Tall
Utterly dark
Dirty-blond
Handsome
Extremely hot
one.
I slow down my pace.
Swallowing back my disbelief, I pull out my earbuds and tuck my phone into my bag, my hand trembling slightly. I can’t believe it’s him. Is the universe finally getting in on my plan? What do I do now, walk and talk business?
There’s no way I can do that.
But it’s not like I can cross the street and avoid them, that would be infantile and obvious. I continue walking, my head canted down.
I peek up and see the four of them are on the sidewalk under a restaurant awning, talking.
The beat of my heart accelerates the closer I get. Aaric the boy would have made me feel safe, but Aaric the man makes me feel like a fish on a hook.
Well, fuck that, if we’re going to be in business I can’t pay attention to my heart. I inhale and prepare to walk past when I hear—
“Long time no see.”
It’s Christos’s low, deep voice. My heart stops, then restarts with a pounding racket in my head.
I turn my head, smiling as I do.
“Well, if it isn’t my future business partner. I was just thinking of you,” I say.
He leans over to greet me with a brush of his lips on my cheek. “I’m sure all your thoughts of me color your face pink like that.”
The touch makes me tingly and uncomfortable and hot. Hot all over.
I widen my eyes.
Is he seriously flirting with me in front of his girlfriend?
What’s the deal with him?
“Bryn? Is that you? It’s been forever since I’ve seen you. Come here!” Aaric’s brother, Cole, says as he pulls me into a hug.
“Cole!” I say, hugging my old high school friend back. “Are you living here with your brother?”
“Not with him—but I’m definitely a resident,” he concedes.
After greeting the women—Miranda, Aaric’s blonde, who greets me coolly and looks down her nose at me, and Gwen, Cole’s blonde, who doesn’t bother to look me in the eye—I search for something to say as all four pairs of eyes examine me with interest.
“I never expected to see you again.” I look at Aaric as I speak. Silently asking—are you willing to see me again or what, you stubborn man?
He stares down at me, taking in my face, his expression unreadable but his eyes intense as he drinks me in.
“We’re getting drinks, do you want to accompany us, Bryn?” Cole asks.
Hesitation grips me. “Oh, I’d hate to be a fifth wheel,” I hedge.
The women don’t look pleased about Cole’s invitation.
Especially Christos’s blonde.
“That term doesn’t exist between old friends. Come on. I’m sure my brother here would love to catch up with his Lips.”
Aaric shoots his brother an icy look that makes my heart skip a beat, and the women purse their lips in jealousy.
Christos meets my gaze and motions toward the restaurant door. I follow him. He towers over me as I step through the door he holds open for me. I can smell him. He smells different. More…dangerous.
Familiar but new.
We shuffle inside, and the maître d' appears. “Mr. Christos, a pleasure as always. Your table is ready.”
“We’ll be five tonight, David,” he requests.
“Oh, of course! One minute.” The man hustles to accommodate him.
“Are you certain?” I ask out loud.
“Completely,” Cole answers.
But when my face still shows doubt, Christos turns and says, “I insist.” His eyes meet mine, and as they do, a subtle electric current passes through me.
“So are you two friends?” Christos’s date asks a bit snottily.
“High school,” Christos says as we wait to be led to our table.
I edge closer to Cole and push onto my tiptoes. “She’s beautiful. Is that why he likes her? She’s like model beautiful,” I say, trying to keep my voice low.
He leans over, laughter in his voice as he nods with mock somberness. “She swears that while God took seven days in creating the world, Aaric would’ve taken six.” He winks as he straightens.
I realize Aaric is watching us, and as his date speaks to the other girl, I say, “Sounds like she dotes on you.”
His brows shoot upwards in amusement, and though he’s not smiling, his eyes begin to dance devilishly. “You two were talking about me.”
Lightning fast, a warm flush runs up my face, and I quickly change the subject. “Anyway. Should I tell you about my business?” I say.
God, he’s enjoying this. Isn’t he?
He starts to follow the maître d' to our table, pushing his fingers into my back to urge me forward with one hand, while doing the same to his date with the other. “Not until I’m interested,” he leans down to say in my ear.
“But— that doesn’t even make sense.” I frown and walk forward as he guides me.
“You’re part of the business,” he says.
“Yes. I am. What? You don’t want to do business with me…your little bit?” I ask in disbelief.
He shakes his head, his tone tender but rueful. “You’re not my little bit.” His thumb caresses my bare back, and a host of tingles climb up my spine and neck.
“For old times’ sake.” He pulls out my seat, not answering. “Christos!” I hiss as he turns to his date. He helps her with her chair then takes a seat beside me.
He leans close to me. “Can you relax and enjoy yourself without talking business?”
He raises his eyebrows, challenging.
I stare at his hard male chest and his thick throat, my head spinning dizzily at his words. He’s so close I can smell the soap and shampoo on his skin and hair, the cologne drifting from somewhere around him.
“Excuse me while I go freshen up in the ladies’.” I inhale deeply and push away from the table.
I enter the bathroom, but instead of heading for a stall, I stop at the sink and stare at myself in the mirror.
He really pushes my buttons, this man.
Even in school. He was the first workaholic I’d ever met. Fixed everyone’s phones, cars, and even sold tests. He was a little bit too bad, and I was a little bit too good. He was a demon in the making and I was still Daddy’s little angel. I suppose it was my fault that we never…that…well, I just could never believe he might actually want me. Not for keeps. I was too afraid to get hurt.
I wash my hands, splash some cold water on my neck, and then head back to the table. I try not to stumble when I watch Christos lift his head from his conversation and quietly watch me return, that unreadable, dark gaze on me.
I slide into my seat while conversation continues between the women and Cole—
“—so there’s this endless line of people, and I…”
Aaric’s hand is curved around his wine and his thumb is stroking the glass. Up and down.
“So what brings you to the city?” Cole asks me when his date finishes with her anecdote.
“Business. I’ve been in town for six weeks.”
“Good.”
Christos moves his head closer to me and leans forward, as if to exclude the others from our conversation.
“Plan to stay?” he asks, gruffly.
I tilt my head to meet his gaze.
“I’m living in Nolita with a friend. I have a gig dog walking since waitressing is not my thing. I’m looking for an investor for my startup and was hoping you would see me again.”
“Call his office,” Cole interrupts.
I look up at his handsome, but less intimidating, brother and smile. “I already did.”
Christos digs a hand into his suit pocket and places a sleek white-and-silver letter card before my place setting. “Call again.” Christos meets my gaze and holds it, some sort of warning in his gaze.
I’m not sure what he’s warning me about.
That I need to be persistent?
Or that I need to be sure that I want to do business with him?
That maybe our close proximity…
“—right, Christos? The best startups you’ve ever funded have always come to you unawares.”