“The verdict is still out there as to what kind of brother I am. I must do my best to impress you.”
“I see.” She laughs softly, and I find it a relaxing sound. It pleases me that I’m the reason for it. It also makes me imagine what other sounds I could get out of her.
“Is there anything you don’t eat?” I keep my fingers crossed, hoping she won’t be one of those women who eat almost nothing and call themselves full after half a salad.
“Nope. I’ll have anything. As long as it’s tasty, I’m in.”
I nod appreciatively. Ava Lindt is proving to be more real than any woman I’ve met in years.
“Is it far away?” Ava crosses her legs, making her skirt lift, revealing a bit more of her thigh. I force my eyes on the road, fantasizing about what she hides under her strict little suit. I must be out of my mind. I just met her.
“You don’t trust me?”
“Well, I did just meet you. Isn’t there a saying about not getting in cars with strangers?”
“You do know I’m the CEO, right? You act as if that doesn’t matter in the slightest.”
“And you like it.” Her eyes widen, her mouth forming a small, delicious O.
“I do,” I admit. “Most people are afraid to even breathe in my presence.”
“I’m not afraid of you.” Her dismissive tone riles me.
“Perhaps you should be,” I retaliate, because I’ve thought about devouring that delicious skin of hers since she set foot in my office. With her hair on one side and her neck bared to me, I wanted to kiss her right there and feel her shudder in my arms.
I grip the steering wheel tighter. I will not get involved with an employee. Well, technically she’s a consultant, not my employee. Damn semantics, Bennett… The whole thing is out of the question.
We arrive at the restaurant ten minutes later. I let the valet take my car. This is one of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Of course, I might be biased since one of my sisters owns it, but reviewers agree with me. It’s high on one of San Francisco’s hills with a magnificent view over the city.
“Mr. Bennett, welcome,” the headwaiter says. “We have a corner table available on the terrace. You’ll get the best view.”
“Oh, this is beautiful,” Ava exclaims as she sits down, looking beyond the terrace.
I order the house specialty for both of us. Ava squints at me.
“I could have ordered for myself,” she says after the waiter leaves, jutting her chin forward and rolling her tiny shoulders. God, she’s delicious all worked up like this.
“I know the restaurant better. You’ll like it.”
“You’re bossy.” She crosses her arms over her chest. Even though she has a petite frame, she has curves in all the right places.
I lean slightly across the table. “You have no idea.”
A few seconds later, my sister Alice appears at our table. “Sebastian, you should’ve told me you were coming.”
“It was a spontaneous decision. Alice, this is Ava, our marketing consultant. Ava, Alice is my sister and she owns this restaurant.” Out of my three sisters, Alice resembles Mom the most. She has the same small figure and light brown hair.
“It’s very beautiful,” Ava says.
Alice looks speculatively at us. I hold her gaze, but don’t return her inquisitive smile. I make a mental note to keep my eyes off Ava during lunch, or the Bennett rumor mill will start.
“I’d love to eat with both of you, but I’m in the middle of a meeting with a potential partner. I came to say hi.”
Ava and I make small talk after she leaves, until the waiter brings our drinks. After sipping from her soda, she says, “I want to know more about the company and about you.”
“Do you always grill CEOs?”
She grins. “No. CEOs are usually people hired from outside. You are the founder, the essence of this company. By knowing you, I will understand the company’s values better. The foundation of a successful advertising campaign is authenticity. I’ve read all there was to read about the company online. Nevertheless, I know the press has its way of twisting stories, depending on the angle they’re going for. I want to know the facts directly from the source.” She speaks with so much passion, the sudden urge to lean across the table and kiss her hits me like a ton of bricks.