Chapter 13 #2
My chest tightens, feeling the change in her posture.
Before I think, my hand shoots out and lands on top of hers.
Her eyes flick up and lock on mine before she silently turns her hand and our fingers entwine.
Our grasp is hidden by the wine bottle, the low flicker of the candle helping to keep our connection from the tables nearby.
“Office gossip?” I’m not immune to the chatter in the office, but I do tune it out mostly.
“People are talking. Thinking I got the promotion because of…”
Assholes. Every last one of them.
“Well, you know the truth.” I rub my thumb against her skin, offering my silent support. I shouldn’t be touching her. Hell, I shouldn’t even have brought her here. We should’ve both gone straight home. But I didn’t want to. Plain and simple, I wanted more time with her.
“I know. But it’s still a little uncomfortable.”
“Well, you’ll get people in business and in life who continue to talk, gossip, slander…”
“How do you deal with it?”
I grab my glass and take another longer sip of wine, because while I care very little for the gossip about me, the fact that it’s about her is riling me up inside.
“I ignore it for the most part. Don’t worry about those who talk behind your back. They’re behind you for a reason.”
She sits up a little taller, taking in my words, and I feel proud when I see her whole posture change. I release my hold on her hand and sit back as well.
“Is that why you didn’t wear the scarf today?”
“Yeah. Apparently, Ashley was telling people about how you bought a scarf for someone. I didn’t want further attention by people putting two and two together.”
I grind my teeth. Ashley talking about my business to work colleges is a major breach. I expect confidentiality in all my dealings, especially those that are more personal than business.
“So, Lake Placid is coming up?” She changes the subject before taking a sip of her wine.
I watch the berry liquid touch her lips, the way she swallows, my eyes wandering down her neck.
I shouldn’t have bought her a scarf. I should’ve bought her a necklace because she has the most beautiful neck and needs to show it off.
“Donovan?”
I blink, looking at her, the grin on her face telling me she caught me staring.
“It should be a good trip. All the best people from the industry will be there.”
“I’ve never even been on a plane before.”
I look at her like she’s crazy. “Really?”
“I’ve never been out of the city.”
“Lake Placid is beautiful all year round, but I especially love it in winter. It will be a little cool, so make sure you wear your scarf.” I look at her pointedly.
“Yes, boss.” Her lips twitch, and I want to stand up, lean over, and kiss the twitch right off her lips.
“Your meals.” The waiter swoops up to the table, depositing my steak and her pasta, both of which look and smell amazing.
“Thank you.” He leaves as quickly as he came, and we both dig in.
“Ohhhhh,” she groans, and I swear my dick perks to attention as my gaze lifts from my plate to her.
“This is so good…” She twirls some pasta on her fork and lifts it, and my dick jolts again as her tongue tangles in the spaghetti. I could almost come in my fucking pants from simply watching her eat.
“You like it?” I manage to croak out. Is it hot in here or…
“It's like the best thing I’ve ever eaten…” Yet… best thing you’ve eaten yet.
I clear my throat and focus on my food. “So, Jasper? Found anything?” I stab my steak, wishing it was her pasta, and try to focus on work.
“Nothing concrete. Where could he be getting his money from? I can imagine the outlay for those businesses he purchased would have been substantial.”
“That’s the question I’ve been asking myself. And others. No one seems to know.”
“They’re small businesses, maybe a few million each. But he’ll need to spend more bringing them up to standard.” Watching her think is one of my favorite things to do these past few weeks.
“It doesn't make sense.” I shake my head. The Jasper deal is feeling increasingly like an itch I just can’t scratch.
“I investigated and most of them seem to have something in common.”
I pause, looking at her, loving her insight, knowing she sees what others don’t.
“What?”
“Location.”
I frown, thinking as she continues.
“He purchased the textile factories closest to water, thereby full and direct access to three docks. All small, none of which we use, but could be used for future shipping channels.”
“A logistics play?”
“Maybe, but I researched the tides in that area all week. It isn’t sustainable, unless he invests money into building new infrastructure at the docks.”
“What are the international ownership rules in those countries?”
She blinks for a moment, pushing her glasses up her nose.
“From what I can find, there isn’t really a strong rhyme or reason. There's some international ownership, but other areas within that zone are a little more… relaxed.”
“It has to be a logistics play…” What else could there be?
“But again, where’s he getting the money? Building new infrastructure at the docks is a significant investment.”
Her beautiful mind ticks over, and I stare at her face, the candlelight flickering across it, shadows dancing, the flames reflecting off her glasses.
“Do you like the wine?” I ask as we both take another sip.
“I love it.”
“It’s from the Stonemore family winery in the California wine country. They’ve just gone global.”
“Hmm… I can see how. It’s soft on the palette.”
My eyes widen a little. “A wine connoisseur?” This woman seems to know about a lot of things. She’s the kind of woman I can sit with all night and never tire of listening to.
“Not at all. But I did a study on the wine industry at a job I had about two years ago. A brewery in the Midwest. They wanted a thorough overview of competitors, including other beverages, so I spent a few weeks diving into wine. I may have sampled a few bottles while doing it.” I laugh, her cheekiness coming through.
I love learning a little more about the woman I can’t stop thinking about.
I enjoy this banter. The conversation flows easily. It isn't stilted. We aren’t talking about Milan Fashion Week or what yacht is going to be in Mallorca or who is wearing what. This is refreshing and real.
“Do you like wine?” she asks.
“I have my own cellar at home. Nothing too big, but I keep a few rare bottles and some for special occasions.”
“Impressive.” She nods, and I feel my chest push out a little in pride.
We finish our meal, talking about wine regions, the weather in Asia, and a few other topics before I catch her yawning.
“We should go. I need to get you home.” I wave to the waiter, who puts the meal on my account, and we stand, grabbing our things. I really wish she was coming home with me tonight.
“Thanks for tonight. I really enjoyed myself.” Standing behind her, I help her with her coat again, forcing myself not to lean down and put my lips on her cheek from behind.
I pull her coat up over her shoulders, then before she can, I sweep her hair out so it doesn’t get caught.
It’s soft, slipping through my fingers so easily, and my heart rate quickens at the mere thought of missing out on having it in my hands.
“I had a good time too.”
I am about to grab her hand, maybe kiss her knuckles, but just as I reach out to her, I catch myself and pull back, looking around. People are watching. I’m not on a date. It's a work dinner. Fuck, York, get your head out of your pants.
“Let’s go.” We make our way through the restaurant, past all the eyes and to the door. Walking outside, the cool air takes my breath away, and I see Gordon jump out of the car to get the back door for us.
I immediately step aside and let Jessica step toward me, my hand landing on her back instinctively, wanting her to get some body heat and guide her to the car.
“Wow. Icy.” I look down at her, grinning, seeing her nose tint pink almost immediately, her smile wide just as the flashes start.
“Donovan, who's the woman on your arm tonight?”
“Where have you been hiding her, Donovan?”
“Smile, we want our shot.”
I grit my teeth and pull Jessica even closer as the cameras click incessantly, almost blinding me.
She stumbles as the cameramen get too close, and I hold her tighter, wanting to shield her from all of it.
I push us to the car as Gordon steps forward to help, and I guide Jessica inside quickly before I follow, Gordon running to the driver's seat and tearing away from the curb.
“Whoa. That was…”
“Are you alright?” I don’t mean to bark at her, but I turn, facing her, my hands holding her shoulders as panic looms about what she just experienced. My eyes roam over every inch of her to ensure she’s whole. “They’re vultures. Had I known they were there…”
“I’m okay.” Her voice is almost angelic as her hand comes to my face and rests against my cheek.
It’s then I notice I’m breathing hard, overwhelmed.
“I’m fine… I’m okay…” Her thumb rubs slowly against my cheek, soothing me, and as I meet her eyes, I take a deep breath.
The fight-or-flight leaves me. I don’t usually care about photographers.
I’m so used to them, I rarely react. But having them intrude on Jessica, having them put cameras in her face, pushing us to get their shot, made me furious.
“Are you sure?” My eyes drop, taking another look over her. She isn’t like the other women I have around me. She isn’t smiling for the cameras. Angling her body so they get her good side. She isn’t waiting to be front and center on the magazines or the gossip sites.
“I mean… it was almost as rough as a sprinkler sale at the start of spring… but yes, Donovan, I’m fine.” She smiles gently at me, and I grab her hand, pulling it from my face and holding it tight.
“Is it an issue… being photographed together?” It’s like she can read my mind.
“It will be on the front page tomorrow,” I admit, feeling terrible for dragging her into my world like this. I didn’t think. I didn’t think about how this would look. If she’s upset over the break room gossip at work, then this is going to be a whole new level.
“But they’ve seen us together before.” Her frown is still cute, even though in this instance, I don’t like it on her face.
“Previously, it was a work event. A well-documented networking business night. This…” I trail off as she sits back into the seat, this time right next to me, not moving to the side, leaving room between us, but her shoulder butts up right against mine.
Instinctively, I lift my arm, dropping it around her shoulders, and she snuggles in.
Just like that, I feel at ease. I lift my other hand to hold hers, resting our grip on my thigh, our fingers playing together.
“Dinner at an expensive restaurant, your hand around my back, both of us getting into your car… less so.”
“Can you handle it? Can you handle me?” I almost whisper the words, because while I don’t know what’s happening between us or what we’re doing, I know if she can’t handle this media storm that’s going to start brewing about us, then we can’t be anything.
“I can handle it… as long as you're with me… as long as we handle it together?” She tilts her head up, her hair brushing against my chin until her eyes meet mine. Her lips are right there. Ripe for the taking.
“I’ve got you.” I’m even quieter this time. It’s not a promise. It’s a fact.
She nods, barely. Her fingers brush tentatively, like she’s testing the weight of the moment.
“I don’t need easy,” she says. “I just need real.”
And she is. Right here. Right now. Real and with me. I lean forward, even though I shouldn’t. She meets me halfway, and when my lips brush against hers, I know I’m in the right place.
Moving my hand to cup her cheek, I feel her grip on to the lapel of my jacket as she pulls me closer.
I relish it, how much she wants this too.
In full control, I deepen the kiss, sweeping my tongue across hers, and I realize there’s really no going back.
I knew that once I felt her lips, I wouldn’t be able to stop.
And right now, in this car, I’m proving it.
Her body turns to me, and I hold her closer with my other hand wrapped around her back.
A soft moan crawls up her throat as her palms glide up my chest and curl around the base of my neck, the sound only spurring me on more.
Her lips are soft, my kiss demanding, and her body feels all too good against my own.
But at the thought of her body and all the things I want to do to it right this second, my brain kicks into gear, and I pull back a little, leaving the two of us breathless.
“Fuck…” I swallow, knowing there’s only one way forward for me.
“Wow…” Her eyes glisten and search mine, the tension around us so thick I can barely breathe.
“Mmmmmm… it’s going to be harder for me to keep my hands to myself now, but it was worth it.” My voice is almost a rumble as I brush the hair back from her face, wanting to see all of her.
“So worth it…” she whispers as her lips curve into a seductive grin, and I know I’ve met my match.