Chapter 11 #2
Forty-five minutes later I’m sitting at a table in the corner of a pub, waiting . . . correction: anxiously waiting for her to arrive. The bell chimes and a gust of wind ushers her inside. Despite the brown hair that was blown over her face, I know her. My heart beats erratically in response.
She pushes her hair back and looks around. When she spies me in the corner, Virginia smiles and life feels better because of it. I stand when she comes toward me. Holy Jack Fucking Daniels.
I step forward and as soon as she reaches the table, I take her in my arms and kiss her.
Hard. With all the passion I’ve stocked up on since I last had my lips on hers.
Breathless. I want to leave her breathless and wanting more.
When our lips part, she languidly opens her eyes, and says, “I could get used to that.”
“Never settle for less, V.” I help her with her coat, but put it back on her shoulders when I see what she’s wearing. “Why are dressed like that?”
Laughing, she doesn’t seem to be taking this matter as seriously as she should. When I start zipping her up again, she moves just out of reach while swatting my hands away. “What are you doing, Hardy?”
“You forgot your suit jacket at work. And from the looks of it, your bra as well.”
“I took my bra off.” She waggles her eyebrows and pulls a hot pink lacey strap from her purse.
I push it back down just as quickly. Laughter rings out, the sound even making me smile.
She says, “What are you doing? You said when I’m around you I don’t have to wear a bra.
I think they’re uncomfortable so I took it off.
” After setting her bag on a chair, she takes her coat off again.
When she sits down, I sit down across from her. She adds, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?” I ask, my eyes darting from her delicate collarbone that I bit and licked to the neck I’d love to mar with a hickey claiming her as mine for all to see, especially that asshole at her work. Claiming her? What the fuck am I doing?
Oh, the candy. I reach into my coat pocket and pull it out. Placing it on the table in front of her, I say, “I got you something.”
“You brought me chocolate? Hardy?” she teases. “Be careful or I might fall in love with you.” Temptress. “This is so sweet of you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Want to share?”
“No, I want you to enjoy them in your bath.”
She laughs freely. “I don’t know why I sent that pic. Just being goofy.”
“You can be goofy with me anytime.”
The waitress comes to the table and we order two beers while I continue staring at her. My favorite pink, several shades lighter than this silky little top she’s wearing, colors her cheeks. “You’re making me paranoid. Do I look that bad?”
“No. You look amazing. I like this outfit on you. Shows off the goods.”
That makes her laugh. “Well the goods got no love from Lowry this week. I think I’m going to have to practice lesson one on him.”
Flirting? “No. If that outfit doesn’t get his attention, flirting won’t do jack shit.”
“I noticed one of the personal assistants was wearing those red-soled shoes. What do you think about them?”
Christian Louboutin knows what a man finds sexy and seeing those red heels draped over your shoulders or at the base of long legs .
. . “Don’t waste your money. Guys don’t care about that stuff.
” It almost pains me to lie to her this time.
Her legs with those fuck me heels on would be an incredible sight to behold.
“Oh, okay. I just thought—”
“Well don’t think about him. Like I said, he’s not worth your time.” My words are crushing, evidenced from the downfall of the corners of her mouth, but I can’t seem to back this train up. Easy and uncomplicated have definitely vanished along with my patience.
“What’s wrong, Hardy? You seem irritated.”
“I’m fine.” I drink some of my beer, insanely jealous of her efforts for this asshole lawyer. Looking her over again, was it me? Did I tell her to change the other day or is this her own doing? “What did the guys in your department think of your outfit?”
“Some didn’t say anything. A few said I looked nice. Others hightailed to the bathroom every time they saw me. I ended up reapplying deodorant twice and spraying my perfume throughout the day they had me so paranoid that I stank.”
Her innocence is revealed again and a belly laugh escapes me. “You’re not smelly. Trust me on this.” They’re totally jerking off on the job. At least my work is in a bar. These horny sad sacks can’t hold their shit together around her and they work in the Financial District.
She doesn’t even realize how the world sees her. That makes me laugh harder, not in a laughing at her kind of way but that she has no clue that these guys are vomiting the snake because she’s so hot.
Maybe I don’t need to get all caught up in jealousy just yet.
There’s still a chance with her. As long as they keep seeing her as a geeky girl who’s into numbers and dresses in boxy suits, I’m golden.
That will give me enough time to make her see that I’m more than a shallow prick with divine sex skills.
There’s a guy and a heart behind this handsome mug.
If only she’d take a good long hard look.
She’d see I’m more than the parts that make me up.
I’m a whole man who has given up his life’s creed to be with her.