Chapter 43
43
William
“Brooklyn?” Draven walks toward me just minutes after Opal exits the bar. “What the hell was that about?”
I consider my contractor a friend, so I lay it all out there for him, “I took her to the Brooklyn apartment last night because I don’t take women home with me.”
“I don’t take women home with me either,” he shares with a chuckle. “My reasoning behind that is pretty clear. What’s your excuse?”
Since I don’t have a daughter I’m protecting, I shrug. “I don’t see beyond one night in most cases, so it’s worked for me in that regard.”
“Until now?” he questions with his left brow cocked. “You said you don’t see beyond one-night hookups in most cases. Is this case different?”
I glance at the floor but come up empty with an answer, so all he gets in return is silence.
“You’re sacrificing a good night’s sleep to tread through an inch of water with me.” He points at my shoes. “You’re going to need a new pair of those.”
I look down at my shoes. “Maybe, but it’s worth it.”
“Because she’s worth it?”
Nodding, I meet his gaze with mine. “There’s something about her, Draven. I can’t explain it, but fuck , I like her a lot.”
“I can tell.” He chuckles. “Do you like her enough to tell her you live in Tribeca in a penthouse that just underwent a stellar renovation?”
I can’t hold in a laugh. “Says the contractor responsible for that renovation, which, by the way, isn’t complete just yet.”
“It will be within the week,” he informs me, crossing his arms over his chest. “Give me a few more days, and it will be Opal worthy.”
My jaw tightens in response. I can’t blame that frustration on Draven or what he just said. This is all self-directed. “I don’t know if I’m Opal worthy.”
“Tell her the truth, and you’ve got a good shot of being worthy,” he suggests. “I’m no expert on women, but I do know that the truth goes a long way with them.”
I value his opinion more than most men because he’s loved and lost. Draven’s wife passed away a few years ago, so he’s been a single dad since. We don’t talk about women often, but from the bits and pieces he has let slip, he’s held the same view of relationships as I have. One night of fun doesn’t have to lead to a lifelong connection.
Until it does.
Opal is different. She’s fucking magnificent, and I want her.
The problem is, I don’t know if she wants me. Judging by what happened earlier at the bistro, I’m inclined to think no , but there’s always tomorrow, and at nine a.m. sharp, I’ll shoot my shot to get more time with the woman who has invaded my thoughts since I first met her.
* * *
The morning sun is shining down on me as I approach Turquoise Crown. I spot a vision coming toward me in the opposite direction. I don’t know how it’s possible, but Opal is more beautiful every time I see her.
I’m not the only one who appreciates how stunning she is.
The guy walking behind her can’t tear his gaze away from Opal’s ass. I can’t fault him for that. I’ve seen her perfect pear-shaped ass in a pair of jeans, and it is always a pleasure, and by that, I mean my cock always reacts. The guy currently staring at her ass is this close to rubbing his hand over the front of his baggy slacks. Grazing your dick in public, even if it’s through some cheap material, is never okay.
“Hey, sir!” I yell in his direction. “Watch where you’re going!”
By some miracle, he realizes I’m talking to him because his head snaps up just as he’s about to crash into a kid on a skateboard haphazardly darting around him. The crotch-grabbing guy shoots me a look that is all ‘ go to fucking hell ’, but all he gets back from me in response is a grin.
Once he veers off to duck into a store, I glance at Opal again.
She’s got her hair pinned up in a messy bun. She’s paired the jeans with a tight red T-shirt and black boots with heels. She exudes effortless sexiness in a way I’ve never witnessed before.
Her lips glide into a soft smile when she spots what I’m holding. I swear her steps quicken as she nears me. I’m all in for that, so I take a few steps in her direction to meet her halfway.
“William.” My name comes out of her in a tone that’s barely more than a whisper. “You didn’t have to do that. You’ve done enough.”
I almost bark out a laugh because she’s as wrong as wrong can be. If I spend every day for the rest of my life doing things that put a smile on her face, it still will never be enough.
“I noticed a few roses were missing from the vase last night,” I say. “I thought the remaining ones needed some company.”
Her gaze shifts from my face to the dozen white roses I picked up on my way here. I did that before I went to the coffee shop to grab her an orange tea, so Chelsie had a host of questions that I expertly diverted.
“I gave Posey and Malvie some,” she confesses, her hand jumping to tap her chin. “They thought they were so beautiful, and…”
“And you’re incredibly generous,” I interrupt to offer an explanation that saves her from telling me she gave away the flowers I bought her.
I love that she did. I love knowing she wanted to put a smile on the faces of two women who are important to her.
“Let’s get these inside,” I suggest. “You can see what a great job Draven and his crew did last night.”
“You helped.” She stops me from moving by gently resting her hand on my forearm. “How late did you end up staying?”
If I tell her I was here until six a.m. before I went home to shower and eat breakfast, that won’t keep the lingering smile on her face, so I avoid the question by shifting the subject from me to her. “Did you eat breakfast yet? I can order something in for you.”
Her smile widens. “I ate, but thank you.”
I feel instantly bereft when her hand drops from my arm. Her gaze wanders to her bar before she darts around me to head straight for the door.