“You Annabella. Do you. Sweet, confident, untrusting and focused on what you need and want in life not what someone dictates. He doesn’t need to know how inexperienced you are.”
“Got it.” She nodded her head, and took a deep breath and Eve grabbed her hand before she turned.
“Maybe undo one more button on that blouse so you show a bit more cleavage.”
“What?” She exclaimed.
“Well honey, if you’re going to lose your virginity it may as well be with a fine specimen of a man like that. I mean if you are ready and like him. Although by the looks of him, he could eat little ‘ole you up alive.”
“Grrr. Thanks for nothing.” She said and turned around to walk away hearing Eve chuckling. Another glance over her shoulder and Eve was sipping her coffee and staring at Ivan. That jealous, sick feeling hit her gut. Oh my God. Oh my God.
****
Ivan half paid attention to what Sanford was saying and half watched Annabella working. She was all smiles when she approached and set down their coffees, then took their orders. Yet she completely ignored him and refused to make eye contact with him. He had to smirk inside. He scared her, intimidated her, but the attraction was there. He didn’t know why he pushed and acted this way, but he found himself affected by her. It was a first.
Staring at her green eyes, the most mesmerizing asset about her, she smiled and spoke with Sanford about some town fair coming up. He liked this town. What he saw of it. Living here on the weekends was more of a reprieve from the city life. During the week he remained in his penthouse at night after conducting business all day. He attended banquets, art galas and fundraising events as required in his line of work. He had seen many beautiful things but nothing grabbed his attention like this young woman. He eyed her attire. She even made a plain, black skirt, uniform, white blouse and an apron look sexy. She had purity about her. A youthfulness that seemed untouched by the violence of life unlike him.
“Did you decide on breakfast?” She asked and looked at him. Those eyes, they were incredible.
“I’ll take a piece of the crumb cake.”
“Me as well.” Sanford said and then pulled out some documents.
She gave a soft smile and then walked away, her perfume, or the scent of the shampoo she used in her hair filtered around him. Ivan found himself inhaling, desperate to catch more of her scent. What was wrong with him? He never reacted like this to a woman. He forced the stupidity from his mind and focused on the conversation with Sanford and sealing the deal. He ran his finger along the rim of his coffee cup, but couldn’t resist looking up to find Annabella.
“So the closing can be as quick as tomorrow if you’re ready.” Sanford told him.
“Definitely ready. After the walk through this morning I feel it will be the perfect location for my small company to establish residency. Let’s move ahead with the sale.”
“Excellent. I’ll have the papers drawn and finalized and sent over by this evening.”
“Very good.” He said and then looked to where Annabella was talking to three men at a table and making them laugh. One of the men leaned back and licked his lower lip, his eyes glued to her. They roamed over her body and Ivan felt angry, jealous, and possessive and that shocked him.
As she walked away shaking her head and they kept their eyes on her ass, he clenched his teeth and bit the inside of his cheek. A moment later she returned with their crumb cakes.
“More coffee?” She asked.
“Sure thing honey. Thank you.” Sanford said staring up into her eyes.
Ivan felt the scowl on his face and when she looked at him that smile, sweetness disappeared. She swallowed hard. “Coffee sir?” She asked, referring to him as sir. Feeding his ego, making him think crazy thoughts. Like how that sweet angelic face might look when she came from his ministrations.
He shook his head, not even able to give a verbal response. She hurried away, scaring her, and it was obvious. Sanford cleared his throat.
“What do you think of our town?” Sanford asked.
Ivan looked at Annabella as she returned with the coffee pot.
He watched her closely.
“It’s nice and quaint.” Ivan replied.
“Friendly too. Your building is in a great location. Has plenty of privacy as well, plus lunch here at the café or even at the diner down the block is awesome.”
“I haven’t seen much, but what I have seen interests me.” He said holding Annabella’s gaze as she pulled the coffee pot away.
Sanford cleared his throat. “Will you need anything else?” She asked Sanford, not even looking at Ivan. It got to him, but apparently Ivan got to her.
“I’ll be heading out. I expect those papers tonight and this finalized by tomorrow.” He stood up and Annabella stepped back. He stared at her.