encounter in his office, I want him again. Excusing myself before the dessert arrives, I make my way to the ladies room, located in the middle of the large restaurant, off to one side.
Anticipation for what could come after dinner snaps all my senses to high alert. This euphoric rush is entirely new. Have I felt this giddy with men before or is this one different?
Nope. Tony is definitely unique.
I wash up and apply lipstick. Giving my head a playful shake, I fluff my curls and leave to join my date. Tony mentioned going to his place tonight, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I’ve got that early morning meeting tomorrow with Mr. Sayers.
I walk through the restaurant and falter when I see three men trailing the hostess, walking right toward the section I’m seated with Tony. As if my thoughts of work have conjured him, Mr. Sayers along with two other men who came to the meeting today take a table ten feet behind Tony.
Holy crap. There is no way I can return and sneak out unseen with Tony. I turn around, changing course for the front door before I’m spotted. If they see me with someone from Apollo, I’m sure they’ll think the worst. Like I’m sleeping with the enemy and giving him corporate secrets.
Oh God! That’s partly true—I am sleeping with Tony. Tears sting my eyes as I storm through the foyer while digging in my purse for my phone. I wonder if they’d fire me right on the spot or make a big scene?
How could I not have thought of this before we went out in public? The timing couldn’t be worse. All I’ve worked for the past years, thrown away for a roll in the hay.
Outside, I rush two doors down and stand in the light of a closed shop. Finding my phone, I scroll through the numbers to find Tony’s. I hit dial, adrenaline making my hands shake. I’ve got to tell him why I’m not coming back from the bathroom. If I don’t, he’ll think I’m running.
Do I really do that? Did I run two years ago when I thought Rick was two-timing me on the dance floor but maybe he really wasn’t? Could he have just been dancing with her and when I ran out he thought I left him?
Tony’s phone continues to ring, unanswered, and dread fills me. Oh God, what if he left his phone at the office? What the hell am I going to do?
Chapter Twelve
Tony
Our cheesecake arrived two minutes ago and Heather still isn’t back from the bathroom. I hope something she ate didn’t make her sick. Worry crinkles my brow as I glance at my watch for the third time. I’ll feel awful if it was one of the items from my plate.
The sound of a throat clearing draws my attention to Leo, our waiter. “Mr. Carmine, you have a phone call at the hostess desk.”
“Really?” I pat my pockets, belatedly realizing my phone is missing. When was the last time I left it behind? Must be years. Then again, it felt good to not be interrupted during dinner for a change.
Leo nods, motioning for me to follow. I glance toward the bathroom again and rise to follow the server. It’d better not be Marcus, he knows I love this place. I’ll have to punch the prick good if it is. Needs to mind his own damn business.
Lost in my own ruminations, I’m almost past the three executives from Parkerson before I recognize them. They’re in a heated discussion and don’t notice me, so I continue toward the front of the establishment, grateful I don’t have to make small talk.