I blush.
“It’s not a date! It’s a business dinner.”
Megan scoffs.
“Please. I’ve seen pictures of Marcus in magazines and he is smokin’. Nothing with that man is just dinner.”
Meanwhile, my stomach fills with butterflies all over again. Is Megan right? Could this dinner turn into something more?
“You’re wrong,” I say decisively. “We’re just having a meal together to get to know each other. I’m the new head designer, so it makes sense.”
Megan squeals, shaking her head furiously.
“I don’t care what he calls it, or what you think! Anytime you’re sitting two feet away from that man is an opportunity to look your best. Plus, he’s divorced now,” she swoons. “I’d love to go to dinner with him.”
I make a wry face.
“Yeah, but I thought you were head over heels for that new guy.”
Megan grins and pops back up.
“You mean Hector? Yeah, I guess he’s okay. But enough about me. Hector can wait. You need to try on this dress, Adds.”
I stare at it doubtfully again.
“But isn’t this going to send the wrong message?”
“What, that you’re a hot young woman with a smokin’ body?”
“Megan.”
“I’m serious, Addy. Put. The. Dress. On. Trust me on this.”
Sighing, I go into our shared bathroom and slip into the outfit before coming out again.
“See, I told you,” Megan says with satisfaction, looking me over. “Now this is an outfit worthy of a date with Marcus Steele.”
I stare at myself. It’s certainly flattering, that’s for certain. The blue velvet hugs my curves in all the right spots without looking trashy, and when I step into a pair of matching blue pumps, my breasts are pushed forward and my stomach tucks itself in a bit. I look curvy and ripe, not overweight and sloppy.
“Okay, okay, I’ll wear it,” I assure Megan. “Thank you for your help.”
She kisses my cheek. “Always, sweetie. Now wish me luck. I’m going on my third date with Hector.”
“Third date? Wow, is that a record?” I ask wryly.
Megan flips me off. “I’ve made it to four before. I think. But I don’t know if Hector’s going to make it to four because I don’t really like his name.”
I laugh.
“Hector is a perfectly nice name.”
But Megan shakes her head.
“Do you think I can get him to change it?”
I smile.
“Maybe if you try hard enough.”
My friend nods with satisfaction again.
“Well, I’m a determined person, so we’ll see. I’ll let you know my progress. And good luck with your ‘business dinner.’”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later tonight.”
“Hopefully not!” Megan calls as she leaves my room. “I hope you’re ravished by Marcus Steele and that I don’t see you until tomorrow morning. Or maybe until the weekend because you’re lazing around in his bed!”
I laugh and just grab my purse. Megan’s right. I couldn’t wear that boxy suit to a meal with Marcus Steele because he deserves more and better.5Marcus* * *Addy shifts nervously as she surveys the menu. Though she looks absolutely ravishing tonight, I can tell the curvy girl is uncomfortable in this restaurant.
I didn’t mean to make her nervous. When I asked her to dinner, I wanted to impress her. As a result, I chose La Gitana, my favorite restaurant in the city. The prices are high, but the food is delicious. The problem is that the ambiance can be a bit pretentious, and it’s obviously wearing on the lush young woman before me.
“So how are you?” I ask smoothly.
She blushes and smiles a bit.
“Good, Mr. Steele. Thank you for inviting me.”
I nod.
“Please, call me Marcus. We’ll be working closely together from here on out, so it’s only fitting.”
She nods shyly.
“Yes of course.”
I grin.
“By the way, this is a business dinner, so it’s on me. Well, it’s on the House of Steele, actually.”
Addy blushes again. “Was I being that obvious?”
“I could practically see you doing the math in your head. Don’t worry about it. Order whatever you like because La Gitana is an amazing restaurant. You’ll enjoy their menu items, I promise.”
She bites her lip, still a bit hesitant.
“Okay, thank you. It’s just that I’ve never been to such a fancy, expensive restaurant before.”
“I’m glad your first time is with me then,” I quip.
Addy blushes again. Did she catch my innuendo? I hope so because ever since seeing Addy spying on us that night, I haven’t been able to forget the lust in her eyes. She wants me, I’m sure of it. Yes, we work together and I’m technically her boss. But I just don’t care. There are benefits to being CEO, and this is one of them. Suddenly, a waiter materializes at our side.
“Welcome to La Gitana. I’m Davide and I will be your server.”
The man speaks with a genuine French accent, and I nod courteously.
“Good evening, Davide,” I begin. “Can we get a bottle of Burgundy for the table to start? The best from your cellars, please. And I’ll have the calamari, grilled not fried.”