Chapter Seventeen Burgers and Fries #2
If anyone else had asked me that question, they might be confused by my response. They might even try to insist that I should choose hockey if that’s what I truly love.
Sutton, though, just nods in understanding. “Yeah, I’m with you there. Absolutely. Family can make things…complicated.”
The waitress appears with our food, and as we eat, we fall into a comfortable flow of conversation, focusing on lighter things.
I like watching her eat. She’s not afraid to enjoy her food, unlike other rich girls I know.
She also seems to relax, and I feel a buzzing of pride in the back of my head that I’ve helped make her feel better.
When she talks about her family, she tells me about her Aunt Delilah, who she clearly adores.
I notice that she seems lighter when talking about her aunt rather than her parents.
Delilah’s also how she connected with Romero, and she finally goes into more detail about her meeting with him and how well it went.
Even talks about some of the ideas she has for the performance center.
She’s still not saying something about it, but I appreciate getting at least a little more insight.
“There’s just so much potential,” she gushes excitedly. “It could be a real showpiece of the city, blending its old fashioned charm with modern amenities. It’s really a gorgeous building… just needs some TLC.”
The way she brightens up when she talks about architecture — this peek into her creative mind — is so fascinating. She has my full attention.
“It sounds fantastic,” I tell her. “Romero and his board would be idiots not to hire you.”
Her cheeks go pink at the compliment and she smiles, looking suddenly shy.
“Thanks,” she mutters, gazing down at her burger. “That’s really… I mean, I appreciate that. It’s just this presentation in front of a group, it has me…” she shakes her head and forces a smile. “Well, whatever. Let’s just enjoy the night.”
I get the sense she doesn’t get complimented for her brain and brilliance nearly as often as she should.
The thought pisses me off, but also fills me with a wave of determination.
In the short time we’re together, I’m going to make sure she knows how incredible she is.
I want her to know just how smart, beautiful, and capable she is, so that when this fake engagement comes to an end, she never has a reason to doubt herself again. It’s the least I can do.
After we finish eating, she appears full and content. The buzz from our drinks at the bar is gone, so I drive us back to the apartment building and lead her up to the penthouse. Once inside, Sutton rests one hand against the wall and reaches down to take off her heels.
“Don’t know why I decided to keep wearing these,” she grumbles. “I should have just worn more comfortable shoes once I got changed, but I just had to look hot…”
She suddenly loses her balance and stumbles forward with a startled yelp. I reach out and catch her around her waist, pulling her back against my chest. For a moment, we both tense. The feel of her body pressed to mine…her heat wrapping around me…her sweet scent teasing my nose…
Fuck, my cock is twitching.
Get a grip. Get a grip. Get a grip!
I loosen my hold on her and she slowly turns around to face me, but she doesn’t put any more distance between us.
We stare at each other, the pull between us undeniable.
I know if I leaned down to kiss her, she’d let me.
That she wants me to, even, but I resist. We shouldn’t.
We can’t let things get complicated. Can’t cross any lines.
But, fuck me, she’s so tempting. So stunning.
She starts moving closer, though, and I don’t stop her.
Not even when she pushes onto her tiptoes and brings her mouth closer to mine.
I want her to kiss me. To wrap her arms around me and melt into me.
To let me touch her and tie her down. The temptation is there, pushing me, but I tilt my head back, pulling my mouth out of her reach.
“Hold on,” I murmur. “You were right in wanting to keep things between us platonic. We’re just friends, remember?”
She nibbles her bottom lip and I want so badly to take that lip between my own teeth and bite it…
“Why can’t friends have sex without it being complicated?” she asks in a husky voice that makes my cock throb.
God damn it, she’s making this so difficult. I have to remind myself that she doesn’t know what I’m really like. If she knew about my actual…proclivities, she’d probably be freaked out.
“Sutton.” I place my hands on her shoulders and gently push her back. “I had fun that night we spent together, but that’s not my usual MO.”
“What do you mean?”
I suck in a deep breath through my nose and blow it out of my mouth. “My tastes in the bedroom are… different. Intense. I don’t think you’re really ready for that.”
Considering the discussion over, I kiss her forehead. “Good night.”
Moving past her, I have every intention of heading straight to my room, locking my door, and forgetting all about this.
I can feel her staring after me, though…
her eyes boring into the back of my head.
Unable to help myself, I pause and look back at her.
I expect her to avert her gaze, maybe even look embarrassed that I caught her staring.
She doesn’t look away though, and she sure as fuck doesn’t look embarrassed. Actually, she looks determined..
Boldly holding my gaze, she speaks in a clear, unwavering voice.
“I’m ready,” she says. “Show me.”