Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Olivia
How in the hell did I end up alone with Alexander and why are my palms so sweaty?
I grip the paper napkin in my fist even tighter.
I’m a bundle of nerves for some reason.
Usually, I’m fine around men. There have been times in the past when I’ve put my foot in my mouth, or I’ve spilled food on my dress, but tonight I kept it together on the outside, even though I feel like I’m riding a rollercoaster on the inside.
Alexander Donato smells incredible.
If I could spray that cologne on my pillow each night, I’d fall asleep with a smile on my face.
Maybe it’s not cologne; maybe he smells this good on his own.
His hands fall to his jean covered thighs.
“Olivia,” he says my name and I feel like I just dropped into a curve on the rollercoaster.
My heartbeat speeds. My breathing stalls.
“Yes?”
“Can I buy you a drink? Perhaps a brandy?”
I glance at his face. It’s gorgeous. His jaw is covered in late day stubble and he’s rocking that bad boy, messy hair look.
The dark sweater he’s wearing only adds to the allure.
Why do the arrogant ones always have to be this hot?
“I need to get home.” I pick up my phone.
“Why?”
“Why?” I repeat back as I tap a finger on my phone’s screen. “I live there, so that’s where I go at the end of the day.”
He laughs. It’s not a muted chuckle. It’s full-on throwing-his-head-back-laughter.
I look back to my phone as the laughter fades.
“Kate said she wouldn’t be meeting you there for an hour,” he points out. “You have time for a drink.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I should go.” I shake my phone in the air in exasperation. “Dammit.”
“What’s wrong?” He leans closer to me.
“The battery must have died. I forgot to charge it earlier.” I push back from the table, suddenly feeling as though there’s not enough air in the room. “I need to get an Uber.”
He’s on his feet before I am, his hand resting on the back of my chair. “I’ll call the car service I use. They’ll send a driver right over for us.”
“Us?” I parrot back, blowing out a deep breath. I reach for my bag and toss my useless phone inside. “I can get home on my own. I’ll flag down a cab outside.”
I start toward the door, aware that’s he’s on my heel.
“Olivia, wait,” he calls as my hand hits handle of the door. “You forgot your coat.”
Of course I did. I’m flustered from seeing him tonight and his suggestion to share a ride.
I don’t know if the man thinks I’ll invite him up to my apartment. He knows that I’m expecting Kate soon so unless he fucks fast, he’s not trying to get into my panties.
He strikes me as the kind of man that takes his time in bed.
Jesus, Olivia, get a grip.
I turn and take the coat when he shoves it into my hands. “Thank you.”
“Let me get a cab for you.” When he reaches to open the pub’s door, his arm brushes the side of my breast.
We both look down. I almost groan aloud at the sight of my pebbled nipples under my blouse. I should make up an excuse about catching a draft from the doorway, but ignoring the fact that I’m feeling a rush of desire is the route I’m going to take.
I stay silent.
He clears his throat. “Let me help you with that.”
“With what?” My voice is high-pitched. I raise my coat until it’s covering my blouse.
“This.” He tugs the coat from my grasp and holds it out, waiting for me to slip into it.
I tie the belt before I look up and into his face. He’s studying me carefully. I run my finger along my bottom lip, hoping that a piece of food isn’t lingering there.
His eyes follow the path of my finger.
I drop my hand immediately and glance out the door. “I’ll get that cab now.”
“Allow me,” he says in that sexy baritone voice.
I don’t argue because there’s no point. He’s already holding the door open, waiting for me to walk through.
I do.
The cool evening air hits me. I tug the collar of my coat up my neck to ward off the chill from the light wind.
He approaches the street, taking one large step off the curb.
That act alone earns him bravery points in my book. Only a born and raised New Yorker would risk life and limb to get that close to the approaching traffic.
His gaze darts from the cars stopped at the light down the street to where I’m standing a few feet away, safely on the sidewalk.
“You’re headed uptown?” he calls to me.
I nod and jerk a thumb in that direction.
He opens his mouth as if he’s about to ask another question but his attention is pulled back to the traffic as the light turns green and an onslaught of vehicles approach.
He takes another measured step toward the traffic, his arm flying into the air.
A taxi slows as it approaches. Alexander turns to me with a broad smile on his face. “Your chariot awaits.”
I can’t hold back a small grin as I move toward him. He’s already opened the back door of the car for me.
I stop before I slide in. “Thank you again.”
“It’s my pleasure. When you’re not in a rush, you’ll share a drink with me.”
“Maybe.” My gaze stays locked on his face.
“You will.” He flashes me a cocky grin.
I want to wipe that arrogant smirk off his mouth…with my lips.
“You in or out?” A thick Brooklyn accent asks.
I pop my head into the cab. “I’m in.”
“Where are we headed?” The driver asks.
“Broadway and Eighty-first,” I reply instantly.
“Get home safely, Olivia.” Alexander takes a step back as I move to get into the car.
I look into his blue eyes. They’re the color of the ocean or the sky on a clear summer day. They’re as beautiful as the rest of him.
I chase away my sudden infatuation with his eyes with a heavy intake of breath. “You too, Alexander.”
Once I’m in the cab, he closes the door and taps the roof.
The driver effortlessly steers the car into the traffic as I resist the urge to turn back to see if Alexander is watching me drive away.