21. "Overly friendly, lame and underdressed."
Later that night, after a long cold shower to calm the heat in my body after Aurelia set it on fire, I sat at a restaurant, having dinner with a client. It helped refocus my attention and energy towards something that was more significant that bodily desire and simmering sexual tension.
After about an hour, we ended the conversation on a positive note, shook hands and stood up to leave. I let him walk away first before adjusting my suit jacket and heading into the restaurant's front lounge
The place was dimly lit and upscale. Exactly the kind of environment I was inclined to. And since I'd just had a very fruitful conversation about a project I cared immensely about, I was in a good mood.
Until I saw her.
Aurelia.
Sitting at a table in the corner... with a guy.
I felt my body go cold, before anger pumped through my veins. She had told me she was going to bed, and now here she was. Having dinner with some guy. Laughing at whatever the hell he was telling her like he was the funniest guy alive.
I could feel my blood boil as she casually touched his forearm as they chatted and laughed like long lost friends.
I wondered if she were on a date.
She had her hair down, that glossy curtain of waves falling over her shoulders. She wore a short black dress that clung to her legs crossed so casually under the table. Her smile was wide and genuine. Her eyes sparkled under the soft lights. Carefree. At ease.
She was comfortable with this guy. No teasing. No fake, exaggerated smiles. No arguing. No insults. No getting on his nerves.
At least the way he sat so relaxed made it obvious she made him as happy as he made her.
Fucking hell.
Who the hell was he?
Tall. Good looking. Confident. He leaned in when he spoke to her. Smiled too much. She didn't seem to mind.
I didn't recognize the feeling at first. It sat low in my chest, burning hotter with every passing second.
I told myself it was just surprise.
Who was I fooling? Myself?
It was clearly jealousy. And I hated it.
My feet moved before I could think better. Straight toward their table.
Her laughter cut off when she saw me.
"Zayden." She uttered in surprise, blinking like I was the last person she expected to see.
"Small world," I said coldly, my eyes flicking to the guy across from her. I gave him a once-over. "Friend of yours?"
He stood up, polite smile on his face as he extended his hand. "Yeah. I'm Blake. Aurelia and I went to university together. I'm just in the city for a day."
I shook his hand. Firm. Too firm. "Zayden Ashford."
His smile didn't waver. "Ah, the new CEO of A&S corporation! Pleasure to meet you."
"That's me." I replied flatly, glancing at Aurelia.
She stared back at me, her chin resting on the palm of her hand.
"How do you two know each other?" He asked curiously.
"Our dads are friends." Aurelia replied before I could come forth with another cold response.
"Oh right! He was the previous co-owner of A&S."
"Yes." I replied curtly. "Anyway, how nice of you to stop by. I'm sure you've got a long trip back."
He raised a brow at the hint. "Flight's tomorrow."
Of course it is.
Aurelia cleared her throat. "I'll see you back at home, Zayden. Do you mind leaving us alone?"
I almost glared at her. "Yes, I mind," I snapped, before forcing a smile. "Dad would be upset if I didn't drive you home myself."
"I'll bring her home, don't worry." Blake replied, taking his seat.
I glanced at the empty seat next to Aurelia before sitting in it. They both looked taken aback by my move.
"Like I said, my dad would be upset if I didn't bring her home," I drawled, turning to give Aurelia a fake smile. "Right, Aurelia?"
Her lips lifted up into an equally fake smile. "Absolutely, Zayden. You're always such a gentleman."
"I suppose you could grab dessert with us since we're done with dinner." Blake suggested.
I nodded. "Sure."
The waiter came over and asked if I wanted anything. I ordered a black coffee, even though I didn't really want it. I just needed something to keep my hands busy, because clenching them into fists wasn't exactly subtle.
Blake ordered a slice of tiramisu. Aurelia went for the chocolate lava cake. Typical.
I watched her as she chatted with him again, the curve of her smile soft, her voice light and teasing. She only got like that when she was comfortable. And the fact that she was this at ease with him? It made me want to flip the damn table.
Maybe I should flip it...
"Remember that one professor who used to fall asleep during presentations?" Blake chuckled.
"Oh my God, yes," Aurelia laughed, eyes lighting up. "We literally swapped topics mid-presentation once, and he didn't notice. Blake and I always used to be presentation partners."
I rolled my eyes and took a sip of my coffee, the bitter taste nothing compared to the bitter feeling in my chest. "Riveting stories." I remarked sarcastically.
Aurelia's eyes flicked to me. "Oh, I'm sorry, Zayden. Should we switch to spreadsheets and profit reports to keep you entertained?"
"Now that is a good idea." I said firmly.
She snorted before completely ignoring me and laughing with Blake like he was the only person in the room.
The desserts arrived shortly after. The chocolate cake in front of her was molten and glossy, topped with ice cream. She dipped her spoon in slowly, then took a bite, eyes fluttering shut like it was the best thing she'd tasted in years.
My dick stirred in my pants.
Only I could feel so enticed by her simply having dessert.
I had turned into a fool.
I stiffened as she turned to Blake.
"You have to try this!"
Before I could even process what was happening, she held the spoon out and fed him. The sight of it made my blood pressure spike. Blake leaned in without hesitation, took the bite, and gave her an exaggerated groan.
"God, that's good."
"Right?" She grinned, ecstatic.
I clenched my jaw so tightly I thought it might crack.
"You want a bite, Zayden?" She asked innocently, turning that syrup-sweet smile on me.
"I'm good," I said coolly, holding her gaze. "I don't take leftovers."
Her smile didn't falter, but I saw the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth. She was enjoying this. Poking the bear. Seeing how far she could push me.
Fine.
Two could play.
I shifted slightly in my chair and let my leg brush against hers beneath the table. Lightly at first. Testing. She didn't move.
I did it again. This time, slower. Purposeful.
If she wanted to play games, I'd give her something to play.
Her words faltered for a half-second, just a stutter in her breath as she glanced down briefly.
Blake didn't notice.
I smirked, sipping my coffee again, pretending nothing had happened as I let my fingertips rest on the edge of her chair under the table—close, not quite touching.
A slow burn built between us, invisible and heavy, threading through every glance and breath.
Her knee shifted toward mine.
Her body seemed to react, pulling towards me.
I sat back, one arm draped along the back of her chair as I leaned toward her, my mouth near her ear. "You okay?"
She smiled without looking at me, giving me a gentle kick under the table. "Are you jealous? You seem provoked." She murmured discretely.
"Oh, you've got no idea what I'm capable of when I'm provoked." I whispered back menacingly.
Her thigh pressed lightly against mine under the table. I didn't move. Didn't shift away. Neither did she.
And then her hand dropped into her lap and brushed against my leg.
I didn't flinch. Just slid my hand behind her chair and let my fingers graze the bare skin at the back of her neck. She went still, her breath hitching almost imperceptibly.
"You're playing a dangerous game." I murmured, low enough for only her to hear.
She turned her head, her cheek brushing mine ever so slightly as she smiled. "So are you."
Blake said something else. Something about their favorite Italian restaurant back in university, and Aurelia turned back to him like nothing was happening. Like my fingers weren't idly tracing the base of her neck. Like her leg wasn't still pressed up against mine, heat coiling between us.
She laughed again. Tilted her head. Ate her cake.
I drank my coffee.
Jealousy hummed like static in my ears. But I didn't retreat.
I just sat there. Secretly fuming. Enraged. Eager for this damned dinner to end. My hand still behind her chair, her body brushing mine.
It was almost cruel, how composed she was.
She was taunting me.
The rest of the night passed in a blur with the two of them talking nonstop like excited teenagers and me sitting stiffly carrying all the restrained tension in my shoulders and my jaw.
I felt invisible. Nonexistent.
And then finally... they decided to call it a night.
He gave her a goodbye hug and I had to resist the urge to pull him off her. "It was great seeing you again, Aurelia. I hope we can meet again soon."
"Me too!" She grinned.
I watched him walk out, then turned to her.
"You've got a type." I said bitterly.
"Yeah? What's that?" She asked nonchalantly.
"Overly friendly, lame and underdressed."
She smirked, rolling her eyes. "Just admit you're jealous."
"Don't flatter yourself."
"Don't flatter yourself." She mimicked me in a deep voice, earning herself a glare that didn't affect her in the least.
"How very mature." I mumbled, walking with her to the parking lot.
I exhaled slowly. "You should've told me you had dinner plans."
"You don't own me, Ashford."
No. But the idea of someone else having even a fraction of her attention lit something territorial in me I couldn't explain.
"And Zayden?"
"Hmm?" I uttered impatiently, opening the door to the passenger side for her.
She stepped closer to the point where our bodies touched slightly, then held my gaze firmly before trailing a hand sensually over my chest.
"Next time you brush your fingers against my skin, try and do it right. It seems you don't have much experience on how to please a woman."
And then she stepped back and slid into the passenger seat.
After lighting up every damn nerve in my body.